Church News. Spring 2018

Transcription

1 Church News Spring 2018

2 Friends, I m not very good with heights and I m not very gymnastic ; I don t think I ever could be a trapeze artist even if I wanted to be! However, I read a book last year which suggested that, at lots of points in our lives, we are like the trapeze artist who has let go of one bar and is waiting in mid-air for the other bar to come along and grab onto it. That inbetween time is scary, dangerous, uncertain, but the same moment is full of excitement and anticipation. Life is full of in-between moments, the times when we leave behind familiar places to move on to somewhere new, or when life as we ve known it changes and we re forced to face up to new circumstances. There is a moment in that process when we ve let go of the familiar, but not yet embraced the new that s the point when we become the trapeze artist! I suppose it depends on our point of view is that an uncertain, frightening moment? Or is it an exciting, exhilarating time? From the moment when we re born till the time when we die, Life is full of inbetween moments. Children face changes without always being able to put their feelings into words; young people agonise over some in-between moments because they are beginning to understand their emotions, so these moments become tough; adults face all kinds of in-between moments and sometimes we deal with these things well and other times we don t. Sometimes these are exhilarating moments and at other times they are frightening. It depends on what the moment is! In the book of the Psalms there is a little collection called the Songs of Ascents (Psalms ). These are short poems, songs and prayers, each with a different mood, that are thought to have been sung by people going up to Jerusalem for one of the great religious festivals, songs that at the same time reflect a life lived to God. These are also described as songs of transition because they begin with the person of faith leaving behind familiar places to begin to travel towards Jerusalem, and on the way, encountering new and sometimes unsettling experiences. His courage and strength come from seeing that God travels with him and gives him courage and strength. Churches face these in-between moments as well, times when we need to let go of what has become familiar because we know we need to face up to new challenges and new circumstances. There are two possible mistakes: one is to chase the gimmick, or try to buy success the quick way. The other is to hold on to the familiar for too long, being quite unprepared to step out in faith to make the changes that need to be made. The wise church knows exactly the right moment to let go of one bar and grab hold of the other, the perfect trapeze artist! Easter Saturday is an in-between moment. Good Friday is past, and Jesus has died. Easter Sunday has not yet come. Jesus friends are uncertain, frightened, hiding. We believe in resurrection and the God who raised Jesus. That same power gives us courage and strength to face our inbetween moments and to face them with faith. Jim

3 TREASURER S REPORT Accounts for 2017: The Annual Report and Accounts for 2017 has been approved by the Trustees and is now available. A copy is also on the Church website. Details of the Accounts will be very briefly explained and any questions answered at the Stated Annual Meeting on Sunday 18th March. You should bring your copy along to the Meeting. Budget for 2018: An increase in Offerings is required to meet our financial obligations and it is hoped that this can be achieved. Last year we managed to have only a small difference between income and expenditure but that was helped through receiving a legacy of 10,000 and a one off donation of 6,250 (including gift aid). This is separate from Shaping the Future. Stewardship: We are running a campaign to encourage those who give by standing order to increase their monthly amount by a minimum of 5. We also encourage those who give by WFO to change to bank standing order as it will reduce the time counting money after the morning service. It also helps the new banking arrangements. Once again those who do not give by Gift Aid but pay Income Tax are invited to sign up to this method of increasing givings by 25%. Details of the campaign are enclosed. Fundraising: Increasing the amount of church funds by fundraising is an essential way to make ends meet. Additional funds would help our buildings project Shaping the Future which is not yet complete. Any ideas for fundraising will be gratefully received to help finish the work required. Opportunity: Is anyone interested in taking over from me as Treasurer? I would be very willing to help with a transfer of this role to anyone with a knowledge of book-keeping and excel spreadsheets. Please get in touch. R Douglas Buchanan Treasurer WEEKLY FREEWILL OFFERING New sets of Weekly Freewill Offering envelopes are about to be distributed for the period April 2018 to March Recently, a number of members have moved away from donation by WFO to bank standing order and no longer need these. You will continue to receive a set of envelopes unless you tell me that you no longer wish one. Please contact me if this is the case. I am in church most Sundays - ask the door team to point me out - or call You can change from WFO to standing order at any time, not just at the start of the financial year. Just make the necessary arrangements with your bank. Please let me know so that you stop receiving WFO envelopes. WFO envelopes continue to be used. If you wish to start donating by this method please contact me and I will get a set of envelopes to you. Thank you Lesley Grieve WFO Administrator

