The quarterly magazine of Leith Churches Forum
September 2016 Vol. 60/16
Letter from the Chair Rev. Mark Foster Dear All, Over the past few years the four Church of Scotland congregations in Leith, under the banner of Leith Churches Forum, have been working and worshipping together in a concerted effort to achieve a greater and more effective presence in the Leith area. As reported in previous issues of Forum Focus this partnership has taken on a new and exciting momentum over the past year, with an active desire to plan for the future development of the shape and mission of the Church’s presence in Leith. The Leith Churches Forum has been extended to include four representatives plus the Minister from each of the four congregations, namely Leith St. Andrew’s, North Leith, Pilrig St. Paul’s, and South Leith. This group has taken on a new identity, and a new name, that we believe represents our shared vision of working together. Under the new name of “One Church for Leith” we hope to raise the profile of the churches’ presence across Leith and the many ways in which we work together to serve the community. When we talk about ‘One Church for Leith’ it is important to say that this does not refer to buildings or congregations. This is not about cutting down to a single congregation in a single building. Neither is it anything to do with our continued commitment to work alongside the other Christian Churches and communities in Leith as part of the Leith Churches Together grouping. ‘One Church for Leith’ is about our shared vision to work together as the Church of Scotland in Leith. The ‘One Church for Leith’ group has identified three important areas that we are currently looking at. The first of these is looking at ways in which all of the members of the four congregations are kept informed and consulted over the issues concerning our shared vision for the future. We realise that your input into the process is extremely important and one member of the group from each congregation is currently looking at different ways to include your views and thoughts in the planning process. We have also asked the four Kirk Sessions to grant permission to nominate two people from each congregation to work with the Presbytery and Church of Scotland on a full survey of all our properties. This will be a huge piece of work that will look at how our buildings are currently used and how they could possibly be developed for the future to make more creative and effective use of them for worship and mission. > p3 -----------See our sponsor Garry's advert on the back page and support him if you can. 2
At our next meeting in September the group will be looking at the current shape of our Ministry Team and what opportunities and challenges this presents us with. We hope to seek the Church of Scotland’s support in looking at a more collaborative approach to team ministry between the congregations in Leith. In conclusion, there are four main points to note from our work to date: 1) We have a new name/vision – ‘One Church for Leith’. 2) We will continue to inform and consult with all of our members in this process. 3) We are looking at how to make the best use of all our buildings. 4) We are looking at a collaborative approach to ministry. As you can see we have taken on some large and challenging areas to pursue in our shared vision of ‘One Church for Leith’, but we are doing so with the continued support and help of “A Place for Hope” as reported in the last issue of Forum Focus. Please continue to pray for our work and look out for the opportunities that will soon be coming to help feed in your own thoughts and ideas for the future mission of the church across Leith. Shalom -----------Building with bananas? A builder was standing looking at a pile of badly made bricks and muttered “how can anyone expect me to build with these? They're just like bananas.” In spite of those odd shaped bricks he was still able to use his skill and build a fine wall. The bricks remind us of what Christians are like – imperfect and very different from one another. Yet God wants us to fit together in a loving community. Why deal with the petty squabbles and irritations which occur in our church relations?They aren't major spiritual issues, surely they don't deserve such a broad airing. The Bible provides us with a sound basis for working together happily. (Building with bananas by Derek and Nancy Copley) -----------A four year old was listening to the Bible story and his dad read “Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city, but his wife turned back and was turned to salt.” The concerned boy asked, “What happened to the flea?”
