Seeds
encourage | inspire | challenge | No. 41 |SEPTEMBER 2014
Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL 0131 220 1677 www.augustine.org.uk Scottish Charity no. SC000385 Church Secretary: Kathleen Ziffo secretary@augustine.org.uk or via the church office Minister: Rev Fiona Bennett minister.auc@gmail.com 07552 162 717 Assoc. Minister: Rev Maxwell Reay revmaxwell.auc@gmail.com 07957 543 359 Church Administrator: Rachel Fitzgerald administrator@augustine.org.uk 0131 220 1677 Seeds Editor: Tamsin Kilgour newsletter.auc@gmail.com Website Editor: Anna Jones webeditor.auc@gmail.com
In this edition 3. Grassmarket Community Project 4. General Assembly. Crises in the Middle East 5. TLS Lite 6. Our Tribe. ABC Update 7. Dandelion Greens 8. Paradise Green 9. Inchcolm 2014 10. Prayers 11. Suicide Prevention Week 12. Family News 13. Getting to Know You 14. Noticeboard 15. Seedlings 16. Calendar
Creationtide Farming By Rev Fiona Bennett “If it wisnae fir the fairmer, far wid yi be? Nae butter fir yir bannocks and nae eggies fir yir tea… If it wisnae fir the work o’ the fairmer!” I can remember standing on the stage at His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen singing this song as part of Miss Ewan’s Show. Miss Ewan, our drama and dance teacher, was a quintessential city gal; always with hair set and dressed like a 1950’s film star. As an elocution teacher, she had perfect diction, and could not be seen without lipstick and nail varnish. However although she dressed for and taught in the big city of Aberdeen, she came from a farming town called Turriff. I am not sure where this song came from (despite an extensive Google search…) but it does reflect Miss Ewan’s awareness that, despite how the self-important city life of lipstick and sequins may
appear (there may be other aspects to city life but they did not feature highly in my early years), the role farmers play in our lives is essential. As the song asks – Where would we be without them? This year, Season of Creationtide has adopted as its theme the ‘2014 International Year of Family Farming’. 2014 IYFF aims to “raise the profile of family farming and smallholder farming by focussing world attention on its significant role in eradicating hunger and poverty, providing food security and nutrition, improving livelihoods, managing natural resources, protecting the environment, and achieving sustainable development, in particular in rural areas.” (www.fao.org) Living in a city it can be all too easy to forget the essential role farming and farmers play in our lives and in the balances of our >2 planet. Creationtide
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Getting involved Within AUC there are 7 Ministry Teams which are responsible for different areas of Church Life. If you would like to know more or get involved with one of these please e-mail the contact person
Children & Young People Kirsty Murray kirsty.murray@ed.ac.uk
Membership Alex Peden a.peden@ed.ac.uk
Our Tribe (LGBT Ministry) Rev Maxwell Reay revmaxwell.auc@gmail.com
Commitment For Life (Social Justice Ministry) Kathleen Ziffo secretary@augustine.org.uk
Pastoral & Mental Health Doris Caldwell hhfcaldwell@gmail.com
Worship & Christian Education Rev Fiona Bennett
aims to raise awareness of this and of the critical role which Family Farming can play in creating a healthy and sustainable balance for people and planet earth. < 1
From Scotland, to Bangladesh, to Zimbabwe, to Palestine, to Canada…the world over there is Family Farming. Many Family Farms, such as those in Zimbabwe or Palestine, are an essential source of food to families who either depend wholly on the food they grow to eat and to sell, or who subside their larders as their work as teachers and bus drivers cannot cover the costs of all their needs. Many Family Farms in different areas of the world have been desperately affected by climate change – causing drought, or salt pollution in the soil through flooding. Some have been helped through the resources offered to partner organisations (through the likes of Christian Aid);
enabling new local techniques for ploughing or water irrigation to be developed to address the new harsher farming climates in which people are trying to grow crops and survive. This Harvest Sunday (September 28th) our collection will go to support this work through our giving to Christian Aid. Throughout the whole 4-week Season of Creationtide in September we are invited to: Pay attention to the role farming has on our lives (where do our tatties, chicken, milk come from?), To become aware of the role Family Farming does have and could have in creating a sustainable future for our planet, And to pray for the work of farmers all over the world. As the song says: “If it wasn’t for the farmers, where would we be?”
