Greenbank Connec ions - Greenbank Parish Church, Edinburgh - February 2022 Issue 704
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Greenbank
Connecions
February 2022 Issue 704 Scottish Charity SCO11325
Manse Garden Christmas Roses, by the Locum Gardener (Duncan Macniven)
Greenbank Parish Church, Edinburgh
Online version: www.greenbankchurch.org/about/the-newsletter/
www.greenbankchurch.org
Contents Letter from the Locum
Letter from the Locum 2
Christian Aid 3
Edinburgh Presbytery Plan 2022–2025 4
Thought for the Month: February 5
The Guild 6
Friendship Club 6
No SLA Book Café 6
Fresh Start 7
Recycling Ink Cartridges (update) 7
Thoughts from the Coffee Group 7 Dear Friends,
Social Justice 8 This is my first letter for Connec-
Gardening for Wildlife 9 tions since taking up the post as
CD to Borrow 11 your locum minister. I have been
World Church 12 immensely grateful to those who
Safe Disposal 12 have made me feel welcome and
Building Classrooms 13 helped me to settle in. As locum, I
Life and Work 14 work part time in the areas of wor-
SLA are Hiring 14 ship and pastoral care and leave all
Congregational Register 14 the work with the Kirk Session in
Welcome Teams 15 the capable hands of your Interim
Flower Rota 15 Moderator who introduced himself
Contacts and Deadlines 15 last month.
‘Greenbank Life’ Competition 16 Each week, my husband Mike and
I travel to childmind our grandchil-
dren – a great privilege and joy. At
this time of year, we begin to notice
the gradual lightening of the morn-
ings, as week by week, the season
slips by. It feels good to look for-
ward to the time when our jour-
neys are made in daylight rather
than in the dark. We all notice now
a gradual easing of the restrictions
which have been placed on our
lives and on Church life, especially
since the start of the Pandemic. It’s
not that Covid 19 has gone away,
2
February 2022
but we are now in a better place to But Christmas reminded us that
live with it and that too feels like there is light in the world and that
a little bit of light after a long dark no matter how dark things seem,
couple of years. the darkness cannot overcome the
On the world stage though, the light that is God’s love. We travel
light is harder to find. International through the season of Epiphany
tensions are high and as I write now, quite a long season this year
this, there are important meetings as Easter is late, and we are remind-
between the US and Russia; Iran is ed to look for all the places where
developing its nuclear capability; we see God and the light of God’s
China is active over Hong Kong, love break through the darkness.
Taiwan and the South China Sea; With all good wishes,
and Kim Jong-un remains his un-
predictable self. We’re told the
Doomsday clock is at 100 seconds
to midnight. Rev Dr Anne T Logan
Christian Aid
Advent and Christmas appeal for
Christian Aid
Thank you to all who gave so gen- virtual Gathering in February. Yitna
erously to our annual appeal. Tekaligne and Mbaraka Fazal will
The total donated was £8,852. In speak about the impact of climate
addition to this, Gift Aid will in- change and conflict on vulnerable
crease the total by up to £2,153 communities. There will also be
(subject to confirmation.) information about Christian Aid
These funds will go towards sup- Week and lots more.
porting families in South Sudan and This will be an interactive session
around the world who are coping with opportunities to ask ques-
with the effects of the climate crisis. tions of the Scotland team staff
Christian Aid Scotland Online and other supporters.
