Leith Churches Together

….is the title of our guest speaker’s talk at Leith Churches Together Annual Meeting:
Dr. Michael Northcott, University of Edinburgh, will be speaking to us on Theology and the Environment. 
7.30 pm, Tuesday 28 May 2013
 St Mary’s Star of the Sea Parish Centre, Constitution Street.   Refreshments available from 7pm – just come along.

Six weeks to rediscover mission and re-imagine church. 

Mission Shaped Introduction is a 6-week course which gives the chance to reflect together on how churches can respond to and engage with the needs and challenges of a changing world.  15 people from Leith churches have now done the course, which is designed by Fresh Expressions, an initiative pioneered by the Church of England and the Methodist Church, and is a ‘taster’ for the Mission Shaped Ministry course, now used in many contexts across the UK, including Edinburgh.

The course will be offered on Thursday evenings, 7.30-9.30, from 2 May – 6 June 2013, in Duke Street URC.  There is a small charge (£10) to cover costs.  The course is ecumenically based and members of any church are welcome.
If you’re interested,  email Jennifer Stark (outreach@leithchurchestogether.org.uk), or telephone 0131 554 2578, by Monday 29 April.

This Is Our Story: Journeys of Faith is a resource from Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI). written by Rev. Nicholas Sagovsky, an Anglican priest, who says, ’I wrote this course because I have learnt so much from the members of a little Bible Study group I started for people who have sought asylum.  They have made, and are making, fantastic journeys of faith.  I believe our churches are full of people with great stories to tell and that studying Scripture together can help each one of us see our life as a journey of faith…..my prayer is that the material will enable members of ecumenical Lent grups to say together, as we study and share our experience, ‘This is our story.’

If you would like to join a Lent group, please register as soon as possible, but at latest by Tuesday 5 February.  I hope to offer at least one evening and one daytime group: times and days will be chosen according to the responses!   There is currently a problem uploading files to the website – email or phone Jennifer (contact details below) for a registration form.  The groups will run from the week beginning 18 February.
Please return the form to Jennifer Stark, Leith Churches Outreach,
South Leith Parish Halls, 6 Henderson Street, Leith EH6 6BS, tel. 0131 554 2578
or email to her at outreach@leithchurchestogether.org.uk
This Is Our Story: Journeys of Faith is available on the CTBI website, www.ctbi.org.uk

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2013 In company with other churches around the world, we met for joint worship on Sunday 29th January, hosted this year by Duke Street United Reformed Church, and for talk and refreshments afterwards.   The theme this year was inspired by Micah 6:8: ‘And what does God require of you but to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with your God’?

New minister for Leith St Andrew’s. Leith St Andrew’s (Church of Scotland) are delighted to announce their call to Rev. Rob Mackenzie to be their new ministers. Rob’s induction to his new charge will be on Tuesday 19th February, starting at 6.45pm. All welcome.

St Mary Star of the Sea announce with deep sadness the death of Fr. Edward McSherry OMI. Fr. Ed died suddenly on the afternoon of 26th December 2012.  They are grateful for the prayers and support of friends in other churches, and thank those who came to the Requieme Mass and the services the previous evening.  Please continue to remember Fr. Ed’s family, the Oblate family and the congregation in your prayers over the next months.

Singing for young and old at Pilrig St Paul’s
All starting up again  for the new season! For full information, click on the link.  Pilrig St Paul’s Music leaflet 2012-2013
Contact: Colin Gray, Musical Director – details on Pilrig St Paul’s website (link also from their page on this website).

Vocal Vibes: children from P3-P5: Wednesday 4 – 5.30pm
Singchronicity Youth Choir: P6 -upwards: Wednesday 4 – 5.30pm
Pilrig Choristers: Children aged 8 upwards: Tuesday 4 – 5.30pm
Pilrig Chorus: Adults: Tuesday 7.30-9.30pm
Pilrig Church Choir: Sunday rehearsal 10.00am

There will be a Quiz Night in aid of Christian Aid on Wednesday 17th October 2012, at 7.30pm. Quizmaster: Alex McAspurren Venue: North Leith Parish Church Hall, Madeira Street. Entry: £2.00 adults, £1.50 children under 16, all to Christian Aid. Further donations welcome. Refreshments available (soft drinks, biscuits, tea and coffee). Come in teams of 3 – 5, or individually and join a team there.  A small prize for the winning team!

We were delighted to welcome the Very Rev. Dr. Sheilagh Kesting, Ecumenical Officer in the Church of Scotland and former Moderator, as our guest speaker at the 2012 AGM on 12th June.  Following the business meeting and supper, Sheilagh spoke on ‘Where is the action? Church, community and working together’.  For the text of her talk, click on the link.  Sheilagh Kesting’s talk

We had some great pictures as part of the design competition for our Leith Churches Together Easter card.  Click on the link to see them.  Easter@ Ocean Terminal 2012

Samaritans and YMCA Edinburgh: Fundraising Concert, Sat. 25th February, 7.30pm, at City of Edinburgh Methodist Church, Nicolson Square, EH8 9BX. Featuring the Forth Valley Chorus and Sam McAdam, Harpist.  Tickets £10 (£8 concession), incl. refreshments.  Call 0131 553 7877.

The Vine Trust held an Open Day on Saturday 11 February 2012, welcoming visitors to its brand-new Education and Resource Centre on a converted barge in Leith.  The Trust works with some of the poorest children and communites around the world.  If you’d like to find out more and see how you (or your school) might be involved, come and have a look.  For a poster and contact details, click on the link.  Vine Trust Barge Open Day

In company with churches around the world, we came together for joint worship to mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, on 18th January.  Our service was hosted this year by St Mary’s Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church.  Many thanks to all who helped to organise the service and refreshments afterwards.  It was good to see both old friends and new faces.

Our Christmas parcels for Seafarers event was a great success!  Many thanks to everyone who helped. Click on the link for pictures.  Christmas parcels event 2011

Our short act of remembrance in Ocean Terminal for the 10th anniversary of 9/11 was attended by 40-50 people, and included a minute’s silence in the whole mall.  We remembered all victims of terrorism and those working for peace.  Several people told us afterwards that they had found it both moving and appropriate.  Many thanks to the Ocean Terminal management and staff for their help in arranging this.  For the order of service, click on the link.  PAUSE FOR PEACE.