PILRIG ST PAUL’S CHURCH OCTOBER 2019 1
Cover design and photo The Editor
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 of2Scotland.
PILRIG St PAUL’S CHURCH OCTOBER 2019 Sunday 6th October 11AM HARVEST FESTIVAL AT LEITH ST ANDREWS There is no service in Pilrig St Paul’s today. pm Community Cinema in Pilrig St Paul’s, see page 9 Tuesday 8th October 2pm in the Session room The GUILD restarts with afternoon tea. See page 4 Wednesday 9th October 1pm LCT short service followed by a light lunch - St Mary’s Star of the Sea. See page 7 Thursday 10th October 7.30pm Session meeting 7 pm South Leith Church Halls Foodbank volunteers, see page 7 Friday 11th October Sewing Bee Outing See page 11 Sunday 13th October 11am Morning Worship Sunday 20th October 11am Morning Worship Tuesday 22nd October 2pm The Guild Colin Brown speaking about Street Pastors Sunday27th October Holy Communion see page 5 Please speak to Aileen Fraser about providing Church flowers, and to Catriona Blackwood if you are able to go on the delivery rota.
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. See page 9 3
THE DONATIONS BASKET IS IN THE VESTIBULE. THANK YOU!
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. 2nd and 4th Tuesdays - The Guild 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
4
via our side door, or the Hall entrances. The welcome team, standing at the steps and in the Open doorway, 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.
From the manse …
“The devising of folly is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to all.” - Proverbs 24:9 (NRSV)
Dear All, This verse from Proverbs is translated in a number of different ways, all of which suggest that to scorn, scoff, or mock someone else is something that should be detested by everyone. It reminded me of a letter I recently came across, that a colleague had written to themselves. It read: “Dear Me, What would the world be like if we actually regarded scoffing as an abomination? Can we disagree with someone and still treat them with respect? Can we be angry with someone without belittling them? My enemies are obviously dumber than I am, less evolved, less educated, less aware, more ridiculous, more in need of therapy. But every once in a while I wonder, ‘What if I assumed that my enemies are actually more or less intelligent people with good intentions and different life experiences, who might also be correct in some way hidden to me? Or they might be very wrong but maybe there’s a whole history of pain they are carrying that I can’t see? What if, before I respond, I slowly and silently count to ten and remind myself that God loves this person?’ 5
I shake that nonsense out of my head and try to come up with a clever comeback that will get me a lot of likes from people who already agree with me. Of course, it won’t change anybody’s mind, which is what I’m trying to do; but it will make me feel cleverer, better, more superior - if only for a fleeting moment ... but what if I held firm and didn’t take the selfish option? What would our lives look like if there was less scoffing on social media; in our hearts; in our families; in our churches and places of work? What if the people on our side of an issue didn’t reward us with praise for putting others down a peg or two? What might happen if we approached our disagreements with a little more curiosity and a little less derision? All these questions deserve your consideration. Yours in hope” There is a grace filled way to challenge others appropriately – just as Jesus did on many occasions. We can be robust without being rude. We can be righteous without being unjust. And we can challenge others without resorting to insults. There is great wisdom in the Proverbs. Many of their verses are like little notes written to ourselves – little gems of wisdom – little reminders of what we can be if we live out the teachings of our faith. May we all strive to be the best that we can be and to value others through our words and actions. Shalom Mark
6
The Guild starts up again on 8th October, welcoming men and women. The first meeting is a get-together with afternoon tea – an ideal time to meet us and find out about the interesting programme lined up for the season. For further details, please contact Marjory McMahon
7
The Minister and Kirk Session of Pilrig St Paul’s Church invite you to The Sacrament of Holy Communion on Sunday 29th October 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.