minister.auc@gmail.com
Centre, Property & Finance Tom Murray murray.tom@blueyonder.co.uk If you would like to get involved volunteering within AUC or the local community:
AUC Volunteering Anne and Nicola Robinson rota.auc@gmail.com
Local Community Volunteering Della Morris dellagreenlanes@gmail.com
Please note that the deadline for material for the next issue is 2nd October. You can send your material to Tamsin Kilgour by hand, at newsletter.auc@gmail.com or via the church office. DISCLAIMER: Although we check all information in the newsletter, as ever with these things we can give no warranties as to accuracy or relevance and encourage active checking before you make any decisions. The views expressed in our newsletter are those of the individual contributor, they are not necessarily those of AUC or the editor.
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C4L CLMT Update: Grassmarket Community Project Continuing the Commitment for Life Ministry Team monthly themes, this month Kathleen Ziffo outlines the work of, and opportunities for involvement in, the Grassmarket Community Project.
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he Grassmarket Community Project (GCP) has been running, in its new incarnation, for about two years in the, part new and part recently-refurbished, premises at the foot of Candlemaker Row. The newly refurbished part belonged to Greyfriars Kirk (this was once the Kirk House – Greyfriars “Hall”,) and the new part was previously a rubble-strewn yard owned by the Council. A new charity – a partnership between Greyfriars Kirk and the Grassmarket Mission – runs the work of the GCP in this new building, with a number of professional workers engaging with people who have had experience of homelessness, presently, or in the past.
Although primarily aimed at individuals facing deep social exclusion, GCP encourages members of the local community to join in and work side-by-side with participants from all walks of life. Visitors to the project are welcome to drop-in to the centre on Tuesdays between 67pm, and Wednesdays/Fridays between 12-3pm where they will have the opportunity to see what goes on and enjoy a free hot meal.
In its previous life the Kirk House had for many years run a Soup Kitchen (though much more than soup – substantial meals in fact at times – was provided). Not the least of what was provided there was the space and freedom for anyone and everyone to be accepted, a chance to relax in safety and chat with the Various workshops are run – woodwork being one of the best publicised (with Tommy Steel in people working there. A number of Augustinians have helped run this once a week over nearly charge of teaching people how to transform twenty years. This Parish Meal/‘Drop-in’ has the likes of wood from redundant pews into continued in the newer set-up; there is now an items of furniture, as well as teaching other opportunity to play a game of chess or woodworking skills). Other activities include draughts, to discuss financial inclusion, or learning about “plough to plate” by cooking receive benefits advice, alongside receiving meals and performing café duties, herb some refreshment. It is this part of the ongoing gardening, baking cakes and bread, working work at which a number of AUC folk still help on with crafts and textiles, music and drama performance, computer and IT skills, self-esteem a Monday between 3 – 6 pm. We are always looking to recruit volunteers to this, or to the and confidence building, meditation, financial inclusion, creative writing, photography, art etc. other work explained above. Please ask Kathleen for more information if needed. Kathleen Ziffo
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URC General Assembly
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his July the General Assembly of the URC was held in Cardiff. Of the representatives from the Synod of Scotland quite a number of us came from AUC. The General Assembly was held over 3 days. We discussed issues ranging from changing the way we fund the training of our ministers to promoting mental health awareness; from praying for the people of Scotland as September 18th approaches to opening discussions with MCC (Metropolitan Community Church); from voting for our 2016 assembly moderators to Equal Marriage. Many of these topics will be discussed further at our Autumn Synod meeting which is on September 13th in Saughtonhall URC. (Please do hold our Synod Meeting in your prayers that day as we try to work out the best way forward together). It would be fair to say that the topic of equal marriage managed to create quite a lot of discussion, the result of which is that each local church meeting and synod is being asked to discuss this topic further and to respond to Mission Council (the executive which carries on the work of General Assembly between meetings) by March 2015.