4 BIBLE READING Booklets and a Daily Reading List are available in the vestibule at the front door of the Church to encourage daily reading of God s Word. The material available is as follows:- Every Day with Jesus Booklet Our Daily Bread Booklet Word For Today Booklet Word for You Booklet for Young People. 3 Year Bible Reading Plan Every Word in the Bible to take you completely through the Bible, reading every word. (Scottish Bible Society) You can also view the material on the Church Web Site on the Home Page - Daily Bible Study Materials - by clicking on the blue description of the Bible reading material Taking, say, a Booklet, with daily readings supported by a commentary can be a way of opening up your spiritual journey or can be helpful in keeping you on that spiritual journey. There is also the opportunity to join other people sharing a Bible Study at Church Wednesday meetings led by our Minister. If you wish more information about Bible Reading Material please speak to Ian Aitken or Yvonne Hunter. Nurture Team.. the seed on the good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. Luke 8 v 15 CHRISTIAN AID WEEK 13th-19th MAY Every year, we have the chance to support the work of Christian Aid across the world. This year, we will make envelopes available as usual, but the Nurture Team also has a plan to have lunch together on May 13th after the morning service. The service itself will be an all-age event and will involve members of the congregation as well as some of the children and young people as we reflect on the needs of the world around us and what we can do to make a difference to it. Watch this space for more to come Jim Dewar Minister s Sermons READ IT AGAIN! READ IT FOR THE FIRST TIME! LISTEN TO AN AUDIO VERSION ON THE WEB SITE! LISTEN ON A CD OF A MORNING SERVICE Did you want to read the Minister s Sermon from last Sunday? Did you miss it? Were there bits of it you didn t understand? Go to the Church website at and follow the link to sermons and you will find them there. Alternatively, go to the publications area in the Sanctuary for paper copies. There are also sets of Sermons from back to 2009 in titled folders for read and return. Or get a CD copy of a Morning Service from Sandra Paulin.

5 THE GREEN STROLLERS On Monday 5 th February, thirty five Green Strollers attended our annual dinner at Kingsknowe Golf Club. This has become a favourite venue and, as always, the meal and the service were excellent and enjoyed by all. A big thank you to Jim Walker for being the prime mover in the arrangements. We will shortly be meeting to decide our new walking calendar and will be looking for volunteers to lead a walk. A few people have already volunteered but we are always looking for new leaders. If you are interested, please make yourself known to Beth Walker or Jeanette Campbell, who will be happy to add your name to the list. A date will be announced soon for all leaders to meet to discuss the programme for the year. All new members welcome. Come and join us. Happy Strolling! Jeanette Campbell It has been some time since you have had an update of the Leprosy Mission Collection. The money comes from the Guild of Friendship members, their friends and family, members from St Margaret s Court and the collection phials at the Church entrance. The money collected is now donated to the Mission once a month because of the change since the bank closed in Juniper Green. Margaret Woodrow, the Guild President, offered to help me in to the West End bank one Friday with a heavy bag of money. Margaret brought her shopping trolley and we wheeled the money in it, on the bus then along to the bank with big grins on our faces. The bag had in it, no wonder it was heavy! We treated ourselves to a cup of tea and cake before we returned home. Please look at the letter of thanks from the Mission on the Guild Notice Board in Hall 2. Hopefully we will have a speaker at one of our meetings after the summer break and I m sure it will be most interesting, The amount collected from September until the end of February was a fantastic thank you all for your wonderful donations. You make me feel very happy and proud to know that we have so many caring people in our Church and roundabout. Bless you all and thank you again! Sheena Blair

6 NEW TEAM LEADERS Over the last couple of months, two of the Kirk Session s teams have new leaders. Yvonne Hunter has become leader of the Prayer Team and Michael Merriman is the new leader of the Nurture Team. Yvonne has been the leader of the Nurture Team for a few years; she agreed to move across to the Prayer Team. This is Michael s first experience of team leadership in a church context, but he brings lots of gifts and skills to the job. We look forward to the continuing work and influence of these teams in the life of the congregation and wish Yvonne and Michael well; do remember them in your prayers. GUILD OF FRIENDSHIP Our first meeting in January 2018 was held on a very cold afternoon but Hall 3 was warm and full of happy ladies who welcomed Rev. Jim Dewar who offered us communion. This has become a regular and much appreciated start to our new spring session. Our second meeting was led by the very competent Fair Trade Committee from Juniper Green Primary School. The pupils talked us through an informative Power Point presentation and showed us examples of what products we can buy to support Fair Trade. Our last topic, Down Memory Lane, was led by our own members and friends who talked about their memories, shared their various treasures and explained all about them and read from bygone books and cards. An afternoon to remember the good old days which provided lots of fun and laughter. A warm invitation is extended to all both gentlemen and ladies to come and join us for fellowship and friendship and interesting speakers. Margaret Woodrow Jim Dewar

