Spotlight Magazine - Issue #4 - 2022

The Perfect Every

The Perfect Every

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Welcome to Spotlight Magazine!

Over the last 18 months there have been many new challenges to face in the post pandemic world. We all had hoped for a smoother and swifter journey out of lock down but instead we’ve had war, political turmoil, and the spiralling cost of living to contend with. Have a look at Adam’s article on p8 if this resonates with you. It’s nice to see that community life goes on though, reflected here in the pages of Spotlight. Now that we’ve reached the fes tive season, hopefully we can all take time to reflect and, maybe, afford to celebrate a little?

As always, thanks to all our regular contributors who continue to use Spotlight as a communications channel for their community. Sadly, it is time to say goodbye to one of our longest serving contributors, Rev David Cameron, who is retiring early in the new year. Thanks to David for the wise and soothing con tent he provided us with over the last few years.

If you run an organisation or charity that would ben efit from being featured in Spotlight, just drop us a line at spotlight@wordsandpicturesUK.com and we’ll happily discuss your requirements.

Spotlight continues to adapt to the changing land scape. Print and distribution costs are rocketing but haven’t increased advertising prices. We’ve achieved

this by optimising our print schedule and making an investment in social media. It seems to be working - we’re receiving more and more enquiries from people and businesses wishing to contribute. There’s more to come. Our publication schedule is for 2023 is for a minimum of 4 printed editions, on a quar terly, or seasonal, basis if you prefer to think of it in those terms. In addition, each of those are preceded by an online edition. These will be supported by 4 in-person networking events for advertisers and con tributors. Deadlines for contributions are on the last day of January, April, July, and October 2023. My new year’s resolution will be to be more vocal in remind ing our contributors that their content is due! We’re also planning a themed health and well-being issue for the new year and will feature local businesses like The Hub and the fantastic Forth Physio which has been expanding of late and now boasts a whole range of new services and practitioners – perfect to chase those aches and pains away as we get ready for a new year of activity.

Thanks for reading and supporting Spotlight, wheth er it is in print, online or in person.

Alistair Pryde Spotlight Editor

Special thanks:

Special thanks to all our contributors, contact details are listed with features where appropriate. Cover picture: Queensferry in Winter by Carlos G Lopez.

Editorial & pictorial enquiries: alistair@wordsandpicturesUK.com

Advertising sales & enquiries: spotlight@wordsandpicturesUK.com

Back issues available online at: www.wordsandpicturesUK.com/Spotlight

Whilst every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this publication, Spotlight Magazine is not re sponsible for 3rd party content submitted in good faith from contributors. Readers should always check with advertisers directly before making bookings or purchases. Spotlight Magazine is a Words & Pictures publication. Write to us at 48 High Street, South Queensferry, EH30 9HN.

Keep your stories coming: spotlight@wordsandpicturesUK.com

Do You Want to Make a Di erence in South Queensferry

A community development trust presents the opportunity to create local ideas, prioritise which to deliver, design it, plan it, fund it, deliver it, manage it, all for the bene t of the community.

We need people passionate about the area, willing and able to get involved in whatever way they can.

“Alexa, play some Christmas classics!”

Idon’t know about you, but I think one of the best things about Christmas is the music. One of my favourite Christmas songs is “Happy Xmas (War Is Over).” John Lennon and Yoko Ono re leased it on 1 December 1971 as a protest song after two years of peaceful activism against the Vietnam War. It’s a classic! Other artists have covered the song, most Christmas compilation albums include it and it’s often named in polls as a Christmas favourite.

But while I appreciate the sentiment, un fortunately war is not over. We know this from the world around us. From broken relationships within families to interna tional conflicts between nations, we still live in a world that is at war.

As a Christian I believe that behind the conflict we see, there’s an even bigger war raging. Behind it all, humanity is at war with God. Our dysfunctional rela tionships with each other stem from a dysfunctional relationship with our maker.

Now, wonderfully, at the heart of the Christmas story is the good news that God didn’t leave things this way and one of the clues is in a name that was given to Jesus hundreds of years before his birth in Bethlehem.

Notice how the Old Testament prophet Isaiah describes Jesus:

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

(Isaiah 9:6)

Amongst other things, Jesus is called the ‘Prince of Peace.’ Isaiah said this because Jesus would, in time, enter our world to bring the thing that every one of us needs: peace with God. How did Jesus achieve this peace? By dying for us on a cross and absorbing the punishment for our sinful rebellion which we deserved to pay for ourselves. Job done. Debt paid. Forgiveness achieved. Peace with God restored.

And this peace with God is possible now to every one of us if we turn from our sin and trust in Jesus as our Saviour. Our church is full of people who will tell you that peace with God is the greatest gift they’ve ever received.

Now with all of that said, this is only par tial peace until Jesus returns. Christians believe that Jesus is coming to earth again. On that day he won’t come back as a little baby, but as a powerful king.

And when he does, he’ll restore the world to how it was meant to be. Wars will be no more. Every wrong will be made right. He will bring full, complete, and perfect peace.

