FORUM FOCUS

The magazine of Leith Churches Forum

June 2013

Vol. 46/13

From the ChairRev. Iain May

Dear Friends, Leith is a wonderfully diverse, friendly at times challenging community. There are many positive aspects of Leith that are, at times, overshadowed by the more negative aspects of community life in Leith. However, I want to share with you a few initiatives that the Leith Churches Forum (LCF) is working on, initiatives that we hope will make a difference to the lives of all who live in Leith. As the local churches working together, we are always looking for ways to reach out with a Christian hand to those less fortunate than ourselves. The Book of Isaiah speaks a great deal about the injustice of this world, in particular Isaiah 58 tells us ‘to loosen the bonds of injustice...to share your bread with the hungry… bring the homeless poor into your house…when you see them naked to cover them.’ Reflecting on this, the Forum has started to work on introducing a Food Bank to Leith. This will be a new initiative and one that is, unfortunately, so needed in the current difficult financial times. Representatives from all four churches are engaged in this project and we hope to have it up and running by the autumn of 2013. Another project was our presence at the Heart and Soul event in Princes Street Gardens in May. The Leith Churches of Scotland shared the positive message of the work of the church in Leith. They shared this with the wider church and to many who visited this community event. Again a positive sign of the churches in Leith working as one to show the wider community that the Church of Scotland is alive and flourishing here in Leith.

LCF is very active at this year’s Leith Festival (8-16 June). The Tea Tent at the Gala Day does a great job and folk from all the churches contribute their time and skills to ensure the event will be a success and that a warm Church of Scotland welcome is shown to all regardless of age, faith or culture. A big thank you for all who help in this initiative and the others I have mentioned.

The Church in Leith has many challenges ahead and may have to makedifficult decisions in the future, if we are to sustain a strong Christian presence here in Leith. I am committed to ensuring that the church, in all its diversity, is maintained and I will work with the members of the

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LCF team to ensure this. But we cannot do this alone and the above initiativeshighlight that there are many in the Leith Church community who think the same and want to help in whatever way they can. Long may this continue!

Leith has a strong faith community within it, lets us all in the LCF ensure it continues to spread the message of Christ and show Christian witness and mission for many years to come.

With my Blessings to you allMinister South Leith Parish ChurchChair Leith Churches Forum

Rev. Rob MackenzieMinister at L St. A's

I've been asked to write somethingto introduce myself to the LeithChurches Forum. I was born andbrought up in the south-west ofGlasgow, a mile away from Ibrox (Photo (c) Gerry Cambridge)

stadium,and that perhaps explains my subsequent commitment to ecumenism.

I studied law at Aberdeen University and went to Selection School for the Church of Scotland ministry, fully believing I’d be rejected, but I wasn’t. I then studied theology at New College and did my dissertation in New Testament under Dougie Templeton who introduced me to impossibly strong coffee and the poetry of Wallace Stevens, both of which have stuck with me all my life.

I spent a year in South Korea, in Seoul, working with a church, studying subjects like ‘Church Growth’ and ‘Educational Psychology’, and testing out Korean food and drink with a passion. Eighteen months at South Queensferry followed, as an assistant minister, before my first charge at Uddingston: Burnhead Church in North Lanarkshire. I spent over seven years there and it was a formative experience. I reckon (seriously) every Cabinet minister of all parties ought to spent at least five years

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living in a housing scheme before being permitted to take office – we’d have a much better government.I got married and went to work for 4½ years in Turin, Italy, through a Church of Scotland partnership, working with the Waldensian Church, an English-Speaking international Church, and a project that gave support and advice to immigrants and asylum seekers. Anne and I had a daughter there, Alyssa, in 2002. In 2005 we returned to Scotland to StDavid’s Broomhouse Church where I worked for close on 8 years beforecoming to Leith St Andrew’s. Apart from all this, I have always enjoyed post-punk/art-rock music and played in a band myself for many years. I also write poetry and have published several volumes of the stuff and am reviews editor for Magma (http://magmapoetry.com/), for a leading UK poetry magazine. I play several instruments, although I am currently out of practice with all of them. I am determined to start playing my saxophone again. I’ve very much enjoyed my first couple of months in Leith and look forward to the months and years ahead.

