St Margaret’s Scottish Episcopal Church Magazine 50p

May 2014 Jesus is Lord! creation’s voice proclaims it, for by His power each tree and flower was planned and made. Jesus is Lord! The universe declares it; Sun moon and stars in heaven cry Jesus is Lord!

John Muir (1838-1914) Sandwood Bay, Sutherland

THE CHURCH OFFICE 353/355 Kilmarnock Road, Newlands, Glasgow G43 2DS

Open Monday to Friday 9.00am to 1.00pm Tel: 0141 636 1131 Church administrator: Miss May Livingstone

CLERGY

Rector: Reverend Canon Dr Scott Robertson BD MA PhD 22 Monreith Road, Newlands, Glasgow G43 2NY

Tel: 0141 632 3292 email: revscottrobertson@gmail.com

Assistant Priest: Reverend Canon Dr Charlotte Methuen 2/1, 34 Keir Street, Glasgow G41 2NW

Tel: 0141 429 4716 charlotte.methuen@glasgow.ac.uk

Curate: Reverend Maggie McTernan Flat 0/1, 9 Kennoway Drive, Glasgow G11 7 UA

Tel: 0141 337 2604 Email: maggsmct@googlemail.com

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A warm welcome to St Margaret’s

Should you wish to speak to the Rector, he is regularly available at the Church on Wednesdays between 6 and 7pm (if the church does not appear to be open, please ring the bell at the left side of the small door to the left of the main West door). Otherwise he can be contacted on 0141 632 3292.

St Margaret’s on the internet: www.episcopalnewlands.org.uk email: stmargaretsnewlands@btinternet.com

Diocesan website: www.scotland.anglican.org/diocese/glasgow

Magazine submissions to stmargaretsnewlands@btinternet.com,

or maidagibson@hotmail.com, marked “Magazine”, or in the drawer marked “Magazine Editor” at the back of the church

Index Pastoral letter Page 4 A Prophet not without honour Page 14 Around St Margaret’s Page 6 Fairtrade News Page 17 Children’s Choir Page 9 Joint Lent Study Group Page 18 Music for my Lord to hear…. Page 10 Intercessions Page 20 Heritage News Page 11 Lily list Page 21 Calendars and Rotas Page 12 Star Wars Quiz Page 22

Easter Lilies Thank you to all who donated the lilies which helped to beautify the church at Easter. The list of those commemorated is on Page 21.

Mission Action Plan The next step in our journey with the Diocesan Growth Strategy will be the formal signing of our Mission Action Plan on Sunday 4 May, and we look forward to celebrating this event in the life of our congregation.

Calling all Quiz fiends….. And now for something completely different…… see page 22!

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Piskies Galore! Sunday 15 June - Save the date! Instead of holding our their own morning Eucharists on 15 June, all 5 congregations within the South Region of the Diocese (ie St Ninian’s, St Margaret’s, St Aidan’s, St Oswald’s and the Church of the Good Shepherd) will gather together for a joint morning Eucharist at St Ninian’s (1 Albert Drive) at 10.15 am. This is a good opportunity to share together and encourage each other in our witness on the South side of Glasgow. More information will be available in next month’s magazine.

Scott writes……… As I write this I am preparing for this evening’s Maundy Thursday Service. One of the most disturbing things I find in the ministry of Jesus is the way he asked questions that leave me floundering for a response. One of the ways I deal with this is to think I actually understand what Jesus is getting at, which leaves me free

to quietly ignore what he is really trying to tell me. Familiarity with his words can breed, if not contempt, certainly a sense of lethargy. On Maundy Thursday Jesus asks one of these questions. After washing his disciples’ feet he asks, “Do you know what I have done for you?” Now the immediate context tells us that this is all about being a servant to all, rather than lording it over people. But it seems to me that this is only a surface understanding of this question. It is, in my mind, the Easter question: ‘Do you know what I

have done for you?” I’m obviously not talking about a purely intellectual understanding, as if we could take (and pass) an exam on the meaning of the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus. The questions that Jesus asked, which were often very straight-forward questions demand something far more significant than mere brain power. Jesus’ questions demand, not a correct answer, but a response. In the telling of the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus responds to the question: ‘Who is my neighbour?’ by asking another simple question: ‘Who helped?’ In asking that seemingly innocuous question, Jesus exposed the religious lawyer to his own prejudice, to his own blind spot. It’s no surprise that in answering the question, the lawyer couldn’t even bring himself to use the dreaded word ‘Samaritan’, preferring instead to adopt the dreadfully neutral, ‘the one who helped him’. So the questions that Jesus ask reveal who we are, warts and all. And these questions aren’t asked to shame us, or to make us feel inadequate. They are asked that we might respond. The root of the word ’respond’ is not simply to answer, but to pledge. It involves giving something more than just the needful. To listen to one of Jesus’ questions properly implies that we do something. That something may not be immediately obvious. It may be, like the lawyer in the story of the Good Samaritan, we have to change our attitudes to certain

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situations or individuals. That in itself can be a major challenge. It may be that we are challenged to be more practical in our response.

