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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. 2
DATES AND TIMES OF OUR ADVENT, CHRISTMAS AND EPIPHANY EVENTS AND SERVICES 2019 Sunday 1st December 11am 1st Sunday in Advent Guild bread and soup lunch after service Bruce Davies Concert - St Andrew to Advent 2pm Sunday, 8th December Gift Service 11am Tuesday 10th December Guild Christmas party, see Marjory McMahon Wednesday 11th December 2pm, open doorway, Knitting Bee Thursday 12th December Lorne Primary Christmas Service Sunday 15th December 2019 Lessons & Carols 11am 12.30pm Community cinema Tuesday 17th December Pilrig Park School Christmas Service
Sunday, 22nd December Family Service 3pm Wednesday 25th December Christmas Day service10:30am Sunday 29th December worship at 11am Sunday 5th January 2020 Joint Epiphany Service at South Leith There will be no service in Pilrig St Paul’s today The Open Door Cafe will be open on 3rd, 5th and 10th December. It will re open on Tuesday 7th January 2020.
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. The donations basket is in the vestibule,
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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. The Open Door Cafe will be open on 3rd, 5th and 10th December. It will re open on Tuesday 7th January 2020.
THANK YOU FROM CROSSREACH Many thanks to all members who kindly ordered Christmas Cards and Calendars from the Crossreach Catalogue this year. The total of all orders made amounted to ÂŁ238.50. This is an excellent result and the highest figure we have ever achieved. All profits from the sale of these goods go towards funding the caring work of Crossreach across Scotland. Christine Edington (Crossreach Contact)
The Magazine We have an interesting, full magazine this month, thank you. May I have emailed articles for February by 19th January, please? The magazine email is: magazine@pilrigstpauls.org.uk Thank you, Catriona Blackwood 4
From the Manse "We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labour pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies." - Romans 8: 22-23 Dear All, The Advent hope recognizes that there is something unfinished about God's creation. In his letter to the Romans Paul employs the metaphor of childbirth, the "whole creation groaning in labour pains," to describe the ongoing process of creation. The oft quoted rallying cry of the Presbyterian Church and motto of the Church of Scotland, “Ecclesia Reformata, Semper Reformanda� (The Church reformed and with the continuing ability to reform) reminds us that the Church is part of this same ongoing process. It is humbling to imagine that we have some part to play in the completion of God's work in our lives, in our communities, and on this earth we share with all God's other creatures. The Advent hope invites us to actively share in the reconciling, restoring, healing and saving activity of God in our world. This hope points to a promised future when the whole creation will finally be completed; a vision captured by the last verse of the great Charles Wesley hymn, "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling:" "Finish, then, Thy new creation; Pure and spotless let us be. Let us see Thy great salvation Perfectly restored in Thee; Changed from glory into glory, Till in Heav'n we take our place, 5
Till we cast our crowns before Thee, Lost in wonder, love, and praise." As we prepare to celebrate another Christmas season in the life of our church, let us never forget our ongoing involvement in seeking to bring God’s kingdom closer to reality for our world. Perhaps this year you might consider buying your family or friends an alternative Christmas gift that seeks to tackle poverty and injustice at home or abroad. Charities such as Embrace the Middle East, Christian Aid, and many others offer the chance to gift someone else a better future. Or when family/friends ask what you would like to receive for Christmas you could suggest they buy you an alternative gift – possibly helping you avoid the usual seasonal gifts of e.g. slippers, novelty socks, bath salts, [insert your own here ………………..] However you choose to celebrate the Christmas season may, you experience something of the kingdom of God and recognise your place and role in its coming. Shalom Mark We have received thanks from many members for prayers, flowers, cards, visits, phone calls, texts and support received following celebrations, bereavements and accidents. Please speak to Aileen Fraser about providing Church flowers, and to Catriona Blackwood if you are able to go on the delivery rota.
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AT THE HEART OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY This year we planned to repeat the successful Christmas Tree Festival of 2017. Unfortunately we were not able to find enough local businesses who were willing and able to participate in this endeavour and so have had to cancel our plans for the time being. In many of our conversations with local shop owners and managers we heard the same concerns over their future due to the pressures from online shopping and the uncertain business climate due to Brexit. Over recent years we have been helped and supported in many of our ventures by neighbouring businesses and we encourage you to support them by shopping locally whenever you can. The local community, including the church, can only thrive when all of the community thrives. We hope that 2020 will bring us new opportunities to work together with local businesses and organisations at the heart of our community. Mark F, Aileen F, and Eric F
Leith Community Knitting Bee
We meet once a month to knit for charity, chat over a cuppa and exchange ideas. If you would like to be involved and help out with our projects please let Linda Gill know. knitting@pilrigstpaul’s.org USEFUL INFORMATION 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 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. 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. Food Bank - Please note there will be no Food Bank on Wednesday 25th December or Wednesday 1st January.
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. January 2020 Events 8
Sunday 5th January 2020 11am Joint Epiphany Service at South Leith There will be no service in Pilrig St Paul’s today Sundays 12th and 19th Morning Worship at 11am Tuesday 7th January 2020 10.30 Open Doorway re-opens The Guild Tuesday January 14th 2pm Communion with Rev Mark Foster Tuesday January 28th 2pm Burns afternoon Leith Community Knitting Bee Wednesday 15th January 2pm
The Minister and Kirk Session of Pilrig St Paul’s Church invite you to The Sacrament of Holy Communion on Sunday 26th January 2020 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.
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Leith Community Cinema
We had a successful screening of Toy Story 4 and The Secret Life of Pets 2 on November 17th and look forward to our next screenings, Miracle on 34th Street and Nativity Rocks, on December 15th, which are already heavily booked. It is really good to see so much interest. If you would like a flier or poster for your local shop, please ask Linda Gill or Catriona Blackwood. CHRISTMAS CHOIR Thank you to those who have volunteered to take part in this. Plans are being arranged and we hope the congregation will enjoy the result! Further details will be made in the intimations. Dyslexia-friendly Churches guideA guide to help churches include dyslexic adults is available at http://inclusivecommunication.scot/blog-dyslexiafriendly-churches-guide.
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 10
To all the good people of Pilrig St Paul’s; In January of this year I began the practical ‘training’ with your Minister, Rev Mark Foster to complete the course as a Worship Leader in the Church of Scotland. Having completed an initial 6 week introductory course with Edinburgh and Lothian Presbytery. This part of my training has been very gently and ably guided by Mark. I am more than grateful to him, as well as to you, the good folk of Pilrig St Paul’s for all the support and encouragement during my time spent with you. It has been a privilege to have been allowed to share this journey with such a good and dedicated congregation. Thank you to each of you for the welcome, warmth and fellowship. Especially for the time shared over coffee and cake after the services. The continuing hard work and dedication of this congregation is such a tribute to your Guide, Rev Mark Foster and his constant leadership. Thank you all for allowing me to share in your worship. May you be richly blessed in your onward journey with Christ. Anne Fallow
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
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LEITH COMMUNITY CINEMA
is a group of people from Leith, working together to put on regular community cinema events, showing a variety of films. Whether you’re 9, 49 or 99, you’re very welcome. We ask, if you are able, for a donation of £3 per adult and £2 per child, payable on arrival, to cover our costs for hosting screenings. We are an entirely voluntary organisation. Hot and cold drinks and snacks available. Venue – Pilrig St. Paul’s Church, 1B Pilrig Street, Leith.
WHAT’S ON NEXT ?
VISIT www.leithcommunitycinema.com Book via eventbrite
All children must be accompanied by an adult, please. Leith Community Cinema SCIO (SC0477940) 13