steeple september 2014
DESCRIPTION
Magazine of Craiglockhart Parish Church, EdinburghTRANSCRIPT
25 September (Page 19)
Fit for a King
(Page 5)
Carloway Calling
(Page 12)
God So Loves the World
(Page 3)
Registry
Page 2
BAPTISMSBAPTISMSBAPTISMS
Emily Olive CalderEmily Olive Calder 13 April 2014
Lily Jane HulseLily Jane Hulse 18 May 2014
Hannah Elizabeth RitchieHannah Elizabeth Ritchie 15 June 2014
Abigail Agnes RitchieAbigail Agnes Ritchie 15 June 2014
WEDDINGSWEDDINGSWEDDINGS
Sarah Maxwell and Gregor CurrieSarah Maxwell and Gregor Currie 4 July 2014
FUNERALSFUNERALSFUNERALS
Mary White Letham Park Nursing Home 26 March 2014
Sheila Bain 70 Craiglockhart Road 16 June 2014
Johanna Scott 305/6 Colinton Road 7 August 2014
CONTACTSCONTACTSCONTACTS
Gordon Kennedy Minister 0131 444 1615
Gordon McBirnie Youth Worker 0131 449 9720
Kath Grandison Session Clerk 0131 443 2603
The good news is that God loves the world.
But as we watch the news we may be tempted to doubt the truth of this good news. What does it mean to believe that God loves the world when whole villages are being massacred in Iraq, when violence reigns in Gaza and Israel, when terrible diseases spread in Africa? What is God doing about all this? Where is God’s love in our broken and troubled world?
What has God already done?
Before asking, ‘What is God doing today?’ we need to consider what God has already done. We all know that events which happened in the past, even long ago in the past, still have important effects today. In January 1707 the Scottish Parliament approved the Act of Union, which has been of great consequence. As, this year we will have voted in a Referendum and will either have voted for independence or to continue this union.
In our own lives past acts: getting married, moving house, changing job will have on-going effects in our lives today. God created this world and in that act of creation he
committed himself to an on-going care for this world. In the l i fe, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth God was at work reconciling the world to himself, displaying this Jesus as both Lord and King of all creation. God has generously poured out his Holy Spirit upon us that we might know him and live as a people who recognise God as God. There is not a moment in the long history of this world when God has not been at work for his world, for his people.
What is God doing today?
So then, what is God doing today? Where is God’s love for the world at work in the world? God is at work in the world through the sacrificial service of his people. God has
Minister’s Thoughts
Page 3
God So Loves the Worldcalled his servants to work in Iraq to provide relief and work for reconciliation.
At Craiglockhart church we have supported the work of Canon Andrew White, the ‘vicar’ of Baghdad and his Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East. God is today growing congregations of Israelis and Palestinian Christians who are reaching across the dividing wall to love and care for one another.
God is calling us in Scotland to work in partnership with those living in Africa who are most in need of medical care. We in Craiglockhart church are partnering with the Vine Trust to provide medical care for those around Lake Victoria in Tanzania
though the work of the Jubilee Hope medical missionary ship.
Love even our enemies
These acts of love and mercy are God’s work through our hands, God showing his love today through our learning to love one another. God’s great mission in his world is to make his love known to all people. God is calling us all to join him in this work, to love our neighbours – to love even our enemies – as God is loving us.
Gordon Kennedy
Page 4
Further Information:
Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East: www.frrme.org
The Vine Trust - Connecting P e o p l e t o C h a n g e L i v e s : www.vinetrust.org
It was another great year as folk from Craiglockhart Church and St. John’s Colinton Mains joined together, with local people from seven other churches, to enjoy another fantastic holiday club.
As usual we held it in the second last week of the holidays and we had 60 children during the week enjoying the usual blend of games, crafts, baking, quizzes, interviews, talks, group work, singing, terrible jokes, aerobics, actions, memory verses, messy games and lots more.
As you can see from the pictures the messy game is a real favourite with the children. It came together in the end of the morning and usually involves someone getting water poured on them, a custard pie in the face or having an ice-cream sundae made on their heads. It was not just the children who threw themselves into it, the entire team were great sports and up for every challenge - no matter how messy.
We all enjoyed the Commonwealth games this summer and our holiday club theme took ful l advantage of the special atmosphere the games seemed to generate throughout the whole of Scotland.
The material we used was “Fit for a King” - commissioned by Scripture Union Scotland and it provided us with a fantastic programme.
Fit for a King
Page 5
Summer ClubThe title had two meanings, firstly ‘fit’ as in sporty and active like the athletes and ‘fit’ as in are you worthy to be a follower of Jesus. The second question was one we sought to answer during the week.