Annual Scottish Service for Seafarers Rev. Iain May This years’ service will once more take place in South Leith Parish Church on Sunday 20th November at 11am within South Leith Parish Church. Last year approx. 600 attended the service. The Annual Scottish Seafarers Service allows us to gather as a community and to remember the work of all seafarers current and past. Seafarers from both the Merchant and Royal navies, who each and every day sail the world’s oceans transporting goods and protecting shipping lanes from the many hazards and consumer demands of the 21st century. Maritime transport is essential to the world's economy as over 90% of the world's trade is carried by sea and it is, by far, the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to move masse goods and raw materials around the world. This years’ guest preacher is the Rev. Dr. Marjory MacLean, Minister Carse of Gowrie churches and Chaplain, Royal Naval Reserve. This annual event is now a joint event for the LCF churches and we hope many from the four churches will take the opportunity to attend. After the service, at 1:30pm, a service of remembrance is held at the Merchant Navy Memorial on The Shore, Leith. -----------North Leith 200th Anniversary Anne Lamont North Leith church building is 200 years old in 2016 and on the weekend of 3rd- 4th September we shall be marking this anniversary. On Saturday 3rd we shall be welcoming visitors between 10.00am and 2.00pm. The church will be decorated with flowers. There will be a display showing the history of the building and congregation. Our organist, Nicola, will provide some music. We have prepared a church calendar for 2017 and these will be on sale together with church pens. Refreshments will be served in the hall and a bouncy castle and other activities will take place in the garden. On Sunday 4th there will be a celebration service. The other LCF congregations have been invited to the Sunday service in NL as a joint service. Former members and ministers have been invited together with local dignitaries. The Lord Provost has indicated his intention to join us, as have our MSP and MP. The preacher will be Rev Dr Martin Scott, Secretary to the Council of Assembly. It should be a memorable weekend and we look forward to welcoming as many as possible from the other Leith churches joining us 4
Leith Churches Holiday Club Hayley Gillies Took place on Tuesday 19th, Wednesday 20th and Thursday 21st July 2016. Following the SU Material based of Guardians of Ancora, an animated game available for children to play, guardians went on quests to find out stories of Jesus and bring light back to the city. Over the three days at South Leith Parish Church Halls an average of 34 young people attended each day with 45 registered for the holiday club and we explored parables of Jesus The Calling of the Disciples, The Healing of the Paralysed Man and The Feeding of the 5000. Leaders, from 11 different churches and Christian organisations in and around Leith, took the children through interactive learning, themed crafts, games, challenges, storytelling, music and drama workshops alongside a myriad of action songs led by our band of (mainly) junior leaders. Everyone had a great week, there was lots of fun as we learned that Jesus calls us, like he called the disciples, to be good news, to bring light to this city and that he still moves in wonderful ways today as he did in the stories we explored. -----------Pastoral Care at South Leith. Pauline Robertson As we continue through the summermany church groups and organisations take time off. Our pastoral visitors continue to visit those within our congregation and community who are senior members or less mobile. Our visitors are volunteers - who have many gifts and talents - who ensure members and friends remain connected to 'their' church family. As often those who are visited are unable to come to worship regularly they share church news, updates on what’s happening in and around the church, along with sharing the magazines Kirk and Folk and Forum Focus. Along with the Worship Committee the pastoral care visitors have enabled many of our members to come together in fellowship and worship throughout this year. This year we have shared an Afternoon Communion Service within the Sanctuary, which was an opportunity for worship together and fellowship. Our much enjoyed annual trip to Longniddry Parish Church, in July, combined a short time of worship with a lovely afternoon tea. This outing would not be possible without our band of wonderful volunteers. Our Pastoral Team also provide a flower ministry in which we are able here at South Leith to celebrate with members special occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries. >p6 5
Pastoral care is vital within our churches. Through our visitors we are able to be with folks at times of change, of loss and illness and at times of joy and happiness and celebration. Providing a listening ear, a friendly face or a hand to hold when times can be challenging. Through our Pastoral Care Team we are able to take the church out with the walls of the building into people's homes, care homes, and hospitals and show Christ ‘s love for all. ------------
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South Leith Family Fun Day Rev. Iain May On 13th August South Leith Parish Church opened their gates and doors to the community of Leith. This is the fourth Fun Day and again it has exceeded all our expectations. Over 300 folk came to share in the Fun Day. They enjoyed a fun afternoon with our bouncy castle being very popular as was the tug of war competition and the hot dog stand! The fun day was enhanced by the presence of a fire engine and police car from the local fire and police services. It was great to see so many young families enjoying a free afternoon out and where South Leith Parish Church can be seen as a welcoming and inclusive part of the Leith community. The Fun Day will be repeated at Christmas and next Easter. ------------
Laying up of the Leith Battalion BB Colours Rev. Iain May It was decided earlier this year by Edinburgh, Leith & District Battalion of the Boys’ Brigade that the ‘colours’ of the former Leith Battalion were to be ‘laid up’ . The Kirk Session of South Leith Parish Church was asked if they would accept the colours and arrange for them to be formally ‘laid up’. South Leith Parish Church was more than happy to do this and to arrange the ceremony. The formal laying up will take place on Sunday, November 6 th 2016 at 11am. It is hoped many of the current BB’s, Officers and officials will attend along with former BB’s and Officers of the many disbanded companies that made up the former Leith Battalion. ------------
Church Notice Board - “Don’t let worry kill you – let the church help.”
