Greenbank Connecions

June–August 2019 Issue 681 Scottish Charity SCO11325

Spectrum, 28th April 2019 – St Paul on the Road to Damascus (see page 9) Greenbank Parish Church,

Online version: www.greenbankchurch.org/about/the-newsletter/ www.greenbankchurch.org Contents Minister’s Letter Summer Coffee Mornings 2 Dear Friends Minister’s Letter 2 From the Youth Associate 4 Images from Easter Sunday 6 Solidarity with Sri Lanka 7 New Face – Graeme Wetherill 8 Fresh Start 8 Spectrum Art 9 Greenbank Pre School 10 Cyclones Idai and Kenneth, and the DEC Appeal 11 Global Prayer Initiative 11 Friendship Club 11 Eco Column – Summer 2019 12 It’s good to be part of Greenbank, and I Summer Walks – Again? 12 count my blessings to be Minister here! In the 2018–19 session I have witnessed so Welcome Teams 13 much committed discipleship and sheer Congregational Register 14 hard graft of one kind or another. The Kirk Holiday Club 14 Session and I are so grateful for all that Calendar: June–August 2019 15 you do to make this congregation a place where God speaks and God’s love is felt. Summer Coffee Rota 16 We have much to be grateful for, and a sign Flower Rota 16 of that gratitude is in our commitment to Contacts and Deadlines 16 the national church. As we approach the 2019 General Assembly, I am very much aware of our contribution in terms of fi­ Summer nance (our Ministry and Mission contri­ butions) and the work of our members on Coffee Mornings various groups and committees. Green­ The Guild will be hosting Coffee Mornings bank is a major contributor to the Church on Tuesdays 4th June, 2nd July, 13th Au- of – thanks be to God! gust and 3rd September at 10.30am in the This is an important year for the Assembly Main Hall. Everyone is welcome – come as it considers two major reviews of cur­ along for coffee or tea, home baking and a rent ways of being the church. It’s very leisurely chat with friends. hard to get consensus on many issues, so we will expect much debate on the floor of Edith Armit

2 June–August 2019 the Assembly Hall, and hopefully a clear 10.30am, which is followed by a barbecue endorsement of plans for the future. At for everyone. Please help to spread Greenbank we have begun to create a new the word amongst family, friends, and strategic plan for our own congregation neighbours about the club to help make as we grow together in faith. It will be it another wonderful week. The following focused on the three headings considered Sunday, 18th August, will be our official by our Kirk Session during its conference “Homecoming Sunday” when we look held at last autumn: Discipleship, forward to gathering everyone back from Outreach, and Pastoral Care. As well as their travels and to celebrating the start of more recent perspectives, the data from another session in our Greenbank journey. our congregational survey of 2017 will This would be a really good Sunday to be analysed, looking at where we’re at invite along a friend, or someone who now, and where we might be going in the hasn’t been to church in a while and might future. A draft plan will be available for appreciate the chance to come back. the congregation to consider, and there With my love and best wishes will be a chance to discuss it in September, for the summer, when the three themes will be the focus for worship on three Sundays, with breakout discussion groups after the services. So, there is a lot going on in the back­ ground, but I’m very aware that we all need a chance for some down time after a busy year. I hope that you all manage to have some relaxation, whether at home or away, and that in that time you will sit for a bit, and listen for the voice of God both for you personally and our communal life at Greenbank. I know that you’ll en­ joy having Bill Stone and his family here from New Jersey as he and I swap pulpits and manses for the month of July. Please do as much as you can to make them all welcome and to support Bill as he returns in the role of Minister rather than Youth Minister. Your prayers for me in the ad­ venture of Pastoring at New Vernon, New Jersey would be valued! We’re all looking forward to the summer Holiday Club, running from 5th August and led by Alison Reid, Steve, and the fantastic team. It culminates in the Holiday Easter Morning, 5.30am: Club service on Sunday 11th August at lighting the Paschal Candle (see also page 6)