7 FRESH START A big thank you to all who contributed to the "try praying" advertising campaign in the run up to Easter. Our retiring offering collected almost 200 to help towards this. Many of us have seen the "try-praying "adverts on our buses. These are becoming more familiar and can have a powerful effect leading people to Jesus and beginning their journey of faith. Over 40% of people in Edinburgh recognise the logo and many have prayed as a result. This provides a unique opportunity for Christians and churches in the city. Thank you all for the tremendous support for Fresh Start. This year I have already made 4 trips with a full boot to Ferry Road Drive. All our donations are warmly received. Donations for the following months are: March - Dishes and cutlery April - Cleaning materials and light bulbs May - Bedding (laundered and ready for use) As previously mentioned, the intimation on the first Sunday of the month will be an Appeal directly from Fresh Start for items they particularly require. They still need our regular items from the above list. Thank you for your continued support. Do check the noticeboard in Hall 2 for a monthly update of support to clients. This couldn t happen without your help. Marjorie Hope Over the past few years our church family has been actively involved In the "try praying " campaign. We are seeing God at work through the "try praying" bus adverts, church banners and booklets. We are thankful to God for his blessing at this time and pray for him to be made known in this amazing city of ours. Yvonne Hunter

8 MEN S FELLOWSHIP The second Breakfast Meeting of Session 2017/18 took place on Sunday 3 rd December when Martin Elliot gave a talk on the topic Called or collared: discerning God s Calling on My life. Martin introduced his talk by sharing his journey of faith before joining Juniper Green Parish Church where he became an Elder at the age of 21. He also spoke about the Edinburgh Young Preacher s Group which was setup by several young men he had been at Heriot-Watt University with. The Group aim to share God s Word and have spoken at a number of diverse churches across Edinburgh and the surrounding areas and has led to a desire by Martin to better understand what God s calling is for his life. Martin is now taking part in the Church of Scotland s Discernment Process for Ministry. This process involves him spending time reflecting on what God is calling him to do, working with a mentor, Rev Ian Wells of Ratho Church, a previous member of our Church. Following Martin s talk there was a good discussion which left all reflecting on their faith journey. The third Breakfast Meeting of 2017/2018 took place on Sunday 18 February when the speaker was Heather Merriman, the Family Worker for Currie Kirk and Juniper Green Parish Church. Heather s topic was Ways Men can support the activities of the Family Worker. Initially, Heather spoke about her faith journey with recollections dating back to the age of 6 to the present time when she found herself called to her present post of Family Worker. This has involved her in Scripture Union activities with camps and with SU esteam School Groups and also Open Door Café/Toddler Groups and Messy Church, in both Currie Kirk and here in our Church. She also is involved with Bible Alive Courses in Primary Schools. She has been organizing Family Games Nights and is currently planning Youth Nights and a 1 day Holiday Club. The overall plan is to help children, young people, and adults (parents, grandparents, carers, and teachers) to explore a faith journey while developing strong community relationships. Following her talk there was a short period of question and answer. Heather emphasized the support required was prayer and any gifts the men could bring to any of the activities in Currie and Juniper Green. A Men s Dinner is planned for 5 th April 2018 to be held in the Baberton Golf Club and Rebecca Tennant Community and Events Officer of Crossreach Church of Scotland will be the afterdinner speaker.. Anyone wishing more details about the Fellowship Meetings or who has suggestions concerning speakers or format please speak to Ian Aitken or Michael Merriman, both members of the Nurture Team. Nurture Team "..you may know the hope to which he has called you..and his incomparably great power for us who believe.. Ephesians 1 v 18.

9 Prayers from Tearfund: Eruptions of violence are devastating communities in various parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The latest fighting in the Kasai region has left three million people without enough to eat including 400,000 children. Clashes between the army and rebel groups has meant farmers have been unable to plant crops for several years. In total seven million people are in need of humanitarian support across the DRC. Tearfund and our partners are there, working with those in greatest need. Please pray for a calming of violence across the DRC and pray that affected communities would not enter a cycle of retaliation and revenge. Please pray for all those who are suffering and caught up in the violence. Ask God to protect our team and partners in DRC as they work in these difficult circumstances. Prayer for Syria: At least 428 people, including 98 children, have been killed in the aerial offensive on the besieged rebel suburb of Damascus in one of the worst episodes of violence in the seven-year-long war. A lot of bullets will be fired today in this broken region. But just imagine that because of your small prayer, one less bullet may be fired. One more person may receive aid. One more family may even find the security and resources to stay, rather than make a treacherous journey. And one boat less might sink. Pray for the Tearfund workers in the Middle East for the wisdom and discernment to deal with the situations they come across and to comfort the people in distress Pray that the monthly food packages we deliver would stretch to feed extra mouths, and that in places where we or others can t deliver, scarce supplies would be multiplied. Pray for those who have lost loved ones, that they would find peace and comfort in those around them. Prayer from Christian Aid for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. Luke 4:2 Pray for the Count Your Blessings Lent Christian Aid resource to transform hearts and minds as we journey towards Easter. Give thanks for Christian Aid partners across the world who are working to support internally displaced people, of whom there are more than forty million, representing two-thirds of all the world s displaced people. Pray that these people, so often overlooked, get the attention and support they need. Pray that during Lent we would be encouraged to count our blessings and give thanks for God s provision. Fiona Elliot

