PILRIG ST PAUL’S CHURCH JUNE 2019 1
2
INFORMATION re PILRIG St PAUL’S MAGAZINE We welcome articles and thank you letters from members and friends. These are published in both the printed magazine and on-line, unless otherwise arranged with the editor, (eg where personal information is concerned, including the names in the prayer corner, it would normally be omitted from the on-line version). All contributors must provide their name, please, which is normally attached to the article. We reserve the right to edit articles. Changes other than spelling or grammar will, where possible, be discussed with the contributor. Some copies of the printed magazine are available to the public in the open doorway. The views expressed are those of individual contributors and not necessarily those of Pilrig St. Paul’s Church or the Church of Scotland. 3
PILRIG St PAUL’S CHURCH JUNE 2019 Sunday 2nd June 11am Morning Worship. Sunday 9th June 11:30 am Leith Festival Service in Pilrig St. Paul’s Church PLEASE NOTE THE SERVICE TIME see page 5 Wednesday 12th June LCT 1pm joint service – Pilrig St Paul’s Thursday 13th June 7.30pm Session meeting in the Open Doorway 7 pm Foodbank volunteers meeting in South Leith see page 5 Saturday 15th June Leith Community Cinema see page 7 Sunday16th June 11am Morning Worship Sunday23rd June 11am Morning Worship Sunday30th June 11am Communion see page 11 PROVIDING FLOWERS IN JUNE 2019 2nd Eric Fisher 9th Jeanette Sime 16th Fiona Rankin 23rd and 30th Flower Fund Please speak to Aileen Fraser about providing Church flowers.
THE DONATIONS BASKET IS IN THE VESTIBULE. THANK YOU!
The Foodbank is urgently seeking the following items: tinned meat, tinned fish, tinned fruit, tinned vegetables, tea/coffee and UHT milk. If you are able to donate any of these items, it will help reduce our weekly spending costs. Thank you. 4
CHURCH ACTIVITIES and INFORMATION 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’. 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. CONTACTS and MEETINGS – THE GUILD AND YOUTH ORGANISATIONS ARE NOW ON HOLIDAY TILL THE AUTUMN. PLEASE CONTACT THE LEADER FOR DETAILS 2nd and 4th Tuesdays - The Guild (Jeanette Sime 552 9652) The 5th Leith Scouts Pilrig (5th Leith) Edinburgh North East (Evelyn Torrance 552 1657) Beavers, Cubs and Scouts 5 3/4 - 14 years Wednesdays - Lunch club 11.30 (Alex Allan 554 3174) Guides Rainbows and Brownies 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) TO RENT OUR PREMISES, PLEASE CONTACT psp.halluse@gmail.com
There is on-street parking in Pilrig Street and Leith Walk (no restrictions on a Sunday). We have a step free entrance to the church via our side door, or the Hall entrances. The welcome team will be happy to assist. The church is fitted with fixed pews, there is an area suitable for a wheelchair at the front left hand side. 5
From the manse ‌
Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. - Psalm 84: 4-5 Dear All, There are two kinds of people in the world: travellers and nestmakers. Those who are always off in search of adventure and new experiences, and those who are happy investing in their own hospitable dwelling. We all know which one we are. The same can be said of the Church. There are people whose gift is to create welcoming and cosy communities of faith in which people can worship, and relax, and pray. There are people whose gift it is to venture out beyond the confines of buildings and tradition; to explore new possibilities of faith. Sometimes these two groups see themselves in opposition to one another. The nest-builders scoff at the unorthodox ideas of the travellers, while the travellers sneer at the nest-makers' investment in institutions. Thankfully Psalm 84 settles the score. The ones who stay home to sing God's praises all day - they're blessed. The ones who call on God's strength to set out for points unknown - they're blessed too. A healthy congregation needs both the pioneers and the homemakers because the two need one another. Those who venture out need the encouragement and support of others who are waiting to welcome them home, while those who stay at home need the nourishment and growth that comes from those who venture out in faith. So there are two kinds of people in the Church: those who are blessed and those who are also blessed.
