St andrew's and St George's West Edinburgh October Diary and Newsletter

St Andrew’s and St George’s West Diary and Newsletter

October 2013

In this issue

Do you have elephants in Scotland? Autumn Music Autumn Lecture Series TOGETHER News

2 St Andrew’s and St George’s West, Edinburgh. October 2013 Diary and Newsletter www.stagw.org.uk

Autumn 2013 DO YOU HAVE ELEPHANTS IN SCOTLAND? The Malawi group

3-6

WORSHIP Ian Gilmour 7

CHURCH LIFE

Autumn Diary (to end November) Diary news from church groups Announcements

8-9 10 10

CREATIVE LIFE

Autumn Music – Noriko Ogawa 11

Laura Cioffi – Malta Concert 12-13

October Music and Meditation 14

Autumn Lectures 15

MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD

L’Arche – Fresh Start Food Station 16

EcoCongregation 17

Volunteering at St Andrew’s and St George’s West 18

Christian Aid Film Night and Autumn Diary dates 19

INNER LIFE

Peter Millar reflects 20-22

Deepening our Spiritual life – Jenny Williams – Haddington Festival of prayer – 24/7 Prayer Initiative – Creative Supervision - Spill the Beans – Greenbelt

23-24

OFFICIAL VERSIONS

Edinburgh Presbytery at STAGW Church and Society Conference – Fresh Expressions

25 26

TOGETHER News 27-32

JUST Festival Highlights – Workplace Chaplains – Cornerstone Bookshop

A long and colourful history 33-35

Contacts 36

Design/layout: Andrena and Alison B Mailing Rosemary W Email: inspire (at) standrewsandstgeorges (dot) org (dot) uk Online magazine: www.issuu.com Thanks to all contributors. Photo Credits: Malawi group, Deborah Miller, Christine Craig, Andrena Crawford, Alison Bruce. Next copy deadline Mon 28 Oct for publication Sun 2 Nov

http://www.stagw.org.uk/

http://www.issuu.com/


Do you have elephants in Scotland?

Never was communication more universal than in our musical interactions. Music is a cultural and social necessity in Malawi, and singing is the natural extension of the soul. Having written and rehearsed a short round using an English and Chichewa text, we were able to fully participate in any social event, be it a simple meal with friends or a two-hour long Sunday service!

Most moving though was the restrained yet hopeful chorus sung by the assembled prisoners whilst we entered for the service we were attending at Mulanje prison with the people of Mulanje mission church. Our group’s singing of Amazing Grace in the presence of roughly 300 inmates set before the dominance of Mount Mulanje will surely be a life-long memory. During worship, choirs were invited to sing – groups of prisoners sang, we sang, women’s guild members sang and danced. We distributed sugar, fruit juice and soap. Food is short and the soap we took will make life more



bearable there, but human contact is even more precious. It means so much, the chaplain said, that you think of us in this place.

A hike up to 2000m on Mount Mulanje retraced steps of Hepburns and Baxters. Panoramas across the Malawian and Mozambican plains intersperse with sights of some of the twenty peaks of the massif: deep blue, dark brown or light green depending on the light. The rough path goes through densely wooded slopes and grasslands packed with bird species and wild flowers in yellows, orange and purples; and the springtime slopes down from Lichenya plateau had many russet-coloured trees. There were signs of hunters of antelope and monkey and the occasional beautiful scent from the improper cutting of protected cedar.

Stuart Murray Mitchell plays David Livingstone at the Livingstone 200 celebrations in Blantyre, Malawi, September 2013



The wildlife was a delight to everyone. From the gecko gasping in the loo in Emily’s hut, to the elephants that were THERE! when we got out of the minibus at Liwonde, to the hippos in the Shire River, to the elegant impala and the sociable warthogs, we found that television does not prepare you for the wonder of African wildlife: the 5 species of kingfisher for Ian, the snake eagle eating a snake impressing even Emily, photos of the African fish eagle in action, the open-billed stork and the sacred ibis like birds in a tomb painting and Alison’s favourite - in spite of multi-coloured weavers and iridescent sunbirds - the hamerkop, the oddest bird in Malawi!

Worship was rich, colourful and memorable, though not a brief experience. We arrived at 7.20am and completed the second service at 12.15pm. I had never experienced five choirs singing so enthusiastically one after another in every service. All of our group got to participate, some being invited to pray at short notice; it kept them on their toes. The services were held in a lovely building, full of light with decent congregations. Surprisingly, they had a small regular list of just twelve hymns, few Malawian melodies and no Psalms. However, everyone sang and danced when given any opportunity, moving beautifully, idiosyncratically and joyously from their hips. To have been present at the 200

th anniversary celebrations of the

birth of David Livingstone in the country to which he brought Christianity, commerce and civilisation is an unforgettable experience. A two-hour service attended by a Cabinet minister as well as Synod dignitaries was followed by a parade of four floats; a drama about Livingstone’s fight against the slave trade, with our own Stuart Mitchell playing the part of Livingstone; displays of the work of the hospital; a lunch shared with many invited guests; games of netball and football between selected teams and enthusiastic spectators who sat patiently under the hot Malawi sun. In Malawi most families eat nsima, which is made from ground maize and has the consistency of thick, fine porridge. It has a plain taste so it is served with relishes such as beans cooked with



tomatoes or spinach. Since most families are living below the poverty threshold, meat is too expensive to have regularly. On special occasions fish or chicken may be added to the relishes. During our time in Malawi we were invited for lunch at the Abusa's (minister's) house. Here the traditional Malawian nsima was served in addition to chicken, beef stew, rice, green vegetables and various sauces and relishes.