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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 13th November at 10.50am. Leith St. Andrew's Messy Church meets from 5-7pm on the last Thursday of each month. A fun, noisy, messy time for families: 30th June, no Messy Church in July, 25th August. Oasis of Peace at Leith St Andrew's: Our quiet reflective prayer services takes place each Wednesday at 10.15am for about half an hour. A time of peace, worshipping, sharing and praying followed by a cuppa and chat. We meet in the Church. All are welcome. South Leith Worship at One at South Leith church every Thursday at 1pm – prayers for the community and the world. -----------Pilrig St. Paul's Open Doorway Open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Serving tea / coffee and biscuits. All welcome to pop in. South Leith Community Café The Community Café in the South Leith Parish Church Halls in Henderson Street is back is business with a new Café Manager and new menu choices. Shirley McCathie is the new manager and she offers a new menu with daily specials, all freshly cooked to order. And there is now a £4.50 meal deal offering soup, a main course and ice cream. For people in a hurry, Shirley will provide meals to take away, but the main attraction of the Café is the opportunity to relax and catch up with friends in a peaceful environment for a cup of tea or coffee with home baking, or a hot lunch. The Café opens at 8.00am so early birds can enjoy a breakfast deal (sit in or takeaway) until 11.00am – two hot rolls and a cup of tea or coffee for just £3.00. The South Leith Community Café is open Mondays to Fridays from 8.00am to 2.30pm, with hot meals available to 2.00pm. Give it a try – you’ll be pleasantly surprised 8
SERVICES, ORGANISATIONS & GROUPS Leith Churches Forum of The Church of Scotland September 2016 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 leithstandrews@yahoo.co.uk 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.halluse@gmail.com www.pilrigstpauls.org.uk www.leithcommunitycinema.com South Leith Parish Church , Halls 6 Henderson Street – phone 554 2578. www.slpc.co.uk slpc@dial.pipex.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. Pilrig St. Pauls - Children stay in church during services, drawing, colouring and quiz books are provided. Creche facilities available. North Leith, Evening services at Session House Chapel normally @ 6.30pm. Occasionally – see web-site for current month information. Children stay in church during morning services: activities are provided) South Leith- Crèche at South Leith for 0 >3yrs. Playbags for 4&5yrs. Activity Packs for P1>P7. “Worship at One” every Thursday in church ; Leith St Andrew’s - Messy church: last Thursday of the month @ 5>7pm. Children's Sunday Activities Leith St Andrews – Sunday Club @ 11.00am Pilrig St Paul's - “Sunday Club” (P1-S4) @ 10.45am. 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 5493 – Rainbows Thursday, Brownies, Guides Thursday. South Leith- Thursdays – Rainbows @ 6pm, Brownies @ 6pm, Guides @ 7pm. 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 gymn hall School on Tuesday evenings. Beavers at 5.30pm, Cubs at 6.30pm and Scouts at 7.30pm. Contact Miss Evelyn Torrance 552-1657. Other Children's & Youth Groups Leith St Andrews – Play Group: morning and afternoon sessions available Monday – Friday. North Leith – Parent & Toddlers Group Monday & Thursday @ 9.30am. Pilrig St. Paul's Children Music on Mondays: 10am: Sing & Sign -16 >18 months; 1>7 months, 12 noon: 16>12 months.11am: Bambino Beats – 5 weeks > 18 months. (contact catherinerennie@singandsign.co.uk; text 077 222 34726 / bookings@bambinobeats.com). Soccerstarts Tuesday football sessions for children – 10-10.40am: walking>3years; 11 – 11.40am: 3>5 years. (contact b.robertson@soccerstarts.co.uk) South Leith – Parents & Toddlers, Tuesdays during term time 9.30 > 11:30am; Saturday ballroom dancing for children – contact SLPC halls for details. Adult Groups Leith St. Andrews – Oasis of Peace. We meet from Lent to Advent, with a break over summer, 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: 2nd 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); Badminton & Bowling – contact church for information. North Leith – Prayer Group Sunday @ 10.15am; Knit & Natter Sew & Sews (in Session House) Monday 2-4pm. Pilrig St. Paul's - The Guild (For men & women): 2nd & 4th Tuesday of month September to April @ 2.00pm (contact Jeanette Sime 552 9652); Highland dance – Wednesday 5.30>8.30pm. (contact francis.paterson31@outlook.com); Nortena Tango – Wednesday 7.30>8.30pm (basics), 8.35>9.35pm (dynamics), 9.35>10pm (practical). (contact embrace@oriatango.com / 078 665 32026). Gyrokinesis (movement designed to strengthen & tone the body) – Saturday 10>11.30am. (contact llsarobbertsongryro@gmail.com) South Leith - Prayer Chain: Mon – Fri; Country Dancing: Monday @7.30pm; Scottish Slimmers: Monday @ 5 – 6.30pmYogaleaf Tuesday @ 6pm & Thursday @10 am; Women's Group (alternate Tuesdays) @ 7:15pm; Thursday Afternoon Group @2pm; Line Dancing Tuesday 7.30pm (contact Graham Mitchell 332 9662); Tai Chi: Wednesday @