Overall, although there were some tensions which were exacerbated by the physical set up in the Cardiff Concert Hall (a beautiful venue for music but perhaps not for consensus decision making), it was a delight to meet so many other URC folk who are so similar to ourselves! This was the first time I have attended General Assembly. I think working in Scotland it is easy to feel that we, the URC, are the odd cousin to the Church of Scotland, but at General Assembly it astounded me to see how similar AUC and the local churches of our Synod are to the URC churches in England and Wales. It was a like finding brothers and sisters I had never met! Despite many differences in opinion, it was a great privilege to be part of a family of churches who work hard to respect diversity and hold together whilst embracing difference. There is much work to do regarding Equal Marriage and deployment in the year ahead, but overall (and after a good while to rest and reflect!) attending General Assembly was an energising and hopeful experience, which I am grateful to the Synod for offering to me. Rev Fiona Bennett
Crises in the Middle East
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ver the summer the news has been full of shocking images of the conflicts and growing humanitarian crises in Gaza, and Iraq, occurring alongside the ongoing conflict in Syria. Christian Aid continues to work alongside its long -term partners in Iraq, providing hygiene 4 SEPTEMBER 2014
kits, food and clothes to displaced families. They estimate 1.2 million people have been forced to leave their homes. People have been left terrified and traumatised by what they have witnessed. They have taken refuge in buildings and shelters, many of which are now so crowded that men and women are sleeping in shifts (as there is not room for them all to lie down at the same time). In the daytime > 5 www.augustine.org.uk
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< 4 temperatures can reach 45°C, and yet many of the shelters lack water or basic amenities. In Gaza, a long-term ceasefire was agreed on 26th August; although welcome, a permanent solution which will allow people to rebuild their lives in the knowledge that they will not be threatened by conflict again. The conflict has left thousands of homes destroyed, leaving an estimated 108,000 Palestinians homeless and with limited access to water. Healthcare facilities were also attacked. Christian Aid partners are operating two mobile health clinics. As well as physical injuries, an estimated 373,000 children are showing signs of increasing distress, requiring specialised psychosocial support. They are working to provide clean drinking water, food relief,
mattresses and hygiene kits to those left homeless. In August, the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) launched a crisis appeal to in aid of Gaza. DEC brings together several UK charities, of which Christian Aid is one, in times of crisis aiming to coordinate their response, and to raise money collectively rather than risk competing. Their Syria Crisis Appeal remains ongoing. Donations can be made online, at any post office, bank or building society, amongst other routes. Full details can be found on their website at www.dec.org.uk . We will be collecting for Christian Aid at our Harvest Service on Sunday 28th September. More updates will appear in future editions of Seeds.
TLS: The Journey So Far Before our local TLS Lite course started, Rev Trevor Jamison described it as “a journey in the company of others” (Seeds, March 2014). Midway through the course, Stephen Hoare shares his reflections on “the journey so far”.
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here are 10 of us doing the TLS course: 6 from AUC, 2 from Saughtonhall and 2 from Bathgate; supported by 3 tutors – Fiona (our minister), Rev Trevor Jamison (Eco Congregation Scotland and AUC) and Rev Sue Kirkbride (Saughtonhall URC).
different thoughts on the same passage as we were encouraged to say what they meant to us; but also to have insight into the times and context in which they were written, and into how long after events happened they were written down.
I think we have bonded well together as a group, listening intently to what each of us has to say, and gaining new insights from each other as well as from the tutors. It has been a wonderful experience; one from which I have learned a lot, changed my thoughts and views on some things, and I feel it has helped my understanding. I look forward to Thursday Looking back on the module ‘Getting to grips evenings, and will miss when we have finished with the Bible’, which talked about who actually the course (even the preparatory homework!). wrote the various books of the Bible and over Stephen Hoare what period of time, and about different translations. I was really interested to hear We started with a 3-week Introductory Course – ‘You, the Bible, God and Worship’; then a 5week module on ‘Getting to grips with the Bible’. We are currently coming towards the end of our third course, on theology –‘Talking about God’, and then will move on to a 10-week module on ‘Leading Worship’.
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We Are Loved
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Conversation, Creativity, Campaigning and Food
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ur Tribe on Saturday 27th September is an evening to welcome students to the city. Come along and enjoy being part of a fun evening with storytelling, music, creative art, campaigning…and food. Door open at 6.30 for a 7pm start, and as always the evening will include an opportunity to take communion.