The beauty of the place is complicated. There is always a small hint of sadness and desperation on the breeze of Malawi but visitors to the country are hit hard with feelings of love, togetherness, hope for better things and a huge and inspiring trust in God and that help with come to them.

Blessings to all,

Stuart Mitchell, Ruth Forrester, James McNeill, Alison Campbell, Ian Gilmour, Mary Margaret Scott, Andrew Carvel, Emily Walker.



Worship

Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness. Desmond Tutu The most valuable thing the Psalms do for me is to express the same delight in God which made David dance. C.S. Lewis

Sunday Worship

Worship strengthens and transforms. Worship is helpful for our growth as followers of Jesus Christ,

so consider joining us Sunday by Sunday. Join us for

Communion at 9am All Age Worship at 9.45am

A progressive pattern of morning worship at 11am

October 2013

Sun 6 Oct 11am (no 9.45 today)

Harvest Thanksgiving: Living in God’s Way 2 Timothy 1:1–14; Luke 17:5–10

Sun 13 Oct 11am Expressing Gratitude Luke 17:11–19

Sun 20 Oct 11am To Speak and Be Heard Luke 18:1–8

Sun 27 Oct 11am No Distance Too Great Luke 18:9–14

November 2013

Sun 3 Nov 11am The Strength of Our Witness Luke 19:1–10

Sun 10 Nov 10.50am

Remembrance Service with our friends in the Edinburgh German Speaking Congregation. Psalm 145 1-5, 17-21



Autumn Diary October 2013

Fri 4 Oct 7.30pm Malta Choir Concert (p13)

Sat 5 Oct Quizaid at St John’s (p19)

Sun 6 Oct Harvest, Fellowship Lunch Mary’s Meals 9am, NO 9.45am, 11am services

Mon 7 Oct Hellenic Society

Wed 9 Oct Music and Reflection (p14) EcoCongregation meeting (p17)

11-14 Oct Choir Trip to Malta

Sun 13 Oct 9am, 9.45am, 11am services

Wed 16 Oct Music and Reflection (p14)

Sat 19 Oct Noriko Ogawa concert (p11)

Sun 20 Oct 9am, 9.45am, 11am services Stewardship (p10)

Mon 21 Oct Book Group (p10)

Tue 22 Oct Christian Aid Film Night (p18)

Wed 23 Oct Music and Reflection (p14) Kirk Session Meeting

Sun 27 Oct 9am, 9.45am, 11am services Quarterly Communion,YMCA Brass Choir

Mon 28 Oct Amnesty Group meets

Wed 30 Oct Music and Reflection (p14) Stewardship (p10)



November 2013

Fri 1 Nov Koto Concert

Sat 2 Mission Shaped Ministry Vision Day (p26)

Sun 3 Nov 9am, 9.45am, 11am services fellowship lunch for Amnesty

Sat 9 Nov S.O.Good Concert http://www.gavinpagan.co.uk/Events.html

Sun 10 Nov 9am, 9.45am, 10.50am services

11 –16 Nov Creative TOGETHER Sale (p19)

Tue 12 Nov Architecture of the Disruption lecture (p15)

Wed 13 Nov Harmony with Nature lecture (p15)

Sat 16 Nov Stewardship (p10)

Sun 17 Nov 9am, 9.45am, 11am services

Mon 18 Nov Book Group (p8) Kirk Session

Tue 19 Nov Evergreens (p10)

Wed 20 Nov Edinburgh Quartet Rush Hour Concert http://www.edinburghquartet.com/site/2013/diary/[email protected]

Thurs 21 Nov CA Picture Sale (p18) in Sanctuary

Fri 22 Nov CA Picture Sale (p18) in Sanctuary

Sat 23 Nov CA Picture Sale CA coffee morning Undercroft, CA small gifts and jewellery sale(p18)

Sun 24 Nov 9am, 9.45am, 11am services Monthly Communion Light Night

29-30 Nov Euripides’ Helen (Athens of the North) http://www.wfltd.com/athens_of_the_north/


http://www.gavinpagan.co.uk/Events.html

http://www.edinburghquartet.com/site/2013/diary/[email protected]

http://www.edinburghquartet.com/site/2013/diary/[email protected]

http://www.wfltd.com/athens_of_the_north/


Making things happen……………….. Please remember to let Church Office know which date you wish to attend (20

th October, 30

th October or 16

th November). A phone call

(225 3847) will be fine.

