MARCH 2013
LENT AND EASTER AT PILRIG St PAUL’S
SUNDAY SERVICES AT 11AM Holy Communion is celebrated on the last Sunday of January, April, June and October at the 11am Service, and informally as announced. The “OPEN DOORWAY” is open each week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am - 1.00pm. Pop in or arrange to meet a friend there over a cup of coffee. Enter by the main door. Our wheelchair entrances are in Pilrig Street. ORGANISATIONS WITHIN THE CHURCH BUILDINGS: Sundays - Sunday Club, 10:45 am for ages P1-S4 all welcome (Mark Wexelstein 665 6881) Tuesdays The Guild 2.00pm (Irene Wexelstein 476 1385) Details of the New Session in the October Magazine *Pilrig Choristers 4-5.30pm Session Room *Pilrig Chorus at 7.30pm. Wednesdays - Lunch club 12 noon (Marjory McArthur 553 2323) *Vocal Vibes and Singchronicity youth choirs 4-5.30pm Halls *Contact Colin Gray 07901 556 217 Guides Rainbows and Brownies meet in the church hall Rainbows, Brownies and Guides all meet in Pilrig Park School contact admin@girlguiding-edinburgh.org.uk for more information
In Broughton Primary School: Tuesdays The 5th Leith Scouts (Pilrig Edinburgh North East) Beavers 53/4 to 8 years (6.00 to 7.00 p.m.) Cubs 8 to 10 1/2 years (6.30 to 8.00 p.m.) Scouts 10 1/2 to 14 years (7.30 to 9.00 p.m.)
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MARCH in PILRIG St PAUL’S ALL SERVICES IN MARCH ARE AT 11am IN THE SANCTUARY AND WILL BE TAKEN BY MRS MAGGIE HUNT EASTER SUNDAY On Easter Sunday we will dedicate a memorial to Stuart Sime which will be mounted on the Pilrig side transept wall to recognise his 37 years of dedication to the church he loved. THE GUILD 2pm IN THE SESSION ROOM March 12th – WEST CRAGIE FARM Mr John Sinclair March 26th – EASTER READINGS PILRIG CHORUS will be performing a concert on Tuesday 26th March 7.30pm at Pilrig St Pauls Church. The programme will include Faure's Requiem. All very welcome to come along.
FLOWERS IN MARCH 10th March Jean Ramage other Sundays – flower fund Please see Aileen Fraser for details of how to put flowers in the Church on a Sunday significant to you. (at Church or 07936 716 765)
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FROM THE CLERK’S DESK
FEBRUARY 2013
Well, the process of the vacancy continues its ponderous way, the Basis of Renewable Tenure has finally received assent from the Ministries Council Presbytery Planning Task Group and we now have permission to take steps to fill our vacancy. Thanks are due to Ronnie Cameron and David Fraser who came with me to represent the congregation at Presbytery for this. The elections to the Nominating Committee were held on 10 February at the close of worship and 11 members were elected. There are two additional nonvoting representatives from LCF churches appointed to the committee who are to act as observers only. Our Parish Profile is in the final stages of polishing and refining ready to be sent to applicants once approved by Session and the Nominating Committee will shortly meet with the Presbytery Advisory Committee and draw up our adverts. Thanks to everyone who has provided words or photos or inspiration or support to get the Parish Profile done. Maggie Hunt finishes her time with us at the end of March and I’d like to thank her for her energy, her fresh approach to preaching and her care for the congregation and I’m sure we would like to wish Maggie well with her exams and her future placement. The Kirk Session has agreed to appoint Rev. Sara Embelton as locum from April onwards, Sara has been locum at two other Leith Churches Forum churches in recent times so has a wealth of knowledge of our situation and is an experienced minister who can conduct all our sacraments and moderate the Kirk Session if needed. On Easter Sunday we will dedicate a memorial to Stuart Sime which will be mounted on the Pilrig side transept wall to recognise his 37 years of dedication to the church he loved. As we move through Lent and the run up to Easter I hope we can all continue to support each other and continue just being the church, for the church really is the people inside its doors. John Innes Session Clerk
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REFLECTIONS FROM MAGGIE HUNT We have been thinking about journeying together through the season of Lent and travelling with each other through life. Over the coming weeks, as we look toward Easter and the celebration of the ultimate hope through Christ Jesus, we will be sharing stories of hope, seeking a closer walk with God and finding new ways to show hope and love to those we meet. Lenten Poem by Ann Weems Lent is a time to take time to let the power of our faith story take hold of us, a time to let the events get up and walk around in us, a time to intensify our living unto Christ, a time to hover over the thoughts of our hearts, a time to place our feet in the streets of Jerusalem or to walk along the sea and listen to his Word, a time to touch his robe and feel the healing surge through us, a time to ponder and a time to wonder…. Lent is a time to allow a fresh new taste of God! Perhaps we’re afraid to have time to think, for thoughts come unbidden. Perhaps we’re afraid to face our future knowing our past. Give us courage, O God, to hear your Word and to read our living into it. Give us the trust to know we’re forgiven and give us the faith to take up our lives and walk.