Day 1 was a “King with a difference”. Here we looked at how Jesus was a different sort of King to that which the people had been expecting and we saw that he was born in a stable to poor parents. No palaces or royal attendants for Him.
On day 2 we saw that Jesus was a King who cares. Jesus did many amazing miracles and healed so many people. We looked at the story from the gospel of Matthew 9:1-8 where a paralysed man was lowered through the roof of a house just to get him
to Jesus. Jesus surprised all the people who were there by forgiving the man’s sin first because He knew that his relationship with God was more important than whether or not he could walk. But Jesus also healed him and we read that he leaped up. We saw that the forgiveness Jesus offered to this man is available to everyone.
Our title was a “King who is killed” on day 3. We thought about the incredible act of love by Jesus in dying on the cross and taking upon Himself all the wrong things we have done in order to make it possible for each one of us to have a personal relationship with God.
Day 4 brought us to the greatest story of all, it was called a “King who came back” and we learned how death could not hold Jesus and that he rose again on the third day and appeared many times to His followers.
Page 6
Summer Club
Page 7
Christians rightly celebrate this amazing event every Easter but the reality of the Resurrection touches us every day and we know that because of it we can all get to know God.
King Jesus wants everyone to come and be his followers, to join his Kingdom and be part of his team. He promises to be with us forever. How will we respond to Jesus’ call to join his kingdom and be in his team?
On our last day we looked at what we had to do if we wanted to become followers of Jesus and what it meant to live our lives for Him. Thanks to a generous friend we were able to give each of the children a copy of the New Testament where they could read all of the stories of Jesus. We believe the Bible is a living book and that through it God can speak to us and help us live our lives for Him.
For us as a team there is no greater privilege than telling people about Jesus and this year’s holiday club gave as a fantastic opportunity.
For more information on Y o u t h g r o u p s p l e a s e contact Gordon on 0131 449 9720
......and why not join us on 25th September when our Youth Club starts up!
Craiglockhart
Page 8
Redhall HouseThe Finance and Resources Committee of the City Council met in June to discuss a report containing four options: do nothing, compulsory purchase, take legal action, or press the purchasers to submit another planning application by the end of 2014 in line with the original conditions of sale of the site.
The Council agreed that valuable lessons have been learnt from the Redhall House experience. In the future, similar conditions of sale would not be considered to be sufficient.
Craighouse We organised a meeting of Craiglockhart residents in July to discuss the 3rd proposal for the former Craighouse Campus of Napier University. The view was to object to the new proposal and this, together with a summary of the views shared were sent to
the Council who are due to consider all submissions this months.
Andrew Ritchie gave a presentation on the possibility of creating a Community Plan for the Craighouse site. As an altertive to Scheme 3, this would involve the community purchasing the site. He advised that there are many organisations who can provide information and support, together with many examples of communities who have undertaken similar projects. Anyone who would like to know more or become involved s h o u l d c o n t a c t A n d r e w : [email protected]
Western Craiglockhart Traffic CalmingWe held a meeting in June with around 35 householders to discuss this. It was attended by Caroline Burwell of Road Safety, Andy Edwards the Area Roads Manager from the City Council together with Councillors Gavin Corbett and Andrew Burns. . A 20 MPH limit is seen as the best solution but will not be introduced for several years. It was agreed to reconvene to discuss further options on how best to use the money provided by Millers the builders for roads in the area.
Community Council
Page 9
Police ReportCar break-ins continue to be a problem. Also, materials have been stolen from the site of the old BT Exchange in Craiglockhart Avenue. Recently a card scamming device was found at the cash-line machine at the Tesco Express at Meggetland. There are many different card scamming devices but one of the best ways to combat them is to cover your hand when using the machine.
Friends of Wester Craiglockhart HillIn July, Nick Honhold presented a proposal to create a Friends group to care for Wester Craiglockhart Hill. Whilst much of the hill is used by the Merchants Golf Club the land is owned by the City of Edinburgh Council. Although they do some work to maintain the land, no-one protects the flora and fauna, some of which is quite rare. Anyone who would like to know more or become involved
s h o u l d c o n t a c t N i c k a t [email protected] Napier University Business School
Professor George Stonehouse is a resident of Craiglockhart and came along in July to provide information about the Business School and of the values he tries to instill in its 8000 students.