Annoucements Welcome to our new member Rev Colby

Kumwenda from Ekwendeni, Malawi

Diary news from Church Groups

Book Group: meets 3rd Monday of the month at 10.30 in the chapel. Full On The Eye, Ian Gilmour & Bill Clinkenbeard. Next meetings: Mon 21 Oct, Mon 18 Nov

Creative TOGETHER: meet at Maggie Morley’s house on the 3rd Wednesday of each month anytime between 10am and 1pm. Please feel free to come and go as you wish or stay all morning. We are an offshoot of Christian Aid TOGETHER raising funds for Christian Aid by making items for sale. Autumn meetings: Wed 9 Oct: Sale 11-15 Nov, 17 &24 Nov

Evergreens Evergreens meet on the third Tuesday of the month at 2.30pm in the Sanctuary for talks, followed by tea in the Undercroft. Autumn meetings: Tue 15 Oct: Where do we go from here: a look at housing options for older people Tue 19 Nov: Jane Austen (Maureen Kelly)

Fellowship Lunches are a chance to chat to folk you might not know and a chance to raise funds for a good cause too. Sun 6 Oct Fellowship lunch for Mary’s Meals Sun Nov 3 Fellowship Lunch for Amnesty International Remember that we can provide transport to and from church on the first Sunday of the month – speak to Averil Fifer about this.



Autumn Music at St Andrew’s and St George’s West

We are looking forward to the best season yet of music at St Andrew’s and St George’s West! First a FREE concert of sacred music from our fabulous choir before they head to Birgufest in Malta. Then the return of our popular FREE lunchtime music and meditation series, with music students from Napier University and local speakers. And finally a recital from internationally acclaimed pianist Noriko Ogawa, who will be giving her first recital in Edinburgh here in St Andrew’s and St George’s West. If you missed her at the Proms you have a chance to hear her right here, in Edinburgh, in George Street. Huge thanks to James McNeill, our stewardship convener, for making this concert happen. Saturday 19 October Lunchtime. Tickets from The Hub. http://www.hubtickets.co.uk/default.asp Tell all your friends!


http://www.hubtickets.co.uk/default.asp


Laura Cioffi (centre) is one of our music students. She has organised our choir tour to Malta. Here she shares a little of her life

Laura, tell us a little about yourself? I'm 19 and I'm Maltese, I'm currently reading for a BMus at Edinburgh Napier University and I play the flute. I love performing in ensembles and choirs and I try to join as many ensembles as I can. I enjoy swimming and cycling when I have time, which is not as often as I like. I also love languages and I'm currently planning on learning my 5th language.

what's the Maltese-Edinburgh connection? Many Maltese come to study to Edinburgh as Edinburgh provides a lot of great degrees with better resources so many choose to do their postgraduate study here. In the case of us music students at Edinburgh Napier University, the main benefactor of the Music Department, Dr. Ian Tomlin, currently resides in Malta and encourages students to go to Napier by offering scholarships.

how did you come to St Andrew's and St George's West? I joined the choir in my first year of study when Brigitte Harris asked some of the new students whether we'd be interested in joining the choir for the Nativity Play in Festival Square, and then I stayed on. Now I sing with the choir regularly while I'm in Edinburgh and occasionally play the flute in the choir's activities.

Chris, Anna, Laura, Clara and Fraser, Napier music students



The choir is singing its programme for Birgufest at its Music in Malta concert on Friday 4 October at 7.30pm.

The concert is FREE, a big thank you for all your generous support.

The programme ranges from Tallis and Purcell to MacMillan and Rutter and includes a new composition by Stuart Murray Mitchell on the Maltese melody T’adoriam ostia divina, a very popular and much-loved hymn in Malta.

Please come, and please bring your friends to make this a celebration of five centuries of

sacred music.

what’s the choir doing in Malta? The choir will be visiting Malta 11-14 October. We will be singing in Birgu, an old maritime town in Malta that was very important for the Knights of St. John in the 16th century. It even includes the Inquisitorial Palace that was used for all Inquisition. Once a year, the Local Council organizes a cultural weekend called 'Birgufest' which includes concerts by local and international groups, medieval re-enactments, historical exhibitions and traditional food. The choir has been offered one of the two main churches of Birgu as a venue for their concert on Saturday evening which will be made up of sacred music. On Sunday we will sing at St. Andrew's Scots Church in Valletta at their morning service.

What are plans for the future?

I am currently in my 3rd year of study. I have quite a busy concert and touring programme – I went to Belgium with the Universities of Scotland Symphony Orchestra and played with the Senior National Youth Orchestra of Scotland in the summer. I wish to pursue a career in performance and I am aiming at doing a postgraduate after I finish my undergrad.

Thanks Laura and bon voyage!



Wednesday 9 October at 1pm Alsace, Africa and Albert Schweitzer

Brigitte Harris | music for piano

Wednesday 16 October at 1pm America and Abraham Lincoln

John Ramsay | music for organ

Wednesday 23 October at 1pm Malawi

Mary M Scott | music for voice

Wednesday 30 October at 1pm Scandinavia

Ian Y Gilmour | music for flute

“People and Places”

music and reflection at lunchtime

free entry – all welcome

with thanks to Napier music students

and local speakers

join us for



Autumn Lectures at St Andrew’s and St George’s West

Following our series of Disruption Lectures in Spring of this year, St Andrew’s and St George’s West will again host distinguished speakers for two autumn lectures.