Supporter Gathering You are invited to join – email to
Tuesday 22nd February 2022 register and receive the joining in-
10am – 12pm structions:
Christian Aid will welcome staff edinburgh@christian-aid.org
from their South Sudan team to the Fiona Watt
Christian Aid Coordinator
3
www.greenbankchurch.org
Edinburgh Presbytery Plan 2022–2025
In September’s Connections, I up- The Kirk Session debated the
dated the congregation on the proposals at its meeting on 12th
major reshaping being planned in January. Together with the Rev Dr
the Church of Scotland in response Alastair Donald (our Interim Mod-
to a twin crisis of money and short- erator) and Robert Young (a fel-
age of Ministers. The General As- low elder and former Treasurer), I
sembly in May 2021 highlighted the represented Greenbank at a Zoom
scale of the problem – the Church meeting organised by the Presby-
is currently using £11m of its re- tery on 15th January for all con-
serves each year to keep going and, gregations in the city. It was de-
clearly, this cannot continue. The signed to consider questions from
Assembly decided that it could in congregations. Over 450 were
future afford only 600 ministry sent in beforehand. Since similarly
posts. Each Presbytery was allo- radical proposals have been made
cated the number it had to reach for every congregation, the meet-
by 2025 – 48 posts for Edinburgh, ing was not a happy occasion. The
down from 78 at present. Presbytery team will reflect on the
Edinburgh Presbytery published in (many) points raised, and also give
December a draft, for consultation congregations the chance to send
with congregations, of its plan to in new ideas. Later they will publish
achieve that very difficult goal. No a revised draft and hold meetings
final decisions have been made and with congregations. Our Kirk Ses-
the details in the plan are subject sion will have at least one special
to change. For Greenbank, it pro- meeting to firm up our response
poses union with Fairmilehead and before any meeting is held.
St John’s Colinton Mains, served by The Presbytery has been set a dif-
two full-time ministers and an Or- ficult task (as have the other Pres-
dained Local Minister (OLM) who byteries throughout Scotland). The
would serve part-time and unpaid. outcome will not be ideal. The Kirk
That is a very different proposal Session is determined to seek a
from our original goal of being conclusion which maintains wor-
given authority to replace Martin ship at Greenbank and allows the
Ritchie by a new minister, dedicat- congregation to make the maxi-
ed to continuing and strengthen- mum contribution to delivering the
ing Greenbank’s Christian witness Good News. If any member of the
to our parish and beyond. There congregation wants to comment,
is, however, a good prospect that please email me
each of the churches in the union
will retain their buildings.
Valerie Macniven
Session Clerk
4
February 2022
Thought for the Month: February
I wonder if you have ever been of- to church looking (he said) more
fended by something challenging like tarted-up hussies than chaste
you heard in a sermon, in Green- Christian women! Nor did he tone
bank or elsewhere? things down for Em-
No doubt the preacher perors and Empress-
did not set out to of- es, whose shortcom-
fend, and you might ings were many and
be too polite to have notorious. For his
said much about it, but trouble he was sent
nonetheless you found into exile, where he
that it left you rather died. Yet here’s the
rattled. Our Reformed thing: on hearing of
tradition sets great his death, the same
store by preaching as establishment that
a means of grace. But had condemned him
what might be less well-known came to realise that he had not
is that the place of impactful and been gratuitously offensive but in
challenging preaching goes right fact robustly challenging. They saw
back to the early church fathers. that they had been wrong to run
St John Chrysostom (his second him out of town. All Constantino-
name is Greek for “Golden Mouth”, ple thronged the streets for his of-
in recognition of his great elo- ficial burial. They recalled the win-
quence) was one of the most bril- someness of his preaching as well
liant preachers of the early Church. as its challenges, and so accorded
Both in Antioch and then in the him his nickname.
eastern Roman capital of Constan- I think it unlikely that Anne would
tinople, his preaching captivated all ever wish to challenge the Sunday
who heard him. But his insistence congregation in quite the terms
on the need for a living faith rather that he did! But here’s a thought:
than a purely nominal one, a faith if we ever take umbrage at some-
to be reflected in the lifestyles thing a preacher says, it may be
and priorities of his hearers, got worth checking ourselves to see
him on occasion into hot water. if there may in fact be some truth
Those who used their wealth self- in the message, no matter how un-
ishly were publicly challenged. For comfortable it makes us feel.
example, on one occasion some Alistair Donald,
elaborately-coiffed women came Interim Moderator
5
www.greenbankchurch.org
The Guild No SLA Book Café
Good News for the Unfortunately this year, because of
Guild… maybe? the uncertainties, there will not be
We are hoping to a traditional Scottish Love in Action
resume our meetings Book Café. However, we do know
on 1st February on the that many people enjoy this event.