3 www.greenbankchurch.org From the Youth Associate Reviewing 2018–19 Across Springboard and QII we have Hutchison, Ian Thom, John Murison, and accomplished plenty! So much so, that Hayley Ferguson, hearing their life stories as I sit down to gather it all together I am as Christians. humbled at all the wonderful opportunities On one cool, calm Easter morning, we we have had together. And, with a twinge gathered together to see some of our of regret, consider the sheer volume of number be baptised, and then a week pizza we have ingested. later to see that same number (and more!) We started a Youth Alpha course in make their profession of faith to the whole September, which took us all the way congregation. to Lent! We learned from Jason and We have talked about difficult subjects – Ben (the presenters of Youth Alpha) as even as I write this we are midway through much as we disagreed with them, and in some time spent talking and thinking those moments we found life together. In about sex, marriage, and intimacy in the questioning the Christian faith, we found Christian tradition. Throughout the year, it questioning us back – engaging in that I have watched, knowing that Beca and great wrestling match with our God. Annie will soon be leaving for university. I will not soon forget the sight of Beca, Will we miss them? Undoubtedly. But David and James in the gallery, sending though they go from us, they will not be parcels zooming down an invisible fishing- far from us. wire zip-line during our family friendly As the summer approaches, I begin Christmas service. Nor the memory of so thinking about the schedule for next year, many youth assembled to help serve for and the promise of new memories we will the Burns Supper. A few of us travelled to create. I am very excited. Lendrick Muir with Scripture Union, and Steve Chaffee we got to ‘interrogate’ Alison Reid, Vivien

Christmas Service zip wire operators: Beca, James, David

4 June–August 2019

Outside the Dominion Cinema: outing to see Avengers Endgame

Brunch, October 2018

5 www.greenbankchurch.org Images from Easter Sunday: 21st April 2019

At 5.30am on Easter Sunday, three young people – David Gourlay, Rebeca Gourlay, and Graeme Wetherill (see also page 8) – were baptised in a service in Braidburn Valley Park attended by 50 people. After the 10.30am Easter Service, a number of the congregation went to Braidburn Valley Park to take part in the traditional egg-rolling.

6 June–August 2019 Solidarity with Sri Lanka

Christians in Sri Lanka were devastated to massacre and recently many churches learn that more than 200 people have been across Scotland, including here at killed and 400 injured in a coordinated Greenbank, have shown solidarity for Sri series of bomb attacks on three churches Lanka by placing white ribbons around and four hotels in the country on Easter their buildings. Sunday. Scottish religious leaders from Janet Edwards around ten denominations have come World Mission Team together in solidarity with Christians in the aftermath of the massacre, united by a determination to stand together and appreciate their differences rather than be divided by them. The Kirk is encouraging people to continue to pray for those affected by the

7 www.greenbankchurch.org New Face – Graeme Wetherill Graeme grew up in the East End of Glasgow, the youngest of three. As a child he enjoyed Sunday School, but didn’t join the Church. He came to Edinburgh to work and enjoyed life here until relationship problems and loss of his job took him back to his family in Glasgow, who were very supportive. One time when he was very distressed he picked up his old Bible and started reading it. That changed his life. He is now back in Edinburgh working with CrossReach to support homeless and vulner­ able people. He has found that his experiences have made him better able to understand and help others in difficulty. He had tried another church, but didn’t think it was the place for him. After meeting Martin he came to see what Greenbank was like, worried that with his jeans and ear studs he wouldn’t fit in, but he has felt welcomed. Edith Armit Graeme Wetherill