So how do we respond to the Easter question: ‘Do you know what I have done for you?’ Well, each of us can only respond for ourselves. But it seems to me that there is something in this particular question that exposes us to the resurrection, or rather, our desire for resurrection. By that I mean, our desire for renewal, our desire for new life. That, in itself, sounds rather high minded but it has a practical expression. Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury has written: ‘..the risen Jesus is present where men and women turn to their victims and receive back their lost hearts.’ This is a rather beautiful way of describing a response to the question: ‘Do you know what I have done for you?’ The resurrection of Jesus points to the new way of living which is not simply suggesting that we be nice people. Resurrection people are not nice people, they are renewed people. They are people of the response. In the turmoil and challenge of human experience, followers of Jesus are intended to be the first respondents. Why? Because Jesus took a towel, wrapped it round his waist and washed his disciples’ feet…. and then asked that question:

‘Do you know what I have done for you?’ Scott

******************** Though they are residents at home in their own countries, their behaviour there is more like aliens; they take full part as citizens, but they also submit to everything as if they were foreigners. For them, any foreign country is a motherland and any motherland is a foreign country. Unknown Christian apologist of 2nd century describing the believers of his day.

Around St Margaret’s Easter dazzle The sun shone brightly on Easter morning and again the flowers were stunning, with arrangements of lilies at the back of the church and on the chancel steps, as well as fine arrangements at the side windows. The Flower Team, led by Moira, had done a wonderful job. A well filled church enjoyed a splendid service; the choir sang lustily and the sun streamed in through the South windows. Scott’s Easter message reminded

us of the surprise that Easter is (graphically illustrated by an egg that didn’t go where it was meant to!). As is traditional, the whole congregation participated in decorating the Easter cross with flowers, symbolising new life and the glorious variety of gifts which we share. The cross was carried out to be placed in front of the notice board to stand as a symbol of Easter hope

to the community, and we all gathered round enjoying the sunshine as the cross was blessed. Earlier around 30 folk had gathered in Newlands Park for the 7 o’clock service, after which they had been suitably refreshed with breakfast in Merrylea church. Preparations for Holy Week had culminated in services on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Saturday vigil. The fact that the choir stalls have not been available because of the organ refurbishment involved some changes to the “choreography” but the services were still reverent, dignified and effective; the closeness of the choir gave a greater sense of intimacy with the small numbers in the congregation. On Maundy Thursday we remember Christ’s new commandment, to love one another” (John 13.34). The Latin for commandment, “mandatum”, appears in French as “mandé”, and becomes Maundy in English. The Maundy Thursday service commemorating Christ washing the disciples feet was replicated with Scott getting his sleeves rolled up and symbolically washing the feet of nine members of the congregation. The choir sang well and the plainsong chant with which they proceeded to “Gethsemane” (in this case the back of the church) is a wonderful reminder of the communion we share with those who have gone before.

