PILRIG ST PAUL’S CHURCH SEPTEMBER 2020 1
It is possible to make a donation by visiting our website www.pilrigstpauls.org.uk and donate using the PayPal button. You can also use the QR code below by scanning it on your mobile phone.
We have also setup a JustGiving page and the url is https://www.justgiving.com/edinburghpilrigstpaulsparishchurch We do have to pay a handling fee for any donations received through PayPal or JustGiving so don’t receive the full amount donated. If you shop online you can support the church when you shop on Amazon. If you are using their webpage can you go to https://smile.amazon.co.uk/ and you can select Edinburgh: Pilrig St Paul’s Parish Church of Scotland as the charity. For certain purchases we will received up to 1.5% as a donation. You can now change the settings on their app and select the same charity name. Thank you for your continued support and hopefully we will all be able to meet again soonish to worship together. Mark Wexelstein Email
treasurer@pilrigstpauls.org.uk
INFORMATION re PILRIG St PAUL’S MAGAZINE We welcome articles and thank you letters from members and friends. Articles 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. The views expressed are those of individual contributors and not necessarily those of Pilrig St. Paul’s Church or the Church of Scotland.
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PILRIG St PAUL’S CHURCH SEPTEMBER 2020 While we are unable to use our buildings, there will be a short act of worship each Sunday at 10am on Facebook, and repeated later on our website. Our Facebook Page provides some items for personal reflection as well as our normal news updates. Church website: http://www.pilrigstpauls.org.uk Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pilrigstpauls/ CHURCH ACTIVITIES and INFORMATION
Please watch our website and facebook page for updates. For information regarding Girl Guiding and Scouts: www.girlguiding.org.uk hello@scouts.scot Radio, TV, Internet Audio and Visual clips and some live streaming worship services that you can listen to and watch from home: Thought for the Day: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00szxv6 BBC Radio Four Sunday Worship: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qnds Livestream Church Service: https://greenbankchurch.org There will be a recorded service every Sunday via the Church of Scotland website as well as transcripts which can be printed and delivered to those who are not able to access online resources. Songs of Praise: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006ttc5 Recommended Podcast: https://robbell.com/portfolio/robcast/ 3
BBC Scotland have been showing ‘Reflections at the Quay” each Sunday. The times of the broadcasts vary. In addition if you wish to follow the readings that we use in church each Sunday you can access them at https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu// You can also subscribe to receive the church magazine and weekly intimations at LINK. WordPress site at https://onecfl.wordpress.com/ where you will find prayers, reflections and other items provided by the Ministers from the four Leith churches.
Pilrig St Paul’s Foodbank. We are planning for the re-opening of our facility and hope to have information ready by next month. When we have more information, individual volunteers will be kept up to date by Maria Croall. If you would like to know about volunteering, please contact Maria at hall let: psp.halluse@gmail.com or phone the Church Office 0131 553 1876. Thank you to the many people who have made donations of food or money. The magazine. Thank you for all the contributions this month. The next magazine will be out at the end of September or the beginning of October, so I would like articles by 22 nd September, please. Catriona Blackwood
magazine@pilrigstpauls.org.uk
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From our minister Then God said, “Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” - Exodus 3:5 Dear All, Despite many of the lockdown restrictions being slowly lifted our building remains closed and we are still worshipping online. This feels hard for me, as I’m sure it does for you, because I love going to worship. I have stood in church buildings around the world and felt the presence of God. From the Abbey on Iona to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem; from the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia in Barcelona to Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris; I have stood on lots of “holy ground”. I have experienced the presence of the Spirit in sanctuaries full of singers; in sharing the Lord’s Prayer with others; in congregational professions of faith; in vows taken; in bread broken and wine shared; in children baptised and couples blessed; in the sounds of organ music and in silence. And all of this is also true when it comes to worshipping in Pilrig St. Paul’s. Of course, I know God also speaks to me in places that are not church. When I set aside my longing for what I cannot have right now, I think of Moses, with his flock, being drawn aside from his daily routine and into the presence of God. This story doesn’t start at the burning bush. It starts with a God-given impulse to go farther than we might tend to go; to open ourselves up to go where God might be. For God isn’t confined to our churches - no matter how holy or how beautiful they are. Plans are underway for the phased return into our building but in the meantime we need to be more alert to the other holy places in our lives. The places where God is calling us to step aside and 5
experience God’s presence. Until we can meet again as a community of faith let’s remember that the place where we are currently standing may be holy ground. Shalom Mark
From the CrossReach websit e: Yes, Christmas is happening! This past year has certainly been a year like no other, but the good news is that Christmas is happening! We hope, like us, you will be especially enthusiastic about reaching out to friends and family this year. With this in mind, the CrossReach Christmas Card and Calendar Collection 2020 will be available from 1st September 2020. With new, exciting, bright cards and ever popular traditional cards, there really is something for everyone! You can view the full catalogue now in the Resources area of our website, and from 1st September you can see everything on-line at shop.crossreach.org.uk
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THANK YOU We have received thanks from many members for prayers, flowers, cards, visits, phone calls, texts and support received following illness, celebrations, bereavements and accidents. MEMBERS AND ADHERENTS WHO WOULD LIKE A FULL PRAYER, PASTORAL and BEREAVEMENT OR THANK YOU LIST, OR A FINANCIAL UPDATE OR ARE ASKED TO CONTACT:
magazine@pilrigstpauls.org.uk
COVID 19 FORWARD PLANNING The Church of Scotland is in the process of updating the guidelines for the re-opening of Church buildings and the Planning Team has submitted all the relevant paperwork to Edinburgh Presbytery. We plan to hold a phased return into our buildings, details of which will be published in the coming weeks when we have more positive information. Thank you for your continued support and prayers.
PASTORAL CARE - KEEPING IN TOUCH by PHONE AND MAGAZINE We continue to try and keep up with members and friends by phone posting of magazines and email. It is good to exchange 7
news with people in this way when we cannot see them. It will be even better when we can meet face to face again. As many members as possible are receiving news and the by telephone tree, magazine and email. If you know of someone who is not getting information, please contact the minister, Aileen Fraser or me, thanks. I have a large box of Life and Work to distribute once we are in our buildings again! Best wishes to all, Catriona Blackwood Pastoral Committee Member
If you can, please continue collecting……… Plastic milk bottle tops: blue or green with a 2 or 4 on them, Plastic tops and lids with other colours and sizes Flower bags Stamps: used postage stamps should be cut out (leaving a 1 cm margin) These will be gratefully received once we are up and running again. Thank you 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 8
CONTACT DETAILS PILRIG St PAUL’S CHURCH 1b Pilrig Street Edinburgh EH6 5AH www.pilrigstpauls.org.uk
Church Office 0131 553 1876
HALL LETS - NO BOOKINGS ARE BEING TAKEN MEANTIME When we are able to re-open our halls we will publicise this on our website, intimations and the magazine. Scottish Charity no. SCO07277
www.leithchurchesforum.org.uk
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From Lindisfarne images
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