topic of the develop- So, if the regulations permit, there
ment of Saughton will be a
Gardens, and then on the 15th we Coffee Morning
will have a speaker from the Vine on Saturday 5th March
Trust to tell us how the Kazunu: Vil- at George Watson’s College.
lage of Hope project in Tanzania is There will be some literary activity
developing. We are supporting this associated with this Coffee Morn-
project in the current year. ing – a few books on sale, and a
Watch out for confirmation of SLA Book Quiz for you to enjoy.
these meetings in the weekly We will confirm further details in
Newsletter and in the Sunday Inti- the March Connections and in the
mations in Church, or phone Edith Greenbank weekly Newsletter.
to check.
The SLA Book Quiz will also be
available on the SLA website after
Friendship Club 14th February
www.sla-india.org/news/
Very best wishes for a happy and literary-quiz-2022
more normal new year to all the
This year’s quiz is on the subject of
members of the Friendship Club.
Love and will be launched on 14th
Sadly we’re back to not being able
February. It will have several quiz
to meet so it was good that we
rounds on great romantic novels,
managed half a session of very
quotations about love, love of
happy and successful meetings.
animals etc, with a focus on books
Our two speakers so far have been
about Scotland and India. And it
very understanding and are now on
will have a prize of a bottle of gin!
the syllabus for 2022/2023!
Venetia Thomson and
I will, of course, be in touch the
minute I have positive news and un- Sheila Cannell
til then keep well and keep smiling.
Val Smart
6
February 2022
Thoughts from the
Coffee Group
Greenbank Session has made a
decision to purchase Fair Trade and
Fresh Start offers services to pro- ethical goods where possible.
vide support for those who have
been homeless and their mission is The Coffee Group has been using
to “help turn a house into a home”. Fair Trade coffee since we bought
Most household items are grate- the coffee machines.
fully received: please see the Fresh When we start to serve coffee af-
Start website. ter the 10.30 Service in the future,
Many thanks to all who have con- when the infection rate of Covid
tacted me recently to donate items. has reduced, we plan to serve Fair
Trade/ethical biscuits. They can
Contact me if you have items to cost more than the ones we have
donate. served in the past. We would be
Eileen MacKinnon
grateful if you could maybe donate
www.freshstartweb.org.uk a little more to cover the cost. In
the past the Congregation were
very generous; once the expenses
were covered, we were delighted
to pass on the excess to charity.
We hope to be able to continue to
Recycling help charities in the future.
Ink Cartridges (update) Isobel Thom, Pauline Walker
We have now reached nearly 250 and Fiona Grant
ink cartridges saved from landfill
(apparently 3.61 kilos) and £57 so venient for you (but no Charity
far for the charity, Poverty Child. benefits). Morrisons also take used
Happy to take ink cartridges (sorry coffee pods and crinkly plastic.
no laser or toner cartridges) and Oxgangs Library have a box to take
also used stamps from your neigh- old spectacles but that is currently
bours and friends as well. The recy- suspended while the Library is be-
cling and used stamp boxes are in ing used as a Covid Test Centre.
the vestibule. Stuart Sanders
Morrisons at Hunters Tryst also
take ink cartridges if more con-
7
www.greenbankchurch.org
Social Justice
Moderator and Charities You can donate to the hunger ap-
urge action for Afghan Refugees peal here:
For those of you who missed Tho- www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/
mas Baldwin’s report in the Octo- emergencies/global-hunger-
ber 2021 edition of Life and Work, emergency-appeal
he outlines the call that the Church Or donate to Tearfund Appeal here:
of Scotland and Christian charities www.tearfund.org/campaigns/
have made to the UK Government Afghanistan-emergency-appeal
urging them to take immediate ac-
tion to establish safe routes to the Welcoming Refugees Workshop
resettlement of Afghan refugees. Scottish Faiths Action for Refugees
Since pulling out of the country last is excited to be hosting an event
August there has been a mass exo- on community sponsorship for
dus of people. churches and faith communities in
Lord Wallace, Moderator of the Scotland with their friends at Citi-
General Assembly of the Church of zens UK.