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From the Interim Moderator, At its February meeting, Edinburgh Presbytery intimated that all the procedural business relating to Pilrig St Paul’s tenure had been successfully completed and so the congregation could proceed with their vacancy business. This began with a meeting of the congregation after the service on Sunday, 10 February when the eleven persons for the Nomination Committee were duly appointed. These were John Innes, Mark Wexelstein, Jeanette Sime, Catherine Purdie, Lisa Innes, Alex Fleming, Aileen Fraser, Maria Croall, Eric Fisher, Fiona Rankin, and Moira Fergie. This represents a group of 6 women and 5 men, five of whom are elders, 2 are members of the Congregational Board and 4 members of the congregation. Following their election it was agreed that Mark would serve as Convener of the Committee and Aileen act as its Secretary. The immediate tasks to now be completed are that the Kirk Session finalise and approve the Parish Profile, the document that the Nomination Committee will present to prospective candidates. The Committee must meet with the Presbytery’s Advisory Committee who will give guidance and advice about the process and procedures the Committee should follow. Once with has happened the Committee will then seek to ensure that the vacancy is widely advertised and wait for notices of interest. Depending on progress members should expect to see their church vacancy advertised in either the April or May edition of Life & Work. As has already been stressed the Committee are required to work to strict levels of confidentiality. Primarily this is to protect the candidates who are interested in the charge but do not wish their present congregation to know this. Should a candidate be unsuccessful he or she will want their relationship with their present congregation to continue without interference. So members should refrain from asking members of the Committee about their work. As I stated from the outset I am the only voice that should speak publicly about the vacancy and if there is information the congregation need to know I will ensure it is made known. As I also stated at the meeting, the various uncertainties and difficulties presently facing the national Church have meant that there is not a lot of movement of ministers and so the congregation should appreciate that the process may take longer than anticipated. Also the timing of the advertisement may coincide with events at this year’s General Assembly which, depending on the outcome, may distract ministers from consideration of a Call.
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However, The Church is not merely a human institution but the spiritual creation of God through Jesus Christ and living by the power of the Holy Spirit. All of history is under the direction and authority of God and so I commend to your prayers the people on the Nomination Committee. Give them your prayerful support that they will work with faith and hope and in harmony and unity of purpose. Pray they will be patient and confident, waiting to be guided to God’s choice. Pray God through goodness, by providence and perfect timing will unite the congregation with the minister that the congregation requires and needs. Jack Holt Interim Moderator. See also Jack’s article about Lent and Easter on page 9 THE MAGAZINE Thank you to everyone for the contributions this month. Please may I have articles for April by March 24th? Catriona Blackwood SINGCHRONICITY Singchronicity will perform Bugsy Malone on Saturday the 25th of May at 7.30pm. Kate Rigg, their conductor, and all the older children are working hard to bring us “plenty of excitement (and cream pies!)” HEADING ALL THE WAY FROM LETHAM PARK TO HAMPDEN Round about 1969/1970 a young lad played football as a member of The 8th Leith BB Company. (Pilrig/Dalmeny St. Church). He is now Manager of Scotland. The name, of course, is Gordon Strachan . A meteoric rise to fame indeed. Ian B.
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THANK YOU Thank you so much for the lovely flowers and your kind thoughts. Jessie Bird To friends of Pilrig St Paul’s. Thanks very much for the Christmas gift and also to Lily for bringing it. Best wishes from Ian and Betty McKinlay Mrs Bunty Munro would like to say thank you for the lovely gift she received at Christmas. It is much appreciated. Marlyn & I would like to say a big Thank you to all who sent cards and good wishes as we settle into our new home. We wish all in Pilrig St Paul's every blessing as you travel through your time of vacancy. With warm regards . John & Marlyn. A very much belated “Thank You” for the lovely flowers I received in November! They were gorgeous Autumn colours and lasted well. Better late than never – so they say! Thank you again, Marjorie McArthur. Many thanks for the flowers you sent me via Marjorie. It does things up at home. Walter is now in Abercorn Nursing Home and hope he gets settled in, he has had so many moves since the middle of September. Please give my regards and thanks to all Walters friends. Love, Marion Joy and Murdo would like to thank the Kirk Session and Congregation for their prayers, kind thoughts and flowers delivered during Murdo’s recent illness. Thanks are specially due to Roy and Irene Eprile, Ian Bethune, Jean Ramage, Ron and Maureen Eunson and Marjory McMahon for delivering the flowers, visited us at home or enquired by phone. Following a few dizzy spells and a couple of blackouts, Murdo had a heart pacemaker implanted on 5/2/2013 and his condition is now improving. Joy’s mobility has improved slightly but she is unable to go out unaccompanied. It does help to know we are in your thoughts and prayers. May God bless you.