The Architecture of the Disruption Professor John R Hume Tuesday 12 November at 7.30pm John R Hume is Honorary Professor at the Universities of Glasgow and St. Andrews. He was for 20 years a lecturer in Economic and Industrial History at the University of Strathclyde, and was a Principal Inspector of Ancient Monuments, then of Historic Buildings with Historic Scotland. He is currently Convener of the Committee on Church Art and Architecture of the Church of Scotland and an advisory member of the General Trustees of the Church of Scotland.

Harmony with Nature: Economics, Justice and Mother Earth Ian Mason Wednesday 13 November at 7.30pm Ian Mason is Principal of the School of Economic Science in London. He has presented to the United Nations and in August 2013 accepted on behalf of the school the second Globalisation for the Common Good Award. Entry to both lectures is free. There will be an opportunity to make a donation to L’Arche Edinburgh.



Fresh Start: Food Station

Fresh Start’s new project offers Food Packs, a week’s supply of simple, long shelf life food for people moving into a new home.

How you can help: on the first Sunday of every month we will collect goods suitable for Food packs here at St Andrew’s & St George’s West. Fresh Start needs

Tins of beans, vegetables, new potatoes, fish, spaghetti, ravioli and macaroni meals Jars of pasta sauce and coffee (small jars) Packets of pasta, rice and biscuits Sachets of instant porridge, soup and pasta/noodles Mini Boxes of cereal Cartons of UHT milk (less than 500ml) and passata Other – small pots of salt + pepper, tea bags, tubes of tomato puree.

So please consider buying a few extras when you are shopping for food and bring them to church on the first Sunday of the month.

L’Arche Edinburgh

L’Arche was founded in 1964 by Jean Vanier and set up in Edinburgh in 1991. Every L’Arche community offers people with a learning disability a family-style living environment that encourages them to create a home, to develop their talents, to build friendships and quite simply, to make the most of life!

This year L’Arche Edinburgh is building a purpose designed house for people with learning disabilities whose support needs are increasing with age.

Find our more about the project here at http://www.larche-edinburgh.org.uk/appeal/index.html Scottish Charity No SC038493

How you can help:

On Sunday 30 September retiring collections will be taken for this project in churches throughout Edinburgh Presbytery

Retiring collections from our Autumn lectures in November will also benefit L’Arche.


http://www.larche-edinburgh.org.uk/appeal/index.html


Eco Congregation network meeting Wednesday 9 October 7.30pm in St Andrew’s and St George’s West The next EcoCongregation network meeting will be held at St Andrew’s and St George’s West on Wednesday 9 October. If you’re interested in environmental matters please come along.

Earth be Glad: What Next? Eleanor Harris of St John’s It's eight years since St John's Edinburgh launched its Eco-Congregation programme, under a title from Psalm 96, 'Earth be Glad'. This talk looks back at what we have achieved -- what we haven't achieved -- and goes back to the bible to discover that it's time we took a radically different approach to the environmental crisis. The church might never be the same again, and nor might you. ……………………………………………………………………………...

Gifford Lectures 2013-14 Lord Williams of Oystermouth will deliver this year's Gifford Lecture Series on 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, and 14 November 2013 in the Assembly Hall. The series will be entitled 'Making representations: religious faith and the habits of language' Lectures are free but booking is essential. Full details at http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/humanities-soc-sci/news-events/lectures/gifford-lectures

Islamic Civilisation Lecture Series Lectures are free but booking is essential. Full details at http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/literatures-languages-cultures/alwaleed/islamic-civilisation/islamicci2013 Garden and Landscape Design in Safavid Iran and Mughal India Fri 4 Oct 6pm at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh Writing About Music in Middle Eastern Traditions Tue 29 Oct, 7pm at St Cecelia's Hall “Dancing Under the Beloved’s Sword": classical mystic poetry in modern Iran Thurs 14 Nov, 6pm Scottish Poetry Library “The sense of the original”. Translating the Qur’an in the West Wed 4 Dec, 6pm at The Playfair Library, Old College


http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/humanities-soc-sci/news-events/lectures/gifford-lectures

http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/humanities-soc-sci/news-events/lectures/gifford-lectures

http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/literatures-languages-cultures/alwaleed/islamic-civilisation/islamicci2013

http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/literatures-languages-cultures/alwaleed/islamic-civilisation/islamicci2013


Volunteering at St Andrew’s and St George’s West

St Andrew’s and St George’s West took a stall at the Volunteer Fair. We were hoping to find folk who might enjoy being part of our café and welcome teams, or keen to share some design and communication skills.

It was a terrific day. We met all sorts of people:

young people who want to work with older people

older people who want to work with younger people

folk who want to improve their English

offices looking for teambuilding opportunities

undergraduates looking for study-related projects

graduates looking to build their CV.

folk who want a stepping stone back into employment

So watch this space – we hope we can all help each other. It was good to connect again with the Volunteer Centre which was so close to the heart of Shandwick Place, and to get a flavour of the scale and diversity of volunteering around the city.



Christian Aid Autumn Diary dates

QuizAid at St John’s Sat 5 Oct 7.30pm

Tickets £5 including the first drink from

Veronica Crerar & Margaret McGregor

………………………………………….

