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Dear friends,
In the last few months, a supplement has been published to the purple hymnbooks, properly titled Church Hymnary, 4th Edition, that was launched for use in churches at the meeting of the Church of Scotland General Assembly last May. God Welcomes All contains 225 new hymns, many of which have been sourced from churches and hymn writers around the world. The introduction to God Welcomes All reflects on the power of music in the scriptures and through our lives helping us to connect with God and each other. Songs and hymns form us in our faith; there really is a sense that what we sing shapes what we believe in a way other media tends not to do. Snatches of hymns and other songs we learned as children or encountered at notable stages and events in our lives can return to our minds as sources of both comfort and irritation throughout our lives. Many years ago, while researching a dissertation about spirituality in the Reformed Tradition I realised that among the earliest expressions of ecumenism - different church traditions and denominations engaging with others - came through the sharing of hymns and church music. Congregations were singing hymns authored by individuals outside and sometimes far beyond their own denomination at a time that they might have been wary of those same traditions’ presence in their community. All of the content in the new hymn book has been written in the last twenty years. The content has been ‘road tested’ by the editors and found to be appropriate and welcomed by a range of congregational settings. It will be interesting to see given the test of time what of the material will be most popular and singable. When we remember some of the hymn writers of old, Charles Wesley, Isaac Watts, and those who adapted what we receive authored as the Scottish Psalter, some of that work we receive and love while other hymns by those writers never really got off the writing board. Others were popular for a time before quietly slipping out of use. By the same token, what we receive from our forebears as much-loved golden oldies, were all new hymns once upon a time that someone probably complained about as being unfamiliar. We can reflect carefully on how we cope with change and new things in all aspects of our lives. Continuing the hymnody theme, I remember a colleague many years ago joking with me that a hymn that reflecting the approach of many people he’d encountered across a lifelong ministry in churches is the line from the Victorian hymn writer Anna Laetitia Waring’s In heavenly love abiding, ‘for nothing changes here’. Most people struggle with change whether it’s something that we welcome or resist. The pace of change in society at times can feel overwhelming and we long to keep something(s) the same. The familiar can be comforting. Change is hardest when it is unsought or unchosen. Different people have their own thresholds for what they find acceptable. We can all strengthen our ability to cope with change by practicing with small things and looking for opportunities where we know we will encounter something unfamiliar. Learning new hymns and reflecting on their understanding of faith, discipleship and life in general can be a way of doing that. Who knows, some of the material in the new hymnbook might in time become a favourite! With love and prayers Sarah The Rev Sarah Moore Transitional Minister
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The Easter holiday is over, the chocolate eggs have been eaten and the children and students are back in education with many preparing for exams. Looking at the church calendar, we remain in the season of Easter (Eastertide), which lasts for 50 days (how many of us can make an Easter egg last for 50 days!?), spanning the period from Easter Sunday until Pentecost (Whit Sunday), which this year is on June 5.
The first forty days of Easter represent the time Jesus spent on earth following the resurrection, presenting himself to the apostles and others, offering many convincing proofs, and speaking about the kingdom of God (Acts, Chapter 1). Easter coincides with spring and the Jewish Passover. Spring is nature’s season for new life, of growth and fertility for plants and animals following their winter dormancy or hibernation. In fact, the Christian festival was originally called Pascha (Hebrew, Pesah) due to its association with the Jewish Passover, a major festival celebrating the exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt (around 1400-1500 BC) which includes a main course of roast lamb. Jesus is sometimes referred to as the Paschal Lamb, or the Lamb of God, linking the crucifixion to the Passover sacrifice. From a Christian perspective this time of year is central to our faith. I tend to view the crucifixion and the resurrection as being like the two faces of a coin, both very different, but for the coin to exist it must have a head and a tail. When viewed from one side we see the cross, representing the pain and suffering of Jesus’ death. When viewed from the other side we see the hope of new life in His resurrection. The connection between these events is a sacred mystery, known as the Paschal Mystery (although the term is probably more familiar within the Catholic or Orthodox traditions rather than Presbyterianism). Nevertheless, the mystery is possibly best summarised by the words In John’s Gospel (Ch 3, v16): For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Jesus taught that where there is love, there is hope. It is a powerful, enduring message, and it is written on the heart of each one of us. It is a message we can choose to follow or ignore, but if we choose to ignore it, I do not believe that God will ignore us. Another name for Jesus is Prince of Peace, a term highly relevant at the current time of war and genocide particularly in Ukraine. But consider this, during his time on earth Jesus was known, among other things, for his humility and wisdom. As far as we know, He had no material possessions. He didn’t even write his own story. And yet, what He left behind will endure forever. We have to believe this. In amongst the chaos of human existence God is still speaking. We need to remember that He brings cosmos out of Chaos even in the face of this time of great change in the church where the presbytery plan is bringing hurt and confusion and upset for many. Even in the face of the post covid anxiety that affects people at the deepest level and even where the images of the war disturb us at the most visceral levels. In the weeks that lie ahead, may we continue to pray for wisdom, discernment, and compassion for those who suffer and for those with power over war and peace. With every blessing, Rev Steven Each time I go into the hall of a school in Edinburgh, I am reminded of the school’s values. In very large letters on the wall are the words FRIENDSHIP, FORGIVENESS, TRUST and COMPASSION. For me, it’s a really good reminder of Jesus’ teaching and example for us to follow. Children should be taught that amongst all the valuable educational learning there is something else that is as important, and this is a sense of looking out for each other and helping those who need it.