One of the core values is – caring for the community. He is keen for students to be involved in activities which should benefit the community while also expanding their knowledge and experience. Examples of activities in which the students could be involved are : organising events (many study events management), governance and committee roles. If anyone wishes more information or has a requirement, please contact Professor Stonehouse by emai: [email protected]
Page 10
Badminton ClubThe Badminton Club meets in the church hall on Wednesday evenings from 8pm to 10pm, for social badminton, and a cup of tea. Our start date for the n e w s e s s i o n i s 2 4
September 2014 and new members will be made very welcome. For more information telephone Averil Sutherland (0131 443 1925).
CrecheWe have a wide range of clubs on a Sunday but for those that are still a bit too young we have a creche. So if you would like to come along, and have a baby or toddler - we will make sure they are kept occupied whilst you are in the service. If you would like to help us with this, p l e a s e g e t i n touch I we will add you to the rota. It’s not arduous all it involves taking a turn during the Sunday morning service with another helper approximately once every 2 months. There is no training required but some paperwork necessary.If you think you can help, please contact Mary Livingston (447 5820)
NewsFundraisingAs a really encouraging kick start to our fundraising we were presented with a cheque or £230.00 from David McGowan who is the Deputy Manager of Craiglockhart Tesco Express. The money was kindly given to us by Tesco who had won two tickets for the Commonwealth Games and offered to ballot these for our funds. The picture (below) shows our Session Clerk, Kath Grandison receiving the cheque from David, along with Lynda and three of her Brownies.
Used stampsTo date, £1,891.25 has been donated to this year’s charity from the sale of the stamps already collected by all the congregations of the Church of Scotland. We,in Craiglockhart, play our part in this ministry.
Round Up
Page 11
A particular thank you to those who take the time to tear stamps off, leaving a good margin of paper round the stamps so that the perforations are not damaged.
Obsolete currency
Since the last edition of The Steeple, we have donated £105 to the work of the Marie Curie Hospice in Fairmilehead. Thank you to those who so generously give to this most deserving cause. There are many in our congregation who have cause to be thankful to the staff in Frogston Road for their care and expertise in time of need.
Old Spectacles
Keep them coming! (to the box under the table at the North Aisle door) Many thanks to all those who donate their old spectacles. They are always welcomed by their new owners.
For more information please contact Averil H. Hope-Smith on 0131 445 1274.
Save the Date - 22 November
This year as our major fundraiser the stewardship committee have roped in the help of our Brownie Leader, Lynda, to help us organise this event. With her experience running very successful ceilidhs we are sure it will be a great night and really appreciate her support.
We have been out and about in our district and further garnering support for the event and have been fortunate enough already to have some super offers that will be a boost to the fundraising effort and these include a golf four ball, meals out, beauty vouchers, days out vouchers and more!
Ceilidh Tickets are now on sale at £10.00 and include a “light” supper of haggis, neeps and tatties. If you want to buy tickets or can support in any other way please get in touch with Marjory Kay on 0131 443 3869.
Carloway
Page 12
“I went to Lewis once, on a day trip. It rained, it was miserable and I vowed I’d never go back!” So said my mum to the young lady I had just introduced her to. A couple of months later Kathleen and I were engaged and we were married the following year.
Despite the conspiracy theories and the huge opportunity for Les Dawson mother-in-law jokes, I can categorically deny that our family’s move to Lewis was not an escape plan 14 years in the making but, a big adventure that just felt right.
Firstly let me paint a balanced picture of Lewis (which is coming from a Paisley Buddy, so caveat emptor). It is everything that people say it is - remote, at times desolate, wet and in some ways old fashioned. But, that is like saying Edinburgh is a bit old and the castle could do with a refurb. Like most places it is a paradox, a bit of everything. If we choose to focus on the things we dislike then there is often nothing we see or hear that would convince us to the contrary. Besides an article on the boring parts of living in a city would make for as dreadful a read as the list of Lewis’ shortcomings.
So, let me get a few of the obvious things out the way.
Yes there are shops, Tesco does home deliveries, you can get a flat white or a latte in town, water and electricity are in easy supply and, yes, dancing is allowed.
Our home is in Carloway, 24 miles from Stornoway airport and 21 from the ferry terminal. Meaning we can easily leave (or come back) to the island at 12 times during any one day.
We have a lot of ancient history nearby. Carloway is only 7 miles from one of the ancient sites of Scotland; The Callanish Stones.
Made up of a cross-shaped setting of stones, centred on a circle of tall stones. At its heart stands a 4.8m solitary monolith whilst within the circle is a chambered tomb.
One of the views from our house
Calling
Page 13
Closer to home we have one of the best preserved broch towers in Scotland - Dun Carloway Broch (cover photo). A broch is a type of fortification from the Iron Age and found mainly in Scotland. Over time they developed from strong circular houses into tall, imposing buildings. formed from two concentric walls. A stone stair corkscrews its way to the top between the two walls.
