The Outlook from Inverleith St Serf’s DECEMBER 2016
Inverleith St Serf’s Contacts Minister Rev Joanne G Foster
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Joint Session Clerks Helen Hannan Sandy Pratt Treasurer Hugh McMichael Freewill Offering Convenors Jim Moir Sandy Smith Roll Keeper Peter Hannan
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Organist Nicky Fraser
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Choir Director Dorothy Millar
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“The Outlook” Editor Margaret Wilkinson
NEXT ISSUE Copy for the February issue of “The Outlook” should be with the editor no later than Sunday January 15. The distribution date will be Sunday January 29. “The Outlook” layout and design are by Martin Millar. This month’s cover photograph by Martin Millar, see page 9. Church Website: www. inverleithsaintserfs.org.uk Scottish Charity No. SC015442 2
Ponderings from the Manse “A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…” These words are wonderful words to begin a story. Well done, reader, if you were able to identify the film from these opening words. If you haven’t already guessed, these are the opening, words of “Star Wars”. Each of the seven films have very similar openings. Yet, when I hear these words I think…CHRISTMAS! Why? Well, because “Star Wars” has the themes of the Christmas story woven throughout it. Both “Star Wars” and the Christmas story share themes of good versus evil; love versus hate; sacrifice versus self-gratification; power in vulnerability; the need to believe in a force greater than ourselves that can transform our living. This was a deliberate choice by the author of “Star Wars”. He chose the great themes of Christianity (and other religions) to help people reconnect with the mystery of God and the spiritual values and teachings that are relevant to every generation. The seasons of Advent and Christmas draw us back to these timeless themes. They invite us to pause at the stable door in awe; to find that great sense of mystery that we refer to as the mysterium, tremendum, et fascinans. The stories are grounded in the belief that goodness is stronger than evil and that God’s love has the power to heal and transform the greatest hurts. The greatest challenge for us this Christmas is to reconnect with the divine spark within each of us that calls us to be better human beings. In other words, it is a call to become more Christ-like in our actions. May God richly bless you with the gifts of peace, joy, hope and love as you journey towards Christmas. Shalom, Joanne
Worship during December 2016 December 4
10.30am 6.30pm
Advent 2: Tenebrae service “A Time to Remember” A service for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one
December 11
10.30am
Advent 3: “The hope of Christmas” with Inverleith St Serf’s choir
December 18
10.30am
Advent 4: All age worship with scratch nativity
December 24
6.30pm 11.30pm
Christmas Eve family service Watchnight service Choir lead us in carols from 11.15pm
December 25
10.30am
Christmas Day worship
Worship during January 2017 January 1
10.30am
New Year’s day worship
January 8
10.30am
Epiphany
January 15
10.30am
“What in God’s name is going on here?”
January 22
9.30am 11.00am
Early Birds worship in small hall Trinity and Goldenacre celebrate Christian Unity Sunday – service in Wardie Church
January 29
10.30am
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Afternoon Communion Wednesday January 18, 2017 at 2pm A short, quiet, reflective service with communion held in the sanctuary. Anyone requiring transport should contact Dorothy Millar’ Refreshments will be served after the service. All welcome. 4
Council of Churches Sunday January 22, 2017 at 11am An ecumenical service has been organised by the Council of Churches to celebrate the Week of Christian Unity. All the churches in Trinity and Goldenacre will be meeting together to worship in Wardie Parish Church at 11am. Therefore there will be no 10.30am service.
The Church Family New Member We are delighted to welcome to the congregation by Certificate of Transference, Mrs Janice Wright.
Flowers in Church In December the flowers are given by: December 4
In memory of Hilda Lawrie
December 11
Marjory McColl
December 18
Christmas flowers
December 25
Christmas flowers
In December the flowers are arranged by: December 4
Helen Pratt
December 11
Margaret Colquhoun
December 18
Ray Oliver
December 25
Ray Oliver
Those giving and arranging flowers in January will be listed in the February issue of “The Outlook”. Flower Conveners: Ray Oliver: Margaret Colquhoun: 5
Grand Christmas Fair
A superb £2,949.50 was raised! The Social and Fund Raising committee would like to thank all those who donated so generously, who supported the fair and all the stall helpers who gave up their time on the day.