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The Easter Saturday vigil deserves a better congregation; we gather in darkness, candles are lit to celebrate the light and life that flows from Christ’s resurrection, we hear familiar passages of Scripture about God’s salvation and His offer to “come buy, without money and without cost”, we renew our baptismal vows and we celebrate the Eucharist. And so we prepared ourselves for Easter Day. Thank you Scott for all the thought and hard work which lie behind our Easter worship. Mother’s Day Family service A special family service was held on Mothering Sunday 30 March. Lots of children were present and gladly took part in the service. Andrew Cash was quick to volunteer to read a prayer, and did so most effectively. Scott’s talk started off with a quiz, in which the congregation was split into two teams and battled it out to answer questions on the theme of mothers (the score was 10 all). The children then gathered round Felicity and three week old Honor and thought about all the things which mothers do for their children, and especially the love which they give. After communion the children sang “Bella Mama” (a Nigerian chorus) to the accompaniment of Angela drumming; if this is a starter for what the children’s choir gets up to we can’t wait for the main course! As is traditional, the children then dispersed posies of flowers to all the ladies of the congregation. Altogether an excellent service; thank to all who contributed. Lent - time to reflect This Lenten Season I went along on Sundays to four screenings of the episodes of the BBC production of "The Passion" in the Upper Room. One does not need to watch a performance to understand a message however we are synaesthetic beings: one perception can enhance another. Witness how insipid food becomes when your nose is blocked. It is not necessary to see (or smell) but it helps. What was added? Heat, dust and grime. The terrors of travel across the wilderness. Banditry and murder. Turmoil, political unrest, fermenting rebellion. The fickleness of human nature: palms and petals on one day, spittle and curses the next. Weak men in difficult positions, strong men without vision, normal men trying desperately to grasp a message that is too big for them until they are tested, scattered then finally, see. The fidelity of love. The challenge of hope.

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It was difficult not to be affected. I think that was the whole point. Which was why the half hour Lenten Reflection on Tuesdays were valuable. Along with the daily prayer in the mornings and evenings, here were opportunities to narrow the focus, be silent, contemplate, retrieve something lost daily in the headlong flight from day to inevitable day. A chance to be affected in a different way. One of my aims in Lent was to make time for the important things. I'm glad these were some of those things. Ajit Panickar Second Sunday concerts In a change from the advertised programme, the concert on 13 April featured the mezzo soprano Cheryl Forbes, accompanied by Gordon Cree on the piano performing a variety of songs in English, French, Italian and Finnish celebrating the primacy of love under the title of “The Five Seasons” (Love being the fifth season). The singing was strong and melodious, the accompaniment harmonious, and the performance was bright and cheery. In contrast to the weather outside, the performance was gloriously uplifting. For the concert on 11 May we welcome the Artisan Trio for a return visit to St Margaret’s. Organ progress The organ builders have been working on the organ at their premises in Liverpool but have returned to St Margaret’s recently. They are patiently and painstakingly reassembling the organ, testing each component as it is returned, doing their very specialised work with care and precision. They are happy with progress at present. Garden Once again we are needing help with the grass! There is a list at the back of the church; some people have already signed up but we still need more volunteers. Please help.

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Children’s Choir gets off to a flying start! Part of St Margaret’s Heritage Lottery Fund grant is designated to fund a

children’s choir. This has got off to a flying start in the church on Tuesday afternoons at 3.30pm. We have just completed 5 weeks of the 2 year project and it has been my great privilege and joy to come to the church to be greeted by 25 or more eager young people who genuinely enjoy the songs and music games which we provide. My cheerful and invaluable helpers Jan and Jenny greet the children, help with snacks and singing rounds and we

are lucky to have a piano accompaniment from Kenneth; together with our other volunteers, Aidan and Moray, he has been a great hit - especially with our lonesome 2 boys (who are not put off by being hugely outnumbered by girls!). The children come from a mix of 5 local primary schools and are in the P4 to P6 age range. When I contacted the schools to recruit for the choir they were all very enthusiastic and cooperative, and there has also been great warmth and appreciation from the parents as we don't make any charge. After a mere 4 weeks it was decided that we had enough repertoire to justify inviting parents on the 5th week for a short concert to let them hear our 'work in progress' before the Easter break. A choir of 25 can generate a fair sized audience of supporters and it felt like a real occasion, with a mix of parents, grandparents and siblings attending. We performed a mixture of Blues, Ballad and Gospel, as well as a demonstration of our “warming up” exercises, in our lovely church space. Many of the audience, as well as being captivated by the music, were really interested in the church and enjoyed meeting Scott who was able to join us for the concert. Angela Watson

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Music for my Lord to hear….. The Church of Scotland magazine “Life and Work” has a regular feature in which five people answer “The Big Question”. The question for the March issue was “What book, apart from the Bible, has had the most impact on your faith?”. Amongst the five respondents on this occasion was our own Jan MacDonald……. I'm a great reader..... of cookery books, gardening manuals and related magazines... when I make time; never sitting long! I think my faith reflects my practical nature. I've never been a great reader of the bible or religious books; I’m no theologian. I have however, sung in various choirs all my life, from school days.