Creative TOGETHER Craft Stall and Sale Mon 11- Fri 15 Nov

10am-2pm Undercroft Café

also 17 Nov, St John’s

24 Nov, St Cuthbert’s Maggie Morley

…………………………………………

Christian Aid Art Sale & Coffee Morning

Thurs 21- Sat 23 Nov: Art Sale, Sanctuary Sat 23 Nov: Coffee

morning in the Undercroft with

jewellery and gift stall. Mary Davidson 07714186754

Joan Dryburgh 01383 860 153

Christian Aid Film Night Tuesday 22 October 7.30pm St Andrew’s & St George’s West

Wider Horizons and the Together Christian Aid Committee are combining to host an evening of film and discussion led by Christian Aid in our church on Tuesday 22 October at 7.30pm.

Two short films will be shown one about Climate Change and the other about International Tax Dodging. The films show the devastating effects of these matters in developing countries, but also show that solutions are not simple.

The films will be followed by discussion led by Diane Green, Campaigns Officer, and Chris Hegarty, Senior Advisor, Policy and Advocacy, for Christian Aid (Scotland). They will try to tease out some of the issues and look at what can be done to mitigate the worst effects. This will be followed by group discussion, and a final comparing of ideas.

If you want to learn more about these issues, why Christian Aid thinks it is important to campaign about them and what we can do, come along and find out. Tea and coffee will be provided. There is no charge for the evening, but donations to Christian Aid will be welcome. Veronica Crerar



The Pope, his phone calls and atheists Peter Millar

One of the social markers in modern societies is that many aspects of daily life can become impersonal. Personal lives can be very private, and although commentators may disagree about the details, millions of people may see very few other human beings in the course of a week or month or year. This is in contrast to the strong community bonds still found in poor countries and in places of suffering and violence. Yet in many ways it’s not always possible to generalise for there are still communities within affluent countries where positive human connecting is a fundamental and daily reality. Enter our new Pope, Francis who as we all now know has chosen not to live in the papal apartments inside the Vatican but in small house close by. He also drives around Vatican City in a rather battered Fiat with 200,000 miles on the clock, given to him recently by an Italian priest who was finished with it. It has also become public knowledge that Pope Francis after his day’s work is over returns to his small home and sometimes telephones people all over the world. Not for him in these calls presidents and prime ministers, or the good and the great, but people who have sent him a letter. Like Anna who addressed her note, The Pope, Vatican, Rome. Much to her astonishment after receiving her note he rang her mobile. Of course she thought it was a wind up. In her note Anna had told the Pope that she was a single pregnant person who felt that the local church might not be willing to baptise her anticipated baby. Francis told her not to worry, and that if she could not get a local priest to baptise the child he himself would do it. Wonderful. He has also said clearly that the church should be far more willing to accept the diversity within human sexuality, and that seeking meaningful peace in our world is a thousand times better than



sending missiles. Now in the sixth month as pontiff, Francis has made this conciliatory style and pragmatic openness to dialogue with groups on the margins of the church’s traditional life one of his trademarks. In a world of impersonal life-styles, millions are attracted by his approach in which human beings with their strengths and vulnerabilities actually matter. They matter to him and more importantly they matter to God. It’s a simple message, but incredibly affirming at a time when more or less all of us are at some point treated just as a number or a statistic or as a shape on a video camera. It was the approach Jesus had to those he met, whatever their situation. Time and again he saw in people their real self, their true self – a self which was deeply precious to God. Centuries ago, the Celtic church understood that truth profoundly – a fact which came home to me when I lived on the island of Iona which has been a place of Christian witness since the 6th century. Whether or not the churches understand it or can creatively respond to it, there is a huge search now going on for ways of living which are not so depersonalised and which interact, in a face to face way, with others. There is another area in the global ministry of Pope Francis which is fascinating many of us, whether Christian or not. The Pope has called for a sincere and rigorous dialogue with atheists. With those who feel sincerely that there is no God. Francis said recently: “Given – and this is the fundamental thing – that God’s mercy has no limits, if He is approached with a sincere heart, the question for those who do not believe in God is to abide by their own conscience. There is sin, also for those who have no faith, in going against one’s conscience. Listening to it and abiding by it means making up one’s own mind about what is good and evil.” So here, despite the Pope’s theological conservatism in some areas, we have a meaningful openness to those on a different path. What we all share is not doctrinal certainty but our basic humanity whatever our faith tradition. If Christians cannot come to understand this, the



world is truly impoverished. The task, which some find impossible, is to remain true to our faith journey while listening to the journeys of others. For religious fundamentalists in all faiths this is, tragically, a “no-go” area. Why is it so hard for many people in our connected world to accept human difference - especially at a time in history when we have never more needed to understand those who walk on a parallel but to us, unfamiliar, road? Thankfully, the narrow view is not the only one in our world community. A Native American prayer: Talking God, with your feet I walk: I walk with your limbs, I carry forth your body. For me your mind thinks, your voice speaks for me. Beauty is before me, and beauty is behind me, above and below me hovers the beautiful; I am surrounded by it, I am immersed in it, in my youth I am aware of it, and in my old age I shall walk quietly the beautiful trail. And from Pippa a homemaker: I long for compassion to be the hallmark of society – I long to see men honouring women and women honouring men – I long to see gentleness, tenderness and integrity in relationships between sexes, and between races and people of all ages. And the coming revolution: God invites us today to re-define prophesy: that voice of truth which often comes from surprising places. The world’s next revolution will be a religious one, but not in a sectarian way. It is a revolution just waiting to be touched and tapped. (Adapted from some words of Vincent Donovan, priest and companion of the poor. Find this and other thoughts from Peter at his blog,