Serving others has been a Christian virtue since the dawn of Christianity. Jesus Himself was the Suffering Servant of old, a truth which He underlined when He washed His disciples’ feet in the Upper Room. If Jesus gave His life in service to others, how can we expect to do anything less? What’s more, He tells us it’s by our love for each other the world will know we’re His. The fact is, serving others accomplishes more than even that. You’ve probably heard the words 'love your neighbour as yourself” so many times by now they've lost a little meaning and impact. In addition, we live in such an individualistic society it’s easy to get caught up in our own things most of the time and not even notice our neighbours. While the Bible is clear that our motivation should always be the love of Christ, serving and helping others is also beneficial for growing in Christ. Serving others forces you to take your focus off yourself. At the end of the day, we’re all in the same boat, often focused mostly on ourselves. The more you take your eyes off yourself, the more you’ll see others and the more you’ll see God all around you. At Easter, our minds were focused on the actions of Jesus when he died and rose again. This month, we have a different kind of focus as we are asked to show compassion to our ‘neighbours’. There are 3 key weeks of looking out for compassion during May: 9 to 15 May is Mental Health Awareness Week, and from 15 to 21 May is Christian Aid Week and finally, 20 to 26 May is Dementia Action Week. Then our news channels and internet remind us constantly that we have to bear the needs of those suffering in Ukraine and Yemen and Sudan and so on and so on. There are so many who deserve our compassion. On Easter Day we celebrated Christ’s return from the dead. But for the first disciples like us, the resurrection was a bit of a roller-coaster experience – yes, they rejoiced to see Jesus again, but He came and went unexpectedly, they never knew when or if they would see Him again. What were they supposed to do now? Instead of hiding in a locked room in fear, the disciples gathered in prayer and expectation, waiting for what is to happen next. So like the disciples we pray for and wrestle with our own futures, but we should also pray for the vision, the will and the guidance to play our part in reaching out to and serving others. O Lord, send your Holy Spirit, that we may share the life of your Son and your love with those around us. How can we help? How can we show some compassion? Lord Show us the way. Amen - By an Elder Christian Aid has made a press release for the Booksale as follows – you might spot it somewhere: “The Holy Corner book sale is much loved and has been a feature of the Bruntsfield community for many years. This year we’ll be selling an excellent selection of Scottish and collectible books, paperback fiction, history, art and children's books as well as many others. We look forward to opening our doors in May and once again raising money for Christian Aid, a charity that does amazing work with those living in extreme poverty.” We look forward to welcoming you to the sale at Morningside United Church, in the Main Hall – entry via the lane from Bruntsfield Place. Saturday 14 May 10am – 5pm (Refreshments available 10am – 4pm in small Hall) Sunday 15 May 1pm – 5pm or visit us at www.holycornerbooksale.wordpress.com That gives a good summary of what it’s about and when – anyone able to help during the sale please use the website link – also on the MUC website or speak to David or Lesley Donald. We’re grateful for help from a few strong members of the Romanian Church for box shifting, so the sale tasks are lighter duties. If you can help with refreshments on the Saturday, please speak to Yvonne Burnett. Our Christian Aid Week Service is on 10.30am 15 May at Marchmont St Giles and includes MUC, the German Church Congregation and St Catherine’s Argyle. Christian Aid Envelopes will be available at that service for you to donate. They will also be available the week before and after at MUC. There are online donation options also on the Christian Aid Website. Christian Aid also makes individual donation pages for churches - Morningside United Church Christian Aid Week 2022 (give-star.com). We have a ‘Give Star’ device that will let us take contactless card payments at the Booksale also. Donations made by the device, or the special page go direct to Christian Aid and are recorded to our total. Cash or cheques go into our Christian Aid bank account and are paid out to Christian Aid later. May
I cannot tell you how it was, But this I know: it came to pass Upon a bright and sunny day When May was young; ah, pleasant May! As yet the poppies were not born Between the blades of tender corn; The last egg had not hatched as yet, Nor any bird foregone its mate. I cannot tell you what it was, But this I know: it did but pass. It passed away with sunny May, Like all sweet things it passed away, And left me old, and cold, and gray. Poem by: Christina Rossetti Always remember to forget
The things that made you sad. But never forget to remember The things that made you glad. Always remember to forget The friends that proved untrue. But never forget to remember Those that have stuck by you. Always remember to forget The troubles that passed away. But never forget to remember The blessings that come each day. We would like to thank everyone for their help and support over the Holy week and Easter. The Lent appeal has so far raised £1996, thank you so much to everyone who has donated. There is a small amount still to be handed in – so the total should be over £2,000. Gift Aid will also be added to this. The money collected is to be split between:
Thank you for your support.
If you would like to help arrange the flowers one week, please speak to Maggie McKenzie on 0131 261 4908. Your help would be much appreciated. Coffee Mornings – (Small Hall) ...All are welcome for coffee, biscuits and friendship!
Music Performance: Edinburgh Napier University Degree Show – 11 May in the afternoon (TBA)
I am very conscious that some time has passed since we mentioned in worship and by letter that some of us had attended gatherings of our cluster group in February and March.
One of the things that emerged from those meetings was to try and collaborate with St Catherine's and Marchmont St Giles. Negotiations have started in earnest, and we have more meetings this month because a timetable has been framed that requires a draft presbytery plan by June of this year. In essence the ministry allocation is being halved by 2025. ...This creates many challenges and I think it is fair to say that no congregation will be left unaffected. Our conversations have been very positive and encouraging and we were working together through Holy week, at Christian Aid and will be worshipping together also. None of us know exactly what will emerge from these discussions, but it is certainly my desire that what is proposed and eventually realised is a plan that will be sustainable, and life-giving and see MUC very much engaged and involved in the mission of the surrounding area as we go forward together. We will keep you up to date with how things are progressing as we go forward. Please don’t hesitate to be in touch if you would like to discuss this further. We will do our best to answer any questions or concerns as they arise. With every blessing, Steven |
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