PILRIG St PAUL’S CHURCH
FEBRUARY 2017 1
PILRIG St PAUL’S WELCOMES YOU FEBRUARY 2017
There are many activities held on our premises, please see the notice board in Pilrig Street (middle entrance). If you would like to rent our premises, please contact psp.halluse@gmail.com The food bank is designed to help individuals and families in crisis through the provision of emergency food supplies. Local care professionals in the Leith area refer people, with a food voucher, to the Foodbank distribution point where they are given their food supplies. For further information, and to volunteer to help on a Wednesday, please contact Roy Eprile
THE DONATIONS BASKET IS IN THE VESTIBULE. DONATIONS OF TINNED RICE, FRUIT AND VEGETABLES, SUGAR, UHT MILK AND FRUIT JUICE are particularly welcomed.
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CHURCH ACTIVITIES
SUNDAY - 11am WORSHIP in the Sanctuary, followed by tea or coffee, and a chat, in the Session Room.
There is a creche for younger children, while those of school age join the congregation, including taking an active part in the all age 'Time to Talk’.
CONTACTS Music and Choir - Colin Gray 07901 556 217 or at the Service Alternate Tuesdays - The Guild 2.00pm (Irene Wexelstein 476 1385) Beavers, Cubs and Scouts 5 3/4 - 14 years The 5th Leith Scouts Edinburgh North East Broughton Primary gym hall (Evelyn Torrance 552 1657) For Rainbows, Brownies and Guides please send all enquiries to www.girlguiding.org.uk . We have two groups associated with Pilrig St Paul’s
THERE ARE MANY OTHER ACTIVITIES HELD ON OUR PREMISES, PLEASE SEE THE NOTICE BOARD IN PILRIG STREET (MIDDLE ENTRANCE) IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RENT OUR PREMISES, PLEASE CONTACT psp.halluse@gmail.com
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FEBRUARY 2017 IN PILRIG St PAUL’S Sunday, February 5 11:00am Sunday Worship Wednesday, 8 February 1:00pm Monthly lunchtime ecumenical service. South Leith Church of Scotland see back cover for full details and more dates. Sunday, February 12 11:00am Sunday Worship Tuesday, February 14 2:00pm The Guild Afternoon Tea Inverleith St Serfs (AGM) Friday, February 17 Community Cinema - Moana Saturday, February 18 Community Cinema - Mama Mia (Sing along) See page 9 for details of the Cinema Sunday, February 19 11:00am Sunday Worship Sunday, February 26 11:00am Sunday Worship Tuesday, February 28 2:00pm The Guild Forth Bridges OPEN DOORWAY EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY 10.30-12.30 come to the open doorway for coffee, a chat, and quiet time in the sanctuary. PROVIDING FLOWERS IN FEBRUARY 2017 5th February Kay and Millie Carroll 12th February Hilda Winton 19th February Evelyn Torrance 26th February Maria Croall
Please speak to Aileen Fraser if you would like to provide flowers for the Church.
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Dear All, January and February are the first two months of the year, but this has not always been the case. The Romans originally considered winter a monthless period and didn’t start their calendar year until March 1. We can still see the remnants of this earlier calendar in our names for September, October, November and December - originally the seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth months of the year. When the Romans changed their calendar in 713 B.C., they added two extra months. They named the first new month in honour of Janus, the god of gates, doorways, beginnings, endings and time. Janus is often depicted as having two heads, facing in opposite directions. One head looks back at the last year while the other looks forward into the new year; simultaneously looking at both the future and the past. They named the second new month after Februalla, the Roman festival of ritual purification (13-15 February). This festival was basically a time for “Spring cleaning” as homes were prepared for the start of the new year in March. The start of a new year is a still a time when many of us stop to reflect on our lives and do some ‘Spring cleaning’ of our own. We look back over the past year and try to learn from our experiences; then turn to look forward into the year ahead and the challenges and opportunities it may bring us. We then decide what things we might like to jettison and what things we might like to pick up. For some of us these may even take the form of “New Year Resolutions”. 5
As a community of faith, we are called to go through the same process. We do so by drawing on the life of Jesus and the teachings of our Christian heritage (looking back), and then allowing them to speak to us through the power of God’s Holy Spirit, as we seek to become the men and women of faith that God knows we can be (looking forward). We don’t know all the challenges and opportunities that we will face during 2017, but we do know that we must be open to the process of transformation as we seek to deepen our relationships with God and others. The changes we need to make in our lives will not happen automatically by God's grace alone. We will only achieve them by committing ourselves to the guiding principles of our faith. These can perhaps be best summed up in Paul’s letter to the Romans, when he says: Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honour. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Romans 12: 9 – 13 As the community of faith at Pilrig St. Paul’s Church, may these principles continue to guide us and God’s grace continue to fill our lives as we journey together throughout the coming year. Shalom Mark