6
A small group from the congregation is looking at new expressions of Church for the four Church of Scotland congregations in Leith. As these pioneers explore new possibilities for the future they may shake things up for those who like the comfort of things as they are. Let us never forget that this is their role. It helps to ensure that we remain a vibrant and healthy community of faith. Please continue to hold the pioneers in your prayers and give them your encouragement and support. The theologian Paul Tillich published a book of his sermons entitled “The shaking of the Foundations”(1949) in which he talks about the power of the new that lives within us and our faith – found in the presence of ‘The Eternal’ i.e. God. We are seeking to do new things in the life of our church – not for the sake of newness – but because we are responding to the presence of God in our midst. As we do so may we never forget that we are all equally blessed and that we all have roles to play in shaping the church for the future and in making it a place of welcome and support for others. Shalom Mark The Magazine Thank you to all those who have provided articles this season, and particularly to the minister who, as well as writing every month, is always available if I am unsure about something. Thanks to John Innes for printing it, Margaret Cameron and the team who assemble it and prepare it for distribution, and my husband, Bill, who proof reads it. Please may I have articles for the September magazine by 18th August? Catriona Blackwood 7
We are collecting……… Plastic milk bottle tops: blue or green with a 2 or 3 on them, please give to Maureen Eunson. Other colours and sizes please give them to Evelyn Torrance. Please see Evelyn about other items she can use for Beavers’ meetings. Flower bags: please hand them to the flower organisers. Stamps: used postage stamps should be cut out (leaving a 1 cm margin) and handed to Maureen Eunson. Thank you. Festival Tea Tent – we are looking for volunteers to help with the tea tent on Saturday 8 June between 11am and 4pm. If you can do one or two hours please give your name to Mark Wexelstein. If you are able to provide baking, please take it to the tent in the links, preferably before 10am. (Cars must be clear of the area by 10 am at the latest) This year’s Leith Festival Service will take place on Sunday 9 June at 11:30 am in Pilrig St. Paul’s Church. This year the service coincides with Pentecost and everyone is encouraged to wear Red, Orange, and/or Yellow (flame colours) as we celebrate the Holy Spirit at work through our lives. Professor Jolyon Mitchell, New College, Edinburgh University will be our Guest Preacher. Please note the later start time of the service. Foodbank Volunteer Evening – The next volunteer evening will take place in South Leith Church Halls at 7:00 pm on Thursday 13 June. Thank you to all team leaders and volunteers. To receive our news (Intimations) by email every week please visit: http://eepurl.com/bXxvVn 8
FLOWER DELIVERY and PASTORAL CARE The Church flowers are given to members after each service. Thanks to Margaret Fraser, Jeanette Sime, Margaret Cameron and Mark Foster who greatly assist me with organising this. Please let us know if anyone is ill, bereaved, had good news or a significant birthday or anniversary, so that we can give flowers, if possible. Thanks to Aileen Fraser who makes sure the flowers are there in the first place, by making up the rota and putting in the flowers when the person is unable to do so, or the provider is the flower fund. The Pastoral Care team has sent out cards to members who are unwell or infirm, and ask members to make sure we know of anyone who needs extra support at the moment. There are cards available for this in the open doorway, and a form at the back of this magazine. Catriona Blackwood, Pastoral care team member and flower delivery team organiser
Pastoral Care Team Rev Mark Foster, Catriona Blackwood (Safeguarding), Christine Edington (Crossreach), Michelle Muhammed, Cathy Purdie (Special Needs), Fiona Rankin, Jeanette Sime (Roll Keeper).
LEITH CHURCHES TOGETHER Short services at 1pm, followed by a light lunch June – 12th Pilrig St Paul’s July and August - NO SERVICE September 11th – Duke Street October 9th - St Mary’s November 13th - Ebenezer December - NO SERVICE 9
Leith Community Cinema
In May our screenings went well (despite the weather that day) with Incredibles 2 and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again on the programme. We continue to progress plans for collaborations with Tailor Ed who support children with autism and their families as well as an organisation that supports adults with autism. Plans are also under way to pilot a screening supported by visual description for those with visual impairment. The next screenings are being held on Saturday 15 th June when we are showing Christopher Robin starring Ewan McGregor and A Star is Born starring Lady Gaga.
Linda Gill Leader, Leith Community Cinema
10
MINUTES OF THE STATED ANNUAL MEETING OF PILRIG ST. PAUL’S CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. * The Stated Annual Meeting of the congregation took place within worship at Pilrig St. Paul’s Church at 11 am on Sunday 5 May 2019. During the service the Minister highlighted the service and fellowship given to the local community by the congregation through the Open Doorway Café. He thanked all those who volunteered in this important ministry of outreach within the life of the congregation. The Congregational Treasurer presented the 2018 financial accounts of the congregation and raised the following points: The total income for 2018 was £99,103. This figure includes income from Vodafone for rent increases that hadn’t been paid. The payment made is being looked into as there may have been an overpayment made to us. The income was lower than 2017, but the 2017 figure included £11,699 transferred from the Alexander Watson Memorial fund to the general fund. Total Expenditure for 2018 was £82,123. This is £19,885 less than last year but the transfer out of the Alexander Watson Memorial fund of £11,699 is included in the 2017 figure. If you remove this, our expenses were down by £8,186. In 2017 the Community Cinema income and expenditure was being paid through the church accounts until it became a registered charity. 11
There was a balance of £3,683 transferred to the cinema when their own bank account was opened. Maria Croall reduced her hours for 2018 so the wages and pension paid were £3,500 lower than 2017. It is good to see we have had a surplus in the last two years but we should keep in mind these included the transfer from the Alexander Watson Memorial account and the payment from Vodafone that won’t happen in future years. Slides showing the breakdown of the income and expenditure figures for 2018 were shown. On the income side this showed Hall Lets as the largest contributor at 49% with offerings and tax relief claimed the next largest at 40%. For expenditure our largest contributor was Ministry and Mission at 36% and then salaries at 20%. The final slide shown had the predicted income and expenditure from 2020 to 2024. If the figures predicted are correct then we would have used the money we have by the end of 2024. This wasn’t added to be a depressing message but to show we can’t think all is good financially just because we have had a surplus the last two years. Mark Wexelstein and Maria Croall were thanked for their respective roles in the financial record keeping of the congregation. Contd. overleaf….