10 Family News BAPTISMS February 25 th Cameron Fraser David Bell. son of David and Rachel Bell, Baberton Mains Congratulations to Jen Laver, Juniper Green, who will celebrate her 95th birthday on 28th March Peggy Fisher, Juniper Green, who will celebrate her 90th birthday on 13th April Greg McIntosh, Corstorphine, who will celebrate his 80th birthday on 27th April. DISJUNCTION The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you By Certificate of Transference Miss Emma Dunn, Edinburgh EH12 8XH January 23 rd February 8 th February 10 th FUNERALS I am Resurrection and the life Summer Church News Mr John Smith, Baberton Mains Mrs Helen Duncan, Juniper Green Mrs June Fulton, Currie Articles for the Summer edition of the Church News should in by 24 th May. They may be handed to Alison Robertson or sent to jgchurchnews@gmail.com. John and Helen Lumsden thank the congregation for the flowers and good wishes for their Diamond Wedding Anniversary and for the flowers during John s illness. As relatively new members we very much appreciate the friendliness and kindness shown by everyone. Springtime Glory From " A Collection of Blessings " by Helen Steiner Rice Flowers buried beneath the snow Awakening again to live and grow. Leaves that fell to the earth to die Enriching the soil in which they lie. Lifeless-looking, stark,stripped trees Bursting with buds in the springtime breeze Are just a few examples of The greatness of God's power and love, And in this blaze of springtime glory, Just who could doubt in the Easter story!

11 The Noticeboard Communion Services Jesus said: Do this, to remember me Sunday 4th March 10.30am Communion Service Thursday 29th March 7pm Joint Maundy Thursday Communion in Currie Kirk Sunday 1st April 9.30am Easter Communion Sunday 6th May Informal Communion Service after the morning service Sunday 3rd June 10.30am Communion Service Messy Church Saturday March 31st at 3.30pm in Hall 1 Messy Easter The Thursday services Thursday March 15th, April 19th, May 17th, June 21st at 10.30am in St Margaret s Court Lorimer House services - Sundays March 25th, April 29th, May 27th, in Lorimer House at 3pm. Soup and Roll Lunch March 30th, April 27th, May 25th and June 29th in Hall 1 from 12noon 2pm; soup, roll, tray bake, tea or coffee; 3. Church Wednesday will begin again in April, with the prayer time at 7pm and the Bible Study at 7.30pm in Hall 3; see the leaflet for more details. Prayers for Healing take place after the morning service on the third Sunday of each month; we have a list of names of people who are ill and have asked for prayer, there is then a short Bible reading and a prayer in which we include the list of names. It is quite a simple service but many have found this prayer time to be significant. STATED ANNUAL MEETING 18th March The Annual meeting of the congregation will take place after the morning service, at 12 noon, on Sunday 18th March. We will have lunch together first, and then we will take time to do the formal business of the day. We will consider the annual accounts of the congregation, reflect on the events of the last 12 months, hear something of the building project and discuss anything else on your mind. Do come along and take part; get yourself a free lunch ticket (to know how many people will turn up!), available from the catering team.

12 CONTACT WHO S WHO NAME Minister Session Clerk Temporary Treasurer Beadle Bereavement Care Team. Catering Christian Action Team Church Halls Cleaning Team Church Secretary Communications Team Crèche Flower Convener Freewill Offering Administrator Fresh Start Organiser Garden Team Co-ordinator Gift Aid Treasurer Girlguiding District Commissioner Green Strollers Walking Group Global Church Co-ordinator Guild of Friendship Halls Convener Kids Church Ladies Badminton Club Leprosy Mission Magazine Distribution MSM Nurture Team Open Door Café & Toddlers Group Organist and Choirmaster Prayer Team Joint Property Conveners Recordings of Church Service Roll Keeper Safeguarding Youth Group Rev James S Dewar Ross MacKay Douglas Buchanan George Anderson Jim Dewar Sandy Watt Jean Dewar Elaine Wilson Alison Robertson Shona Cook Aileen Hardie Hilda McNeil Lesley Grieve Marjorie Hope Jean Dewar Vacancy Jean Dewar (Jeanette Campbell (Beth Walker Fiona Elliot Margaret Woodrow Alison Robertson Vacancy Alison Buchanan Sheena Blair Isabel Campbell Martin Elliot Michael Merriman Inez Paisley Florence Kinnear Yvonne Hunter (Ian Gilmour (Andrew Watson Sandra Paulin Isabel Campbell Maureen Heathwood Alison Robertson Church Office is open on Friday mornings am Church Website: jgpc@supanet.com Facebook Juniper Green Parish Church