USEFUL INFORMATION 8
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 in at the end of the service. Stamps: used postage stamps should be cut out (leaving a 1 cm margin) and handed to Maureen Eunson. Large Cereal Boxes: The Holiday club use them for children to lean on when they draw. Just cut out the front and back and hand them to me. (Please re-cycle the rest!) Catriona Blackwood A few spare carrier bags for the foodbank can be helpful, in case people come without their own. Thank you. To receive our news (Intimations) by email every week please visit: http://eepurl.com/bXxvVn Using text to make your offering You can make your offering by texting PSPC10 £5 to 70070 (You can change the £ amount as preferred). Cards for sale: Evelyn Torrance has handmade cards for sale at £2 each. These are on sale after the service. Crossreach provides Social Care Services in the Church of Scotland. Copies of their magazine are available outside the Session Room. If you, or someone you know, collects old cards for re-use, I will be pleased to print the information here. Catriona Blackwood 9
The Magazine I am now taking Life and Work orders for 2020. Despite increased production costs, the cover price is unchanged and remains at £2.80. We take part in the discount for congregational orders, reducing the cost to £2.55 per issue, £30.60 annually, or £15.30 if two share. I do not payment yet. You can also subscribe to the digital version at - www.lifeandwork.org Thank you for all the articles this month. There is a lot going on, particularly in the week beginning Sunday 6 th October! Please may I have articles for November by October 20th? Thank you Catriona Blackwood LEITH CHURCHES TOGETHER Dates for short services at 1pm, followed by a light lunch. October 9th - St Mary’s Star of the Sea November 13th – Ebenezer Church December - NO SERVICE
There is a volunteer evening for all involved in the NE Edinburgh foodbank on Thursday 10th October at 7pm in South Leith Parish Church Halls. Volunteers are encouraged to come along to share experiences and to feedback on how things are going in the respective centres. Iain May sends thanks for all the hard work and support for this important mission initiative. 10
YOUR ONLINE SHOPPING CAN HELP RAISE FUNDS FOR PILRIG ST PAUL’S
Please see the notice board outside the Session Room to help raise funds on-line for Pilrig St Paul’s. Updated information Amazon Smile There has been a change to how funds are raised when making purchases with Amazon. You should now go to smile.amazon.co.uk, make sure the ‘supporting’ field says ‘Edinburgh: Pilrig St. Paul’s Church of Scotland’, if not, click on the down arrow and use the ‘change’ button to search for us. Remember to bookmark the new URL and use that when shopping at Amazon. Then shop as normal on Amazon, all your qualifying purchases will generate funds for us. You can also install the Amazon Assistant extension to Google Chrome to provide reminders when you’re shopping. For other purchases, like holidays and so on, please continue to use the easyfundraising system. John Innes 11
Leith Community Cinema
In September we tested running a screening with two different films when we screened The Lego Movie 2 and Black Panther. It went well and it was great to have new people attending the cinema and also on our team for the day. October brings another test for us with a Sunday screening and two different films – we are screening Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Avengers Endgame. In November we have been invited to be part of the 10th Birthday Celebrations for Tailor Ed with a special screening for their families. It is great to be part of this celebration. The families are going to make the film choice and we hope to also welcome families from Autism Scotland. Plans are also under way to pilot a screening supported by visual description for those with visual impairment. More details will be shared once the plans are further developed. Linda Gill Leader, Leith Community Cinema THANK YOU We have received thanks from many members for prayers, flowers, cards, visits, phone calls, texts and support received following celebrations, bereavements and accidents.
12
PASTORAL CARE Thank you to everyone who keeps us up to date about those members and friends in our congregation who would benefit from a mention in the prayer corner, phone call, visit, flowers, a card or other support, it is invaluable. Pastoral Care Team Rev Mark Foster, Catriona Blackwood (Safeguarding), Christine Edington (Crossreach), Michelle Muhammed, Cathy Purdie (Special Needs), Fiona Rankin A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY
Following the success of the last concert by Bruce Davies and many requests from church members to repeat the event, I am pleased to inform everyone that I have arranged for Bruce to appear at the church on the 1st. December at 2.00pm. This will be the day after St. Andrew’s Day and the first Sunday in Advent, so we decided to name the concert St. ANDREW TO ADVENT Watch this space for further details and ticket information. Eric Fisher.
13
Leith Community Knitting Bee Please join us for our first meeting of the Autumn & Winter Session. We are heading to the Botanic Cottage in the Botanical Gardens on Friday 11th October for an Afternoon Tea. All are welcome so please let me know if you would like to come along. Our next project is to knit Trauma Teddies. The teddies are made and donated free of charge to children who need a smile 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. Linda Gill
Prayer Corner 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 the minister, or me know of someone to include in this section. Catriona Blackwood
14
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
15
PASTORAL GROUP AND HELPING HANDS
16