If you want to know more about peace with God this Christmas, we have several events that you’re very welcome to come along to – including a nativity service, an online Carol service and a traditional carol service at Rosebery Hall. You can find out more here: www.christchurch queensferry.org/christmas

About the author

Adam McNinch lives with his wife and two children in Queensferry. Adam is the pas tor of a new church called Christ Church Queensferry that meets in Rosebery Hall on Sunday afternoons. You can find him at The Hub most Thursday evenings living out the twilight of his 5-a-side football days.

Remebrance Day Parade

On Sunday 13th November, the com munity in Queensferry gathered as usual for the Remembrance Day parade and service. Representatives from many local organisations carried their flags and laid wreaths. The assembly took the opportunity to bid farewell to Rev David Cameron who led the ceremony for the last time before his retirement in early 2023.

What’s on at Christmas

Preparations are under way for an exciting Christmas 2022 in Queensferry. If you would like to get involved, please contact the Christmas in Queensferry committee. We need stewards, fundraisers and general helping hands. If you would like to help by sponsoring Christmas in Queensferry, please get in touch via email or our Facebook page. Events below are up to date as at time of print, please check our website for more details, booking links and latest updates, the QR code will take you directly there. christmasinqueensferry@gmail.com

Thursday 24th November

5:45-7pm. Christmas Lights Switch On Event. Free event on the High St. Santa parade, school choirs, carol singers, brass band, solo performers, fireworks, mulled wine, mince pies, teas & coffees.

Friday 25th November

7pm. Christmas in Queensferry Quiz Night. Queensferry Bowling Club. Team of 4 £10 entry, £100 winning prize kindly donated by Rosebery Hall Management Committee. Raffle prizes on the night. See poster later in programme.

Friday 25th to Saturday 27th November

10am – 4pm. Hopetoun Christmas Shopping Fair. Tickets are available to purchase online. https://hopetoun.co.uk/ event/christmas-shopping-fair

Every Sunday from 27th November to 18th December

Christmas Sunset Meditation Meditation, Dip in the sea, Firepit, Candles, Hot Chocolate, Mulled wine, Mince Pies. For details see our website. https://tinyurl.com/55vyww7c

Thursday 1st December

10am-12pm. Rosebery Playgroup Christmas Fair 6pm – 9pm. Late night shopping event on the High Street

Friday 2nd December

6pm-8pm. Queensferry Primary Christmas Fair

Friday 2nd December Times tbc

St Margaret’s Primary Christmas Fair

Friday 16th December

6pm. Christmas carols in Hawthorn Bank Walled Garden, hosted by GreenFerry and Ferry Blend choir. Mince pies and hot drinks will be served.

Saturday 17th December

Queensferry Community Brass Band at Tesco Ferrymuir

Check websites for details

Dalmeny Primary Christmas Fair, Echline Primary School Christmas Fair, Queensferry High School Christmas Fair and Santa’s sleigh tour (Rotary Club)

Local Church Events

All timings correct at time of publica tion, please check websites where appro priate before making plans.

Saturday 12 November

12pm - 4 pm. Dalmeny Church Toy and Book swap Bring toys get, toys in exchange, chil dren’s games and competitions entrance £4.

Saturday 19 November

10am-2pm. Dalmeny Church Christmas Fayre at church hall Stalls, home baking, teas and coffees.

Tuesday 29 November

7:30 pm. Christmas Wreath making Dalmeny Church Hall. Tickets cost £15 includes refreshments and materi al to make wreath. Please bring extra greenery.

Sunday 4th December

4pm. Priory Church - Messy Church Special all-age worship for all the family: ‘All the Difference’ Evening. QPC ‘Mary & Martha’ event An evening for women to escape the hustle and bustle for some creative craft making, a light supper and reflection. Sign up at office@qpcweb.org or call 0131 331 1100.

Saturday 10 December

2pm-4 pm. Dalmeny Church Christmas Afternoon Tea, tickets £15

Sunday 11th December

10 am. QPC Gift Service. Bring along a gift for a child to be distributed through two of Edinburgh’s special projects.

Wednesday 14th December Evening. QPC Peace Light Service. Join with our local Scout group as we welcome a light that’s travelled to Queensferry from Bethlehem!

Online Carols with Christ Church Queensferry On YouTube – For more info just email hello@christchurchqueens ferry.org

Saturday 17 December 4pm- 5pm. Christingle Family and children event - crafts stories songs and refreshments Dalmeny Church Hall and Church. Free event.

Sunday 18th December 10am. QPC Morning Service 11:15am. Family church service, Dalmeny Church with tea, coffee, mince pies afterwards. 2.30pm. Community Carols with Christ Church Queensferry. Rosebery Hall. hel lo@christchurchqueensferry.org 6pm. Priory - Messy Church. Special all-age worship for all the family: ‘A Very Messy Christmas’ 6.30 pm. Borrowman Square – Join the QPC team from Sanctuary for carols, candles and mince pies!

Saturday 24th December 6.30pm. QPC Christmas Eve all age ser vice for all the family

Sunday 25th December 10.30am. QPC Joint Christmas Day ser vice – bring your pressies and celebrate Christmas!

Sunday 1st January 2023 10:30am. Dalmeny Church’s New Year’s joint Church Service.