I went to a Church of England School where every day started with morning assembly. On Fridays we also ended the day with Friday prayers. I never saw myself as religious, but enjoyed music and singing very much. My well worn old school hymn book is full of annotations and extra pages sellotaped in. There are descants and harmonies, modern versions of old favourites, there are one or two written by old girls

and teachers to commemorate special events. My old school hymn book brings back memories of fellowship, old friends and happy days. The tunes frequently give me ear-worms! Many of its hymns have been sung in other places and from different hymnaries, giving a sense of unity in worship. As I’ve grown older I’ve become more aware of the poetry in the hymns; beautiful & meaningful words and there is always at least one for every occasion. Hymns reflect the spiritual, theological and practical nature of faith and they connect us to both past and future. Over the years I've sung from many hymn books, but my old school hymn book is my faith ‘nest’ and a place from which to sing out my faith. Perhaps some others from St Margaret’s would like to contribute their answers to the question!…… Ed.

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Heritage News Maggie keeps us up to date with what’s happening Things are moving with our heritage project. As you may have seen in the church, the work on the organ is well underway, and the Sing Out! choir are making a joyful noise in the church every Tuesday afternoon. As for the rest of the project, the big news is that we have appointed a Heritage Engagement Officer. Mary Craig will be working with us half time until March 2015, overseeing our Oral History project and developing our heritage resources. Mary comes to us with a range of experience of Oral History and other heritage projects, and a great deal of enthusiasm. She will be supported in her role by an advisory group from the congregation: Lyn Crawford, Maida Gibson and George Rawson. And this is where you come in! There are dozens of different ways that you will be able to get involved in the project. This might be telling the story of your time at St Margaret’s, or it may be listening to others tell their stories. And there are plenty of other jobs to be done. Practical tasks of collating and organising documents, photographs etc. Technical tasks of editing interviews and creating online resources. Organising activities to celebrate the heritage of St Margaret’s. And I am sure there are many other jobs we haven’t thought about yet. Over the next few weeks Mary will be looking to meet with people who are interested in volunteering. It doesn’t matter if you have a lot or a little time available – there will be something to do for everyone who wants to be involved. Another thing we will be looking for is ideas. This is a great opportunity for us to think of creative ways to celebrate our heritage, and to share it with people in our wider community. So if you have any ideas, speak to me, Mary or one of the advisory group – no idea is to wacky to consider! Note: The line drawing featured above has been kindly produced for us by Professor John R Hume, formerly Chief Inspector of Historic Buildings. His grandparents worshipped at St Margaret’s. - Ed.

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May Calendar of events Sun 4th Easter 3 - Signing of Mission Action Plan Tues 6th Holy Communion 10am Rector’s Hour at the church 6pm (note change of day) Thu 8th Vestry Meeting 7.30pm Sun 11th Easter 4 Second Sunday concert in the church 3.30pm Artisan Trio Tues 13th Holy Communion 10am Wed 14th Rector’s Hour at the church 6pm Sun 18th Easter 5 Tues 20th Holy Communion 10am Wed 21st Rector’s Hour at the church 6pm Thu 22nd The Church and The Academy 5.30pm At 4 The Square, Glasgow University Speaker Rev Canon Nicholas Taylor “Baptism, the Holy Spirit, Vocation and Formation” Sun 25th Easter 6 Tues 27th Holy Communion 10am Wed 28th Rector’s Hour at the church 6pm Thu 29th South Regional Council Ascension Day Service 7.30pm The Church of the Good Shepherd and Ascension 38 Hillington Road South Tuesdays 11am Exercise to Music

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Readings for May 4 May Acts 2:14a, 36-41 Easter 3 1 Peter 1:17-23 Luke 24:13-35 11 May Acts 2:42-47 Easter 4 1 Peter 2:19-25 John 10:1-10 18 May Acts 7:55-60 Easter 5 1 Peter 2:2-10 John 14:1-14 25 May Acts 17:22-31 Easter 6 1 Peter 3:13-22 John 14:15-21

