Ff 201509 by Pilrig St. Paul's Church

The quarterly magazine of Leith Churches Forum

September 2015 Vol. 56/15

Letter from the Chair Rev. Alex McAspurren Exodus - journey of Jah people! (so wrote and sang the late, and I think great, Robert Nesta Marley) Have you noticed that over the last few years there have been a growing number of things for us to commemorate? Some of these are occasions to recall those people and events that greatly shaped our own lives, whether it be VE or VJ Day, or whether it be events from more distant history that have shaped us in less direct or less obvious ways. I think in particular of the events around the centenary of the rail disaster at Quintinshill, or even the approaching bicentenary of North Leith's current place of worship. These are but a few examples, and there could be many more of which some maybe private acts of remembrance. However they all say something important about our heritage and our origins as individuals or as a community. In short, they matter! Our spiritual journey also says something about who, when, and where we are in life and in history. Our individual pilgrimages, or should that be lives of discipleship, speak loudly and clearly about the people we are and equally so about the God we follow. It may not seem so at times but these aspects of our lives matter. We have heard a great deal of talk, and increasing amounts of action or activity, about change within the Kirk in Leith in the last year, and all of this is a part of our journey with God. What we do and how we do it in terms of change in the church speaks to the surrounding communities about both us and our God. This summer some of us have been working our way through the highlights of the story of the movement of God's people in the Exodus, and we have found something that should give us hope, courage, and vision for our journey today - God is still with us. Throughout the Exodus God provides for his people's needs, both spiritual and physical - the former through speaking to them through Moses while the latter is often done through the providence of the natural order. We learn from the Exodus that God is patient with us, even when we are slow or grumbling, and that he is generous even when we want to hang on to things for ourselves. Even though we are not hounded by an angry king and his army; even though we are not going into a barren wilderness for forty years; even though we do not have to rely on the miracle of providence, we still have a story that is relevant to our day. As we journey on through the remainder of this calendar year and on into the next let us remember the lessons of the Exodus and let us carry them on with us as we go forward in faith, hope, and love, and remember that God goes with us. Blessings, Alex -----------See our sponsor Garry's advert on the back page and support him if you can.

Future of the Leith Churches - Strategy Group – Interim Report Background Rev. Iain May In 2014, a group was formed consisting of the clergy and representatives from the four Church of Scotland congregations in Leith. The purpose was to look into the future shape and direction of the CofS church in Leith. A number of meetings have been held, some with an external facilitator, to discuss our current situation in terms of church membership, finances, buildings use, worship, Congregational life and mission and community demographics. The group then went on to determine a mission and vision for the future of the church in Leith. This report is the result of a number of discussions held with representatives of the four Church of Scotland congregations in Leith ( Ministry and Lay). It is in no way a final plan or necessarily the end position. Further discussions will be taking place and we see this interim report as a starting point for these. Vision ‘We believe that Community is a sign of the 'Kingdom of God' and that it needs a spiritual heart. The Churches of Leith have a responsibility to foster, support and share in a vision for Leith as one community. We desire Leith to be a growing, caring, multicultural and friendly community that will bring the people of Leith to an active faith in Jesus Christ” The above still stands and is a vision which we believe will help us shape the future of the church in Leith. Mission and Vision for the future It was very clear from our discussions that we need to change and adapt to the changing circumstances in Leith. Towards this, the following aims were proposed: Create the circumstances where we can plan for a ‘one parish for Leith’. This would facilitate the consolidation of a number of the practical aspect of church life, administration, hall lettings and support functions for property, worship coordination, communication, organising church and community events. The ‘one parish’ will have a number of worship places, using church sanctuaries and other church buildings. There is also a need to determine the best use of our buildings in a ‘one parish’ situation. Action point: Each congregation to come up with two or three alternative uses for each church building. The ‘one parish’ may adopt a team ministry to provide ministry to a diverse and transient community. Action point: Each congregation to come up with two or three new initiatives for joint mission. The ‘one parish’ would free up resources, both people and financial, to allow us to do many of the things we would like to do now but cannot do as we spend a lot of our current resources duplicating each other, including outreach to children and families, education programs, Bible studies, Sunday 3

