PILRIG St PAUL’S CHURCH SEPTEMBER 2013
SUNDAY SERVICES AT 11 AM Holy Communion is celebrated on the last Sunday of January, April, June and October at the 11am Service, and informally as announced. The “OPEN DOORWAY” is open each week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am - 1.00pm. Pop in or arrange to meet a friend there over a cup of coffee. Enter by the main door. Our wheelchair entrances are in Pilrig Street. ORGANISATIONS WITHIN THE CHURCH BUILDINGS: Sundays - Sunday Club, 10:45 am for ages P1-S4 all welcome (Mark Wexelstein 665 6881) Mondays - Rainbows 5.45pm (Christine Buchanan 554 2941) Brownies 6.45pm (Christine Buchanan) Tuesdays - The Guild 2.00pm (Irene Wexelstein 476 1385) Details of the New Session in the October Magazine *Pilrig Choristers 4-5.30pm Session Room *Pilrig Chorus at 7.30pm. Wednesdays - Lunch club 12 noon (Marjory McArthur 553 2323) *Vocal Vibes and Singchronicity youth choirs 4-5.30pm *Contact Colin Gray 07901 556 217 In Pilrig Park School: Thursdays Rainbows (Ann Urquhart 554 8387) 6.15-7.15 Brownies (Ann Urquhart ) 6.15-7.30 Guides (Karen Wood 554 5493) 7.30 - 9.00 In Broughton Primary School: Tuesdays The 5th Leith Scouts (Pilrig Edinburgh North East) Beavers 5 3/4 to 8 years (6.00 to 7.00 p.m.) Cubs 8 to 10 1/2 years (6.30 to 8.00 p.m.) Scouts 10 1/2 to 14 years (7.30 to 9.00) PLEASE CONTACT THE LEADERS FOR START DATES FOR 2013/14
From the Interim Moderator, GOOD NEWS! By the time you read this the first edict will have been read in church announcing to the congregation the name of the person the Nomination Committee chose to be sole nominee which has been subsequently approved by the Kirk Session: the Rev Mark Foster, presently minister of Dean Church, Edinburgh. The edict also informed members that Mark will preach as sole nominee on Sunday, 1 September before the congregation who will thereafter vote by ballot whether to accept or not accept Mark as the new minister of Pilrig St Paul’s. Many months ago you may recall the Kirk Session drew up an Electoral Roll of the congregation. Only the people whose names appear on this list are eligible to vote. So on Sunday, 1 September, when you come to church you will be met by people issuing ballot papers. They will request your name and check that it is on the Roll and then issue the paper. The ballot paper will simply state: FOR Electing Mark Foster AGAINST Electing Mark Foster A cross (and no other mark!) should be placed in the box that will be beside each option. If there is a sufficient vote in favour of Mr Foster and he accepts it, then he will be declared to be called by the congregation and the matter then goes to Presbytery which has to approve the Call and has the responsibility for arranging the Induction. If the congregation were to vote in a majority against the election then the process must begin again from scratch! After the congregation vote in favour it is then required to individually sign the Call. This is a document headed by the following words: 1
We, members of the Church of Scotland and of the congregation known as Pilrig St Paul’s, being without a minister, address this Call to be our minister to you, Mark Foster, of whose gifts and qualities we have been assured, and we warmly invite you to accept this Call, promising that we shall devote ourselves with you to worship, witness, mission and service in this parish, and also to the furtherance of these in the world, to the glory of God and for the advancement of His Kingdom. This document will be available on Sunday, 1 September and so please do not leave the church that day without signing the Call. To ensure as many people of the congregation can sign the Call it will be made available for signing during the ensuing week. For those in the congregation and on the Electoral Roll but unable to be at church in person a Mandate Form can be arranged. It states: , ………. of ………., being a person whose name is on the Electoral Register of the congregation, hereby authorise the Session Clerk, or other member of Session, to add my name to the Call addressed to Mark Foster to be our minister. (Signed) ….........…….. So please speak to your elder if you will be in that situation. Once the Call is signed then matters revert to the Presbytery. A date will be announced and it is likely to be at the beginning of October. The Presbytery conduct the service and its members from the surrounding parishes will be expected to attend. The Moderator, the Rev Ian Gilmour, will induct Mark to the charge, and once that happens I am no longer Interim Moderator, and Sara will no longer be Locum. The congregation would make any arrangement it wishes for a welcome social occasion. All of which means that Pilrig St Paul’s will have been vacant for a year, which once-upon-a-time would have been considered a problem but is now the average time. So my thanks to the Nomination Committee for bringing to their work the necessary proficiency and efficiency that has led us to this satisfactory conclusion. 2
My thanks also to the Rev Sara Embleton, to Maggie Hunt and Gary Peacock who acted as Locums and ensured continuity of worship and pastoral care was provided throughout the vacancy. My thanks especially to John Innes who as Session Clerk shouldered much of the responsibility for the leadership of this congregation during the vacancy, handled the day-to-day issues that arose, but also the other office-bearers who ensured the administration and other matters were handled diligently and promptly. All of whom made my job so much easier (indeed practically invisible!). Through what I have come to know of Pilrig St Paul’s and its people I believe there is great potential as yet untapped by this congregation both to its own parish and as part of the grouping of churches to the larger area of Leith. With all the Leith churches now about to be fully staffed for the first time in a few years it is my prayer that under the guidance of the Holy Spirit this part of Edinburgh will see again the bright light of the Gospel through these congregations working collaboratively and imaginatively together.
