ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS AT PLIRIG St PAUL’S 2015
REGULAR CHURCH ACTIVITIES SUNDAY - 11am WORSHIP in the sanctuary, followed by tea or coffee and a chat in the Session Room. Children’s activities from 10.50am: There is a crèche for younger children, while those of school age join the congregation, including taking an active part in the all age 'Time to Talk' and then follow activities or projects. ALL AGE FAMILY SERVICES TAKE PLACE SUNDAYS. THESE ARE ANNOUNCED IN ADVANCE.
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THE CHOIR Colin Gray 07901 556 217 or at Church on a Sunday TUESDAY AND THURSDAY - 10.30-12.30 OPEN DOORWAY FOR COFFEE, A CHAT AND QUIET TIME IN THE SANCTUARY Mondays - Rainbows and Brownies Christine Buchanan 554 2941 Tuesdays (alternate) - The Guild 2.00pm Irene Wexelstein 476 1385 The 5th Leith Scouts Pilrig (5th Leith) Edinburgh North East Broughton Primary gym hall (Evelyn Torrance 552 1657) Beavers, Cubs and Scouts 5 3/4 - 14 years Wednesdays - Lunch club 11.30 contact Alex Allan 554 3174 Thursdays – Rainbows and Brownies (Ann Urquhart 554 8387) Guides (Karen Wood 554 5493) THERE ARE MANY OTHER ACTIVITIES HELD ON OUR PREMISES, PLEASE SEE THE NOTICE BOARD IN PILRIG STREET (MIDDLE ENTRANCE) IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RENT OUR PREMISES, PLEASE CONTACT psp.halluse@gmail.com
PILRIG St PAUL’S WELCOMES YOU DECEMBER 2015
WORSHIP AT PILRIG St PAUL’S THIS CHRISTMAS The full list can be found on page 6 ALL ARE VERY WELCOME AT ANY OF OUR SERVICES Providing Church Flowers in December 6th Norman Leithead 13th David and Margaret Fraser
20th Millie and Joe Bald 27th Margaret Cameron
Please contact Aileen Fraser about a date if you would like to contribute flowers and Catriona Blackwood if you would like to write a few lines about the significance of your chosen date.
THE DONATIONS BASKET IS IN THE VESTIBULE. The views expressed in some articles are not necessarily representative of Pilrig St. Paul’s or the Church of Scotland. For further information, please contact the Editor. 1
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’ ~ St. Luke 2: 13-14 Dear All,
Amid the news of terrorist attacks in Beirut, Bamako and Paris; more violence and killings in the West Bank; and civil war In Syria, Pope Francis gave a short reflection while conducting a service in the Basilica di Santa Maria. He said, “we are close to Christmas. There will be lights, there will be parties, bright trees, even Nativity scenes – all decked out – while the world continues to wage war. It’s all a charade. The world has not understood the way of peace. The whole world is at war,” Looking at recent events it is sometimes easy to think that “the whole world is at war” – and there is a real danger that the bright lights and festivities of Christmas become just a colourful distraction, a charade, to divert our minds and hearts away from the troubles of the world. At Christmas we celebrate the life of Christ, the Prince of Peace, whose birth, life and resurrection were all surrounded by words and acts of peace. He even promised to leave behind his own kind of peace with his followers; a different kind of peace that the world cannot give. "Peace I leave with you: my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid" ~ St. John 14:27 2
So, what kind of peace can the world give? The world holds out the promise of various kinds of security: national security, financial security, personal security, even Social Security. No generation in history has put so much thought, energy and money into keeping itself safe and secure, but we are still not at peace. Christ promised he would leave his peace and his Spirit with us. He promised he would "be with us always, even to the end of the age." And he is. So the peace he gives us that the world cannot give us is the gift of himself. And that is what we celebrate at Christmas – the gift of Christ coming to each and every one of us. As Pope Francis concluded, “We should ask for the grace to weep for this world, which does not recognise the path to peace. To weep for those who live for war and have the cynicism to deny it, … God weeps, Jesus weeps.” The gift of Christ is a peace that gives us the peace to help ride the storms of life; and yet gives us no peace while human beings still suffer. May we never just see Christmas as a distraction from the troubles of our world, but as a reminder of the peace that we continue to strive and long for, even when our world cannot give it. Shalom Mark The Magazine Thank you for all the interesting articles and reports put forward this year. May I have articles for February by January 24th, please? Catriona Blackwood 3