Finally, en route to Stornoway, we pass by Arnol where there is a blackhouse that was built around 1880 and has been restored.
Two aspects of a blackhouse make it very different from todays living. Firstly the animals were kept in the buildingand secondly there was no chimney. Having animals ‘living in’ had its advantages. It made the house warmer and meant fewer buildings were needed.
These are just a few of the local highlights but as you imagine there is lots more to see and do. But it’s not all Brigadoon and we don’t go around dressed in outfits of Scottish the Commonwealth games squad! (I almost had that as the cover photo but the printers said they did not want the readers to think they had a problem with their colour quality).
Arnol Blackhouse
Commonwealth Team Outfits
Callanish
Carloway
Page 14
Like most rural communities, it’s rhythm is in the seasons and the weather and, there can be a lot of weather in Lewis.
Fewer families now make their entire income from crofting or weaving. However, many still keep their hand in and do it as a side job as its more a way of life versus a way to make a living.
On our croft, we have recently taken on 2 pigs who are currently remodelling what we hope will become our garden. (Since moving up I discovered that pigs are beyond compare in turning over bracken and rough land).
Just to give you a sense of how friendly the people are, when I first mentioned that I was thinking of getting pigs to a neighbour he offered me advice. Whilst Mairi at the Post Office was asking her brother in law to see if
he still had a spare shelter. The very next day the neighbour turned up with an oil tank in his trailer. So whilst some may have been navigating their way round the maze in Straiton called Ikea, I was attacking the tank with a drill and a jig saw making a doorway.
One week later the electric fence was on site, as were Jibber and Jabber - that’s the name the children gave the pigs. So within a month I am a kind of crofter - well it’s a start - and that’s what Kathleen is fearing - it is just the start.
For me over the years, one of the most tricky things to deal with is Sundays. In Lewis, there remains an observant culture. It was only in July 2009, after much public debate, that the ferry started Sunday crossings. Aside from going to church, Sunday lunch and long walks, there is not much to do. I have to be honest, what I find tough is that what some person thinks of work (eg gardening) I would see as relaxing. However, when one choses to live in a place and are welcomed with open arms, I don't think the starting point should be what constitutes rest on the Sabbath.
JIbber and Jabber
Calling
Page 15
The island is a strong base for the Free Church of Scotland. The worship takes the form of unaccompanied presenting of Psalms, standing for prayer and sermons lasting around 45 minutes. Despite s o m e l i t u r g i c a l differences, many of the local Church of Scotland services h a v e a s i m i l a r pattern.
Like many things I have found in Lewis, the worship shape and form has a un ique knack o f stripping things back to the essence. Time will tell if I am ever as comfortable with it as I am in more contemporary worship, yet I challenges me - to think about why I am going, what I am learning, where I am and to focus on God.
Lewis is definitely not for everyone. For some, the idea of life in Lewis is just too out there, almost anachronistic. For others they hear my stories and think of me as some updated version of the Good Life. All I
can say is that even although it has not been with out its challenges, I really enjoy it and find it quite refreshing.
Sometimes you go to a place because thats where you n e e d t o b e sometimes its just w h e r e w e f i n d ourselves. It was never our plan to move here, it just evolved and felt r i g h t . I a m reminded of the wor ds that our P a s t o r i n t h e Methodist Church in Rhode Island said at
the call to worship every week: “...we celebrate the sacred worth of every journey, because it has brought us to this time and this place.”
If you every find yourself in the area, please do look us up - as they say in Gaelic - Ceud mìle fàilte.
Fraser Ingram
1 Knock, Carloway
“The journeys that have brought us to this place are as varied and different as the people gathered
here. And we celebrate the sacred worth of every journey,
because it has brought us to this time and this place, before God
and in the presence of one another. We are seekers,
doubters and believers, and together we want to be followers
of Jesus Christ.”
Rev Bill TrenchUnited Methodist Church
East Greenwich, Rhode Island
News
Page 16
WITH THANKS
For nearly two years now The Steeple has been edited and produced by Fraser Ingram. During that time The Steeple has changed it’s size and gone into colour.
Over the summer, Fraser and the family have moved to live on the Isle-of-Lewis and this will be the final edition of The Steeple under Fraser’s editorial care. We will miss Fraser, Kathleen, Calum and Lorca but wish them well as they settle into life on Lewis.