Until we meet again: The Lord bless you and keep you. Jack Holt
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From the Clerk’s Desk Nearly there! I’m happy to announce that the long process of appointing a new minister is nearly complete. The Nominating Committee have made their decision and brought the name of Mark Foster as sole nominee to be minister of this vacant charge. The Kirk Session have approved the nomination. Mark Foster will lead public worship on Sunday 1 September at 11am and there will be a paper vote immediately after the service to allow those on the Electoral Roll, approved back in February, to vote for or against appointing Mr Foster as minister. On behalf of the Kirk Session I’d like to thank the Nominating Committee for their diligence in preparing the advert, accepting applications, hearing and interviewing candidates and finally choosing the person they felt would be most suitable for our congregation. This has not been an easy task, or a quick one. John Tait retired in October 2012 and now, in August 2013 we are just beginning to conclude the process. If the vote on 1 September is in favour of Mr Foster, the induction is scheduled to take place on 10 October and we can begin a new era here at Pilrig St. Paul’s and I have great hopes for the future, we have the opportunity to really open up our work in the Parish and develop a new ministry to the people in this area. Please make every effort to attend the service on 1 September to hear Mr Foster and to have your say on the choice of our new minister by taking part in the vote. Thereafter everyone in the congregation will have the opportunity to sign their name to the call to Mr Foster which will be presented at the Induction, if you can’t do that personally a mandate form is available authorising your elder to sign on your behalf. John Innes Session Clerk 4
Mark Foster has been minister at Dean Parish Church since 1998 and a Director at Fresh Start since 1999. Brought up in Dumbarton, Mark studied at Glasgow University (Botany) and then at Edinburgh University (Christian Ethics and Practical Theology) He is single, aged 45 and has a black lab called Rannoch He was moved to apply to be minister here at Pilrig St. Paul’s to respond to the challenges and opportunities we have in seeking to serve the local community and he shares our values of worshipping and working in an inclusive, affirming and welcoming way. His interests outside work include photography and travel.
