Former Moderator to visit Leith

On Tuesday 12^th June, Leith Churches Together will welcome the Very Rev. Dr. Sheilagh Kesting, former Moderator, and Secretary for Ecumenical Relations in the Church of Scotland. Sheilagh Kesting was the first female minister to be elected as Moderator (in 2007).  Originally from Stornoway, her career has included working with homeless women, parish ministry in Glasgow and close at hand in Musselburgh, and ecumenical work in Scotland at local, national and international level. The evening will include supper.  All welcome – if you would like to come, contact Jennifer Stark, by Tuesday 5th June as space is limited. 

Charity fund raising concert for Goboti Village in South Africa with the Sing in the City Choir in South Leith Parish Church: Saturday 16 June, 7.30pm. Arranged by Leith Rotary Club.  Last year’s concert amazingly raised £3000+ and Leith Rotary is keen to continue this success, especially as the Methodist ‘link’, Rev Gcobani Vika, will be with us in June this year.  For ticket prices and contact details, click on the poster. 

On Your Marks!  Leith Churches Holiday Club, with an Olympic theme!  Fun, games, crafts, prayer – oh, and a bit of exercise – with 60 + children and a fantastic volunteer team from different churches in Leith.  South Leith Parish Halls, Monday 16- Friday 20 July.  See our ‘Youth Work’ page or go to the Holiday Club website, www.lchc.yolasite.com for more info. 

New World, New Church?  Six weeks to rediscover mission and re-imagine church.  Mission Shaped Intro is a chance to reflect together on how churches can respond to and engage with the needs and challenges of a changing world.  The 6-week course uses teaching, story and reflection, with film clips, music and worship, within a supportive environment.  Come with another member of your congregation if possible!

Mission Shaped Intro can also act as a ‘taster’ for the  9-month Mission Shaped Ministry course, which will run in Edinburgh in 2012-13.  Both use material developed through ‘Fresh Expressions’, an ecumenical initiative that has grown over the last 10 years in England, closely related to the ‘Church Without Walls’ and ‘Emerging Church’ movements in Scotland. 

The course is ecumenically based and members of all churches are welcome.  For a poster or flier, click on the links.  MSI Poster.  MSI flier and info

Dates: Wednesday evenings from 9th May to 13th June, 7.30-9.30pm

Venue: Duke Street United Reformed Church

Cost: £10.  To register, or for more information, contact Jennifer Stark, South Leith Halls, 6 Henderson Street, EH6 6BS, by Friday 4^th May.

Tel. 0131 554 2578, email outreach@leithchurchestogether.org.uk

Previous events

Easter @ Ocean Terminal 2012.  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 – Open Day for Leith Churches.   The Vine Trust is holding an Open Day on Saturday 11 February, 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, click on the link.  Vine Trust Barge Open Day

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (WPCU) – 18-25 January 2012 

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

Pause For Peace @ Ocean Terminal, Sunday 11th September 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.

Jazz Vespers in August.  See News and Events page, or click on the link for a poster.  Jazz Vespers 21 August 2011

Click on the link for additional information, and other ecumenical news, in this month’s issue of Groundswell.   Groundswell June2011[1]

Full information about the weekend, and a booking form, can be found at www.scottishchurcheshouse.org

A new star has risen…. Our Christmas card this year was a picture  (‘Christmas Star Over the Earth’) by a 10-year old girl who submitted it for the Christmas card competition organised by the Episcopal Diocese of Edinburgh.  Many thanks to Alex for allowing us to use her work.  The card was distributed to staff and visitors in Ocean Terminal, and also to seafarers whose ships were in Leith at Christmas.  Click on the links below to see the card.

LCT ChristmasCard 2010 Outside

LCT ChristmasCard 2010 Inside