Cleaning Things Washing-up basins, washing-up liquid, toilet cleaner, toilet rolls, hand soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, dust pans and Wanted – more good quality brushes, bin bags and liners, all-purpose cleaner, laundry tablets, J cloths. household goods for Fresh Start Bed Linen and Towels Dates For Your Diary: The next dates for Single, double and king sheets and du­ donations to Fresh Start are Sundays 9th vet covers, pillows, pillow cases, blan­ June and 14th July at the Sunday service. kets, duvets, towels, face cloths, and J cloths and cleaning materials are in curtains. short supplyFresh and always Start welcome, should Small Household Electrical Items (not TVs) you not have bedding, towels, etc. Kettles, toasters, lamps, vacuum clean­ Please refer to the list below to avoid giv­ ers, irons, radios, DVD players, micro­ ing unwanted goods. waves, music systems. Dishes and Crockery Dinner plates, side plates, bowls, cut­ Pick up a leaflet on a Fresh Start Sunday, lery, mugs, glass tumblers, tea-towels. see www.freshstartweb.org.uk under ‘donate Pots and Pans, etc. goods’, or telephone 0131 476 7741 to find Pots with lids, milk pans, frying pans, out more about Fresh Start. plastic boxes, cooking utensils, can Susan MacLeod openers, potato peelers, wooden spoons. (Tel 07715 654107,([email protected]) [email protected])

8 June–August 2019 Spectrum Art On 1st April 2019 the Spectrum children were learning about St Paul on the road to Damascus. Here is a selection of their drawings and paintings of St Paul. (See also the cover.) Moira Small

9 www.greenbankchurch.org Summer Term at Greenbank Pre School After a successful BIG DIG at the end The majority of the children attending Pre of last term, the children are enjoying School move on to South Morningside Pri­ using the outdoor spaces, especially our mary, and this term they have three visits upcycled “bus”. Many thanks to all the to their new school. We also have a series parents who came along to help on the day. of special events in June: Garden Parties Our Easter service on 26th April focused on 11th June, our Picnic and Sports Day in on the garden, with the children bringing the Braidburn Valley Park on 20th June, drawings to help tell the Easter story. a visit from Clydebuilt Theatre Company Our main focus this term is Summer. We on 26th June, and then we finish the term have a range of garden projects and a spe­ with ‘Junk to Funk’ parades and Gradua­ cial project: Pirates. tion Ceremonies on 27th June. The transition to school programme is Planning for next session and the pilot of based on Julia Donaldson’s book The Snail 1140 hours continues – there are still a few and the Whale. Children have the chance places available for 600 hours next ses- to investigate small world minibeast areas, sion; please contact us on 0131 447 8068 or explore all the spaces using their senses through our website: and, most importantly, tend the seedlings www.greenbankpreschool.org in the Pre School garden. Our art work Joan Ritchie focuses on colour and building ships as Chair of the Management Committee part of our ‘pirate’ theme.

10 June–August 2019 Cyclones Idai and Kenneth, Global Prayer Initiative and the DEC Appeal Thy Kingdom Come – From The DEC (Disasters Emergency Commit­ Ascension Day to Pentecost tee) is an umbrella group of 14 UK Chari­ Greenbank is taking part in a global prayer ties, including Christian Aid, which coor­ initiative, joining with Christians all over dinates and launches collective appeals to the world to pray for more people to come raise funds to provide emergency aid and to know Jesus. It started in 2016 with an in­ rapid relief to people caught up in disas­ vitation from the Archbishops of Canter­ ters and humanitarian crises around the bury and York and has grown into an in­ world. Their most recent appeal relates to ternational and ecumenical call to prayer. cyclones Idai and Kenneth which swept The Moderator of the General Assem­ through Mozambique, Malawi and Zim­ bly has commended it to congregations. babwe in March leaving behind a trail of It lasts from Ascension Day, 30th May, to destruction, killing at least 960 people and Pentecost, 9th June. So far 114 countries leaving around 3 million in need of help. are involved from 65 denominations. The aid effort is fully underway and DEC The Kirk Session agreed that Green­ member charities are working closely with bank should sign up for the initiative and national partners to support government- we now appear as a light on the world led relief efforts. They are prioritising the map along with all the other church­ delivery of clean water, building toilets es taking part. You can find the map at and handwashing facilities to tackle https://www.thykingdomcome.global the outbreak of cholera. They are also We have set aside a special time of prayer delivering emergency shelter mat­erials from 7.30am until 9am on Sunday 9th and blankets, food such as pulses and June, just before our Pentecost Commun­ maize flour, and urgent health assistance. ion Service. Please come along and be a Focusing on longer-term food security and living part of this great global movement. rehabilitation of livelihoods is paramount There will be some words and music as and some members are already providing prompts to prayer or you can just sit in si­ seeds and tools to communities. lence. To reward your early rise there will UK faith leaders including Rowan be a bacon or veggie roll breakfast at 9am. Williams, former Archbishop of Canter­ Valerie Macniven bury, and Abdul Qayyum, Chief Imam of the East London Mosque which serves Friendship Club Britain’s largest Muslim community, urged Christians, Muslims and people of other We ended our session with a splendid faiths and none to support DEC’s Cyclone Afternoon Tea at the Links Golf Idai Appeal which has so far raised £29m Club. Luckily no-one kept count of how and continues to accept donations. many scones, cakes and savouries were https://donation.dec.org.uk/cyclone#/ demolished! We will be back with a great new programme after the summer break. Janet Edwards Val Smart