Scotland said, Community sponsorship is a refu-
“The Bible makes it clear that we gee resettlement programme with
must care for and support those local people at its heart. It provides
who are oppressed and seeking a safe route for refugees at risk to
sanctuary.... we urge the UK Gov- reach Scotland and build a life here
ernment to establish an extended as part of a supportive community.
resettlement programme. We must Join the conversation on Thursday
allow more people to make use of 3rd February at 5:30pm to find out
family reunion rights so they can how your church could welcome a
join their relatives who have settled refugee family to your community.
in the UK. The government should There will also be an opportunity
also ensure that Afghans will not to consider possible next steps for
be penalised for seeking refuge in community sponsorship in your
the UK via “irregular routes” which context.
is being proposed under the Na- Book in:
tionality and Borders Bill.”
tinyurl.com/hwcfjx9c
The full article can be read in the Hazel Macaulay
October 2021 edition of Life and Social Justice Group
Work or obtain a copy from me
8
February 2022
Gardening for Wildlife
Many organisations highlight the or hung on balconies. Regularly
importance of diversity of wildlife wash feeders and bird baths. In
and publish articles with ideas to autumn and winter, birds need
create our own diverse environ- high energy foods (e.g. fat balls)
ment. I have picked some ideas and in spring and summer, they
highlighted by RSPB and Scottish need high protein foods (e.g. sun-
Wildlife Trust. Materials can be flower seeds, cheese, oatmeal).
purchased at garden centres or DIY U
UGrow a hedge instead of a
stores or, for DIY enthusiasts, the boundary wall, or add a trellis
internet is a great resource for bird with a wooden spacer between
feeder patterns and instructions. trellis and wall to allow the plants
U
UFeed the birds. Choose a location to twine up; both provide good
where birds are least likely to be cover for birds. Depending on
disturbed and sheltered from sun available space, plant trees, pro-
and wind and open so that they viding food and homes for in-
get notice of predators. Feed- sects and birds.
ers can be stuck onto windows
9
www.greenbankchurch.org
U
UInstall a bee hotel. Bees and
other pollinating insects are es-
sential for flowers and fruit and
these insects are suffering from
loss of habitat.
www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/
how-to-make-bee-hotel.html
friendsoftheearth.uk/bees/make-
a-bee-house
U
UBuild a hedgehog home. Hedgehogs
are shy and love cover, e.g. hedge
and low bushes, pile of wood.
www.gardenersworld.com/
how-to/diy/how-to-make-a-
hedgehog-house/
U
UBuild a pond or a bog garden.
Can be as small or large as your
space allows. Will attract a wide
range of different species of
wildlife that like wet areas. Best
ponds have shallow sides and tall
plants to provide cover. Scottish
Wildlife Trust have a good leaflet
with guidance.
U
ULeave a wild corner: don’t cut the
grass and in autumn scatter some
wild flower seeds, just let them
settle in amongst the grass and
Herons visit even the smallest ponds
come up naturally. The wildflow-
ers will provide pollen for the
insects and the deeper grass will autumn – ivy, hyssop, ice plant,
shelter wildlife. Don’t mow until sweet scabious, michaelmas
the flowers have died down. daisy.
U
UAdd plants to attract pollinating U
UPlant wildlife friendly herbs:
insects: spring – primrose, sweet rosemary, caraway, hyssop, Eng-
rocket, aubrieta, honesty; sum- lish lavender, common sage, wild
mer – buddleia, honeysuckle, thyme, fennel, chives, common
lavender, red valerian, hebe; mint, marjoram.