John Muir, a prophet not without honour……. John Muir was born on 21 April 1838, and 2014 marks the centenary of his death. He is the Scots-born founder of the modern conservation movement, and it is ironic that he is better known in America than in Britain. John who? John Muir was born in Dunbar, and his family emigrated to the United States in 1849, settling in Wisconsin. Muir's father worked his family from dawn to dusk, but whenever possible he and his brother would roam the fields and woods of the rich Wisconsin countryside. John became more and more the loving observer of the natural world. After leaving university he travelled the northern United States and Canada, odd-jobbing his way through the yet unspoiled land. In 1867, having regained his sight after a blinding eye injury he resolved to turn his eyes to the fields and woods. His years of wanderlust began; he walked a thousand miles from Indianapolis to the Gulf of Mexico, he sailed to Cuba, and later to Panama, where he crossed the Isthmus and sailed up the West Coast, landing in San Francisco in March 1868. From then on California became his home, and it was California's Sierra Nevada and Yosemite that truly claimed him. In 1868, he walked across the San Joaquin Valley through waist-high wildflowers and into the high country for the first time. Later he would write: “Then it seemed to me the Sierra should be called not the Nevada, or Snowy Range, but the Range of Light...the most divinely beautiful of all the mountain chains I have ever seen.” In 1874, a series of articles entitled “Studies in the Sierra” launched Muir’s successful career as a writer. From California he took many trips, including his first to Alaska in 1879, where he discovered Glacier Bay. After marrying Louie Strentzl in 18880 and moving to Martinez, California, he settled down to some measure of domestic life, went into partnership with his father-in-law and managed the family fruit ranch with great success. But ten years working on the ranch did not quell Muir's wanderlust. His travels took him frequently back to Alaska, to Australia, South America, Africa, Europe, China, Japan, and also again and again to his beloved Sierra Nevada. In later years he wrote numerous articles and books that recounted his travels, expounded his naturalist philosophy, and beckoned everyone to “Climb the

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mountains and get their good tidings.” Muir's love of the high country gave his writings a spiritual quality. His readers, whether they presidents, congressmen, or plain folk, were inspired and often moved to action by the enthusiasm of Muir's own unbounded love of nature. Through his magazine articles, Muir drew attention to the devastation of mountain meadows and forests by sheep and cattle, and worked to remedy this destruction. In 1890, due in large part to his efforts, an act of Congress created Yosemite National Park. He was also personally involved in the creation of other national parks and is often deservedly called the Father of the National Park movement. In 1892, Muir and a number of his supporters founded the Sierra Club to, in Muir's words, "do something for wildness and make the mountains glad." Muir served as the Club's president until his death in 1914. His legacy lives on….. John Muir taught the people of his time and ours the importance of experiencing and protecting our natural heritage. His words have heightened our perception of nature, and his personal and determined involvement in the great conservation questions of the day was and remains an inspiration for environmental activists everywhere.

In the United States his work is continued by the Sierra Club, and in Britain by the John Muir Trust. Founded in 1983 and taking its inspiration from John Muir, the Trust believes in protecting wild land for its own sake – and because it believes that wild places are essential for people and wildlife. Maida and I have been members for some years and think highly of its work, and I became a trustee in May 2013.

The charity is dedicated to protecting wild places, and owns and cares for some of the UK's finest wild landscapes including Ben Nevis, Schiehallion, Sandwood Bay in Sutherland, Quinag in Assynt, part of the Cuillin on Skye and 3,000 acres on the remote Knoydart peninsula. It works hard on the properties it owns, and through partnerships with others, seeks to restore and protect habitats, bring back lost species and help nature flourish. Its activities include litter picks, beach cleans, footpath maintenance, and other key tasks that help our wild places. The Trust gives wild land a voice. Following Muir’s example, it defends wild land when it comes under threat and campaigns for its long term legal protection. Wild land in Scotland today is very much an endangered species,

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and the percentage of the country unaffected by visual intrusion has declined significantly in recent years; it dropped from 31% to 28% in one year alone, from 2008 to 2009. The Trust also runs the John Muir Award, an educational initiative that encourages everyone to connect with, enjoy and care for wild places. Last year 29,000 awards were gained and total awards gained since 1997 now exceeds 200,000.

You can find out more about the Trust from its website www.jmt.org or, if passing through Pitlochry, do drop in to the Wild Space visitor centre in Pitlochry’s Main Street round the corner from the railway station. You can also visit the house in Dunbar where he was born; it is at 128 High Street, Dunbar and is run by the John Muir Birthplace Trust.