schools, holiday clubs, church cafés, pastoral care, funerals, worship, church socials, community events, community projects/initiatives. Action point: Each congregation to come up with two or three things that we all currently do that could be shared in the future. To create the ‘one parish’ we need to communicate and share our initial ideas with the members of our congregations and with other involved parties, Presbytery and the Deployment and Resources Committee to gain feedback and advice on the legal and practical issues and possibilities of what we propose. The above requires further discussion and exploration to determine the details and best way forward. These discussions will continue in the autumn and winter of 2015/16, with the intention of presenting a plan to Presbytery in May 2016, which will set out the timelines and practical stages to create the ‘one parish’ The next steps Over the summer months each congregation is asked to reflect upon this interim report and to share with their respective members of the strategy group, any thoughts or ideas and responses to the action points. In the Autumn 2015 the Strategy Group will then discuss and prepare a further plan. Key Dates 3rd September : The strategy group will meet to discuss initial feedback and plan further steps. 7th October 7:45pm in NLPC – Joint session meeting to discuss report and decide on ways we can take the ideas to the next step. October 2015: Invite representatives from Presbytery and in particular the Deployment and Resources Committee to meet with us and talk through what we are proposing. May 2016: Time plan in place to create the new one parish. Future of the Leith Churches Strategy Group, June 2015. -----------Leith Churches Together: Encouraging support and cooperation between the churches of Leith Leith Churches Together holds a monthly lunchtime ecumenical service, hosted and led by different churches in turn. We meet at 1pm. All welcome! It usually lasts 25-30 minutes and is followed by a simple lunch and get-together. Services for the second half of 2015 are: Wednesday 12 August: Duke Street URC; Wednesday 9 September: North Leith Parish Church of Scotland; Wednesday 14 October :Ebenezer UF Church; Wednesday: 11 November South Leith Baptist Church; Wednesday 9 December: Leith St Andrew’s Church of Scotland(at 10.15am). Visit our website www.leithchurchestogether.org.uk 4

Pauline Robertson DCS ( Deacon, Church of Scotland ) Hello, everyone. I’ve been around Leith all my life and know many folks. I was ordained as a Church of Scotland Deacon in 2003, and inducted as a Community Deacon, in Craigmillar at the same time. Over the last 5 years my ministry has led me back to “Sunny Leith” as part – time Deacon at Leith St Andrews for 4 years and now as part–time Deacon at South Leith. My journey to diaconal ministry was long, nearly 10 years from enquiry to ordination. This led me to work on Iona, to work within chaplaincy at the Royal Infirmary Edinburgh and The Thistle Foundation. I was drawn to explore my calling to Diaconal Ministry through my experience of the many deacons who served within the ministry team of my home congregation of South Leith Parish Church. As a deacon I have found myself working and journeying in some of the more marginalised areas of Edinburgh, areas identified as having particular issues or needs around poverty, social issues and social isolation. My parish based ministry has enabled me - along with other members of the ministry team - to journey alongside members of the congregation and parish through the changing times in their lives, some which brought great joy and others which brought great sadness, for example conducting weddings and funerals. The Diaconate is a ministry not only to the congregation within which we serve but also to the whole community. It is a privilege and responsibility to be a Deacon, as it often involves being the only contact individuals and groups of a community have with their local church through chaplaincy to care homes, older people’s projects, local service providers as well as work in schools. Over the years I have been asked many times, “what is a deacon?” After using many words and phrases like: ministry of service, complimentary to word and sacrament, distinct, ordained, community, outreach, worship, and pastoral care, I often say we are the “unknown” ministry of the Church of Scotland. ------------

A five year old came home and told her parents about the “tapism” she had seen in church. Her father asked her if she knew what it meant. She replied, “Sure – the baby got tapped on the head with water.”