Gordon Kennedy
[You can read Fraser’s article on page 12)
Pyjamadrama is creative and imaginative play sessions which involve singing, movement, pretending and lots of fun! It is held in Craiglockhart Parish Church, Centenary Hall on Mondays:
1.15pm Rainbows (2.5 - 5 years)2.05pm Raindrops (22 mths - 2.5 years)For more information contact Louise on 0131 516 3099Email: [email protected]
Sarah Maxwell and Gregor Currie married 4 July 2014
Round Up
Page 17
(continued from p. 9 ) New Committee Members neededAlan Dickson is stepping down from our committee and as our Chairman, a post he has held for the past six years.. Alan is to be congratulated on the many successes he has achieved especially since many of the topics he has had to deal with have been very challenging.
New committee members are needed and if anyone is interested in joining, please speak to anyone already on the committee.
Messy Church will be meeting on the first
Saturday of each month, 4-6 pm.
In October we will be hearing the story of Ruth and in November the story of Joseph and in December
celebrating a Messy Christmas. All families
are welcome to come and join us for Messy Church.
Our aim is to represent the views of everyone who lives in the Craiglockhart area so we keen to hear from you.
Meetings are held in Edinburgh Napier University, Craiglockhart Campus, every two months on the last Tuesday of the month.
The next meeting is on 30th September at 7.30pm. Information is posted on the notice boards at Happy Valley shops and on the corner of Craiglockhart Drive South and Craiglockhart Avenue
www.craiglockhart.org www.facebook.com/craiglockhartCC
For information about Messy Church please contact Fiona
Church Diary9.30 am Congregational Prayer 9.30 am Choir Practice 10.30 am Sunday Worship11.30 am Tea & Coffee after Worship 7.45 pm N:gage (11 and over)
9.30 am Jo Jingles Joanne Goodall (443 4196) 10.00 am Mothers & Toddlers Rachel Carlyle (629 3595) 7.30 pm Guides Kelly Fowler (07954 141983)8.00 pm Ladies Group (2nd & 4th) Valerie Hume (443 2503)8.00 pm Prayer Fellowship (1st Monday of the month)
10.00 am Badminton Club Wilma Gill (443 2738)6.15 pm Beavers Ali Haines (07954 898790)7.30 pm The Guild (1st & 3rd) Janette Knox (443 7588)7.30 pm Kirk Session (2nd Tuesday Jan, Mar, May Sep, Nov)7.30 pm Congregational Board (4th Tuesday Jan, Apr, Aug, Oct)
6.15 pm Brownies Lynda Brown (07837 682332)6.15 pm Rainbows Laurie Johnstone(443 9445)7.00 pm Bridge Group Ivan Robson (443 3407) 8.00 pm Badminton Club Averil Sutherland (443 1925)
10.15 am Bible Study Group (2nd & 4th) 1.30 pm Prayer Fellowship (3rd) Gordon Kennedy (444 1615)1.30 pm Knitting Group (2nd) Fiona Kennedy (444 1615)7.30 pm Impact Gordon McBirnie (449 9720)
6.30 pm Cub Scouts Tim Simons (443 3061) 8.00 pm Scouts Gavin Corbett (07718 666480)
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
Page 18
We want to invite you to Impact, a youth club for P7’s to S3’s held at Craiglockhart Church which is on the corner of Craiglockhart Drive North and Craiglockhart Avenue.
We’ll have games, table tennis, table football, PS3, football, snacks, quiz nights and lots of other stuff like trips to Laserquest, bowling and the cinema.
Each night we will have a short time called TFG (Time for God) where we will think about whether the Bible has anything to say to you.
As you can see our first night is on Thursday 25th September, starting at 7.30pm and finishing at 9pm. We will be on every Thursday night after that.
Part of being at Impact will be that someone from our team will visit you at home to give your family a chance to meet us and ask questions and for us to get to know you better.
We hope you can come and be part of impact, it will be great to welcome you.
Thursday 25th September 7.30pm to 9pm
For P7 - S3Craiglockhart Parish Church
Craiglockhart Drive North
Page 19
INVITATION
Christmas Celebration
This year, we have a new format for our Christmas celebration. In the past we have held a "party" in the evening for people in the Parish who may not get out too much for this kind of event. However, for the last couple of years we think that some people have not come as it is dark and often cold on a December evening. To broaden the appeal and to make it more practical for all ages and families, this year we will be holding the event on:
Saturday 13 December from 3pm to 5pm.
A warm invitation is extended to everyone in the Parish to join us.
We are sure it will be a fun afternoon full of songs from the shows, audience participation, games and afternoon tea.
We will be happy to arrange transport should you need it.
If you would like to come along or for more information please contact Kath Grandison:
telephone 07870 193721 email [email protected]