11 www.greenbankchurch.org Eco Column – Summer 2019 A Plastic Ocean climate change and the need for social jus­ The Eco Group’s film night on 12th May tice and the eradication of poverty. showed A Plastic Ocean, a disturbing film of Action includes reducing the amount of the impact of plastic debris throughout the plastic we use, such as buying loose veg­ world’s oceans. etables in the supermarket and not sin­ The levels of pollution are now such that gle use prepacks, making use of reusable plastic, often in very small pieces, is spread items, especially substitutes for plastic throughout the marine environment, ad­ bottles, and less obvious changes, such as versely affecting all life in the sea, and the substituting foil for cling wrap and plastic food chain. Human life is therefore threat­ bags in food wrapping. ened by plastic toxins as well. It is estimat­ Those of us at the film, some 20 Green­ ed that 80% of plastic waste ends up in the bankers, will also be spreading its message sea, often washed out of rivers in highly and considering lobbying and campaign­ populated areas of the developing world. ing to bring about change. The message was stark – all discharge of Do think about this a bit more, and con­ plastic to the seas must stop immediately sider it in your prayers and personal ac­ and drastic and worldwide solutions to its tions. The DVD can be borrowed from the safe disposal must be found. We are inevi­ church library after Sunday services. More tably left with thinking about our personal information can be obtained at response to yet another environmental cri­ plasticoceans.org sis, on top of the overwhelming issues of David Jack

Summer Walks – Again? There are no fundraising summer walks Dreghorn or . This is easy walking this year, but one or two of last year’s with very little climbing – again about two participants have asked me if there can plus hours. A third route is to start from be walking opportunities for social and Flotterstone and walk back to Edinburgh recreational benefit. to either Bonaly or Balerno – this is more I am very happy to organise and host like three hours, but not a taxing walk, on walks to suit any ‘age and stage’ again. I good paths. have in mind three options – one is to Since we are an Eco Congregation, all trips do the next section of the Union Canal, will start and finish using foot or bus travel! to , which is about two and If you would like to join a walk please con­ a bit hours duration. The other two are tact me me on on 447 [email protected] 2866 or 07926 812 924, mor, Pentlands based. The first is to leave our [email protected] we can see if there is sufficientm, and we interest can own church door and follow Robert Louis andsee ifalso there settle is on sufficient dates. interest and also Stevenson’s route to Swanston Cottage, settle on dates. David Jack and then along the base of the hills to David Jack