12
The Roll Keeper presented the congregational statistics for 2018: Number on Congregational Roll as at 31.12.2017 was 216 Added: by Profession of Faith 0 Certificate of Transfer 0 Restoration 0 Removed: By Resolution of the Kirk Session 0 Certificate of Transfer 0 Death 9 Number on Congregational Roll as at 31.12.2018 was 207 Supplementary Roll 0 Adherents 4 Jeanette was thanked for her role in maintaining the roll of church members. Adoption of theS Minute of the previous Stated Annual Meeting of the Congregation was proposed by Evelyn Torrance and seconded by Lisa Innes. The following members were re-elected to serve for a further period of office on the Congregational Board. Irene Eprile, proposed by Scott Gillies and seconded by Alec Edington Moira Fergie, proposed by Eric Fisher and seconded by David Fraser Marjorie McMahon proposed by Alex Allen and seconded by Fiona Rankin *Subject to approval at the Board meeting on 30th May 13
THE MINISTER AND KIRK SESSION OF PILRIG ST PAUL’S CHURCH invite you to The Sacrament of Holy Communion on Sunday 30th June 2019 at 11 am This is the Lord’s Table. Anyone who loves God and responds to Christ’s invitation to join together in this feast is welcome to join us in the celebration. As well as wine, the serving trays have individual cups of plain water for those who prefer this.
PROVIDING FLOWERS OVER THE SUMMER July 7th Louise Illingworth, 14th Frances and George McPherson and Margaret Cameron, 21st Irene Wexelstein, 28th Antje Armstrong August 4th, Ian Quinn, 11th John Brown, 18th flower fund, 25th Evelyn Torrance 14
Doing on-line shopping?
Please see the notice board outside the Session Room to help raise funds for Pilrig St Paul’s. THANK YOU We would just like to say thank you so much for the beautiful flowers that Jimmy received from the Church last week on the loss of his sister-in-law. It was very thoughtful. Thank you to everyone. Moira and Jimmy Fergie Many thanks for the lovely surprise of flowers received on Sunday from Aileen on the marriage of our grandson in Japan. It was a pleasant surprise for us. We just wish we could have been there. Margaret and David Fraser Many thanks for the lovely flowers I received recently, and to Aileen for thinking of me. Margaret Cameron Thanks for the beautiful flowers I received from our Church family when Roy went in to hospital last week. Also thanks to Maureen and Ron Eunson for delivering them. Irene Eprile Thank you to the team who assemble the magazine. Margaret Cameron POSTCARD SEARCH 2019: The theme of this year’s search is “Earth, Wind, Water and Fire”. Please send in a card that shows one of the four elements and write the bible verse where it appears on the back of the card. All entries should be sent to the Church Office (1b Pilrig Street, Edinburgh, EH6 5AH) by Sunday 22 nd September. Leith Community Knitting Bee 15
Thank you to everyone who has supported our Fundraiser Craft event in memory of a member, Norah. We have been delighted with donations of crafting and knitted items and purchases ahead of the fair. By the time you read this, the Craft Fair will have taken place with all proceeds being donated to Mary’s Meals in memory of Norah. We will also be announcing the destination for our teddy and who the winner is on the 9 June. th
We are now turning our attention to the project for the second half of this year which is Trauma Teddies. The teddies are made and donated free of charge to children who need some comfort due to trauma, illness or difficult circumstances. They are gifted by emergency services and other organisations in the course of their work. If you would like to be involved and help out with this project please let me know. We have also now launched our own facebook page so people can follow our progress. The page is named Leith Community Knitting Bee. We also have set up an e-mail address (thank you to John Innes for this) so you can get in touch with us that way as well. knitting@pilrigstpauls.org.uk Linda Gill Leader, Leith Community Knitting Bee
Prayer Corner 16
Please remember in your prayers members and friends of the congregation who are ill or infirm at this time. A full list is available in the printed version of the magazine. Please let Roy Eprile know if you would like someone included in the prayer corner and also make sure Roy knows about any changes, thank you.
CONTACT DETAILS PILRIG St PAUL’S CHURCH 1b Pilrig Street Edinburgh EH6 5AH www.pilrigstpauls.org.uk
Church Office 0131 553 1876
TO RENT OUR PREMISES, PLEASE CONTACT psp.halluse@gmail.com
Scottish Charity no. SCO07277
www.leithchurchesforum.org.uk
17
Do you know someone who would appreciate being remembered in our prayers, a visit, a phone call, a card in the post or perhaps some flowers from us? IF THEY ARE HAPPY TO HAVE THEIR NAME PUT FORWARD, please provide the details below and put this form into the box in the Open Doorway or contact: helpinghands@pilrigstpauls.org.uk Postal address: Pastoral care team, 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) ................................................................................................................................. ...............................................................................................................................
18
19
Pilrig St Paul’s Church participates in………
Leith Churches Together
20