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The Link

A Word from the Manse

2/2/2022

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​The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. Of those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned. 

Isaiah 9:2 (NIV)

Christmas is almost here and that is good news for everyone except the turkey, goose, or nut roast. We will soon be full of joy, mince pies, and  chocolate... singing carols in schools... We will listen to our Christmas tunes on the radio, on Spotify, in the pubs and supermarkets, and of course in our Churches too.

But Christmas is also being celebrated in a febrile
atmosphere of anxiety, new variant COVID viruses, worldwide shutdowns and travel restrictions, climate change and economic uncertainty.

What then can the Church say to people of faith and those of none?

What should  our Christmas message be? 


Over the last year or so you will have noticed that I have chosen to  write in these letters about hope on quite a few occasions. At the moment our hope will feel to many like an uncertain or fragile thing. Hospitalisations are reducing but infection rates are still very high. Our economy is growing, and unemployment is low, but many people feel insecure in their jobs. There are supply issues, and Europe appears to be heading into the grip of a fourth wave of COVID. We all want and need a good Christmas, but what are we to do with this moment of hope when we can’t know and don’t understand how the future might look? 

Let’s consider the very first Christmas... It teaches us a profound truth.  

Mary held in her arms her newborn baby. For those of you who are parents or grandparents, aunts or uncles - You always remember holding a much-loved baby for the first time. A tiny and fragile little boy or girl. You didn't know what the future would be like for him or her, but in that moment with the baby in your arms, I bet you felt wonder and love and hope. That special moment was enough. It was life sustaining. 


I can’t help but imagine that it must have been the same for Mary. In her arms she held the prince of peace, Emmanuel God with us, the almighty creator God, the hope of salvation for the entire world. She didn’t fully understand and nor could imagine what the future would be for him. So what did she do? Mary nursed her little boy, she kept him warm and cared for him. She did what was natural in that moment. She loved him and treasured the moment.

Of course, Mary wasn’t the only one who
 struggled to find a response fitting to that moment. Others also did what to them came naturally. The shepherds and kings all came with presents, lambs, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Strange gifts for a baby, but it was  the natural response for each of them. Even the angels didn’t really know  what was to come but, they knew how to respond. They sang with great  joy, announcing the good news... That God’s great plan to show his love to the world had begun. 


This Christmas, we should do what is natural in this unique moment. We should be generous like the shepherds and three kings, giving whatever we can to enable everyone to share in the joy. Like the angels, we should be filled with great joy and sing and celebrate. Perhaps most importantly, we should be like Mary. She cared for her little boy, knowing he was fragile.  She loved him. 

This Christmas with the example of Mary to guide us, we should remember all the times we have been caused to be apart from families and friends... and we should treasure this Christmas as a time shared together. Just love those who matter most to you. Cherish time together, be kind and forgiving then - I suspect - you will find the light that shines in  darkness. 

I wish you all a very happy Christmas and a truly joyful New Year. 

Blessings,

Rev Steven

​
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Christmas... As Defined by 1 Corinthians 13

2/2/2022

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If I decorate my house perfectly with strands of twinkly lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my neighbour, I am just a decorator. If I slave away in the kitchen baking cakes and arranging food on a beautifully adorned table, but do not share the true meaning of Christmas, I am just another cook. If I volunteer at a soup kitchen, sing carols in hospital, and donate to charity but do not demonstrate simple kindness to strangers, it  profits me nothing. If I attend Christmas lunches, with party hats and  crackers yet fail to be awestruck by the Christ who gave everything to come as a vulnerable child, I have missed the point.

Love stops cooking to 
hug a child and to be still in the presence of ‘God with us’. Love sets aside decorating to kiss a loved one. Love is kind during Christmas, even though sometimes tired. Love does not envy another’s home that has perfectly strung outdoor lights or a flawless tree. Love does not ask family to get out the way, but is thankful they are in the way. Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return or those on our lists, but rejoices in giving to those who can’t and those who aren’t.

Love bears all
things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails.

...Even at Christmas.
 


- Contributed by a church member ​
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St. Nicholas

1/2/2022

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In the Orthodox and Catholic/Anglican tradition the feast of St Nicholas is  6 December. ​

Although Nicholas is a very popular saint in the Greek and Latin churches (i.e., Orthodox and Western), there is little known about the historical Nicholas. We know he was Bishop of Myra (Lycia in modern Turkey) at  the beginning of the fourth century. Beyond that, our knowledge of Nicholas moves into legend.

For example...
It is said that he was imprisoned during the Diocletian
 persecution of the church in AD 303-304.

He may have participated in the first 
Council of Nicaea in AD 325, one of the crucial Ecumenical Councils of the Church that  helped forge Christian orthodoxy (from which we have the Nicene Creed).

Nicholas is remembered for his generosity and goodwill. For this, he is considered a patron saint of sailors and children. 
  • According to legend, Nicholas' prayers resulted in the calming of the seas during a perilous storm.
  • He is said to have rescued three girls from being forced into prostitution by dropping a sack of gold coins through the window of their house each night for three nights so their father could pay a dowry for each of them to be married.
  • He is credited with saving or restoring the lives of three boys that had drown.
  • Similarly,  it is said that he obtained the release of three unjustly convicted sailors who had been inappropriately sentenced to death.

The truth of these legends is lost in the mists of time, so
 how might they be important to us today? 