THANK YOU GREETINGS FORM MALLORCA. Millie and Joe (Bald) would like to wish all their friends at Pilrig St Paul’s a very Happy Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year. Thank you very much for the flowers I was given on Sunday 8th November. They were much appreciated. Ella Gilfillan Thank you for the lovely flowers given to me on Communion Sunday. They were much appreciated and really brightened my day as I was recovering from a nasty fall. Jeanette Sime LEITH CHURCHES TOGETHER (LCT) On behalf of the L.C.T. and the Sailors Society, can I thank everyone who contributed to the seafarers Christmas gifts which will be distributed through Scotland. This year we made up 550 gift bags specially designed with a Christmas message and the L.C.T. logo printed on the front of the red drawstring bag. Each bag contained a woolly hat, tooth brush and paste and a Christmas card designed by a Leith Academy secondary pupil. In addition a further 3 gifts were also included, eg pen, notepad, comb, playing cards, dominoes or a small novelty gift or sweets. The gifts will be given out very soon at ports around Scotland, where the seafarers who are many miles from home will appreciate your kindness. Once again, many thanks for your generosity and continued prayers for the families who are apart at Christmas. Eric Fisher 4
CAN YOU VOLUNTEER TO HELP AT PILRIG St PAUL’S? There is plenty to do with the open doorway, foodbank, coffee on a Sunday, pastoral work etc. Do you have ideas for other projects led by the Church? Whatever your skills, you could be of help and inspiration to fellow members. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN HELPING WITH ANY OF THESE, PLEASE CONTACT THE LEADER/CONVENER WHO WILL BE HAPPY TO TELL YOU ABOUT WHAT IS ENTAILED
SOME OF THESE VOLUNTARY POSTS INVOLVE BEING ON OUR SAFEGUARDING REGISTER. IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY ON IT, CATRIONA BLACKWOOD, THE SAFEGUARDING COORDINATOR, IS HAPPY TO ADVISE YOU ABOUT THIS AND SET UP ALL THE NECESSARY DETAILS.
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WHAT’S ON IN DECEMBER 2015 Sunday, 6th December 11:00am Sunday Worship Tuesday 8th December 2:00pm The Guild Readings & Carols, Bring and Buy Sunday, 13th December 11:00am Gift Service We welcome gifts for the less able members of the congregation and for young people who would otherwise receive no gift this Christmas. Tuesday 17th December The Guild Christmas Lunch Sunday, 22nd December 11:00am Sunday Worship Thursday, 24th December All age Service 6.30pm Watchnight Service 11.30pm Friday, 25th December 10 am CHRISTMAS DAY Worship Sunday, 29th December 11:00am Sunday Worship Every Tuesday and Thursday – Open doorway 10.30am12.30pm for tea, coffee and a chat, or some quiet time in the sanctuary. Please note the Open Doorway will not operate on 17th December as there will be a schools service held in the church that morning.
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WHAT’S ON IN JANUARY 2016 Sunday, 3rd January 11:00am Sunday Worship Sunday, 10th January 11:00am Epiphany Joint Communion in Pilrig St Paul’s Tuesday, 12th January 2pm The Guild Rev Mark Foster Theme and Communion Sunday, 17th January 11:00am Sunday Worship Sunday, 24th January, 2016 11:00am Communion Service 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. Tuesday, 26th January 2:00pm The Guild Scottish Afternoon
Every Wednesday – Foodbank distribution
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Prayer Corner Michael Head Moira and Jim Fergie Isabel Hannay Matthew Green Agnes MacAuley Evelyn Turner Margaret Gunn Murdo and Joy MacLeod Mary Currie Norrie Frazer Gary Fraser
Jack McArthur Jim and Jean Tait Helen Greig Frances Chambers Betty Lauder and family Isabel Fyfe Isabel Pert Charlie and Joyce Forman June Welsh Jackie Allan
Please inform Roy Eprile of any changes to be made, so that we can keep the prayer list up to date. The food bank is designed to help individuals and families in crisis through the provision of emergency food supplies. Local care professionals in the Leith area refer people, with a food voucher, to the Foodbank distribution point where they are given their food supplies. WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE MORE HELPERS, EITHER FOR A WEDNESDAY 4.30-6pm IN THE OPEN DOORWAY OR TO COLLECT SUPPLIES. For further information, please contact Roy Eprile