10February 2022
U
UPut up nestboxes for birds. They reptiles. Piles of leaves left under
should be facing somewhere be- bushes or in a corner also pro-
tween North and East. vide shelter for many animals.
w w w. r s p b . o rg . u k /f u n - a n d - U
UAvoid using pesticides, weedkill-
learning/for-families/family- ers and slug pellets. Soapy wa-
wild-challenge/activities/build- ter, coffee grounds, chestnuts,
a-birdbox/ marigolds and alliums are all
U
UAllow dead wood to lie or dig into deterrents of some pest or other.
the ground to provide habitat for Ladybirds eat aphids, frogs like
beetles, bees and a host of other slugs, birds eat insects.
insects. Woodpiles also support Jane Harkin
small mammals, amphibians and Eco-Group
CD to Borrow
‘Come all You Peo- worship songs, but also
ple’ - ‘Shorter songs readings and prayers.
for worship’ is a CD As a way of connecting
I came upon when with God through song,
doing a tidy up in my I recommend listening
house recently. It is to this, expecting to be
one of several CDs touched by it and in-
which definitely war- spired by it. I’m happy to
rant more listening lend ‘Come all you peo-
and interest. ple’ to anyone. Just get in touch.
I was surprised by the content as Alison Ambler
it not only contains some lovely
11www.greenbankchurch.org
World Church
We’re delighted to announce that rive at her new post in November,
the next Fair Trade Stall will be on her travel has been delayed and
Sunday 27th February after the she continues to awaits a visa and
morning service. Here you will be for Israel to lift Covid restrictions,
able to stock up on the usual sup- which must be very frustrating for
plies of chocolate, tea, rice, and her. In the meantime Muriel is in-
sundries, as well as some Easter viting worshippers to join the serv-
goodies. If you are unable to attend ice from St Andrew’s Jerusalem via
in person you can visit the One zoom on Sunday evenings at 4pm
World Shop’s website: GMT. Details of the zoom link and
www.oneworldshop.co.uk/ service details can be found on the
where you will also find a huge Church of Scotland Faith Impact
range of Fairtrade items helping Forum Facebook page and below.
producers from across the world This will be a fantastic opportunity
get a fair price for their products. to be able to join in the worship
and support the congregation of
Over on the Church of Scotland
St Andrew’s Jerusalem whilst they
Faith Impact Forum Facebook page
await the arrival of their new Asso-
details of live services from Jeru-
ciate Minister.
salem are being shared. The Rev
Join Zoom Meeting
Muriel Pearson was commissioned
as the new Associate Minister for https://us02web.zoom.
St Andrew’s Jerusalem and Tibe- us/j/83885163717...
rias, in the Holy Land, in a special Meeting ID: 838 8516 3717
service that took place at the end Passcode: 187535
of October in Glasgow. Due to ar-
Clare Campbell
World Church Group
Safe Disposal
One week, walking home from
church, I counted five disposable
masks lying on the pavement. If
you must use one of these instead
of a washable reusable one, please
make sure you cut the strings
before throwing it away. Wildlife
get entangled! Alison Murison
Eco-Group
12February 2022
Building Classrooms for an ActionAid Project
in a School in Northern Rwanda
Kyra first visited Rwanda in
2016 and was very affected
by this visit. She has pledged
to fundraise at least £3,300
for Action Aid in order to
take part. This will cover the
cost of travel from London
and basic accommodation in
Rwanda, and provide funds
for the local workforce and
materials for the build.
Over the next few months
Kyra Okoth, teacher/manager of
she will be doing various stalls to
Greenbank Pre School, has signed
support fund raising.
up with ActionAid to work for a
week in August 2022 at Group In the meantime, any donations for
Scolaire school Muko, northern this amazing cause and opportuni-
Rwanda. There are over 2000 pu- ty would be very much appreciated
pils in the primary school and not no matter how little. Your support
enough classroom space, making it will enable more children to access
very difficult for students to con- a quality education.
centrate and learn. You can donate to Kyra’s JustGiv-
Due to the pandemic, children ing page by clicking here:
have also missed out on much of tinyurl.com/3satbtck
their education over the past 18 Donating through JustGiving is
months. With few opportunities simple, fast and totally secure.
to learn from home, many children Once you donate, they’ll send your
have fallen behind, making a pro- money directly to ActionAid, so it’s
ductive learning environment more the most efficient way to give.
important than ever. ActonAid is an Joan Ritchie
international humanitarian charity. Chair,
Management Committee,
Greenbank Pre School
13www.greenbankchurch.org
Life and Work Congregational Register
January 2022
Introducing the Five Marks of Mission
A six-part series looking at the history
and vision of the Five Marks of Mission
Following Jesus together
The life and work of Jen Robertson,
Children’s Resources Manager at the
Scottish Bible Society.