4pm.(contact Lesley Craise 01899 220895); Bowling Club: Tuesday @ 6.30pm Weight Watchers: Saturday @ 9:30am; Ballroom Dancers: Saturday @1>3pm & Sunday @10am. Music & Choir Leith St. Andrew's Capital Concert band: rehearsals Thursday evening – contact via capitalconcertband.com 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 Contemporary Choir: Thursday – 7>8.15pm (contact info@edinburghcontemporarychoir.co); Marian Lloyd – Suzuki Violin Tuition – fortnightly Wedesday 530>7pm. South Leith – Music Group (Kailyard): Monday @ 7.30pm; Choir: Thursday @ 8pm; Vocal Edge Choir Monday @ 7pm; Senior Citizens Choir Tuesday @ 1.30pm. Coffee Services North Leith – occasional. Pilrig St Paul's – Open Doorway: Tuesdays & Thursdays 10.30am>12.30pm. Coffee, tea biscuits and the opportunity to chat or have some quiet time in the sanctuary. South Leith – Community Café : Open from Monday to Friday 8am to 2:30pm, with hot meals available up to 2pm. Take-away option available. Available to all - the current Meal Deal is £4.50 for Soup of the day, main course and ice cream. Saturday coffee morning 10.00am to 12 noon every Saturday with stall selling a variety of items 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
Ocean Terminal Margaret Ann Fraser, OT Chaplain Writing this at the end of July, I have just visited BHS where the staff are packing up to close the store. Now that it is actually happening, I sense an acceptance, although very difficult for many. People are moving on in very different ways. There had been considerable anxiety, but when the inevitable actually happens, most people are amazingly resilient, some requiring compassionate support. When they have an opportunity to voice their fears and concerns, and feel that they are heard, some can then focus on more positive outcomes. I had the opportunity to stay with Father Sebastian Painadath in his Christian Ashram in Kerela last year. In his book The Power of Silence he wrote: "Faith in the risen Christ makes us say YES to life, in spite of the destructive powers within and around us..... Love is creative: It recreates everything anew, ever new. Love transforms life. Love is a healing presence ". I see much evidence of Care and Compassion in Ocean Terminal. The Living Memory Association known as Thelma is now settled in the new space (what was old Community Space) One of their new projects is Leith Labs. Do go along for talks, workshops, etc. There is a small, but enthusiastic, group of volunteers who would be delighted to have you join them! Scottish Design Exchange is growing like Topsy! They seem to be able to accommodate so many talented artists and designers. Definitely the place for gifts and for lifting your spirit! It is really inspiring to visit People Know How, in the new "Free Community Space", on the first floor near M&S. Glenn Liddell set up this charity three years ago (he previously worked in Crossreach) Check out the website: www.peopleknowhow.org. The Social Innovation Academy trains people in real life skills to solve social challenges. As part of this, voluntary placements are guaranteed in Thelma/ Scottish Adoption Association (where I was a social worker for many years!)/Cockburn Association and Broomhouse Centre. There are many Volunteering opportunities in different projects. Miren, the Community Space Manager in OT. came from Spain two years ago, after studying Psychology. She was one of the first volunteers. Shared Heritage - Shared Future is building bridges between the Spanish speaking Community (20-30 thousand!) living in Edinburgh, and Scottish people. Emra and Mari would like to hear about your first experiences >p10 9
of Package holidays to Spain between 1950 and the Eighties. They hope then to lead Focus Groups looking at Spanish and Scottish culture. They can be contacted through the website above. Jennifer Booth, Project Coordinator in Positive Transitions Youth Project is also looking for volunteers. They are just starting work in Leith Academy, Portobello High School, Castlebrae High School and Holyrood High School, helping those who may find difficulty moving up from Primary school. Another enthusiastic, inspiring lady, Maggie Aitken set up the exhibition"Identity Crisis-Modern Venus". She is involved with enabling groups of vulnerable women"Be the Best YOU can be" Just go along to this vast Free Space with more ideas for your community /groups/workshops/events/talks/entertainment or any other suitable activity. Glenn Liddell is so encouraging and approachable. I have so enjoyed meeting all of them, and hope to work closely with them. Tony Bryer has just retired from Workplace Chaplaincy. I am so grateful to have had his support since I began in OT . David Hart is his successor, and I look forward to working with him. I am also delighted to say that Jennifer Booth from South Leith Parish Church has just started again with me in Workplace Chaplaincy at Ocean