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CONGRATULATIONS from all at Pilrig St Paul’s to Frances and George McPherson who celebrated their Golden Wedding on 31 st December. I would like to pass on my thanks for Eric Fisher’s kind words when my retirement as an active elder was marked by the Kirk Session in November and for the lovely flowers from the service that day. It has been a great 56 years that have provided challenges, opportunities and brought many good friends into my life for which I am very thankful. I was also lucky to receive flowers from the service to mark my birthday in December and would like to say thank you for this as well. Ronnie Gilfillan I would like to thank the Church for the flowers I received on New Year’s day. It made a pleasant start to the New Year. Irene Wexelstein. Thank you for the beautiful roses we received for our Golden Wedding Anniversary. They were very much appreciated. Frances and George McPherson Thank you for the lovely flowers we received after the passing of Robert’s parents. They were much appreciated at this difficult time. Robert & Karen Wood 7
Many thanks for the lovely flowers I received last week and to Linda for delivering them to me. They were much appreciated. Margaret Cameron Mary Currie sends her thanks for the lovely knitted wrap she received as a Christmas gift. She very much appreciated the work that went in to knitting it. Thank you to the knitter and to the Church for the gift. Thank you to everyone at Pilrig St Paul’s Church for all the lovely presents you brought to Circle. They make such a difference to the families we work with. Dear Mark, Many thanks to you and all the members of Pilrig St Paul’s for the lovely gift I received at Christmas. Thanks also to Alex and Christine for bringing it to me, Maisie Ritchie Thank to the Knitting Bee for taking the time to knit the scarf, and to Eric Fisher for giving it to me. It is cosy and warm. Alex Allan Thanks to everyone for their good wishes, support, cards and flowers over the past year. Ann Gowans Thanks to everyone who provided the gifts to go in the present bags for sailors. This is a much appreciated service for those who are a long way from home, family and friends at Christmas. The magazine Thank you for all the articles and information received this month. Please may I have articles for March by 19th February? As usual, I could always do with more information for the what’s on column on page 2. Thank you, Catriona Blackwood
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One Church for Leith
Hopefully you have your One Church for Leith mug. If you don’t, and want one, please contact Mark Wexelstein. When you use it you can think about the Church in Leith and what it means for you but also for your family and friends. There was an update given at the joint service on 8th January. Here is the update for the people that weren’t at the service: We wanted to start by saying what One Church for Leith doesn’t mean. It doesn’t mean there will only be one sanctuary and one set of halls and it doesn’t mean there will only be one parish minister. There is a co-ordinating group made up of the four ministers and three or four representatives from each congregation. You may be wondering what the group has been looking at and what it will be looking at over the next year. We have a group looking at all the buildings we currently have so we can detail what these are and the condition these are in at present and what work, if any, is required. This work will continue throughout 2017 with the initial report due by January 2018. We have another group looking at worship to see if we can offer different styles and times for worship as not everyone wants to or can worship at 11am on a Sunday. Presbytery have also agreed to carry out future local church reviews with the four congregations together so we will come up with one set of goals for the church in Leith. We have all recently gone through our individual reviews so this will start from the next review.
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We are planning a joint session meeting in the next couple of months that will allow the four sessions to come together and discuss the church in Leith as one group. There will also be updates given to the congregations and articles in the magazine. So, as you are having your tea or coffee in your new mug, think what you want the church in Leith to be and let one of the people on the group know. Our representatives are the minister, John Innes, Lily Gilhooley, Moira Fergie and myself. Eric Fisher is on the buildings group along with me. Mark Wexelstein Pastoral Care Team Happy New Year The Pastoral Care Team extends best wishes to you and your family at the start of this New Year. Who knows what 2017 has in store for us however it is always a good opportunity to clear the decks and set out fresh plans for the year. The Pastoral Care Team will be meeting in early February to do just that. If you would like to join us, even if just for our planning meeting please feel free to come along. We are meeting on Thursday 9th February at 10.30am in the Session House. The Knitting Bee Our first get together in the New Year will be held on Thursday 26th January at 2pm in the Open Doorway. We will be discussing our projects for the 10
year and would welcome you to come along and join us. We always have tea/coffee and home baking! Training and Development The Food Hygiene follow up training session is due to take place in our church. Please let me know if you would like to attend. This is aimed at those who are involved in the preparation and serving of food and would be a good way for people to refresh on the recommended ways to deliver food and drink to people in the safest way. It will be a three hour session run in our halls. Leith Community Cinema Update This year we are going to be putting organisational structure in place for the cinema and if you are interested in getting involved please come along to hear more at our meeting on Tuesday 31 st January at 4pm in the Open Doorway. We have a full programme of films planned for the year with the first taking place on Friday 17 th February and then on Saturday 18th February. We will be showing Moana which is the latest Pixar film on the Friday and the sing along Mama Mia on Saturday 19th February. Tickets will be on sale from Monday 16th January. We look forward to seeing you at the cinema this year.