Some services & events in the Forum congregations to which you are invited to attend. Remembrance services will be held by all of our congregations on Sunday 8th November at 11am. Leith St. Andrew's Messy Church meets from 5-7pm on the last Thursday of each month. A fun, noisy, messy time for families: 24th September, 29th October and 26th November. Oasis of Peace at Leith St Andrew's: Our quiet reflective prayer services on Wednesday at 10.15am for about half an hour restart on 2nd September. A time of peace, worshipping, sharing and praying followed by a cuppa and chat. We meet in the Church. All are welcome. Young at Heart restarts on 6th October. An activities group for 60s and over. We meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month from 2pm – 3.30pm in the Easter Road hall. All are welcome. South Leith Worship at One at South Leith church every Thursday at 1pm – prayers for the community and the world. The Scottish Seafarers Service is a joint service for the CofS in Leith on 15th November, at 11am in South Leith Parish Church, followed at 1:30pm with a wreath laying ceremony at the Merchant Navy Memorial at The Shore. -----------Pilrig St. Paul's Open Doorway It is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am to 1pm. Serving tea / coffee and biscuits. All welcome to pop in.

South Leith Halls Open from 9.30am - 2.30pm Monday to Thursday, 9.30am – 1pm Friday. Hot meals & light snacks. Carry out facilities available.

SERVICES, ORGANISATIONS & GROUPS Leith Churches Forum of The Church of Scotland September 2015 For further information on any of these services, organisations & groups provided by the Church of Scotland in Leith, please contact the Session Clerk for the congregation Leith St Andrews Parish Church, Easter Road – phone 553 8839. http://www.leithstandrews.org North Leith Parish Church , Session House, 1A Madeira Place. Phone 553 7378. nlpc-office@btconnect.com Pilrig St Paul's Church , Pilrig Street – phone church 553 1876. Psp.hallsuse@gmail.com South Leith Parish Church , Halls 6 Henderson Street – phone 554 2578. www.slpc.co.uk .slpc @dialpipex.com. Information about Leith Churches Forum can be found at our web site at htt://leithchurchesforum.org.uk

Worship Services - Sunday - all at 11.00 am. (Crèche at South Leith for 0 – 3yrs. North Leith – children stay in church during services: activities are provided) Evening services at North Leith, Session House Chapel normally @ 6.30pm. Occasionally – see web-site for current month information. South Leith- “Worship at One” every Thursday in church ; summer services July & August @ 10.30am. Children's Sunday Activities Leith St Andrews – Sunday Club @ 11.00am Pilrig St Paul's - “Sunday Club” (P1-S4) @ 10.45am. South Leith – Living the Question – for 16 to 21 year olds, Sunday in church 6 to 7,30pm. The Boys' Brigade (Anchor Boys P2-3, Junior Section P4-6, Company Section P7-S6) North Leith – meet at 1st Leith BB ex members Club rooms, 73, Ferry Road - Friday: Anchor Boys @ 6.00pm, Junior Section @ 6.00pm, Company Section @ 7.30pm. South Leith – Wednesday – Anchor Boys @ 6.15pm; Junior Section @ 7.00pm; Friday Company Section @ 7.15pm. Rainbows,(5-7yrs) Brownies (7-10yrs) & Guides (10-14yrs) Leith St Andrews – contact church for further information. North Leith - All meet in church hall. Rainbows - Wednesday @ 6.00pm; Brownies – Monday @ 6.00pm; Guides - Mondays @ 7.30pm. Contact church for further information. Pilrig St Paul's – contact Christine Buchanan 554 2941. Rainbows & Brownies Monday ; At Pilrig park School – contact Karen Wood 554 6493 – Rainbows Thursday, Brownies, Guides Thursday. South Leith- contact church for further information. Scouts North Leith – meet at Scout premises, off Trinity Road - Beavers Monday @ 6.30pm; Cub Scouts Wednesday @ 6.30pm; Sea Scouts Friday @ 7.15pm.