A bishop while preaching in a country church said to a mother who was embarrassed by her crying child and made to leave the church “It's quite all right, he is not bothering me.” She replied “I know, but you are bothering him.”

Noah to his wife: “Do me a favour. Stop saying, 'Into each life some rainmust fall.'

A priest was hearing children's confessions and was puzzled to hear child after child confessing to 'throwing peanuts in the river'. Wondering if they were repenting of wasting school food or polluting the river, he decided to ask the next boy to explain. However the boy didn't make thesame confession. When he had finished the priest asked him if he had not forgotten something – had he thrown peanuts in the river? The boy replied, “But I am Peanuts!”

After a change of churches a minister met at a party an attractive woman who had been a member of his previous church and asked howshe liked her new minister. There were a few wry smiles when she replied, “Oh he's fine, but he doesn't hold me the same way you did.”

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News from South Leith.Dawn Birkenshaw (Session Clerk)

On 18th April 2012 The Rev Iain May was ordained and inducted into South Leith. This day of great celebration and excitement came at the end of one year of vacancy for South Leith and the end of my first year as Session Clerk! During those 12 months I came to realise that a period of vacancy can be both exciting and daunting - as you enter a period of uncertainty and the unknown.

Throughout our vacancy, services in the church had been taken by Rev Sara Embleton (who was our Locum until the start of January 2012) and various other ministers and members of the South Leith Congregation. It is a credit to all of those involved that we were able to enjoy a great variety of worship during this time, and I would like to express my thanks to all of those involved.

For just over a year now we have been on a new and exciting journey as a Church Family. We have been getting to know Iain and his wife Anne, and they of course have been getting to know us. This has involved considering new ideas and new ways of thinking about things. It has also involved examining just why we do things the way we do and considering if these are the right ways to be doing things for the future. It has not I must add, been a time of gloom and doom for there has been much laughter and enjoyment along the way too – pretty much like any family group goes through. The last twelve months have seen a memorable Harvest Festival Service, the Chaplainof the Fleet, Rev Scott Brown RN delivering the sermon at the Annual Service for Seafarers, a visit from the Chuppets in the lead up to Christmas and a memorable week of services during Holy Week.

We are starting to look to the future and think about which areas of work and witness should be priorities for South Leith. We held an All Age Congregational Conference in November 2012 to which everyone was invited to come along and join in the discussion to help plan our next steps. There was a good turn out and we will be using the ideas put forward to shape our future plans. One big venture that is already taking shape is our involvement in a Leith Food Bank. (continued on p8)

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Some services & events in the Forum congregations that you are welcome to attend.

JOINT FESTIVAL SERVICE - 9TH JUNE AT 11AM AT LEITHSt.ANDREW'S, with picnic on Leith Links afterwards.

Leith St. Andrew's Messy Church meets on the last Thursday of each month for a fun and noisy time for young families (please check if on in July). Arts, crafts, games, stories and singing rounded off with a light tea.Oasis of Peace at Leith St Andrew's: Our quiet reflective prayer services Wednesday at 10.15am. A time of peace, worshipping, sharing and praying followed by a cuppa and chat. We meet in the Church. All are welcome. Oasis of Peace usually takes a break in July so please check the website.St Andy's Teeny Tots currently meets every alternate Wednesday afternoon in the Lochend Road Hall at Leith St Andrew's from 2pm - 3pm for fun for babies and toddlers and their parents/carers. Cost is £1 per session which includes tea/coffee for parents and a healthy snack for the children. We now have a waiting list so if you want to join the list or to check dates please email us at standysteenytots@gmail.com North LeithDuring the summer, other than the 11am services, we will be having something in the Session House on most Sunday evenings. All events begin at 6:30pm in the Session House in Madeira Place. Therewill be refreshments after the services or during the study / discussionnights.First Sunday - evening service - a traditional mix of hymns and prayers,with a short reflection.Second Sunday - Evening prayer followed by Bible Study. During this summer. it is hoped to work through the first few chapters of the Gospel according to John.Third Sunday - Evening prayer - a short service of prayer and song, usingboth well known hymns of ages past and more contemporary pieces from Iona and Taize.Fourth Sunday - Evening Prayer and discussion group. Subjects will varyfrom month to month but will normally include a short video presentationfollowed by some guided discussion and reflection.Fifth Sunday - an evening off!

