4th November 2022, Weekly Update

1.  Sunday 6 Nov – Morning Worship: Guild Sunday

Services are at 9.30 and 10.30 am (also live-streamed on YouTube), the focus will be Daniel 3 (The Fiery Furnace) and the theme ‘Whose we are and whom we serve’ (The Guild motto).

A soup and pudding lunch will be served afterwards by the Guild to raise funds for their projects (details below). All are invited.

 

2)    Sunday 6 Nov – Christmas Choir

The choir will sing at the Carol Service (Sunday 18 Dec @ 7 pm). Rehearsals begin on Sunday 6 Nov starting at 11.50 am.  The Guild will keep soup and pudding aside for choristers.

 

3)   Sunday 6 Nov – Messy Church

Messy Church will run from 4-6pm. The theme is Forgiveness and the Prodigal Son. Please  spread the word to friends, family and neighbours. If they are new to Messy Church, could you offer to accompany them to their first session?

 

4)   Guild Projects 2022/23

Blether with BEAT is a partnership with the UK’s eating disorder charity. We hope to help local communities in Scotland recognise the signs of eating disorders and understand how to support those struggling to get the treatment they deserve. Volunteers with lived experience will join BEAT’s training team to increase its impact. For more information, please come to the Joint Meeting in Abbey Church Hall on Tuesday 22 November at 2.00pm.

 

Starchild Uganda addresses the challenges of stigma and myths related to intellectual and physical disability in Uganda. Starchild’s partnership with the Guild focuses on three areas: growth in the understanding of autism and disabilities; growth in sustaining the Sunflower Sanctuary Holistic Centre and its users; growth in outreach to other communities, spreading the love of God by building bridges of inclusion and equality in society.

5)   Service of Profession of Faith

The Apostle Paul said: ‘If you declare with your mouth “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.’ (Romans 10:9).  Public declaration of our faith is important. If you’ve never done this there will be an opportunity to do so on Sunday 11 December. A few people will publicly declare their faith in Jesus. If you would like to join them please get in touch with Neil as soon as possible.

 

6)   Sunday 13 November: Remembrance Sunday

Worship will be at the usual times of 9.30 am and 10.30 am.  The Town Service will be in Abbey Church. This will be followed by a service at the War Memorial. It will begin when the parade arrives, which will be around noon.

 

7)   Bouncing Forward Sunday 13 November 3.30 pm

Church members who were at Spring Harvest this year found listening to Patrick Regan very helpful. He will be at Central Church in Edinburgh next Sunday at 3.30 pm as part of the Bouncing Forward Tour. The event will be a mix of of live music and talks, and Patrick  will be exploring themes from his new book ‘Bouncing Forwards’ including resilience, mental wellbeing and thriving through life’s challenges.  Tickets cost £5. Go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bouncing-forwards-tour-edinburgh-tickets-407438328007

 

8)   East Lothian Foodbank – Jingle Bags

The Foodbank are creating bags that contain everything needed for a Christmas Dinner (see attached poster). You can contribute directly or through the Lothian East Together Guild. They will be having a special collection of the items to go into Jingle Bags at their Carol Service which will be held at Chalmers Memorial Church, Port Seton, on December 5th at 2 pm.

9)   Cunningham House

Donations of Hats, Scarves, Gloves, Underwear and toiletries are being collected for the month of November for Cunningham House for homeless men. Collection boxes are in both vestibules of the church.

10)   Prayer Gathering

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

Contact the office for log on details.

 

Neil

Rev Dr Neil Dougall