ABC Update
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fter a quiet time for fundraising during the holiday season, we are poised to start our activities again this Autumn. Although we still await any news on possible grants, work continues on furthering our applications. Events to look forward to include a Craft Sale nearer to Christmas and early next year we are promised a concert from Harriet Davidson and her friends.
ne of the many Fringe events at General Assembly was the launch of the book ‘We are Loved: Expressions of Spirit, Words of Worship’ which is a compilation of prayers written at an LGBT-focused writers’ weekend at Windermere in 2013. The weekend was led by our own Jo Clifford and the book was compiled and edited by our own Lewis Reay. The launch was well attended and copies of the book made available to members of General Assembly the following morning. One person who attended the book launch wrote to me after General Assembly and said, “We are Loved: Insight, pain and anger, humour, and a fresh perspective on the life of the spirit with people saying what only they could say but still speaking for all of us, with some phrases that stick in one's soul. Thanks for making that available to us all.” Says it all really! Copies of ‘We are Loved’ are available at AUC, please see Maxwell Reay about them. Rev Fiona Bennett
In the meantime don’t forget to keep filling the “penny pots” and exchanging them for new ones when you bring them in on a Sunday. The total is still growing – please look out for a new visual in the Church foyer soon which will tell you exactly how much has been raised. When we reached £30,000 the Junior Church “pom-pom” board filled up which was gratifying but now spurs us on to greater efforts. Ian Rathjen 6 SEPTEMBER 2014
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Dandelion Greens (Things to chew on from the Membership Ministry Team)
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suspect that many new people in the church may have had cause to wonder about the elephant print table cloth that sometimes adorns our communion table. Why do we have it? Where does it come from? The answer is that it was given to us by a muchloved former member of our congregation, Russell Fountain. Russell came to Edinburgh from his native Birmingham, Alabama, USA during the time that Bungie (otherwise known as Mitchell Bunting) was our minister in the late nineties and noughties. Russell was studying for a PhD at Edinburgh University on cross-cultural attitudes to the nature of evil and wrongdoing, drawing on his experiences as a minister to a Christian community in Nigeria. The elephant cloth comes from that community.
Crescent, which drew together a wide crosssection of people, young and old, from churches, Edinburgh University and his neighbourhood, all enjoying wonderful dishes that he spent hours preparing. They may well have been welcome intermissions from writing his PhD, but I will remember the friendliness of these parties for a long time yet. Russell his since returned to take up a ministry back in Alabama and my recent attempts to contact him via email/Facebook/Google have failed but if by chance he discovers this article on the internet: Russell, we are grateful for the time you spent with us in our city, and we hope you are doing well. Alex Peden
Russell was probably drawn to our church because his home church in the USA was the Churches of Christ. When the UK equivalent of this denomination split up, a number of congregations were welcomed into URC congregations, such as Dalkeith Road URC prior to its union with AUC. On many occasions at AUC, we were fortunate enough to be led in worship by Russell, whose services were imbued with the Churches of Christ unique style, and insights from his time in Africa. Russell is a quiet but sociable individual who generously exported his homeland's famed Southern Hospitality. I fondly recollect the social occasions he held at his flat in Grosvenor
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Thank You Paradise Green!
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uring August, we again welcomed Paradise Green Productions to Augustine, and watched the building be transformed into a buzzing and welcoming Fringe venue. As well as being greeted by their smiling faces on a Sunday morning, and enjoying their coffee/ tea-making skills, this year we had an added treat – The first ever performance by the Paradise Green Choir, who joined us and sang at our service on August 24th; bringing the same enthusiasm to that as their other summer roles (& if that’s what their “scratch” choir can do…!)
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aradise Green is a ‘not-for-profit’ organisation, with the majority of their staff being volunteers. As we discovered talking to the choir, they come from across the UK to spend their summer working in Edinburgh…& then many come back for more in subsequent years. So what does ‘Paradise in Augustine’ mean to them? Here’s a selection of their thoughts.
As one of the team said, “We call the main church space when it is a theatre the ‘Sanctuary’. I know a lot of us look to our summers in Edinburgh as a sanctuary away from tough and stressful jobs, so this is very appropriate!”
Exploring Church Membership
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re you considering becoming a member or an associate member of Augustine? Are you a current member who would like to refresh your membership?
