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The Link

A Word from the Manse

20/2/2022

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I would like to start by thanking everyone involved in our Christmas services this year. All those who offered their time and gifts to help us deliver the extra services are greatly appreciated. We particularly owe a debt of  gratitude to Zara Stubbs and the young people at the Nativity. Our musicians Brigitte, Ciara and Terrence were wonderful, and those who decorated MUC internally and externally did a splendid job. 
I recognise that balancing the very real need to spend time with family, alongside the wish to contribute towards the activities of our MUC community, is difficult and tiring in COVID times, yet nevertheless  sincere thanks to all who supported the church over the holidays. ​
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The challenges of 2021 are now behind us, and hopefully the COVID restrictions that placed such burdens on our ability to spend time with  those we love are easing. If anything, the pandemic has taught us that the people we love and care for must be our priority because the networks of  relationships that govern our lives, either at home or work, or in our  community, have to be cherished if we are to be resilient and find meaning  in life. The truth is that our community relies on so many people  throughout the year. People who give their time and energy without pay, or who go far beyond what could reasonably be expected of them  (including unseen and unsung). With this in mind, I turn to wishing you all a  very happy New Year. While the last two years have brought many  challenges, I believe there are many reasons to be optimistic about the year  ahead. This optimism is not based on vaccines or new antiviral drugs and  therapies, though I do believe that these are good things that will help. My optimism is based on our communities continued ability to work together,  to help and support each other. 
​

As a Christian I see this as more than simply “a nice idea”, I see this as being  at the core of how God called us to be. For Christians this is what it means  to live out the commandment to “love your neighbour”. Over the last two years our community, Christian or otherwise, has shown an ability to help and support each other in challenging times. I hope that this year will soon  prove to be A Happy New Year which will give us many more opportunities  to celebrate together as well.

God bless,

Rev Steven

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An elder's perspective...

20/2/2022

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A university professor managed to precisely calculate which day is the most depressing one of the year! This is apparently the third Monday of January every year and it has been given this accolade due to a combination of cold dark nights, the sense that Christmas is over and the arrival of credit card bills with our Christmas spending! 

By the time most people read this, it will be a distant memory, but as I talk to people after two years of the COVID pandemic, there is a level of uncertainty and anxiety which fuels a sense that our world is out of control. It can feel much the same in church with numbers and activities curtailed in  many places and recovery feeling very fragile. Uncertainty in our lives can  make us all feel somewhat anxious about the future, and when we feel that  we are not in control, that can lead to worry and doubt. Jesus reminded his disciples that God understood their needs. 

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink;  or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the  body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or  reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are  you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying  add a single hour to your life? 
Matthew 6:25-27 


Jesus’ teaching is very simple, as his followers are to live simply a day at a  time and recognise that whatever our circumstances, his love and mercy  offer hope for the future. We are called to look for the Kingdom to find  those places where God is at work in our world and join in. Even when we  do not feel we have anything to offer or the gifts and skills to make a  difference, we can pray, and our presence can be a calming influence. 

We also need to recognise that ultimately, we are not in control. If we call  ourselves Christians, then we have voluntarily passed control of the  direction of our lives over to God. The Holy Spirit lives within each of us to  equip, empower and sustain us on the journey of faith and to be a guide for  daily living. Paul understood better than most what trouble and anxiety  mean, yet he wrote one of the most encouraging passages in the New  Testament.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor heavenly  rulers neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor  depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the  love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 
Romans 8:38-39 


Given that God cares for us so much, we need not doubt that there is a  better future, and our role is to point people to the hope that is within us.  We all feel ‘blue’ from time to time, but it will never overcome our hope in  Jesus, as Peter tells us in his letters: 

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an  answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you  have. But do this with gentleness and respect...” 
1 Peter 3:15 
​
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Candlemas... The Presentation of Christ in the Temple

20/2/2022

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In bygone centuries, Christians said their last farewells to the Christmas  season on Candlemas, 2 February. This is exactly 40 days after Christmas  Day itself. 

In New Testament times, 40 days old was an important age for a baby boy. It  was when they made their first ‘public appearance’. Mary, like all good  Jewish mothers, went to the Temple with Jesus - her first male child - to  ‘present Him to the Lord’. At the same time, she, as a new mother, was  ‘purified’. Thus, we have the Festival of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. ​
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So, where does the Candlemas bit come in?

Jesus is described in the New  Testament as the Light of the World, and early Christians developed the  tradition of lighting many candles in celebration of this day. The Church  also fell into the custom of blessing the year’s supply of candles for the  church on this day - hence the name "Candlemas."

The story of how Candlemas began can be found in Luke 2:22-40. Simeon’s  great declaration of faith and recognition of who Jesus was is of course  found in the Nunc Dimittis, which is embedded in the Office of Evening  Prayer in the West. But in medieval times, the Nunc Dimittis was mostly  used just on this day, during the distribution of candles before the  Eucharist. Only gradually did it win a place in the daily prayer life of the  Church.
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Churches prepare Platinum Jubilee plans

20/2/2022

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https://www.theplatinumjubilee.com/
On 6th February the Queen will celebrate 70 years on the throne. This is an historic milestone representing great service to our countries in the United Kingdom. Churches, Christian charities and youth organisations are working together to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee over the four-day Bank Holiday from 2nd to 5th June.

A new website has been created – www.theplatinumjubilee.com - to provide ideas and resources for communities to celebrate the Queen’s 70 years of faith and service. Please feel free to check this out.