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THANK YOU Lisa, Michelle and Abbi would like to say a big thank you to everyone from Pilrig St Paul’s who sponsored them for race for life. We did this in memory of Lisa's Stepdad and Abbi's Grandad Stuart Sime, and Michelle's Dad John Duffy. It was a great day, the sun shone and we raised £653 for cancer research. Lisa Innes Norman and Rena Lawrence would like to thank all at the Church who sent them cards and good wishes on their recent Golden Wedding Anniversary. Jean Stark was delighted to receive flowers from her friends at Pilrig St Paul’s. Thanks to Maureen Eunson for delivering them Thanks to all my Church friends for your cards and well wishes. With love, Louise (Illingworth) Joy and Murdo MacLeod are happy to announce the birth of their fifth grandchild. Calum David MacLeod Taylor was born on 24th July to their younger daughter, Catriona and her partner David. A beautiful baby boy and a blessing from our Heavenly Father. Joy also wishes to thank the Guild for her birthday card in June and the Congregation for the beautiful flowers received form Margaret Cameron recently. Dear Friends, Andy and I would like to thank you for the lovely flowers we received last week, it was a great surprise. Thanks also to all who sent us cards and good wishes for our Golden Wedding. Kindest regards Andy and Madge McMahon
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Dear All, May I thank everybody for the beautiful flowers that were given to me by Margaret Fraser. It was a very kind thought. Thank you. Isa Osborne Just a note to say Thank you all for the lovely flowers that I received on Sunday from Maureen. It really cheered me up. Yours Sincerely, Anne Cain Thanks to all our friends at PSP for the beautiful flowers and the visit from Frances & George McPherson. It was so good to be remembered by everyone on the birth of our second grand-daughter, Amber Caroline. Amber is now home from hospital, with her family, as we await her major heart surgery, in a few months. Many thanks. God bless! Love Marlyn & John and family Dear Friends, Just a short note to say “Many thanks” for the lovely flowers you sent to me via Marjory, and the enjoyable chat I with her on Monday evening about different people I used to know when I was in “St Paul’s”. Walter has settled in quite well in the Nursing home. He has his “ups and downs” but he is well looked after. Many thanks to everyone, Marion Dear Friends, Thank you very much for the beautiful bouquet of flowers we received on Sunday 23rd June for our Golden Wedding anniversary and the many cards from our friends in the congregation. We spent a lovely week at Aviemore with our family. Thank you again for thinking of us at this happy time. Love and blessings form Roy and Irene. Also thank you for the beautiful Church flowers on the 21st July on the passing of my step-mother Molly Oldham. Irene Eprile
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‘A food bank for Leith and beyond’ On Sunday the 6th October the four Church of Scotland congregations in Leith will be holding their Harvest Sunday service. The theme will be: ‘Supporting the Food bank initiative of the Leith Churches Forum (LCF).’ It is unfortunate that there are over 5,000 people within our community who living are below the poverty line, both financially and socially, the vast majority are children. Therefore, after a great deal of discussion and hard work by the food bank group the ‘NE Edinburgh food bank’, based within Leith, will be opening its doors in October 2013, the principal aim being; to help alleviate some of the food poverty within the wider Leith community. Food banks have grown rapidly across the UK in the last three or four years. LCF has partnered with the Trussell Trust. The Trussell Trust's UK food bank network works in partnership with local churches and communities to open food banks within their community. There are now over 205 food banks in the UK. Last year the food bank network fed over 128,000 people. (www.trusselltrust.org). On Sunday the 6th October you are asked to contribute to the harvest service by bringing along the types of food needed for the food packs that are given out to those in need. In the weeks before the service, a list of these foods will be inserted in your order of service. Money donations are also welcome and the food bank can benefit from gift aid as well. The support and enthusiasm for this initiative has been so uplifting for all those who are involved. It does show that if the churches work together, sharing time and talents things can happen and happen quickly. So please look out for further information regarding the food bank, locations and how you can help this important church led initiative. Rev Iain May Chair of the NE Edinburgh food bank group 9
THE CHOIR will start back on 25th August and our organist and choirmaster Colin Grey looks forward to welcoming back current members and, hopefully, some new recruits. It would be really good to have some more people in the choir so that we can sing more anthems more often. INTERESTED IN THE CHOIR? PLEASE CONTACT COLIN ON 07901 556 217 OR SPEAK TO HIM AT CHURCH