The next ‘Exploring Church Membership’ course begins on Wednesday 29th October. The 3-week course offers people the opportunity to reflect on, and explore, what it means for them to be: A member of Christ’s Church A member of the URC A member of AUC For further information, please contact Rev Fiona Bennett. 8 SEPTEMBER 2014
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Inchcolm 2014: A Different Inchcolm Experience
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n Sunday 10th August, somewhat earlier in the month than in previous years, a good crowd, mainly from Augustine and St Columba’s by the Castle, gathered on the quayside in the shadow of the Forth Bridge to embark on the ‘Maid of the Forth’. If some of us began to think that the “Inch” referred to the amount of rain that fell that morning, it did not spoil the new and palpable excitement running through the throng. There seemed to be a larger than usual crowd of young people on the trip this year. They were, of course, the members of the Soweto Melodic Voices who joined us for the service in Inchcolm Abbey. The service was led by Rev Canon Zachary Fleetwood, Rector of St Columba’s, assisted by Rev Canon John Richardson (who recently led our worship at Augustine). Edinburgh University Chaplain, Rev Dr Harriet Harris welcomed the Soweto Choir who had been supported for the second year by the Chaplaincy in their visit to Edinburgh to sing at the ’just Festival’ in St John’s.
stentorian with the subdued and the result was exhilarating. Their enthusiasm and energy was contagious and after Communion we all left the service feeling both grateful for and uplifted by their commitment. It was a joy to hear them again at a packed Greyfriars Kirk the following Sunday during the Festival Fringe Service. Ian Rathjen
(I wonder if the hymns were chosen before or after seeing the weather forecast? We sang the Seafarers’ Hymn ‘Eternal Father, strong to save’ with its refrain “Oh, hear us when we cry to thee for those in peril on the sea”! – Ed. )
We were able to appreciate to the full the splendid sound produced by the thirty or so singers, all between the ages of 15 and 25. It would be an understatement to say that their voices filled the ancient building – they reverberated, they resonated, but they had the control to blend the
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The Healing Power of Prayer "We cannot measure how you heal or answer every sufferer's prayer, yet we believe your grace responds where faith and doubt unite to care."
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(J Bell & G Maule CH4 718. CLLI 1133487)
ow the power of prayer works no one can be sure, but somehow it does help to weave God's transformation in our lives and world. All of us are aware of people close by and far away who are particularly in need of healing, hope and strength, and of the significant decision this September which faces the people of Scotland. Please take some time this month to pray for God's transforming touch in: People we know who are ill or grieving, People across the world who are living in fear uncertainly and grief, The Scottish Referendum with all its ramifications whichever way the vote decides, The URC Synod meeting at Saughtonhall URC on September 13th. Rev Fiona Bennett
Pastoral Care
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f you have prayer requests or would like to contact a minister, please contact:
Rev Fiona Bennett (minister.auc@gmail.com) Rev Maxwell Reay (revmaxwell.auc@gmail.com)
Scottish Referendum
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ast month we shared the pre-referendum prayer written by Edinburgh Churches Together. Below is reproduced a suggested post-referendum prayer from Action of Churches Together in Scotland : “The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.” (Psalm 113:4)
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ternal God, we pray for the people of Scotland in the aftermath of the referendum on independence. We pray for those celebrating the outcome. We pray for those who are disappointed. Guide us that we might not succumb to triumphalism or despondency. In Christian unity, with tolerance and respect, help us to work together for justice, peace and the good of society, in this land and beyond, particularly those with the least share in material prosperity. We pray for Elizabeth our Queen, for Members of the Scottish Parliament of all parties and for those in positions of influence and responsibility. Inspire and challenge us to know that true sovereignty rests not in any earthly realm, territory or power but ultimately in you, gracious and forgiving God. So now, with new confidence and hope, may we walk forward in the light of your reconciling love in Christ, that your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Our prayers we ask in Jesus’ name, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be all glory and praise now and forever. Amen.