Terminal. Miren was keen to meet her, and perhaps co-ordinate Leith Church groups in the new Community Space. Watch out for Jennifer's Report in the next issue of Forum Focus! ----------PORT CHAPLAIN’S REPORT Tim Bell Having been Port Chaplain, Leith, for twelve years, this is my last report; I retired in mid-August. I’ve learned a lot. If I thought about seafarers before – which I didn’t, much – I thought they were hard-drinking men with a girl in every port, but this was the first of my pre-conceptions to die. They don’t often choose seafaring as a career option, either because it suits them to live away from home, or to live their lives in a small, structured work-place, or to see the world. The majority come from third-world countries where it’s impossible to earn an honest living. They are hard-working men who send every dollar home, working their families and communities out of poverty. >p11 10
I know how much they need a friend. For a present example, the men on a ship I’m friendly with from Hound Point have been anchored off Wick For almost five weeks at the time of writing. They loaded at Sullom Voe and they are awaiting instructions to go either down the east coast to, for example, Rotterdam, or down the west to Milford Haven. They have been asking me for top-ups to call home, and they owe me quite a lot of money. There’s no problem with trustworthiness. This has happened before, and they always have the money ready for me. Professionally speaking, this is irregular, it’s not part of the job. But that’s a chaplain’s role: if he wants to be genuinely useful, he risks being pulled out of position. What would they do without a friend? I have many memories. One 5th November, with the rockets going up in the town, I stood on the docks while a Philippino and a Ghanaian discussed how they were both being mistreated on board. I remember the Ukranian woman on a cruise ship, with her smart skirt and waistcoat, wanting to buy any phone card that would enable her to speak to her daughter who had just graduated from medical school. I remember the man who said sadly that his wife was working in Dublin while he was on board; the children were being looked after by grandparents, and they were fine, but it wasn’t the family life he wanted for them. And there have been good times – like memorable trips up Arthur’s Seat and Calton Hill, which I know mean so much to men who for nine months live in the confines of a ship, with the same routines. I know the value of the Leith community. We lost contact with the world of seafaring a generation ago, but we are re-shaping our relationships with the workforce on which we rely so much. There’s a wonderful team of Leith volunteers who go on board. As one of them says, we don’t have to be wonderful, we just have to be ourselves. The watch-words for ship-visitors are that we aim to be friendly, trustworthy, and useful. We’re good at that in Leith. We’re expecting a successor to be appointed over the summer and start in the early autumn, and I know s/he will be supported by the Leith churches as I have been. After a break, I’ll make myself available as a volunteer. Too much of my heart lies somewhere in Leith docks and beyond! Thanks for everything. -----------Leith Links in Autumn
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Pilrig St Paul’s Church Pastoral Care Team Linda Gill It seems no time at all since the last magazine and here we are updating you on progress to date and the plans for the final quarter of the year! The Knitting Bee Our Knitting Bee has been working just like a ‘buzzy bee’ to coin a phrase! There are now 20 people taking part, some meet up with us while others are happy to knit or crochet towards our goal. We meet monthly to catch up, review progress and of course have a cuppa with some home baking to keep us going. Having achieved our goal for the Shawl Ministry plans for Christmas attention turned to knitting and crocheting poppies for our Remembrance Day service. If you would like to join our Knitting Bee or find out more about setting one up in your Church please let me know. Big Lunch – Queens’s 90th Birthday Celebration Our Big Lunch in May went very well with 50 people coming together over a buffet lunch and then we were joined by others from the local community to watch the latest film of Dad’s Army. A great afternoon was had by all. Leith Community Cinema It has been a busy few months for Leith Community Cinema with four screenings over the last three months. Plans are under way for the screening programme for the end of the year. We are holding a Saturday afternoon screening of Calendar Girls with pots of tea and home baking to enjoy while watching the film. Tables can be booked for groups of people coming along together too. There will be a children’s screening in the October week school holiday week and we are hoping that The BFG will be released by this time. In December there will be a classic Christmas adult film and a children’s screening. We are also delighted to have received funding that will allow us to purchase new equipment for the cinema and ensure that our audience is enjoying the best cinema experience we can offer. All are welcome to attend our screenings and we are always happy to have people to help with our screenings so please let us know if you would like to get involved in any way. For more info please visit our website on http://www.leithcommunitycinema.com Pastoral Care Team Mark Foster:Minister, Catriona Blackwood:Elder, Safeguarding Officer and Magazine Editor, Christine Edington, Ella Gilfillan, Linda Gill:Elder and Pastoral Care Team Leader, Cathy Purdie: Special Needs Officer, Fiona Rankin:Elder, Jeanette Sime:Elder and Roll Keeper.helpinghands@pilrigstpauls.org.uk