Words of the prophet “And God saw that it was good” (Genesis 1). St Columba and the Celtic Christians of old talked about

the Big Book, Creation, as well as the Little Book, The Bible. John Muir was deeply rooted in the Bible and his words are a challenge to us all to get off the treadmill of modern life and get back in touch with Creation and its Lord. In a society which places too much stress on growth, progress and what can be measured, we have much to learn from his example. “When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.” “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.” “Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out going to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity...” “I am losing precious days. I am degenerating into a machine for making money. I am learning nothing in this trivial world of men. I must break away and get out into the mountains to learn the news.” Jim Gibson

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Statue of John Muir in Dunbar

Fairtrade News “Wishing you joy, peace and love this Easter.” This is the message on the communication I have received from Traidcraft and it reflects the gratitude and appreciation felt by those who benefit from all the help they receive from Traidcraft. Every now and then I wonder if our weekly Fairtrade stall is worthwhile but then I read the inspiring stories from our producers and I am convinced that we should persevere. You can find out more from the bulletins we have on the stall, from catalogues and websites and on the packaging of our goods. Thanks again to those who supported the coffee morning last month and thanks to Edward for his report. Here are a few notes from the letter of appreciation we received. “A huge thank you to Saint Margaret’s Fairtrade Group for taking part in the Traidcraft Big Brew 2014. I am so pleased to hear the event was a success and please pass on our thanks to all who supported the event. Last year Traidcraft’s development programmes gave thousands of families in East Africa and Asia a hand up out of poverty. Without your generosity this work would simply not continue.” And a message from James Uddin, one of the tea farmers in Bangladesh whose lives have been transformed since working with Traidcraft, through improved access to training and equipment bringing about increased yields and higher income. He says “Everyone wants to move forward….Those of us who have gone into tea plantation, for us a lot of change has come”. Please keep up your support. We are spreading the word about Fair Trade as well as raising money for Traidcraft and Saint Margaret’s. See you at the stall and please do not hesitate to give us your ideas. Liz Bryce

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Joint Lent Group with Newlands South Church of Scotland Coming together at this time of the Christian year to focus and reflect on fundamental aspects of our lives with others who are striving to be Christians is usually a rewarding experience. This year, the theme was ‘Parables and Possessions’ based upon the 2012 Church of Scotland General Assembly Report of the Special Commission on the Purposes of Economic Activity – ‘A right relationship with money’. Quite a mouthful! The Lent course bore the subtitle: ‘On economics and a right relationship with money’. The impetus for establishing a Commission to look at economics was driven by a strongly-held feeling in the Church of Scotland that, following the credit crunch, financial crash and the impact of the recession which ensued, things must not return to ‘business as usual’. Apparently, the Bible says more about money, economics and making a living than any other subject. “It is clear that God wants us to be in a right relationship with money and this will aid us in our quest to be in a right relationship with God.” ‘Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s’ and ‘the love of money is the root of all evil’ spring to mind. In previous years, St Margaret’s has run this group on its own based on well prepared and structured study material. One felt fulfilled by the experience. This year, we alternated between the churches of Newlands South and St Margaret’s for the weekly sessions. It was good from an ecumenical point of view and good to share each other’s hospitality. The weekly themes were Temptation, Betrayal, Forgiveness, Ridicule, Sacrifice and Transformation. Each theme was rooted in a parable, but much of the supporting material detracted from the potential that such a Biblical foundation offered. Superficiality supplanted the usual deeper thoughts or insights. Non sequiturs resulted in time wasted on comprehension issues. Prayers fell flat. Spiritual guidance usually makes its presence felt in the group, but our struggles with the material on offer this year yielded less than I had hoped for, as indicated by the examples below. “The important thing about possessions is not how many or few we have, but what our relationship is with them.” Really? This statement is based on the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:13-34.

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“How can we understand what it feels like to be raised from the dead? Imagine that you wake with the sudden knowledge of how to solve the global economic crisis forever.” Why create this imagining? How does it relate to the question just posed? The imagining then inevitably, and by the author’s own tacit admittance, gets bogged down in questions: “How would you tell those who have prospered under the old system? How will you alert the world leaders whose responsibility it will be to implement your solution? These last two might give you pause for thought. A plan will be needed if the good news of deliverance from economic slavery is not to be rejected.” Bang went a futile exercise and one was left perplexed about what the imagining had to do with the resurrection, the transforming power of love and the parable of the good Samaritan. “Jesus, meet us on a dark and rainy night…and show us with the look in your eyes that any sacrifice you made was because you think we are worth it.” Forced prayer imagery, which, seeking to relate to the study material, merely conjures up associations with jokes, popular song and beauty product advertising. Learning from this year’s experience, one might continue with an ecumenical approach, but consider how to regain a more carefully structured content. Edward Cais

Eco corner Last month’s issue mentioned WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) the independent not-for-profit company which works to promote household and business recycling and increase the markets for recycled products (www.wrap.org.uk). Their latest campaign is 'Love Your Clothes', and this has obviously struck a chord with no less a newspaper than the Financial Times. A recent article points out that we own on average 26 items of clothing we haven’t worn in the last 12 months. What can we do? We can give our unwanted clothes to charity, we can learn to repair them, we can send them for recycling (although that carries its own environmental cost)…… …….or we can buy more durable clothes which may cost more, but should prove less expensive in the long run.