Requests can also be made via the Prayer Requests box in the porch (kept locked, accessed by the ministers) or via the Church Office. (Full contact details on the cover of Seeds) 10 SEPTEMBER 2014
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National Suicide Prevention Week 2014
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his year, Augustine will again be the venue for the annual ‘Service for those touched by suicide’ arranged by the Community Mental Health Chaplains and Choose Life Edinburgh (see below). It is one of a number of events being held during the week across Edinburgh, with information stalls at community venues across the city, a football tournament and a free film screening at the Filmhouse. Full details can be found on the council website at: www.edinburgh.gov.uk/ info/20046/protect_someone_from_harm/1107/ national_suicide_prevention_week_6__12_september . National Suicide Prevention Week is held annually in the UK in the week which includes World Suicide Prevention Day (10th September). This year, the worldwide theme is ‘Suicide Prevention: One World Connected’, and Choose Life in Scotland continues its ‘Read between the lines’ campaign, encouraging active listening within conversations.
support and friendship can be a life-saving act (www.iasp.org). You may have seen the news stories earlier this year about the England cricketers who stopped to help a man on a Sydney bridge; or Jonny, who was reunited (via social media) with the man who had helped save his life 6 years ago on Waterloo Bridge – by stopping, talking and offering him a coffee, until professional help arrived. Connecting is one of the ‘Five a Day for Wellbeing’, the others being Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning, and Give. Here at Augustine, we will be exploring the issue of Loneliness and Mental Health at our Church Discussion Meeting on Mental Health Sunday, next month on 12th October.
Do remember that, even if you don’t feel able to open up to a friend at that very moment, or don’t feel able to disturb them, there are always people around to talk to. Every month in Seeds we publish a list of helplines. Both Samaritans and Edinburgh Crisis Centre are available 24hours a day, every day (as is Childline). They are Evidence shows that social isolation can also there to support you if you’ve had one of increase the risk of suicide, and, conversely, that those “difficult conversations” and need support having strong human bonds can be protective for yourself. against it. Reaching out to those who have Tamsin Kilgour become disconnected from others and offering
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Angela Moreland Our friend and church member Angela Moreland tragically died on Sunday 3rd August, aged 49. Her funeral was held on Thursday 21st August at Mortonhall Crematorium. Below we reproduce the poem, written by one of Angela’s close friends in her memory, which was read at her funeral.
One of Angela’s beautiful photos
For Angela Throughout life, turmoil and strife Are for the most punctuated by happier times Yet for some there is but turmoil and toil Upon this often cold and mortal coil Despite the pain we lurch on In a cycle which fails to break A fact the majority can neither understand Empathise with or continually take Lives such as those emphatically lonely Often talent breed As the thin line walked in earnest Dodging the precipice below Give out with the self So little space One’s pain and hurt To let go
So until our time has come We will see you in the sunshine And within the glorious autumn leaves Hear your whisper in the soft breeze As it ripples through the trees We will see you as we look upwards Towards the flocks of migratory birds Your voice we will hear as the church congregations Sing aloud your favourite words
So farewell, adieu, hasta la vista dear friend Your passing is a new beginning ‘tis not an end You will live on within our hearts and memories Your laughter, rye jokes, your valour, your caring Your vulnerability, talents and faith, friendship, intellect The great richness you brought to the table Tolerance where it lacks abundance It takes not a great reader a fine poem to make ‘Tis my prayer to make able Nor years of college a delightful photograph to take The Spitfire you spoke of Neither must a surname adorned with letters That in your dreams awaits you now Intellect make You have given your service Witty repartee oft derived from the tortured soul Endured more than most Worn as a mask inner loneliness to thole The engine you hear is no phantom or ghost To emulate normality within one So climb into the cockpit of that Spitfire Who feels alive yet unwhole With engine made ready And look to yonder sky ‘Tis now that you have left the room You have more than earned your wings, dear Plain is it for us to see friend We have lost a soul with great valour With our blessings Talent and integrity Go now - fly! Come has the time to say farewell Yet remember we must You abide from us not far For heaven ever keeps Her doors ajar 12 SEPTEMBER 2014
❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀ Anne-Louise
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Getting To Know You
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y name is… Helen Wareing. I have lived in Edinburgh since I was a student at Edinburgh University over 30 years ago (eek!). I spend my time…enjoying being with family and friends – a number of whom live down south, which makes for quite a bit of travelling at present. I love volunteering at LGBT Youth as a youth worker and feel enriched by the amazing young people I meet. My day job is with the Methodist Church as the Scotland learning and development manager, supporting staff and volunteers across the country and encouraging new ways of being church. But when I’m home, without fail my day will include two really important activities – walking our dog, which I do at a moderate pace, and reading, which (my family tells me) I do really, really fast! My favourite place is…Tiree. We’ve been fortunate to enjoy several holidays there and it’s a place where I always feel restored. There’s so much sky, sea, space – and no mobile signal! My favourite hymn is…’Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!’ I walked down the aisle to this hymn at our wedding (slightly to my Dad’s surprise!). For me, it expresses a radical “upside down” kingdom message and feels like the words of a strong woman too.
