28th October 2022, Weekly Update

1. Sunday 30 October

The Sunday morning services (9.30, 10.30 and online) will look at Daniel chapter 2l.  The theme is Step Out and Bless

2)  Congregational Meeting 30 October

There will be a congregational meeting at 11.50 am in the sanctuary on Sunday 30 October.  At it the congregation will be asked to vote on the Basis of Parish Grouping involving St Andrew Blackadder and Aberlady and Gullane. All members of the congregation are entitled to vote at it. Anyone else who is part of the congregation but not a member is welcome to attend but will not be able to vote.

A number of times this last year I have mentioned the possibility of a closer relationship with the congregation of Aberlady and Gullane. There has been a lot of enthusiasm within both StAB and AGPC (Aberlady and Gullane Parish Church) for this.  It has taken time to get to the point of agreement because other things have had to happen first, for example, Aberlady and Gullane becoming a united congregation rather than two linked ones, and the Presbytery agreeing they might be allowed to call a half time minister.

The next step is to put in place a formal arrangement. It is called a Basis of Parish Grouping. On its own this will not create the cooperation. What it does is to define a structure within which that cooperation will happen. A copy of the Basis is attached to the email.

It is a formal arrangement which is why the congregation is asked whether or not it agrees to it.

The Kirk Session has discussed the document in some detail to make sure that it will facilitate the kind of cooperation that will take forward God’s mission in this area.  It has given unanimous approval to it.  The Kirk Session is asking you to show your support for what it being proposed.

I invite you to consider the document, to ask any questions you have either before or during the congregational meeting on Sunday 30 October, and to support this new way of working with our friends in AGPC.

3)  Guild Sunday – Sunday 6 November – AND LUNCH!

Guild members will take part in both services and will give information about Blether with Beat and Starchild Uganda, their two projects for the year. After the service they invite you to the hall for a lunch. They will serve soup and puddings and invite you to donate to the two projects.

4)  Christmas Choir

There will be a Carol Service on the evening of Sunday 18 December.  Gill Casson is once again organising a Choir. The first practice will be on Sunday 6 November starting at 11.50 am.   She would love to have as many people as possible joining in. If you haven’t tried this before have a chat with her, or come along and see what it’s like.

5)  Social Media

StAB regularly posts material on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. If you are a user of any of these you might want to sign up to receive regular updates.

On Facebook – search for St Andrew Blackadder.

For WhatsApp – look for Ken Reid’s mobile number in the Church Directory. Send him a WhatsApp asking to be added to the StAB group.

For Instagram – contact Andrew Duncan.

6)  Church and Hall Cleaning Day – Saturday 5 November

It’s good that our building is well used every day of the week but one consequence is it they needs regular refurbishment. While external tradesmen deal with specialist jobs such as painting and decorating, the premises also require a general sprucing up. We therefore need loads of volunteers to sign up to slots between 9:30am and 3:00 pm on Saturday 5 November to tackle various jobs around the Church and Hall. You can sign up on the Notice Board or contact David Robertson direct.

7)  Guild Joint Meeting

On Tuesday 1 November at 2.30pm, we are hosting a Guild Joint Meeting in St Andrew Blackadder, to which members of Abbey Church and Dirleton Kirk are invited. Mary Miller will be speaking about her book, Jane Haining: A Life of Love and Courage. Jane Haining was the matron of a Church of Scotland school in Nazi-occupied Hungary. She refused to desert the children in her care, and was sent to die in Auschwitz. The State of Israel recognised her as Righteous Among The Nations.

8)  North Berwick Christmas Cheer

Could you donate a toy for a child/young person or a gift for adults who are struggling financially at Christmas time?  If so, you could save Christmas for many vulnerable families in North Berwick Coastal Ward. Donations can be handed in to Christmas Cheer at North Berwick Community Centre. If you are, or know of, a family or individual in need, please email Katie Reid on: kreid@eastlothian.gov.uk.

9)  Cunningham House

Cunningham House is a hostel for homeless people in Edinburgh run by the Church of Scotland. During November there will be boxes at both Church doors where you can donate new men’s T-Shirts, Socks, Pants and toiletries to be given to the residents.

10)  Absent Friends

North Berwick Compassionate Community are arranging a simple event on Elcho Green on Wednesday 2 Nov between 3.45 and 4.15 pm to allow people to remember absent friends. You are invited to bring a pebble and a battery operated tea light in a jam jar.

11)  Tantallon House

The new Care Home next to Tesco at 7 Tantallon Rd are holding an Open Afternoon on Thursday 3 November, between 12 noon and 3 pm. Anyone who’d like to see what it looks like is welcome to drop in.

12)  Presbytery Plan

The complex process of getting the Presbytery Plan approved continues. To this end a special Presbytery Meeting is being called for Thursday 10. In connection with that on the next two Sundays a formal citation will be read at Sunday worship. This purpose is to ensure that the congregation of St Andrew Blackadder is aware of what is going on. There is no need for anyone to do anything.

13)  Prayer Gathering

Each Wednesday on Zoom between for 30 minutes starting at 7 pm.

For log in details contact the office

 

Neil