Faith in Action
Update from the Faith Action Programme
The Bard and the Church
As Burns Day approaches, the Very Rev
Dr James Simpson reflects on the re-
lationship between the poet and the
Church of Scotland
‘Prepared for Anything’
Michael Macaulay describes how the
BB adapted to the Covid-19 pandemic.
‘Humbling and Wonderful’
The Work of Crossreach.
‘Thy Kingdom Come’
David Searle continues his study
SLA are Hiring
Greenbank Church regularly sup- Closing date is Monday 7th February.
ports local charity Scottish Love Jamie McIntosh
in Action which is recruiting for a Chief Executive
Communications Co-ordinator. To Scottish Love in Action
find out more about this job, visit Tel: 0131 629 9112
www.sla-india.org/news/scotland/ Email: jamie@sla-india.org
we-are-hiring/ www.sla-india.org
14February 2022
Welcome Teams Flower Rota
February provided by delivered by
6 Ian Thom, Keith Clark, Ray
Feb
Dely, Elizabeth Htet-Khin, Iso-
bel Thom, Charles Black 6 Louise Coghill Katy Maguire
13 Caroline Kehoe, Ian McWil- 13 Eleanor Winton Caroline Kehoe
liam, Anne Kinnear, John Mo- 20 Ishbel Emery Helen Aitken
wat, Jean Roynon-Jones, Lynd- 27 Chrissie Munro Pauline Walker
say Kennedy March
20 Ian Thomson, Kathleen Patrick, 6 Jill Mundy
Dorothy Whitehead, Diana
Teasdale, Jill Powlett Brown,
David Bogie, Karen Young
27 Christina Morrow, Edith Armit,
Louise Coghill, Susan Black, The Ministry Team can be
Nora Kellock, Malcolm Watters Contacts
contacted and
directly
March Deadlines
Rev Dr Anne Logan (Locum Minister)
phone: 0131 663 9550
6 Donald King, Jan Corbett, Ro- email: annetlogan@sky.com
derick Morrison, Jim Young, Administrator: Mrs Virginia Johnston
Elaine McRae, Jane Harkin phone and fax: 0131 447 9969
email: greenbankchurch@btconnect.com
To make contact with any organisation
featured in Greenbank Connections,
please use the telephone number or
email address given, if there is one.
Otherwise contact the Church Office.
Website: www.greenbankchurch.org
Postal address:
Greenbank Parish Church
Braidburn Terrace,
Edinburgh EH10 6ES
Material for the March 2022 issue
of Greenbank Connections should be
delivered to the Church Office by
Sunday 13th February 2022 or sent
by e-mail by 8pm on
Thursday 18th February 2022 to
greenbankconnections@gmail.com
15‘Greenbank Life’ – photographic competition
As noted in the last issue of Con-
nections, we are currently hold-
ing a photographic competition
each month called ‘Greenbank
Life’. The competition details
can be seen by clicking on the
Greenbank Life button on the
home page of the Greenbank
website:
www.greenbankchurch.org
The first Greenbank Life com- Rosslyn Chapel one night – Margo Fraser
petition ended on 14th January,
and you were then invited to
vote (during 15th–18th January)
for your favourite photograph
from those submitted.
The results are as follows:
Favourite photograph:
8: Rosslyn Chapel one night –
Margo Fraser
Joint second favourite
photographs:
Angels from the Realms of Glory – Janet Edwards
6: Angels from the Realms of
Glory – Janet Edwards
17: Rum and Eigg at sunrise –
Margo Fraser
The closing date for entries for the
second Greenbank Life competi-
tion is Friday 11th February 2022 at
10pm, with voting for your favour-
ite photograph open from Satur-
day 12th to Tuesday 15th February.
The result will be announced in the
March issue of Connections. Rum and Eigg at sunrise – Margo Fraser
Please take part – by submitting
photographs, by voting, or both. John MurisonYou can also read