London High Life On a recent visit to London I went up the tallest building. That is The Shard. From the enclosed viewing gallery on the 69th floor the views all round London and the environs is wonderful. The hotel I stayed in at Tower Bridge was superb and my room overlooked the Thames. Also visited Buckingham Palace to see the State Rooms and The 1953 Coronation Exhibition which were interesting. The Queen was in Scotland at the time. A friend said she must have known I was coming. Ian Bethune A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY The BackCare annual coffee morning will take place on Saturday, 19 October from 10.30am to 12.30pm. There will be home baking, books and a tombola stall. Fiona Rankin The Magazine Articles for the next magazine should be with me by September 22nd,please.Catriona Blackwood Pastoral Care Team Meeting Members of the Pastoral Care Team are reminded of the next meeting on Tuesday 3rd September at 7.30pm at Linda's house. 10
Pastoral Care - Helping Hands Thank you to all those who have supported our Pastoral Care activity over the last few months, either by visiting members who are housebound or ill, providing transport for those whishing to join our Sunday worship or in other pastoral contact. Sara has also made a number of visits to members, which I know has been much appreciated by everyone. We are pleased with progress to date and we are working on developing our programme further. Pastoral Care Team Sara Embleton Catriona Blackwood Christine Edington Ella Gilfillan Linda Gill Cathy Purdie Fiona Rankin Jeanette Sime Our pew cards are working on Sundays and more recently at the Open Doorway. Please remember to fill in a card if there is anyone you think who would appreciate some pastoral contact. We have included a copy of the card in this month’s magazine for you to cut out and retain should you need it at some future point. The team is also happy for you to approach them at any time or you can phone or e-mail me per the details below. Pastoral care is a vital element of our congregation’s lifeblood so please help us to be as effective as possible with this mission. Everyone can help us with this important work. If you attend worship, perhaps you could take a copy of the Order of Service to one of our members who lives near to you? This would bring them closer to our worship showing details of the focus of the service, hymns that were sung and also the intimations. Small ways you can do your part in keeping people feeling involved. 11
Our Parish Magazine plays a big part in keeping everyone informed and involved so we thank those who deliver the magazines on our behalf. We have heard a number of stories where people have appreciated keeping up to date with the goings-on in our church. Remember that the magazine is also available on our website so you can access all the magazines from this year to date if required. Fiona Rankin and Cathy Purdie are currently working on developing cards, which we will produce ourselves that can be used to reach out to members where appropriate via this medium. If you can think of any other ways to reach our to members please let us know and if you would like to help by delivering flowers, posting a card or visiting one of our members please speak to any of our team. Linda Gill Pastoral Care Team 669-7409 or helpinghands@pilrigstpauls.org.uk PRAYER CORNER Ina Grierson Jean Stark Isabel Hannay Matthew Green Jimmy Rennie Jeanette Sime Peter Sinclair Murdo and Joy MacLeod Linda Connolly Jack McArthur Morag Davidson Lillian Kane Helen Grieg Diane Davies
Margaret Scott Barbara Graham Cathie Galbraith Frances Chambers Marion Thomson Maurice Wexelstein June Welsh Charlie and Joyce Forman Phil Howe Helena Aide Isabel Pert Agnes MacAuley Marion Murray
Please contact Roy Eprile with any names you would like included in this section. 12
MINISTER Vacant Locum Minister - Rev Sara Embleton (0131 667 3981) srembleton@gmail.com SESSION CLERK John Innes - 33 Monktonhall Place, Musselburgh (07563 248722) pilrig@btinternet.com THE CONGREGATIONAL BOARD CLERK Aileen Fraser (07936 716 765) aileen.fraser@btinternet.com ASSISTANT CLERK Maria Croall (07747 071 545) croallm@hotmail.com CORRESPONDENCE to: The Clerk to the Congregational Board Pilrig St Paul’s Church, 1B Pilrig Street, Edinburgh EH6 5AH TREASURER Mark Wexelstein (665 6881) mark.wexelstein@googlemail.com ROLL KEEPER Mrs Jeanette E. Sime - 1 South Trinity Road (552 9652) PASTORAL CONVENER Mrs Linda Gill (669 7409) PASTORAL LINK ELDER and SAFEGUARDING CO-ORDINATOR Mrs Catriona E.W. Blackwood - 4 Cambridge Gardens (554 6183) bill.blackwood@tesco.net PROPERTY CONVENER Eric Fisher (552 8982) 104 Crewe Crescent HALL LET GROUP psp.halluse@gmail.com ORGANIST and CHOIRMASTER Colin Grey (07901 556 217) SUNDAY CLUB LEADER Mark Wexelstein (665 6881) mark.wexelstein@googlemail.com CHRISTIAN GIVINGS CONVENERS Mrs Ella Gilfillan - 8 Paisley Terrace (661 2281) Mrs Irene Wexelstein - 15 Upper Hermitage (476 1 385) MAGAZINE Editor - Mrs Catriona E.W. Blackwood - see above Distribution - Mrs Margaret Cameron - 35 Lorne Street (554 2139) Scottish Charity no. SCO07277 www.pilrigstpauls.org.uk www.leithchurchesforum.org.uk