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South LeithWorship at One at South Leith church every Thursday at 1pm –prayers for the community and the world.

Pilrig St. Paul's Open Doorway Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am to 1pm. Serving tea / coffee and biscuits. All welcome to pop in.The Pilrig Parlour will be open for light lunches Mondays to Saturdaysfrom 5th till 24th August. The Open Doorway will be closed on these weeks.

South Leith Halls

Monday to Thursday:9.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.

(hot meals served until 2 p.m.)

Friday:9.30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

(hot meals served until 12.30 p.m.)

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(from p 5) We are also looking at establishing a faith twinning with a church in Zambia The second twelve months of my time as South Leith Session Clerk have been so different to the first, but no less busy and exciting. I’m sure that the final twelve (not that I’m counting you understand!) will be just as busy, exciting and memorable as Iain, the South Leith Congregation and I embark on a new era of work and witness in the Leith community.

Leith Churches Holiday Club: Monday 15 - Friday 19 July, 10am -12.15 in the South Leith Halls. The theme this year is SPACE ACADEMY. Open to children aged 6-12. The team would be delighted to welcome volunteers - they can help with registration, assisting with groups, drama, crafts preparation in advance, music, snacks, prayer or whatever they enjoy doing – no special skills needed! On-line enrolmentform at www.lchc.yolasite.com, or contact Neil Chalkley (07927 690691)or Hayley Dunn (07799 747427).

A bishop was surprised to hear a wee girl say that people must be brave to go to church. When asked why, she replied that her grandfather had told her that there was a canon in the pulpit, the choir murdered the anthem and the organist had drowned the choir.

One of the frightening things about middle age is that you grow out of it.

What God is this?Who is seen so visibly within the chaos of my unruly life? Who quietly speaks into my heart when I have nothing of loveliness left within? Whoenters into my darkness to tenderly search my face? Who opens my unseeing eyes and holds His arms to me? My God -Who comes to me. I who am the least. Healing my heart. Filling my being with the power and the glory of abundant love.

Amen I say to my God! In the name of my Christ, Amen and Amen. (Milestones by Hilary Faith Jones)

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Port Chaplain’s ReportTim BellHere’s the latest (at the time of writing) on the Philippine cook on board a small coaster who I mentioned last time. He has been right round the British Isles, several times: Lowestoft to Port Ellen (Islay); Belfast to Cowes (Isle of Wight); Workington or North Wales to Thames; Poole or Plymouth to Guernsey; Thames to Teesport; dry dock in Hull; and so on. He has rung me three or four times a week, and I have usually been able to get someone to visit at his next port. He has been feeling very lonely, so far away from his family, and a visit helps a lot. The cook is sometimes sent ashore for some provisions, but otherwise he usually has to stay on board because there’s always someone who needs a meal so he gets very little recreational time off the ship. He has just rung to say that next week the ship will be picking up some rock salt in Teesport and bringing it to Leith, so I’ll see him for the first time since Christmas. I’ll make a special effort to get him off the ship. We are beginning the cruise ship season. This year we have 51 days with a ship in Leith, and the team of ten or so ship visitors are ready to go. There should be no repeat of the sort of incident we came across last year, in which on-board photographers had money taken off their wages by their British employer. Because they were not marine crew, there was nothing the union could do. But a new international Convention says that anyone working on board has protection, and the union will be able to intervene.For nearly all the hotel staff on board, a day in port is a busy day while the passengers go off on their various trips. We can supply much sought-after mobile top-ups, or perhaps sneak an hour to run someone into town for an essential purchase or to send some money home. We sometimes come across married couples in the crew, and if there are children they are looked after by grandparents. Some of the crew are old hands, and some are very young, on their first trip out of their own country. All of them appreciate a chance to talk with someone fresh - a nine-month contract on board such a confined space with unvarying daily routines can be very boring. We are in touch with our counterparts in Invergordon, which is quite often the next or thelast port, and we can exchange anything special that needs to be shared.Find out if one of the volunteers is in your congregation, and ask him/her to tellyou about some of people we come across. It’s always interesting!