Pilrig St Paul's – 5th Leith (Pilrig ENE) Troop meet in Broughton Primary School on Tuesday evenings. Beavers at 6pm, Cubs at 6.30pm and Scouts at 7.30pm. Contact Miss Evelyn Torrance 552-1657. Other Children's & Youth Groups Leith St Andrews – Messy church – last Thursday of the month @ 5-7pm; Play Group – morning and afternoon sessions available - Monday – Friday. North Leith – Parent & Toddlers Group Monday & Thursday @ 9.30am. South Leith – Parents & Toddlers, Tuesdays during term time 9am to 12 noon; Saturday ballroom dancing for children – contact SLPC halls for details. Adult Groups Leith St. Andrews – Oasis of Peace on Wednesday mornings @ 10.15am; “Young at Heart” club for anyone who has a senior's bus pass; 1 st & 3rd Tuesday of each month, Sept. - April 2.00 – 4.00pm.; Trefoil Guild: 2 nd Thursday Oct, Dec, Feb & Apr @ 7.30pm; Line Dancing: Tuesday 10 – 12 noon – Improvers; Wednesday 11-12.30 - Beginners; Leith Probus: this club is for retired gentlemen and meets on alternate Mondays at 10 a.m. at Leith St. Andrews Church Hall in Easter Road. Anyone interested should phone the secretary, Bob Burrows (tel.554 0366) North Leith – Prayer Group Sunday @ 10.15am; Knit & Natter Sew & Sews (in Session House) Monday 2-4pm; Thursday Fellowship @ 2.00pmin hall; Badminton: Thursday @ 8.00pm. Pilrig St. Paul's - The Guild (For men & women): 2nd & 4th Tuesday of month September to April @ 2.00pm (contact Jeanette Sime 552 9652); Argentine Tango classes: Wednesday @ 6.30pm (contact Riccardo & Jenny Oria 07855 532 026). South Leith - Prayer Chain: Mon – Fri; Country Dancing: Monday @7.30pm; Banner Group: Monday @ 7.30pm; Scottish Slimmers: Monday @ 5 – 6.30pm & Tuesday 9.30am; Yogaleaf Tuesday @ 6pm & Thursday @10 am; Women's Group (alternate Tuesdays) @ 6pm; Thursday Afternoon Group @ 2.pm; Cinema Group: 1st Tuesday of the month @ Vue Cinema, Ocean Terminal for 7.00pm; Line Dancing Tuesday 7.30pm (contact Graham Mitchell 332 9662); Tai Chi: Wednesday @ 4pm.(contact Lesley Craise 01899 220895); Bowling Club: Tuesday @ 6.30pm on Links; National Youth Choir of Scotland: Friday @9.30am; Weight Watchers: Saturday @ 9am.; Ballroom Dancers: Saturday @1-3pm & Sunday @10am.

Music & Choir North Leith – choir practice: Sundays @ 10.10am. Pilrig St Paul's – Wildfire Ladies Choir: Wednesday @ 7.15pm; Sing in the City: Tuesday 6pm. Contact Kirsty.singinthecity@choirinedinburgh.co.uk Bambino Beats: Mondays 9.30. Contact info@bambinobeats.com South Leith – Music Group (Kailyard): Monday @ 7.30pm; Choir: Thursday @ 8pm; Senior Citizens Choir Tuesday @ 1.30pm. Coffee Services North Leith – occasional. Pilrig St Paul's – Open Doorway: Tuesdays & Thursdays from 11am to 1pm. Coffee, tea biscuits and the opportunity to chat or have some quiet time in the sanctuary. South Leith – Perc-U-Up cafe: open 9.30am to 2.30pm Monday to Thursday, 9.30am to 1pm Friday. Hot meals and light snacks. Carry out facilities available. Saturday coffee morning 10.00am to 12 noon every Saturday with nearly new stall every 2nd Saturday.