First is the priority of care for those who are denied justice. In Nicholas’ day, children had no legal or other form of status. That was a given in the Roman Empire. Unless affluent, they were profoundly vulnerable. That is still true across the globe today. This is totally contrary to the teachings of  Jesus, who points to the child as an exemplar of the Kingdom of God and  in special need of care and protection.​

In saving the unjustly convicted sailors Nicholas shows that due process is  integral to justice. In the days of Twitter storms and social media  condemnation we are losing the art of measured judgement and are  rushing to condemn. Nicholas warns us away from that nasty basic  impulse to point the finger. He does that surely in the spirit of Jesus’  hesitancy to judge, despite being the Judge of All. Secondly in Nicholas  we see someone who delights in the Gift of Life and wants to see life in  others. How we live our lives – from conception to a natural death – is  increasingly contested, even amongst Christians. Nicholas brought his  gifts by night so as not to be noticed. We don’t see, and barely  acknowledge, the Giver of our lives. In dark times when so many refugees  die and suffer, when we have homeless people living on the street, when  many have little food and poor shelter, part of the Christian task, in the  spirit of Nicholas, is quietly and patiently, yet insistently, to promote the  priority of life. 

St Nicholas was no ‘bah-humbug’ sort of person, and nor should we be, so  following his example, let us pray that we might be humble in generosity,  vibrant in our daily lives and always compassionate to the needs of the  vulnerable. Then we can truly say we honour this great and popular saint.  

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Advent Appeal

1/2/2022

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This year our congregation has selected two charitable organizations to support through this year's Advent Appeal giving campaign. Donate your spare change each Sunday... Your kindness will make a difference and will bring hope to those who are forgotten. 

  • Refugee Survival Trust (SCO47395) -
    • This charity works  directly with refugees in Scotland. Their goal is to promote a welcoming, inclusive, safe Scotland for refugees and asylum seekers, where all live free of destitution and have the means and opportunities to realise their full potential.
    • RST's work is so important to MUC's ministry as we are provide support to Afghan refugee students and families through our Edinburgh Napier University Charity and by using our  Church flat to house asylum seekers. 

  • Orphans in Malawi -
    • Rev. Anna Kapinda of the Church of Central African Presbyterian - Blantyre Synod runs an orphanage for children, many of whom lost parents and grandparents to HIV. You may remember her speaking to the congregation two years ago. She needs support to carry on her work, especially in the face of the pandemic.  Only 3 percent of people in Malawi have been vaccinated and this is  placing huge pressures on their care system. 

Donations to these charitable programs can be given through collection boxes in the rear of the sanctuary. Cheques can be sent to the church office.  ---Thanks for your help!


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Update: The Main Hall

1/2/2022

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Picture
We are so pleased to be able to report that the floor in the  Main Hall has been finished.  

It looks wonderful!

We’re sure that everyone will enjoy being back, and would like to thank everyone for their  patience. 



Interested in hiring the Main Hall or any of our other facilities?
  • Check out our hall lettings page - https://www.morningsideunitedchurch.org/hall-lettings.html
Questions? Email  churchoffice.muc@gmail.com
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December Events

1/2/2022

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  • Book Group – This month’s book group is cancelled unfortunately. We  will start back in the New Year on 13 January. We will continue reading  Lee Strobel’s book The Case for Faith.  

  • 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. Donations from the coffee mornings will be sent to Save the  Children's urgent appeal for the children in Afghanistan. 
    • Our last coffee morning before Christmas will be Thursday 16 December  and we will start again on Thursday 13 January from 10.30am - noon.

  • Octavoce Concert: Octavoce will be having a Candlelit Christmas Concert at 7.30pm Thursday  16 December. Tickets are available from www.octavoce.org.uk/concerts 

  • Art Exhibit: Euan Cameron and Kathy Lawrence are holding an art exhibition on  Saturday 18 December at MUC. Kathy’s work is a selection of paintings  from her 'Gilded birds of Scotland' collection. (www.klartist.co.uk) Euan’s  work is mostly of local scenes painted on location in oils in all weathers. 

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Flowers for 2022

1/2/2022

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Thank you to everyone who has helped with putting flowers in the church since it has opened. They really do brighten everyone’s spirits. 

I intend restarting the Flower Rota from January 2022 and would be  delighted for anyone to give me her/his/their name to fill a Sunday slot or two. May I remind you do not have to be an expert flower arranger: a  bunch of flowers from a supermarket, a small posy in a vase, a pot plant  or a full arrangement as you wish - all are enjoyed, and variety is nice.  Some people wish to do flowers for a special occasion or anniversary,  others just when it suits. Men are as welcome and able as ladies to do this, and we welcome families and children doing flowers together.  Please just have a go, you may surprise yourself and enjoy it. Your help  would be much appreciated. 

If you wish to put flowers in the church but cannot do so yourself, please  ask someone else if he/she could do them for you. If you wish to give  money to a flower fund, please give it to me or Lesley Donald. 

Many thanks, 
​

Maggie McKenzie 
0131 261 4908

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There's More to Christmas...

1/2/2022

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There’s more, much more to Christmas 
Than candlelight and cheer; 
It’s the spirit of sweet friendship 
That brightens all the year; 
It’s thoughtfulness and kindness, 
It’s hope reborn again, 
For peace, for understanding, 

For goodwill to men!
​
- Calvin Coolidge -
30th President of the United States

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A Prayer for December

1/2/2022

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Holy Jesus,

By being born one of us, and lying humbly in a manger,
you show how much God loves the world.
Let the light of your love always shine in our hearts,
until we reach our home in heaven,
​and see you on  your throne of glory.

Amen


(source unknown)
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    About

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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