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Leith Churches Together / Ocean terminalJennifer StarkLeith Churches Outreach outreach@leithchurchestogether.org.uk

Ocean Terminal. Changes continue in the mall, the good news being that HMV are staying open, though one or two other shops have recently closed. I continue to learn more about how the whole mall works, having recently been honoured with a visit to the control room, where the trained security team has many demands to cope with (as they do admirably). As it happened, I was having coffee with the Ocean Terminal manager a few weeks back when large areas of Leith, including OT, had a 40-minute power cut! Luckily all was soon back to normal.

Leith Churches Together is currently reviewing its constitution, and a task group consisting of Rev. Alex McAspurren, Jack Kerr (our new treasurer from St Mary’s), Kerry Reilly from the Acorn Centre/YMCA Edinburgh and myself, has met a couple of times to discuss and redraft,partly with a view to seeking charitable status, but also to reflect on, andrestate, our commitment to working together in Leith, and walking together as fellow Christians. The guest speaker this year at our AGM on Tuesday 28 May, 7pm at St Mary’s Star of the Sea Parish Centre. was Rev. Dr. Michael Northcott, Professor of Ethics at Edinburgh University, whose particular interest is in theology and the environment, and has chosen the title: ‘Love, Land and Liberty in a Time of Crisis’. Michael’s talk was of interest to everyone concerned with the stewardship of the world and our own bit of it here in Scotland.

Pilrig St. Paul's updateJohn Innes (Session Clerk)The previous months have been taken up with getting agreement on the Basis of Reviewable Tenure, creating and agreeing the Parish Profile and electing the Nominating Committee. Hopefully now we can begin the 'real' business of selecting a new minister.

We've now been vacant for 5 months and with the incredibly ponderousChurch of Scotland processes we're just at the point of being able to advertise our post.

Over the last five months we've had two locums, Gary Peacock and

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Maggie Hunt and I'd like to thank them both for their hard work looking after the congregation, sadly Maggie's term came to an end at Easter butwe've appointed Sara Embelton as our locum from 1 April onwards. Hopefully the continuity she can provide over the remainder of the vacancy will take some of the load from my shoulders.

The congregation is pretty much running on automatic just now, the workinvolved in preparing for the advert has taken up most of my time lately so there's not been much opportunity to consider anything new. We do, however, continue with regular weekly worship, the Open Doorway is open twice a week providing reflection, a listening ear and a great cup oftea, our lunch club continues to provide good food and companionship toelderly folk in the parish, our music outreach continues with the Vocal Vibes, Singchronicity and the Pilrig Chorus under the guidance of Colin Gray and Annabel, Kate and Ian, our freelance musicians and vocal coaches.

Our halls continue to be well used by a wide variety of community groupstoo. I'd like to thank all the people in the congregation who, along with me, are still working hard to ensure that the everyday life of the congregation continues amid the stresses and strains of being vacant.

There aren't any concrete plans for anything other than normal worship until we can get a chance to sit down with Sara and see what can be done for summer services etc. The refurbishment work in the church is almost complete. We've been re-wired and redecorated and have installed some stunning new lighting chandeliers and two new central heating boilers as well as the fantastic (but scary) Riso HC5500 printer/finisher in our completely refurbished office. As always, there is more to do but we're confident that when we find a new minister, they willbe coming to a safe, comfortable and well equipped church.

Finally, by the time you're reading this, we'll have dedicated a memorial in the church to the late Stuart Sime, who many of you would have known over the decades he served the church in Leith. It's fitting that we mark his passing: He is greatly missed.

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Co-ordinating Team Forum Focus Team Lily Gilhooly PSt.P Joanne Baird LSt.A Margaret Gray SL Ian Bethune PSt.P Anne Lamont NL Stuart Duffus (editor) SLStuart Lithgow Lst.A Isobel Evans SL Valarie McIntosh LSt.A Jimmy Hudson NLRev. Alex McAspurren NL Sigrid Lithgow LSt.A Rev Iain May(chair) SL Mark Wexelstein (treasurer) PSt.P

Information about Leith Churches Forum can be found at our web site at leithchurchesforum.org.uk/

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Feedback or articles and information for the September Focus should be given to your representative by 28th July for the editor. Alternatively e- mail to the editor at stuart@duffus.org.