12 June–August 2019 Welcome Teams June July (continued) 2 Keith Winton, Richard Dunbar, 28 Stuart Sanders, Moira Davidson, Clifford Hastings, Chris Horne, Julia Dunbar, John Murison, Rachel Doris Laing, Enid Mowat, Cadell, Sandy Cameron, Moira Robin Nimmo Land, Jenny Wright, Carrie Reid, 9 Ian Thomson, Rhian Ferguson, Amy Barnes Alastair Hunter, Kathleen Patrick, August Dorothy Whitehead, Tony Foster, 4 Keith Winton, Richard Dunbar, Diana Teasdale, Jill Powlett-Brown Clifford Hastings, Chris Horne, 16 John Ritchie, Susan Inch, Doris Laing, Enid Mowat, Gill Sweetman, Susan Jackman, Robin Nimmo Clare Campbell, Catherine 11 Ian Thomson, Rhian Ferguson, Cameron, Ishbel Emery, Alastair Hunter, Kathleen Patrick, Stephen Hadden, Mary Hadden Dorothy Whitehead, Tony Foster, 23 Alan Armit, Edith Armit, Louise Diana Teasdale, Jill Powlett-Brown Coghill, Hugh Cowan, Susan Black, 18 John Ritchie, Susan Inch, Malcolm Watters, Nora Kellock, Gill Sweetman, Susan Jackman, Elizabeth Mackay Clare Campbell, Catherine 30 Ian Thom, Keith Clark, Ray Dely, Cameron, Ishbel Emery, Catherine Hardie, Elizabeth Stephen Hadden, Mary Hadden Htet-Khin, Anne Oxbrow, Isobel 25 Alan Armit, Edith Armit, Louise Thom, Charles Black, Kay Ellis, Coghill, Hugh Cowan, Susan Black, David Gourlay Malcolm Watters, Nora Kellock, July Elizabeth Mackay 7 Donald King, Brian Barron, Walter September Crosby, Donald MacLeod, Roderick 1 Stuart Sanders, Moira Davidson, Morrison, Mairi Stevenson, Jim Julia Dunbar, John Murison, Rachel Young, Kathryn Sangster Cadell, Sandy Cameron, Moira 14 Caroline Kehoe, Richard Denison, Land, Jenny Wright, Carrie Reid, Ian McWilliam, Anne Kinnear, Amy Barnes John Mowat, Jean Roynon-Jones, Lyndsay Kennedy 21 Rosemary McCulloch, Alison Have you looked at the Murison, Malcolm Reid, Joan Greenbank website recently? Ritchie, Rona Ferguson, Fiona Grant, Christina Morrow, Martin www.greenbankchurch.org Struthers, Barbara Middleton

13 www.greenbankchurch.org Congregational Register Baptisms Apr 28 Miss Fiona Perriss (D63) Apr 21 Mr David Gourlay (D35) Apr 28 Mr Graeme Wetherill (D89) Apr 21 Miss Rebeca Gourlay (D35) Apr 21 Mr Graeme Wetherill Omitted(D89) from Newthe online Member by Resolution of the Kirk Session Marriage version of Connections Apr 30 Dr Mary McMahon (D89W) Conducted by the Rev Ian G Scott Apr 20 Sarah Jane Maul to Tobias New Member by Certificate of Frederick Warne, 1506/12 Transfer Queens Road, Melbourne May 6 Dr Crichton Ramsay (D72) New Members by Confirmation & Death Profession of Faith Apr 20 Mrs Mary Gray (D47) Apr 28 Miss Annie Gillies (D36) We are delighted that our friends Tom and Apr 28 Mr David Gourlay (D35) Janet Inglis (D14) have decided to become Apr 28 Miss Rebeca Gourlay (D35) full members of Greenbank, having been Apr 28 Mr Stuart Millar (D41) part of our congregational life since 1995.