Edinburgh North East foodbank All 4 CofS congregations in Leith work together to run the foodbank. Other Leith churches also help with volunteers and other forms of support. Management committee: chair Rev Iain May, treasurer Pauline McLaren and other members from the various churches. Main contact point for each is Stewart Lowe and Jimmy Hudson at NL, Valerie McIntosh at L St. A, Arthur Mathieson at SL, Roy Eprile at P St. P

“Life is but a Weaving” (the Tapestry Poem) “My life is but a weaving Between my God and me. I cannot choose the colours He weaveth steadily. Oft’ times He weaveth sorrow; And I in foolish pride Forget He sees the upper And I the underside. Not ’till the loom is silent And the shuttles cease to fly Will God unroll the canvas And reveal the reason why. The dark threads are as needful In the weaver’s skill full hand As the threads of gold and silver In the pattern He has planned He knows, He loves, He cares; Nothing this truth can dim. He gives the very best to those Who leave the choice to Him.” Corrie Ten Boom ------------

What kind of Christian are you? A lot of Christians are like wheelbarrows – no use unless pushed. Some are like kites - if you don't keep a string on them, they fly away. Some are like kittens – most content when petted. Some are like balloons – full of their own importance and ready to blow up. Some are like trailers – they have to be pulled. Some, fortunately, are like a good watch – open-faced, pure gold, quietly busy and full of good works.

Ocean Terminal Margaret Ann Fraser I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to shadow Jennifer Stark until she left in April. I have gradually been getting to know Staff, Volunteers in The Living Memory Association, and visitors. My remit as a volunteer with Workplace Chaplaincy Scotland is to provide a chaplaincy service in Ocean Terminal for six months. LCT are endeavouring to recruit volunteer(s) from the local churches. It would be good if this happened soon, as we could work together! Workplace Chaplaincy Scotland provide an excellent professional training programme and good ongoing line management and support. Many changes are taking place in Ocean Terminal at the moment. This shouldn't be surprising, as a terminal is where people come and go! It is also a point of connection. I am impressed how many of the staff support each other, and sustain an optimistic spirit when it can sometimes be rather quiet. I met Nicola Cruickshank, Marketing Assistant in July, and she explained to me that it was important to use available space in the centre in the best possible way, in particular during planned building alterations/developments. An advantage of delayed building work, a positive being extracted from frustrating circumstances, was that the Indoor Beach could be located in the magnificent large glass fronted area overlooking Britannia, instead of outside Debenhams on the ground floor. The Indoor Beach was free to use and available throughout the summer holidays. It was great to chat with Mums and Dads while they relaxed in deckchairs watching the children playing happily. This activity was provided by the Centre, and delivered by Red i Design and Display. Elizabeth and Elisa ran this beautifully, full of enthusiasm. Elizabeth was on a gap year before starting an Art Foundation course, and Elisa came from Italy to study art, and loves Edinburgh.

Elizabeth & Elisa

Another attraction that appeared in early summer and also supported by the centre was the indoor golf course. This was also very popular, providing entertainment for the whole family. Nicola told me that it is a high priority of the marketing team to create a pleasant and enjoyable environment in the 8

centre to support the retailers, restaurants and leisure facilities. The new location of Living Memory is very successful. The large unit has enabled them to display their huge collection. I have been asked if I may meet with a group there, as people come in often who like to have a chat and reminisce. I have met some quite lonely people who like to come to the centre. This is an amazing space which is in no small part down to PEOPLE...and from what I have experienced at Ocean Terminal, most people are making a huge effort although times can be hard. Sometimes we all need a bit of support and a listening ear...! That is why I am here. -----------Leith Churches Holiday Club Hayley Gillies This took place on 14th-16th July at South Leith Parish Halls. Using the SU material 'Polar Explorers' 39 primary aged children, 5 teen leaders and 17 leaders went on an adventure through the 'artic' exploring Bible stories and learning about being on God's Team. Over the three days we had five stories looking at lessons we can learn from Bible characters - Peter (Never too many mistakes to be on God's Team), Stephen (Never too Ordinary to be on God's Team), Philip (Never too near or too far to be on God's Team), Saul (Never too bad to be on God's Team) and Timothy (Never too young to be on God's Team). All involved enjoyed games, challenges, memory verses, quizzes, crafts, snacks, stories, DVD stories, creative prayer, interactive group activities, and our great singing and dancing which blew all the parents away at the end of the week. We are hoping to hold a follow up day on Tuesday 20th October (details tbc) if you know anyone who would like to join our team or register to join the next adventure please contact hayley@ymcaedinburgh.com <mailto:hayley@ymcaedinburgh.com>