Helplines: LGBT Support: 0300 123 2523 Samaritans: 08457 909090 Childline: 0800 1111 Rape Crisis: 8088 010 302 Breathing Space: 0800 838587 Edinburgh Crisis Centre: 0808 8010414
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y name is…Carolyn Thornton.
I spend my time… at work I teach children with multi disability visual impairment (MDVI). I love my job, but it is very tiring (ok, I’m getting old ), so I have just gone down to working three days a week. I work very closely with the kids and with my staff team. There are no set ways to teach the kids so we have to be creative and adapt everything; it can be either the most frustrating or the most fulfilling job in the world – but never boring. At play I enjoy being with my husband Philip. He travels a lot, so when he’s home we make the most of our time together. We hill walk (we completed the Munros in 2012), bike ride, as well as liking reading, and going to the theatre, opera and concerts. We have three grown-up (at least chronologically!) children: Jonathan, Max and Matthew, and have great fun on the rare occasions they are all home together. I have wonderful friends both here and all over the world with whom I try to keep in touch via email. I would like to have more time to spend with them. My favourite place is…I have lived in many countries, including New Zealand, Colombia, USA, Netherlands, and Kenya, but am not sure what my favourite place is as there are many I haven’t visited yet. However the Scottish mountains certainly rank very highly – I love the quiet, the open space and the freedom I feel there. My favourite hymns are…I have several (could it be that I am indecisive?). They include: ‘Make Me a Channel of Thy Peace’ ‘Will You Come and Follow Me if I but Call Your Name?’ and, ‘Here I am Lord’.
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“Windows”
Well done… To Trevor Jamison, AUC member and EcoCongregation Scotland chaplain, who has completed the John Muir Way long-distance footpath. The walk aimed to highlight the work done by Scottishborn John Muir , founder of national parks in the USA.
exciting new art project!
Please come and take part in an
The art work will be made through four
creative workshops. These will th take place on 18 ,
19th, 25th and 26th September (10am till 3pm) at Augustine
You can read more about it in the current SynNEWS.
United Church
All welcome – No experience needed. The work we make will be displayed during the “Stigma-Free Arts Café” which will be open on Thursdays (12noon till 2pm) in October 2014 at Augustine United Church. This is part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival Tea and coffee will be provided but bring your own lunch. For more information please contact Emily at emily@health-inmind.org.uk or Maxwell at maxwell.reay@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk or on 0131 537 6366
October Seeds
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pologies from your editor, but the October issue of Seeds will be arriving in your inbox a week late, i.e. prior to the 2nd Sunday of the month, due to a study/Seeds deadline clash. This month’s calendar has been extended into October to cover; and that’s a bonus week to get your creative juices flowing !
A sample of Junior Church’s Summer craft activities, as they revisited the Seasons of the Church Year they had learned about during the year.
14 SEPTEMBER 2014
│ Seeds
September: The Garden of Eden Moving on from last year’s theme of ‘The Word of God’, Junior Church welcomes all to our theme for this year, ‘Test of Faith’. We will explore the times when faith is tested and learn about Bible stories which echo this theme. During September, we will be looking at the story of the Garden of Eden, as the wider church explores Creationtide. The children will help to serve communion to the congregation. There will be a Godly Play story and a shared Feast, and we’ll play some ‘games of choice’ to learn about choices, decisions, and God’s grace. At the end of the month we will be celebrating the theme of Harvest in the All-Age Worship service.