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South Leith Parish Church; 10th Leith Boys’ Brigade Arthur Mathieson, Leader in charge, Junior Section The first week in September sees the boys and leaders of the 10 th Leith BB Company stream back into the halls in Henderson Street for their weekly programme of BB activities. The BB continues to be attractive to Boys, in fact even more popular than ever as the only spaces we currently have are for a few more Boys to join the Anchor Boys (Primary 2 and 3) to bring this section up to a strength of between 25-30 Boys (Wednesdays 6.15-7.30pm). The Junior Section (P4, 5 and 6) is more than full with just over 50 Boys and the Company Section (P7 and secondary years) is also full with just over 40 Boys. Last session was another very busy, lively and successful year. We had 7 Boys (young men as they are aged 17 and 18!) complete their time as ‘Boys’ in the BB. We thank them for their long service (most have completed 12 years in the 10th) and wish them well with their careers. Several will join the 10th leadership team as young trainee leaders. The leadership team continues to have several key experienced and dedicated leaders and the younger members are gaining experience each year. We are always interested in potential new leaders for the AB and JS teams. BB experience is not required and of course we are interested in enquiries from both men and women young and not so young. In between the weekly routines the Boys take part in many BB competitions and events across Edinburgh and the Lothians. The CS Boys won drill, swimming, athletics, golf, PT, and national band competitions. Their parents night event was fantastic as they sang and danced in front of 200 parents and friends. £670 was raised and donated to charities including Cancer Research, and the Sick Kids Foundation. Our discipline and our Christian faith continue to be important as two key themes to how the BB works. Uniform is worn by all Boys and leaders. And of course the commitment and dedication of the leaders is so important -----------A minister was tossing a coin with one of the Elders to see who would pay for the coffee. When asked if that did not constitute gambling the minister replied, “It is merely a scientific method of determining who is going to commit an act of charity.” 13
Finding the family Lord god I have made a thrilling discovery. I have found others who know you in the same way as I have come to know you. I have met others in whom you live. I have found Christians. I have found your Church. And I know that we belong to each other. We form the Body of Christ on earth, to express, state, articulate, make real to others, and to the whole creation, the central truth about the whole of life – that is Jesus is Lord. Thank you Lord for the Church – for other Christians. Thank you for living in our hearts and through binding us to yourself, binding us to each other. Lord I belong to you. Lord I belong to them. (God Thoughts, by Dick Williams) -----------Prayer from August issue of Life and Work, the Church of Scotland magazine. O God, You are the spirit of the rushing wind and of the quiet calm. You are the creative imagination behind vast galaxies, minuscule atoms and all things in-between. And yet you are also our constant companion through sunlit day and dark cold night. You are beyond space and time and yet you are present in every moment and in every place. You are eternal and unchanging and your love and your mercy are new every morning. How we need you! For we need mercy and we need love. We need mercy because our faults are many and our failures are great. We need love because our fears are strong and our frailties all too obvious. God beyond all knowing, help us to know your gracious presence here and everywhere. Now and always. Amen -----------When the Christian education department of a large American denomination decided to use the American Standard Version of the Bible in their church magazines instead of the King James Version one man wrote, “I don’t want any new translation. I want the Bible the way the apostle James wrote it.”
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Information about Leith Churches Forum can be found at our web site at htt://leithchurchesforum.org.uk/
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