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Thank you to the Congregation for the lovely flowers received. Thanks to Ronnie Cameron for arranging them. Much appreciated. Joyce and Charlie Forman. Thank you from the Church to Flo Simpson for a donation to the flower fund.
ANDREW FORREST We have all been saddened to hear of the death, following a short illness, of Andrew Forrest. Andrew was an Elder, a member of the choir and pantomime group amongst other things. For many years he made and cooked the burgers and other food for the Pilrig Parlour, as well as assisting in the organisation of this annual event. When he gave up burger making in bulk, Andrew passed his large mixing bowl to me for my bulk baking for the church! There can be few members who have not had the benefit of Andrew’s wisdom, empathy and support at some time. Someone once said to me “Andrew’s so nice” – that is such a good description of him. Andrew was born in Leith 87 years ago and worked as the sausage maker for Langs of Easter Road. He was in the Navy during the 2nd World War. Andrew’s wife Cathy pre-deceased him and in very recent years he has lived near his daughter and son-in-law in Livingston. Our thoughts and prayers are with his son Graham and his daughter Kathleen at this sad time. Catriona Blackwood
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LENT AND EASTER REFLECTIONS FROM JACK HOLT Lent and Easter I write this article just days before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. The season precedes the events of Holy Week that leads to Good Friday and then on to Easter Day, which falls this year on 31 March. Ash Wednesday is itself preceded by Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Tuesday, or Fat Tuesday which translates as Mardi Gras in French cultures, All of these names may be very familiar but perhaps less so what they mean. So let me give you a little background to the days that lead up to the core events of the Christian Faith. ‘Lent’ is an Old English word that means’ ‘lengthening’. The 40 day period of Lent falling during the time when the daylight hours lengthen in the Western hemisphere. The 40 days come from the period of time that Jesus spent in the wilderness following his baptism when he was tempted by Satan or better, tested by God through Satan (he went into the wilderness under the power of the Holy Spirit). In this period Jesus was said to have fasted, and Christians were encouraged to follow his example and seek to fast. The idea of giving up something for Lent, like coffee or chocolate is an extension of the fasting associated with the whole season. This led to the creation of Pancake Tuesday, the day before Lent begins. Ash Wednesday was signified as a fast day. In the days before refrigeration perishables needed to be used up and not wasted and so people used their milk, eggs and flour to make pancakes. As Lent was also the start of a penitential season this was the last day for joyous revelry, hence the customs behind Mardi Gras. But it also led to villages holding pancake races in this country. Before entering the season of Lent Christians would go to their church to make a confession and receive forgiveness; this was called being shriven in the old tongues, and so gives rise to the name Shrove Tuesday.
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Sackcloth and ashes are the ancient biblical ways of demonstrating regret and repentance, and so marking the forehead with ash was the sign that the Christian was serious in his or her intention of returning to God. The ash was made by burning the palm leaves used in the previous year’s Palm Sunday processions. The counting of the 40 days does not include the Sundays as every Sunday is a day of rejoicing in the resurrection. So Lent lasts until the Saturday before Easter Sunday. However, it was a hard slog for ordinary people to maintain this longer period in denial and penitence and so on the halfway point was made into a joyful day. It was a day when servants were allowed to return to their mother church and be reunited with their families including their own mothers. And Mothers’ Day is always celebrated on the 4th Sunday of Lent. Holy Week covers the period that Jesus spent in Jerusalem, arriving with the pilgrims until his death and burial. Each day of the week focuses on the events that took place around the city or in the Temple. Jesus came to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover with his disciples and this was due to take place on the Thursday evening. However in the Jewish calendar the days ran from 6pm until 6pm and so technically Jesus celebrated the Passover on the same day he died, the Friday. Maundy Thursday remembers the events of the Last Supper and more particularly the washing of the disciples’ feet (told in John 13). Many churches mark this occasion with either a communion service and/or a ceremonial washing of feet. This is the day the sovereign give alms to the poor. Good Friday is traditionally marked between the hours of 12noon and 3pm, the hours Jesus hung on the cross. There are churches that hold a procession of the cross through the streets, or a 3 hour vigil with the stations of the Cross. In the evening churches also hold service in which all the ornamentation of the altar is removed, the church stripped, to represent the shrouded body of Jesus.