petermillarreflects.blogspot.co.uk



Deepening our Spiritual Life

Singing Spirit into our Lives with Jenny Williams Praying with the whole of my being Oct 13

th

Praying with Aramaic Sounds of the Lord’s Prayer (1) Nov 10th

Praying with Aramaic Sounds of the Lord’s Prayer (2) Dec 8th

2pm-6pm at Morningside United Church £15 (£10) per session. Jenny Williams 447 0050 [email protected]

Festival of Prayer 19th October in Haddington a chance to taste different ways of praying, walk a labyrinth, with keynote address by Ray Simpson from Lindisfarne. http://www.brfonline.org.uk/festival-of-prayer-edinburgh/

24/7 Prayer initiative is holding a prayer resource day from

10am - 4pm on the 5 October at St Paul's and St George’s church suitable for individuals or groups. More details from googling 24/7 prayer.

Creative Supervision Group for Caring and Helping Roles 4 to 6 weekly, Tuesday evenings in Edinburgh

Begins in the Canonmills area of Edinburgh on Tuesday 29th October, then Tuesday 3rd December and continues until May 2014, dates TBC 7pm - 9pm

£15 per person per session. Individual 1 hour sessions are also available in weekday daytimes – please enquire. Elizabeth White 0131 552 4102 [email protected] www.reflectivespaces.org.uk

Reflective Spaces Spiritual Connections in Everyday Life


http://www.brfonline.org.uk/festival-of-prayer-edinburgh/

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.reflectivespaces.org.uk/

http://www.reflectivespaces.org.uk/


Spilling the what?

3 of us crossed the great divide to Glasgow to the first Spill the Beans Conference. Spill the Beans is an all age Scottish worship resource written by a lively bunch of practising ministers and church folk. We use it sometimes in the 9.45 Service and it’s great to read and reflect on as an adult too.

So what did we learn? We began to learn how to Spill the Beans – how to tell a story – the same story – in different ways, for all ages, sometimes with humour, sometimes with irony, sometimes turning the story inside out. Difficult? Fiendishly, but fun as well.

What else did we learn? We met a lot of folk in churches facing unions, not just two-way unions but four-way ecumenical unions. Folk whose minister had just moved and who weren’t sure whether they would be allowed to call another. Tiny congregations with big, expensive-to-maintain buildings. So… let’s give thanks for where we are, fabulous building, fabulous location, financial strength and look out and look forward to how we too can “spill the beans.” And yes, we blind-tasted a lot of far out jelly bean flavours - but you really don’t want to know about that! Mary Godden Katie McNeill Alison B

Q: Where am I? superstar speakers... fresh faces... old friends.. jazz communion… Goth Eucharist... helping your parish be a happier place… new worshipping communities… lots of music… a little bit of art …

A: Greenbelt! If you’d like to SHARE any of this or any of the other 160 talks at Greenbelt 2013 you’re welcome to borrow my very expensive CD. Even better, bring a bottle of wine and some friends and we’ll listen

together. Alison B



Edinburgh Presbytery meets at St Andrew’s and St George’s West



Church and Society Conference in Perth Saturday 26 October

speakers and workshops on key issues

open to everyone

free for more information and to book contact Church and Society Council 121 George Street 0131 240 2276 [email protected]

Fresh Expressions Edinburgh Vision Day

Fresh Expressions Edinburgh vision day is an ecumenical exploration and celebration of fresh expressions of church. Come and learn of what the Spirit is doing through new forms of church.

The day will include:

stories of fresh expressions of church in Scotland and beyond

input from Scottish church leaders plus Bishop Graham Cray and Andrew Roberts from Fresh Expressions

a celebration of the Church of Scotland joining the Fresh Expressions partnership

Saturday 2 November 10am to 4pm St Andrew's and St George West, 13 George Street, £12, including lunch and refreshments

http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/news_and_events/events/events/fresh_expressions_edinburgh_vision_day#sthash.7fxs3pVD.dpuf





TOGETHER News

An extraordinary Festival month has now well gone, but memories of alfresco eating in glorious sunshine and a feast of amazing events should sustain us in the dour autumn months. With footfall in August in the City Centre up 20% this year (30% for Princes St and George St) it must rank as possibly the most successful ever. At the front of TOGETHER’s mind has to be the JUST Festival, which we are proud to support. This goes from strength to strength, and this August it broke box office records, mounting 145 events and 450 performances, with perhaps 30,000 people coming along. The future of JUST looks bright. Among all its fine performances and discussions, a flavour of the conversations may be picked up from a brief note of two of them.