If you want more information, or are unsure how to do this, please speak to me. Mark Wexelstein Treasurer 8
Pastoral Care Team Another year almost over and we are all probably saying ‘where did that year go?’ By the time you are reading this, our city will have been transformed into ‘Edinburgh Christmas’ and the festive tourists will have arrived in their masses. A busy time of year for everyone however remember how important it is to also take time out and relax so that you can enjoy this special time of year! The Pastoral Care Team wish you and you family & friends all the best for the festive season when it comes around. Leith Community Cinema You may want to start celebrating the season by joining us at one of our December screenings. To book you can do this by putting your name on the list in the Open Doorway, on-line or by phone. Please visit our website on http://www.leithcommunitycinema.com , call us on 0131 510 6662 or send an e-mail on info@leithcommunitycinema.com. Elf, a film for all ages that will make you laugh and certainly cheer you up. The film is being shown at 4pm on Thursday 10th December to accommodate children coming after school. The café opens at 3pm and we will have a festive theme to this screening with fruit punch and mince pies so this is likely to be a popular screening. White Christmas is being shown on Wednesday 16th December at 2pm. We will be offering a hot drinks and mince pies with doors opening at 1.30pm. If you would like to help or be involved in any way with the Community Cinema and Café please let me know, as we are keen to create a team to work with us on the on-going development of the cinema. Cardigan Tea Cosy Thank you to everyone who placed orders for our tea cosies and to the team of talented knitters! The tea coises were a real success with over 30 orders for them. They are now being delivered to ensure that they are in time for Christmas as many of them were ordered as gifts. 9
They are heading all over the country and also some to USA, Canada and Norway. This has raised valuable funds for the work of the Pastoral Care Team in 2016. Thank you. Dance Class The taster class went very well at the Guild meeting on the 10th November with visitors from the Inverlieth St Serf’s Guild joining us. Karen prepared a taster session and was also able to improvise with the poem read out at the start of the meeting leading us in telling the story of the poem through our dance. The Dance Classes will commence in January and will run until June on the first Wednesday of each month at 11am in the Session Room for an hour. The class will be followed by a lunch together. If you would like to join the class please let me know. Helping Hands Please remember to let us know if you would like a visit or phone call from us or would like to arrange this for a member of our congregation you feel would appreciate this type of support. Our team are trained and able to support in a number of ways with pastoral care. All you need to do is complete a Helping Hands form and pop it into the box in the Open Doorway of the Church or speak/call any of our team. We are looking for one new member for our team. If you would like to join us please let me know. Pastoral Care Team Mark Foster - Minister, Catriona Blackwood – Elder, Magazine Editor Christine Edington Ella Gilfillan Linda Gill – Elder and Pastoral Care Team Leader Cathy Purdie Fiona Rankin – Elder Jeanette Sime – Elder and Roll Keeper Linda Gill Pastoral Care Team Leader 669-7409 or helpinghands@pilrigstpauls.org.uk 10
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Scottish Charity no. SCO07277 www.pilrigstpauls.org.uk www.leithchurchesforum.org.uk OUR WHEELCHAIR ENTRANCES ARE IN PILRIG STREET
Cover photo Antje Armstrong Crib scene made by Antje and the late Andrew Armstrong
MINISTER Rev Mark Foster minister.psp@gmail.com (332 5736) SESSION CLERK John Innes - 33 Monktonhall Place, Musselburgh (07563 248722) pilrig@btinternet.com THE CONGREGATIONAL BOARD CLERK Aileen Fraser (07936 716 765) ASSISTANT CLERK Maria Croall (07747 071 545) CORRESPONDENCE to: pspcongragationalboard@gmail.com 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) SAFEGUARDING CO-ORDINATOR Mrs Catriona E.W. Blackwood - 4 Cambridge Gardens (554 6183) cewblackwood@tesco.net PROPERTY CONVENER Eric Fisher (552 8982) 104 Crewe Crescent HALL LET GROUP psp.halluse@gmail.com ORGANIST and CHOIRMASTER Colin Gray (07901 556 217) SUNDAY CLUB LEADER Mark Wexelstein (665 6881) mark.wexelstein@googlemail.com CHRISTIAN GIVINGS CONVENER 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)