14 June–August 2019 Greenbank Calendar: June–August 2019

June 14 Sun 10.00 Summer Service 2 Sun 9.30 Family Friendly 21 Sun 10.00 Summer Service Communion 28 Sun 10.00 Summer Service 10.30 Traditional Communion 15.00 Afternoon Communion August 19.00 QII 4 Sun 10.00 Summer Service 4 Tues 10.30 Guild Coffee Morning 5 Mon to 9 Fri Holiday Club 5 Wed 13.00 Midweek Prayers 11 Sun 10.30 All Age Worship with 6 Thurs 9.45 Babies and Toddlers Holiday Club followed 7 Fri 9.45 Babies and Toddlers by Congregational 9 Sun Pentecost Barbecue 7.30 Global Prayer Initiative 13 Tues 10.30 Guild Coffee morning Service 15 Thurs 9.45 Babies and Toddlers 9.30 Communion 16 Fri 9.45 Babies and Toddlers 10.30 Morning Worship 18 Sun 9.30 Quiet Communion 19.00 QII 10.30 Homecoming Sunday, 11 Tues 19.00 Kirk Session and Young Church term Trustees meeting begins 12 Wed 13.00 Midweek Prayers 21 Wed 13.00 Midweek Prayers 13 Thurs 9.45 Babies and Toddlers 22 Thurs 9.45 Babies and Toddlers 14 Fri 9.45 Babies and Toddlers 23 Fri 9.45 Babies and Toddlers 16 Sun 10.30 Morning Worship 25 Sun 10.30 Morning Worship and Annual Business 19.00 QII Meeting of Congregation 28 Wed 13.00 Midweek Prayers 19.00 QII 29 Thurs 9.45 Babies and Toddlers 19 Wed 13.00 Midweek Prayers 30 Fri 9.45 Babies and Toddlers 19.30 Congregational Board 31 Sat 14.00 T in the (Braidburn meeting Valley) Park 20 Thurs 9.45 Babies and Toddlers September 21 Fri 9.45 Babies and Toddlers 23 Sun 10.30 All Age Celebration for 1 Sun 9.30 Family Friendly end of term followed by Communion picnic in the park 10.30 Traditional Communion 19.00 QII 15.00 Afternoon Communion 27 Thurs 9.45 Babies and Toddlers 19.00 QII 28 Fri 9.45 Babies and Toddlers 3 Tues 10.30 Guild Coffee Morning 30 Sun 10.00 Summer Service 4 Wed 13.00 Midweek Prayers July Crèche for children under 3 in The Rev Bill Stone and family on exchange the Hermitage Room at every 2 Tues 10.30 Guild Coffee Morning 10.00 and 10.30 Service 7 Sun 10.00 Summer Service

15 www.greenbankchurch.org Summer Coffee Rota June July (continued) 2 Communion – no coffee *21 Edith Armit 9 Rosemary McCulloch *28 Anne Kinnear 16 Joan Ritchie August 23 David Jack *30 Hazel Macaulay *4 Jill Powlett-Brown 11 Rona Sommerville July 18 SLA *7 Clare Campbell 25 Helen Aitken *14 Ian & Isobel Thom * Service at 10.00am

The ministry team can be contacted Flower Rota through the Church Office or directly: Provided by Delivered by Rev Dr Martin Ritchie tel: 07984 466 855 June email: [email protected] 2 Ina Weir Irene Horne Mr Steven Chaffee (Youth Associate) 9 Rhiann Ferguson Katie Bogie tel: 07729 000 788 email: [email protected] 16 Eleanor Winton Dorothy Whitehead For information about church organisa- : Sheena Marshall tions, please contact the Church Offce Jenni Johnston 23 (Mon–Fri, 8.30am–12.00 noon, 1.30pm–3.00pm) 30 Dorothy Alison Murison Mrs VirginiaContacts Johnston and Whitehead tel and fax: 0131Deadlines 447 9969 July email: [email protected] 7 Sheila Walker Diana Teasdale To make contact with any organisation featured in Greenbank Connections, 14 Kathleen Patrick Moira Davidson please use the telephone number or 21 Margaret Cathie email address given, if there is one. Pitkeathly Maclennan Otherwise contact the Church Office. 28 Alison Murison Isobel Brown Website: www.greenbankchurch.org August Postal address: Greenbank Parish Church Braidburn Terrace, Edinburgh EH10 6ES 4 Pauline Macdonald Kay Ellis Material for the September issue of 11 Morna Morrison Ishbel Clark Greenbank Connections should be 18 Isabel Hunter Pam Adair delivered to the Church Office or to the 25 Gillian Sweetman Janet Walker Editors’ pigeon-hole in the Main Hall by Sunday 11th August or sent by e-mail by September 9am on Tuesday 13th August to [email protected] 1 Hutchison Family Fiona Connal

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