A world without religion? Richard Holloway, with Tim Maguire (from the Humanist Society of Scotland) and Sanderson Jones (founder of ‘The Atheist Church’) found surprising bits of common ground in debating whether the idea of a world without religion is remotely realistic. They all thought the abolition of religion (if it could happen) would not lead to any kind of utopia. There is a pressing need to re-understand and re-invent belief, and to guard against authoritarian conviction and absolutism in the name of religion or any other belief. Describing the parable of the Good Samaritan as ‘anti-tribal’, Holloway said ‘When your package of beliefs says you need to



attack someone else, I have an argument with it.‘ The polemical anti-religion brigade exemplified by Richard Dawkins have given way to a new breed. ‘The new New Atheists want to get away from attack as a primary mode of engagement with people they differ with.’ Overall, the loss of our sense of ‘beyond’, our awareness of transcendence, in a secular society would be incalculable. Dialogue is always better than confrontation, and this session provided it.

Credit Unions again A conversation on Social Business dealt with various aspects of the growing sector of social enterprise including Credit Unions. In the last TOGETHER News we highlighted these as the topic of an ecumenical dialogue between Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, and Albert Bogle, former Moderator of the Church of Scotland. The Archbishop wanted Credit Unions to put loan firm Wonga out of business, - and their latest buoyant profits announcement shows there is still work to be done. In the JUST conversation between Josh Littlejohn, Kirsty Burnham and Frank McKillop (chaired by Martin Simes) the extension of Credit Unions was applauded. There are at the moment over 100 of them in Scotland, serving 327,000 people, with borrowings of £24m, and another £335m saved. These numbers are small by banking standards, but the movement has enormous potential and is set to double itself by 2019. Abroad, 200m people use Credit Unions in 100 countries, including a quarter of the population in the U.S. and Canada. The movement is built by users, not investors, and there is a constant need for vigilance, to make sure they don’t end up getting privatised. Watch this space. For other JUST items, see http://justfestivalnews.blogspot.co.uk/


http://justfestivalnews.blogspot.co.uk/


Workplace Chaplains Our workplace Chaplain, Tony Bryer, is getting increasingly well-known in the City Centre. Work Place Chaplaincy Scotland (WPCS) and Lothian Buses recently put out this account of what Chaplains do. IT’S not uncommon to hear of chaplains in the forces, schools and hospitals but you might be surprised to learn that here in Edinburgh you can find them in shopping centres, the airport and even in bus depots! WPCS is a Christian charity with its roots deep in Scotland's industrial past. The organisation has evolved from the 'Scottish Churches Industrial Mission' to take up the 21

st century challenge

of providing pastoral and spiritual care to around 900 business outlets, local authorities and emergency services across the country. WPCS Edinburgh city centre chaplain Rev Tony Bryer (pictured here getting a driver's eye view of being on the buses) counts Lothian Buses, Boots in Princes Street, John Lewis, Harvey Nichols and St James Shopping among the businesses he serves. “It is a great privilege being alongside people in their working lives, sharing in both good times and difficult times, and giving support and help as appropriate. I find it a very fulfilling pattern of ministry and believe it is an essential part of the churches’ mission in our contemporary culture,” he said. Guy Hughes, Lothian Buses' Human Resource Director recognises the value of such support



for the workforce: “At Lothian Buses we have always encouraged our people to develop links with the community: the community that we both live in and serve,” he said. “WPCS in one of these many links and we know that our people truly value the support and help that they get: whether this be about a faith-based issue or one where it is just a matter of support and guidance through good times or bad. We have a diverse workforce and, whilst the WPCS is based on Christian values, we also value the connections and partnerships they hold with other faiths and denominations throughout the city.” Such is the demand for WPCS support that the charity is seeking to expand its established 25-strong Central Scotland team of volunteer chaplains. Currently it works with e.g. the Scottish Fire Service, Royal Mail, Edinburgh Airport, local authorities and retail outlets. Paul Wilson, Central Area organiser, says: “Some of our volunteers are clergy from various churches, but many are Christian lay people, with a background in retail, local government, or other business organisations. “There are exciting opportunities to expand the service we provide locally and I would be very interested to hear from people who would like to learn more about serving as a volunteer workplace chaplain. Visiting is always arranged by agreement with each workplace, and typically, chaplains would visit once or twice a week, getting to know staff at all levels in the organisation and being available to them not only in times of difficulty but in their ordinary day to day lives. “We are an independent charity, supported by the main Scottish churches, CBI Scotland, the STUC and by donations from organisations that have recognised the value to their staff of chaplaincy. We work in partnership with churches of all denominations and maintain links of mutual respect with other faith groups.”



Mr Wilson pointed out that as workplace chaplains are independent of the management structure they can therefore work in confidence to support everyone, from the managing director to the new-start apprentice. Mutual trust and respect, sensitivity and integrity are the watchwords in this type of work and WPCS follows a strict Code of Good Practice. “Volunteers have the satisfaction of knowing they are offering Christian care and individual support for all employees in an organisation's workforce; receiving quality training in various aspects of chaplaincy including trauma management and active listening skills and working as part of a chaplaincy team for mutual support and field training,” said Mr Wilson. For more information or to volunteer, please email [email protected] telephone 07703 585987 or visit the website www.wpcscotland.co.uk

Cornerstone Bookshop

Together is proud to support the Cornerstone Bookshop under St John’s. As so many bookshops falter or fail in face of the electronic threat, our bookshop carries on and is a great source of spiritual nourishment and Christian witness in the centre of the city. Margaret who, with Amanda, runs it, writes: Cornerstone, as an inclusive and ecumenical bookshop, aims to stock a wide selection of books that will encourage people to think, to ask questions and to grow. As a customer a couple of weeks ago told staff there when he thanked them for what they had done for him, giving people space to do this in an environment where they feel comfortable can make all the difference in encouraging someone to think about faith and what it means. Every time you choose to use Cornerstone to buy books (they can order most books for you – so consider using them for your latest detective


mailto:[email protected]


novel as well as for theology and spirituality!), cards or gifts you help sustain this outreach in the centre of the city.