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On this day spicy (hot) buns marked with a cross were eaten. Finally Christians traditionally rise to hold sunrise services on Easter Day and make their joyful acclamation: Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Easter is an Old English name of the goddess of Spring and new life: Eastre. The life inside an enclosed tomb is well symbolised by an egg, which also can be rolled like the great stone that covered the tomb. While good old dour Scottish Presbyterianism had no truck with all these forms of devotion and celebration in the past, thanks to the ecumenical movement there has been a marked increase in the sharing of traditions and marks of devotions across the denominations. It is one of the few times in the year when we can draw on the strengths of all the churches. In whatever way you choose, may you enter into this coming season of Lent and Easter with a wholehearted desire to seek three things: To come back to God and to seek the restoration the relationship of a devoted child to a loving Father; To walk with Christ, the Way of the Cross; And to ask God to know the joy and power of the resurrection in your life.
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Sackcloth and ashes are the ancient biblical ways of demonstrating regret and repentance, and so marking the forehead with ash was the sign that the Christian was serious in his or her intention of returning to God. The ash was made by burning the palm leaves used in the previous year’s Palm Sunday processions. The counting of the 40 days does not include the Sundays as every Sunday is a day of rejoicing in the resurrection. So Lent lasts until the Saturday before Easter Sunday. However, it was a hard slog for ordinary people to maintain this longer period in denial and penitence and so on the halfway point was made into a joyful day. It was a day when servants were allowed to return to their mother church and be reunited with their families including their own mothers. And Mothers’ Day is always celebrated on the 4th Sunday of Lent. Holy Week covers the period that Jesus spent in Jerusalem, arriving with the pilgrims until his death and burial. Each day of the week focuses on the events that took place around the city or in the Temple. Jesus came to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover with his disciples and this was due to take place on the Thursday evening. However in the Jewish calendar the days ran from 6pm until 6pm and so technically Jesus celebrated the Passover on the same day he died, the Friday. Maundy Thursday remembers the events of the Last Supper and more particularly the washing of the disciples’ feet (told in John 13). Many churches mark this occasion with either a communion service and/or a ceremonial washing of feet. This is the day the sovereign give alms to the poor. Good Friday is traditionally marked between the hours of 12noon and 3pm, the hours Jesus hung on the cross. There are churches that hold a procession of the cross through the streets, or a 3 hour vigil with the stations of the Cross. In the evening churches also hold service in which all the ornamentation of the altar is removed, the church stripped, to represent the shrouded body of Jesus. On this day spicy (hot) buns marked with a cross were eaten.
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PRAYER CORNER
Ina Grierson Jean Stark Isabel Hannay Matthew Green Mary and Jimmy Rennie Jeanette Sime Peter Sinclair Murdo and Joy MacLeod Linda Connolly Jack McArthur Morag Davidson Lillian Kane Helen Greig John Michael Jacobson
Margaret Scott Barbara Graham Cathie Galbraith Frances Chambers Donald Nisbet Norman Lawrence June Welsh Charlie and Joyce Forman Phil Howe Helena Aide Isabel Pert Agnes MacAuley Alan Black Diane Davies
Please contact Roy Eprile with any names you would like included in this section.
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Scottish Charity no. SCO07277 www.pilrigstpauls.org.uk www.leithchurchesforum.org.uk
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Cover design for Pilrig St Paul’s Church by Catriona Blackwood
MINISTER Vacant Locum Minister - Mrs Maggie Hunt 0131 620 1314 SESSION CLERK John Innes - 33 Monktonhall Place, Musselburgh (07563 248722) pilrig@btinternet.com THE CONGREGATIONAL BOARD CLERK Aileen Fraser (07936 716 765) aileen.fraser@btinternet.com ASSISTANT CLERK Maria Croall (07747 071 545) croallm@hotmail.com CORRESPONDENCE to: 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) PASTORAL LINK ELDER and SAFEGUARDING CO-ORDINATOR Mrs Catriona E.W. Blackwood - 4 Cambridge Gardens (554 6183) bill.blackwood@tesco.net PROPERTY CONVENER Eric Fisher (552 8982) 104 Crewe Crescent HALL LET GROUP psp.halluse@gmail.com ORGANIST and CHOIRMASTER Colin Grey (07901 556 217) SUNDAY CLUB LEADER Mark Wexelstein (665 6881) mark.wexelstein@googlemail.com CHRISTIAN GIVINGS CONVENERS Mrs Ella Gilfillan - 8 Paisley Terrace (661 2281) 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)