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Intercessions As we rejoice this day in the triumphant entry into Jerusalem, may we too be willing to walk the way of the cross. By our lives may we witness to you as our Lord and King and declare your saving love to the world. Come, Lord. Be with your church and especially with Gregor our Bishop and the clergy team and all those who worship here in St Margaret’s. Strengthen our sense of mission and service. Strengthen our sensitivity towards the needs of others. Strengthen our faith and our vision for your world. Saviour of the world, our Redeemer Save us and help us. Come, Lord. Guide the nations into the ways of justice and peace. Guide all leaders and rulers to care for our world. Comfort all who are broken by war and violence. We remember especially the people of India who have been voting for a new government and the people of Russia and the Ukraine. Saviour of the world, our Redeemer Save us and help us. Come, Lord. As our Saviour and friend, bless our homes and our loved ones with your love. Guide us in all our dealings and help us to live with you as our Lord. Let your kingly rule be known in us as it is in Heaven. Saviour of the world, our Redeemer Save us and help us. Come, Lord. You were broken on the cross to make us whole. Be with all who are suffering at this time. Come as light to those who walk in darkness, the despairing and the despondent. Come as joy to all who are depressed. Come as hope to all who are ill and fearful of their future. We pray especially today for Laura, Betty, Collette and Richard. Saviour of the world, our Redeemer Save us and help us. Lord Jesus we remember that you died that we might live. You descended into the depths to raise us to the heights. We ask your blessing on all our loved ones departed. May they rejoice in the fullness of your kingdom. Today we remember Ian and the loved ones who are grieving for him. Merciful father Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. Margaret Williams (adapted from David Adams “Even More Themed Intercessions”) 13 April (Palm Sunday)

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Star Wars Quiz May the 4th is a good opportunity to reflect on this well known line from Star Wars, and we are indebted to Maggie for producing this quiz based on the film. A £10 Traidcraft voucher will be offered for the first all (or most nearly) correct solution to reach the Editor by 12 noon on Sunday May 11th. 1. In what year was Star Wars released? …………………….... 2. What sound effect was created by hitting the metal guy ropes of a radio tower with a spanner? ……………………….. 3. Which Star Wars actor, who appeared in both the old and new Star Wars films, was born in Carnoustie? ………………………. 4. Who wrote the theme music for Star Wars? ………………………. 5. A species of beetle has been named after which Star Wars character?…… Where was: 6. The location of the rebel base at the beginning of The Empire Strikes Back? ….…………. 7. The home planet of Princess Leia? …………….. 8. The planet where Luke grew up? ..…………... 9. The mining colony run by Lando Calrissian? ..…………... 10. The planet where Luke first meets Yoda? ……………. What actor links Star Wars with the following films: 11. Kind Hearts and Coronets ……………... 12. When Harry Met Sally …………….. 13. The Brides of Dracula …………….. 14. Local Hero ……………... 15. The Lord of the Rings ..…………... Who said: 16. "I find your lack of faith disturbing." ……………... 17. "I'm getting too old for this sort of thing." ……………. 18. "We're doomed!" ..…………... 19. "Into the garbage chute, fly boy." ...…..……... 20. "Do or do not. There is no try." …..………..

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MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!

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“Now, Johnnie, when you speak to the Archbishop, remember to say ‘Your Grace’”, said the anxious mother to her son as they were about to be presented to William Temple, the Archbishop of Canterbury. Johnnie stood with bowed head and crossed hands and

whispered, “For what I am about to receive, dear Lord, make me truly thankful.”

St Margaret of Scotland, Newlands

Service details

Sundays 9.00am Said Eucharist

10.30am Sung Eucharist, Crèche, Sunday School & Youth Group

Tuesdays 10am Holy Communion

For other services not listed please see Diary inside

Church Website address: www.episcopalnewlands.org.uk

Scottish Charity No SC 008953

Next issue 25 May

Copy deadline Wednesday 14 May 6pm