Port Chaplain’s Report Tim Bell We have managed to visit nearly all of the cruise ships that came in to Leith this summer. For the crews, a day in port is either a busy one – seeing to things that can’t be done at sea – or they are in normal routines. Either way, they have very little time to leave the ship, and most of them get no further than the terminal building where Forth Ports supply free wifi. So at any time of day or night you can see people from all over the world communicating with their families. Almost all seafarers these days have some sort of mobile device. Of course, they don’t get wifi in every port, so telephone sim cards and top-ups are important to them. Here, when the big guy realised he could have 500 minutes talk-time for £5, he said to the wee guy: ‘For £5 I could fall in love, court, marry and divorce. That’s a deal!’ Thanks to Nicola Lewis, of URC Duke Street, for capturing the moment. Nicola also looks after our Facebook page ‘Seafarers in Scotland’. Why don’t you visit the page and see what seafarers are talking about? With one ship that was in for five days we had the time to set up a Catholic Mass. Fr Joe from Apostleship of the Sea came from Glasgow for a service at 10.00 pm. Most of those present were Indians, and they were dressed for the night shift. We had to move some tables in the mess room, and speak over the constant roar of the ventilation; a reminder that for the length of their contract, normally around 9 months, these people have little or no private or special or peaceful space, which we take for granted. Bob Lawson and I took these three Philippines off a ship at Hound point for an excursion into the Scottish countryside around Abercorn Church. They had ahead of them a fifty-day trip to China, and it was very obvious that they treasured every moment of the few hours they had ashore. And finally – we need someone to do a little administration for the Christmas Parcel Wrap for Seafarers, which has become an established and much appreciated annual event. The not-very-onerous duties run from August to mid-November, unless, of course, you want to be involved in the distribution of the parcels nearer Christmas. If you are interested, please be in touch with me: TBell@sailors-society.org or tel 07803 0510

Pilrig St Paul’s Pastoral Care Team Linda Gill Our work continues in the Pastoral Care Team in PSP with the delivery of flowers each Sunday, cards and phone calls to those in our congregation and wider parish in need of our support or contact. It is always good to hear feedback from those we have touched with our contact and to know that it has been very much appreciated. We recently had the opportunity to attend a workshop on Bereavement and Loss facilitated by Rev Joanne Foster. We extended attendance to our Elders and also welcomed others from Joanne’s network. It was a powerful and impactful day that everyone found to be very valuable. This has strengthened our team skills and provided an insight into helping people who are suffering a loss in their life. Community Film Club In July we held the next showing for our Community Film Club with A Night at the Museum- The Secret Tomb. This time we held two showings of the film, one in the morning and one in the afternoon trying to cater for everyone’s diaries. We also held a Community Café over the lunchtime between the two film showings. We are now working on the next date and taking the feedback from those who attended in July to decide on the next film to show. Indian Dance & Exercise Class We are holding a monthly dance class from September this year run by the Dance Ihayami team. After an hour of dance and exercise the group then gather for a healthy lunch and catch up on the latest news. Pastoral Care Team Mark Foster: Minister, Catriona Blackwood: Elder and magazine editor, Christine Edington, Ella Gilfillan, Linda Gill: Elder and Pastoral Care Team Leader,Cathy Purdie, Fiona Rankin: Elder, Jeanette Sime: Elder and Roll Keeper. 669-7409 or helpinghands@pilrigstpauls.org.uk -----------A wee boy came home from Sunday School and informed his mother that his new teacher was Jesus' granny. When asked how he got that idea he replied, “Well, she never stops talking about Jesus.” 11

Your Representatives

Information about Leith Churches Forum can be found at our web site at htt://leithchurchesforum.org.uk/

Feedback or articles and information for the December Focus should be given to your representative by 31st October for the editor. Alternatively e- mail to the editor at stuart@duffus.org.

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