Happy Birthday to Joseph
2
who will be 2 on 26th
“In the midst of the creation there was a wonderful garden. It was God’s garden. Everything was there…everything was so close it was all together.” (From ‘The Second Creation – the Falling Apart’ – The Complete Guide to Godly Play Volume 6. Picture – from godlyplayresources.com)
September
Junior Church welcomes families in all their diversity, specifically inclusive of members of LGBT families. We have varied activities each week, from storytelling, to crafts, games and video making. We have a crèche for little ones and baby changing facilities are available. We use materials to appeal to children’s different learning styles from Cornerstones. (www.cstones.com) and also use Godly Play (www.godlyplay.org.uk). www.augustine.org.uk
SEPTEMBER 2014 15
Seeds │
AUC Worship Services at 11am on Sundays at AUC, George IV Bridge. (All events at AUC, unless otherwise stated)
Calendar September 2014
Season of Creationtide
Tuesday 2nd
7.30pm
Thursday 4th
2pm
Women’s Union: National AGM and meeting at Saughtonhall URC
7-9pm
TLS Lite at Saughtonhall URC (Group members only)
11am
Communion Service. Preacher Rev Trevor Jamison
12.30pm
Church Business Meeting
Sunday 7th
Elders meeting in the Library
3pm
Service for Those Touched by Suicide. Tea afterwards (see p.11)
Tuesday 9th
7.30pm
Contextual Bible Study: Genesis 7 & 8 “Flood Story”
Wednesday 10th
7-8.30pm
Craft Drop-in in the Library
Thursday 11th
7-9pm
TLS Lite at Saughtonhall URC (Group members only)
Friday 12th
12 noon
BBC Scotland “Brian Taylor’s Big Debate” at Greyfriars Kirk
Saturday 13th
10.30am-4pm
Autumn Synod Meeting at Saughtonhall URC
Sunday 14th
11am
Morning Worship
7-8pm
Refugio at Greyfriars Kirk
Tuesday 16th
7.30pm
Wednesday 17th
7-8.30pm
Book Group: Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life by Karen Armstrong (last session) Craft Drop-in in the Library
Friday 19th
7pm 8-11pm
BBC Radio 4 “Any Questions?” (Tickets required – available from Greyfriars Kirk) Nitekirk: “Journeying” at AUC
Sunday 21st
11am
Monday 22nd
2pm
Wednesday 24th
7-8.30pm
Communion Service. Interview with Catherine Somerville of Stonewall about “No Bystanders” Campaign Women’s Union at Saughtonhall URC: “Living with the Rectory Cat” – Rev Dean Fostekew Craft Drop-in in the Library
Thursday 25th
7-9pm
TLS Lite at AUC (Group members only)
Saturday 27th
6.30 for 7pm
Sunday 28th
11am
Our Tribe: “Conversation, Creativity, Campaigning and Food” (see p.6) Harvest Sunday All-Age Worship with collection for Christian Aid (Commitment for Life) Harvest Lunch with a Middle Eastern theme
12.30-2pm 6pm Monday 29th
October 2014
2pm
Wednesday 1st
7-8.30pm
Thursday 2nd
12-2pm 7-9pm
St C’s@SIX – Agapé service and meal at St Columba’s by the Castle Women’s Union at Saughtonhall URC: “Rosslyn Chapel” – Becky Angus
Season of Wholeness – People and Planet Craft Drop-in in the Studio
Stigma-Free Café: “Spirituality and Mental Health”. Tea/coffee available, bring your own lunch. Being held as part of the 8th Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival (SMHAFF) (see p.14) TLS Lite at AUC (Group members only)
Saturday 4th
7pm
Sunday 5th
11am
Fundraising Organ Concert with Robin Bell at Dunfermline URC (Canmore Street, Dunfermline). Tickets £5 Communion Service with interview about Nitekirk
12.15pm
Cake Stall in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support
Monday 6th
2pm
Women’s Union at Saughtonhall URC: Live Music Now
Tuesday 7th
7.30pm
Elders meeting in the Library
Wednesday 8th
7-8.30pm
Craft Drop-in in the Library
Thursday 9th
12-2pm 7-9pm
Stigma-Free Café: “Food Demonstration”. Tea/coffee provided, bring your own lunch. Being held as part of SMHAFF (see p.14) TLS Lite at AUC (Group members only)
11am
Morning Worship for Mental Health Sunday: “A Spiritual Banquet”
1-2.15pm
Church Discussion Meeting: “Living with Loneliness” – Mental Health and Older People www.augustine.org.uk
Sunday 12th
16 SEPTEMBER 2014