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Helping Hands Please remember to let us know if you would like a visit or phone call from us or would like to arrange this for a member of our congregation you feel would appreciate this type of support. All you need to do is complete a Helping Hands form and pop it into the box in the Open Doorway of the Church or speak/call any of our team. Linda Gill Pastoral Care Team Leader 669-7409 or helpinghands@pilrigstpauls.org.uk Pastoral Care Team Mark Foster - Minister Catriona Blackwood – Elder, Safeguarding Co-ordinator and Magazine Editor Christine Edington – CrossReach Co-ordinator Ella Gilfillan Linda Gill – Elder and Pastoral Care Team Leader Michelle Muhammad – Congregational Board Member Cathy Purdie – Contact for Special Needs Fiona Rankin – Elder Jeanette Sime – Elder and Roll Keeper
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Prayer Corner Max MacFie Christine McGonigal Mark Wexelstein Jim and Jean Tait Helen Greig Robert and Karen Wood Elspeth Dixon Mary Currie Matthew Green Margaret Gunn Frances Chambers Anne Dunn Norrie Frazer Sybil Muir The Davis family Isabel Fyfe Murdo and Joy MacLeod Tom Gilzean Emily Dickson and family Isabel Pert Irene Brown and family Bob and Margaret Purves David and Lynn Cameron and family Frazer and Craig Garvey and families Gary, Margaret and David Fraser Please let Roy Eprile know if you would like someone included in the prayer corner. I’d like to take a moment to thank the many people who work so hard enabling the church to do everything it does as part of our ministry to the parish. The Minister, all the Elders, Office bearers, the Organist and Choir, the Pastoral Care Team, the Open Doorway and Food bank teams, the Hallkeeper. and the magazine team. There are many more people who do work for the church unseen and often unremarked but without your dedication nothing would be getting done – so thank you all for your efforts over the last year and in anticipation of even more to come in 2017! John Innes Session Clerk 13
MINISTER Rev Mark Foster (332 5736) MFoster@churchofscotland.org.uk SESSION CLERK John Innes - 33 Monktonhall Place, Musselburgh (07802 917910) pilrig@btinternet.com THE CONGREGATIONAL BOARD CLERK Aileen Fraser (07936 716 765) ASSISTANT CLERK Maria Croall (07747 071 545) CORRESPONDENCE to: pspcongragationalboard@gmail.com 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) SAFEGUARDING CO-ORDINATOR Mrs Catriona E.W. Blackwood - 4 Cambridge Gardens (554 6183) cewblackwood@tesco.net PROPERTY CONVENER Eric Fisher (552 8982) 104 Crewe Crescent HALL LET GROUP psp.halluse@gmail.com ORGANIST and CHOIRMASTER Colin Gray (07901 556 217) SUNDAY CLUB LEADER Mark Wexelstein (665 6881) mark.wexelstein@googlemail.com CHRISTIAN GIVINGS CONVENER Mrs Irene Wexelstein - 15 Upper Hermitage (476 1385) 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 OUR WHEELCHAIR ENTRANCES ARE IN PILRIG STREET
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Do you know someone who would appreciate being remembered in our prayers each Sunday, a visit, a phone call, a card in the post or perhaps some flowers from us? Please provide the details below and put this card into the box in the Open Doorway or contact: Linda Gill on 669-7409 or helpinghands@pilrigstpauls.org.uk Postal address: Linda Gill, Pastoral Care Team Leader, Pilrig St Paul’s Church, 1B Pilrig Street, Edinburgh EH6 5AH Member's Details Name .................................................................................................................... Address ............................................................................................................... Phone number................................................................................................. Please choose from the following, which you think would be most appropriate. You can tick more than one option Remembered in our prayers each week ……. Visit to their home ……. Flowers from the Service ……. Phone call ........ Card posted to their home ……. Would you like to help with this? Yes / No (If you select yes please also provide your contact details) ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. Pilrig St. Paul's Church SCO 07277
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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. It usually lasts 25-30 minutes and is followed by a simple lunch and get-together. Services for the first half of 2017 as follows: Wednesday 08th Feb
South Leith Church of Scotland
Wednesday 08th March
Duke St. United Reformed Church
April
No service - Holy Week/Easter
Wednesday 10th May
Ebenezer United Free Church
Wednesday 14th June
Pilrig St. Paul’s Church of Scotland
Wednesday 12th July
St. James Episcopal Church
We meet at 1pm. All welcome! Visit our website www.leithchurchestogether.org.uk 16