Two books that can be found in the shop now:

Island Spirituality by Alastair McIntosh (Islands Book Trust, £10).

Margaret writes: This book explores the history and spiritual values of the islands of Lewis and Harris. McIntosh’s views, informed by an upbringing on Lewis and shaped by an international perspective and considerable original research, are sometimes controversial but always thought-provoking. His discussion of the effects of the Reformation, Clearances and Nineteenth century evangelisation as well as today’s materialistic culture will be of interest in a broader context too. The deep spirituality of the islands has much to offer us all today.

Haphazard by Starlight: A Poem a Day from Advent to Epiphany

by Janet Morley (SPCK £12.99) The thoughtfully chosen selection of poems in this book are accompanied by biblically sensitive commentaries relating the poem to the season as well as applying it to our own lives. Each day presents a poem together with its commentary and concludes with one or two short questions to provide material for reflection and prayer. The poems are taken from a wide range of sources with many contemporary poets represented in the selection. The Times review of Morley’s Lent book in the same format called it, ‘Varied, beautiful, provocative and nurturing.’ This Advent selection promises to be equally rewarding.



The Tapestry of Scotland Exhibition

‘Scotland has a long and colourful history. 143 metres to be precise.’

This was the message on banners outside the Scottish Parliament for 3 weeks in September when more than 30,000 people, some queueing for up to an hour, came to view the magnificent tapestry – 160 panels depicting the story of the nation from pre-history to the present day, celebrating the landscapes, the rich resources, the diversity of people, the achievements of Scots here and abroad, the important life-changing moments for Scotland and beyond.

How wonderful that designs for each panel, meticulously researched and drawn so imaginatively by the artist Andrew Crummy, a great supporter of community projects, and enhanced by ideas researched by the groups of over 1000 stitchers from all

L to R in chronological panel sequence: Scots In India, The Disruption, Hill and Adamson explore photography



over the country, could be brought alive with a huge range of colourful crewel embroidery stitches on linen/cotton to produce such an exciting, vibrant celebration.

Groups of excited stitchers, on preview day, rushed to check that their panel or panels in the case of our group ‘Heirs of 1843’, were up to scratch and there were sighs of relief that the disruption to their lives over the last year, the tensions and joys of making group decisions about stitches and colours, the happy and fraught hours of stitching, were all worthwhile. There were gasps of awe at the high standard of stitching and imaginative interpretation of the subject of each panel.

Scotland in Africa panel of the Great Tapestry



Our group stitched ‘The Making of the King James Bible’ and we were also given ‘The Disruption of 1843’ after putting in a strong plea for it because of the special significance for St Andrew’s and George’s West Church, the recent union of two churches both very involved in the Disruption. Indeed our building is depicted on the panel. We chose the group name ‘Heirs of 1843’ and our logo has a needle with 2 threads, one blue, one red for the united congregation. The group, made up of members of the church and a few from other congregations, and all those who added a few stitches, including 4 primary school children can feel very proud of the part we have played in this huge community project. The Tapestry includes so many details. If you were able to visit, did you notice the embroidered fleas on and around the rats on ‘The Black Death, Deserted Farms c1350s’, or Rod Stewart depicted on ‘Scotland’s World Cup Campaign in Argentina, Ally’s Army 1978, or the pair of swans on ‘Victoria and Albert at Balmoral’, with the symbolism that swans mate for life and will mourn a lost partner, as Victoria did Albert? More of these delights can be viewed when the tapestry returns, after months of touring, to the Scottish Parliament for 3 months next summer. Mary Godden



Malawi 2013

The beauty of the place is complicated. There is always a small hint of sadness and desperation on the breeze, but visitors to the country are hit hard with feelings of love, togetherness, hope for better things and a huge and inspiring trust in God that help will come to them. Read more on our trip to Malawi inside…

Undercroft Café

Mon- Fri 10 - 2

home baking soup, lunch

facebook.com/ TheUndercroftCafe

St Andrew’s and St George’s West 13 George Street Edinburgh EH2 2PA

0131 225 3847 www.stagw.org.uk facebook.com/ stagw

Charity SC008990

Minister Ian Y Gilmour Church manager Jean Howard [email protected] Church Secretary Joyce Garland

[email protected] Director of Music Brigitte Harris We’re open Monday – Friday 10am-3pm Sunday services 9am, 9.45am, 11am Daily prayers Monday-Friday 1pm

everyone is welcome

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St andrew's and St George's West Edinburgh October Diary and Newsletter

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