We are awaiting further information from our denominations about how congregations can contribute, and we will keep you updated.
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Books for the New Year

3/2/2022

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Looking for something new to read?  Check these out...
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Tackling Mental Illness Together 
By Alan Thomas, CPO, £9.99 
​

It can be difficult to know how to understand and  
support those suffering from mental illnesses. This book offers a biblical framework for helping the mentally ill, by synthesising the relevant biblical material with our scientific understanding of mental illness. 

This framework will help you to deal wisely,  
intelligently, and compassionately with issues of  
mental health in your church and in your community.
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Changing the Climate: applying the Bible in a climate emergency 
By Debbie, David and Jamie Hawker  
Hawker, BRF, £9.99 
​

The climate crisis is one of the most important issues of our time, threatening lives and livelihoods. The  Bible teaches us that God the Creator put humans on  the Earth to take care of it; to show love to all, and to  care for the poor and vulnerable. 

This workbook shows how the Bible is relevant to  
environmentalism, and how we can all play our part in limiting the negative  effects of climate change. Each of the 12 chapters looks at a particular  Bible passage, connects it with climate action, poses questions and suggests  practical steps that can be taken. ​
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Church Life Updates

2/2/2022

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Book Group 
  • Unfortunately, we were not able to have our first Book Group for 2022 due  to Covid restrictions. Our next meeting, however, should be able to go  ahead on Thursday 3 February in the Vestibule. 
  • This group is open to everyone from any or no church, of any or no faith or  just of an enquiring mind. We are currently a small group and discussion is open, frank and often quite lively, not always entirely to the point... Luckily, Steven usually brings us back to it.
  • We are reading The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel and have had two good meetings in December (contrary to the notice in the previous Link). In February we will discuss Chapters 4 and 5,  titled "God Isn’t Worthy of Worship if he Kills Innocent Children" and "It’s  Offensive to Claim Jesus is the Only Way to God. " 
  • Please speak to Steven if you are interested or just turn up. 

Online services – these will restart Sunday 13 February. 
​

Coffee Mornings – The Thursday coffee mornings continue to be enjoyed  by our members, friends and the yoga group who join us after their class.  We are very much hoping our local care homes may join us soon. Our next  coffee morning will be Thursday 27 January from 10.30am – noon in the  Small Hall.
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Remembering... Archbishop Desmond Tutu

2/2/2022

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The recent death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu was mourned around the  world. Born as Desmond Mpilo Tutu in Klerksdorp, northwest South Africa, Archbishop Tutu was iconic for his work in anti-apartheid activisim, human rights advocacy and social justice reform. 

Archbishop Demond Tutu (7 October 1931 – 26 December 2021) 

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Here are five of his more famous quotes that highlight why he was so especially honoured for his justice and reconciliation work in South Africa. 
  • “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put  together that overwhelm the world.” 
  • “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the  oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse, and you say  that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.” 
  • “Don’t raise your voice, improve your argument. Good sense does not  always lie with the loudest shouters, nor can we say that a large, unruly  crowd is always the best arbiter of what is right.” 
  • “Forgiving is not forgetting; it’s actually remembering – remembering and  not using your right to hit back. It’s a second chance for a new beginning.  And the remembering part is particularly important. Especially if you don’t  want to repeat what happened.” 
  • “Differences are not intended to separate, to alienate. We are different  precisely in order to realise our need for one another.” 

Archbishop Tutu was recognised in every Christian denomination as a holy and saintly man. His wisdom speaks of eternal truths and the infinite love of God for all people. ​​
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Wise Words... Thinking towards Valentines Day

2/2/2022

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Valentines Day is celebrated on February 14th. 
Ah, love. It's something that has been written about and grappled with since the beginning of time. Here are a few quotes to consider...

  • Love is the master key that opens the gates of happiness.  - Oliver Wendel Holmes

  • If you work at love, you will find love at work. - Peter Jackson

  • A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person. -Mignon McLaughlin

  • When there is room in the heart, there is always room in the house. -Danish proverb

  • ‘Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. -Alfred Lord Tennyson 

And two more, that seem important to include...

  • Y​ou cannot find knowledge by rearranging your ignorance. - Ronald Eyre

  • Be kind. Remember that everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. - Ian McLauren
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Flowers needed!

2/2/2022

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​Looking for a way to pitch in? We have several spots available in this month's flower rota. If you're interested in a simple yet meaningful way to contribute, consider signing up. 

  • 6 February - Anna Annan
  • 13 February - Vacant
  • 20 February - Maggie McKenzie​
  • 27 February - Vacant

Interested?  Contact Maggie McKenzie at 0131 2614908.

Your
 help is always appreciated!
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He Prayeth Well

2/2/2022

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He prayeth well, who loveth well 
Both man and bird and beast, 
He prayeth best, who loveth best 
All things both great and small; 
For the dear God who loveth us, 
He made and loveth all.
​

- Samuel Taylor Coleridge -

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    About

    The Link is a monthly publication by members and staff of Morningside United Church.

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  • Home
  • About Us
    • The Link Newsletter
    • Gallery
    • Staff
    • Our Story
    • Why are we United?
    • Financial Reports
  • Contact Us
  • What´s On?
    • Calendar
    • Services >
      • Communion
      • Pray >
        • Why Pray?
        • Prayer for the Congregation
    • Eric Liddell Centre
    • Christian Aid: Holy Corner Booksale
    • Coffee morning
    • Youth Choir
    • Book Group
  • Event Venue
    • Hall Lettings
    • Weddings
    • Baptisms
    • Renewal of Vows
    • Funerals
  • DONATE