Decorating the Church for Advent Would you be interested in helping to put up the Christmas decorations in church? Please contact Pamela Wilkinson who looks forward to hearing from you.
Christmas Jumpers! This year the date to wear your Christmas jumper is Sunday December 18. Donate £1 (or more if you wish!) to our three year overseas project – Al Shurooq School for blind children in Bethlehem
Bring a Toy Christmas toys for distribution to vulnerable children through ‘Circle’ in Muirhouse should be brought to church on Sunday December 11. These gifts should be wrapped and labelled clearly with the age and gender for whom the gift is suitable. 6
Competition: A dog in the Church? Somewhere about the church is at least one dog, puppy or K9 pet carved into a decorative piece of timber or furniture, etched in glass or integrated into the building fabric. Can you find the Inverleith St Serf’s dog or dogs? Entries cost 50p and can be made using an official entry form (available from Fiona Davies or Martin and Dorothy Millar) and proceeds will go towards helping members of Odry to visit Inverleith St Serf’s next year. The closing date is Christmas Eve. All you need to do is identify where a dog is located! A prize of a luxury box of chocolates will be awarded to the winning entry. If there is more than one correct entry then the winner will be drawn from a (dog) bowl on Sunday January 1, 2017. Our canine friend will then feature on the cover of the February issue of “The Outlook”.
GOOD LUCK! (Unfortunately, current and past members of the Fabric Committee are ineligible; however you can still make a 50p donation to Odry!)
Christmas hamper Once again, we will be asking you to assess the cost of the contents of the Christmas Hamper, while relieving you of £1 for the privilege – all to help with church funds. The hamper is now on view in the Church Centre. The winner will be announced at the carol party on Monday December 12.
GOOD LUCK! 7
The Guild Be Bold, Be Strong, Go in Joy
December 13
Joyful activities for Christmas
January 11
Wednesday morning at Wardie Guild “Becoming a Nun” Sister Isobel Smyth. Coffee from 10.20am
January 24
An alternative view of the Holy Land Mark Foster
Meetings are at 2pm in the Church Centre. All are welcome. Fiona Davies
Council of Churches A fun evening The Council of Churches annual charity lecture in aid of The Singing Group proved a most informative and entertaining evening. I am not sure that those who came to hear the lecture were expecting to do more than listen. But the format of the evening also involved a taster Singing Group experience – with community singing and movement. A total of £265 was passed to the charity. The Council of Churches wishes to thank everyone who helped make the evening a success. Lorna Pratt
Fresh Start Cookers for Christmas Fresh Start are running their Cookers for Christmas appeal again this year. If you wish, you can donate through www.justgiving.com , by sending a cheque to Fresh Start, 22-24 Ferry Road Drive, Edinburgh, EH4 4BR or via Alison McCallum. 8
Reminders Church Post Do support the Post Natal Depression Unit (our 2016 charity) by bringing Christmas cards for other members of the congregation on December 4 and 11. The suggested donation is 10p per card. Your “post” can be collected on December 18 or they will be delivered to your home the following week.
This month’s cover: A mural from the Chapel of Angels, Shepherds’ Fields, Bethlehem. This exquisite scene shows the shepherds outside Bethlehem, on the first Christmas night, being brought the news of the birth of the baby Jesus by angels and was photographed by Martin Millar during the 2014 Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, led by Joanne and Mark. The Chapel of Angels contains many such beautiful paintings and was built in 1953-4 by the Italian Architect, Antonio Barluzzi. This is the final picture in a sequence of December “Outlook” covers to feature the Chapel. 9
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“A Time to Remember” A service for bereaved families and friends will be held on Sunday December 4 at 6.30pm in Inverleith St Serf’s Parish Church. It will be a short, reflective time for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. All are welcome to join us in this service of worship.
www.inverleithsaintserfs.org.uk
Scottish Charity No. SC015442
