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The Link

A Word from the Manse

9/3/2022

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I thank God daily, not just for the beauty we see each day that surrounds  us, but also for each other, those we share our lives with. I say this because  I have just come in from a lovely walk along the back of Blackford Hill with New College friends; it has been a wonderful afternoon, with the sun shining in a fading winter sky. On the way we saw emerging displays of spring flowers, snowdrops, aconites, crocuses and budding daffodils,  standing out against the soil and grass. There was a real lightness in the  steps of those people I passed, all enjoying the sunshine and fresh  air. There was a sense of Spring in the air and subliminally maybe a sense  of new beginnings. Our circumstances are changing and hopefully we can  look forward to warmer and longer hope filled days. 

It got me thinking, March is just around the corner and the season of Lent is  upon us and, for us as Christians, it is significant that the season of Lent  always coincides with the arrival of spring; all around we are seeing signs of  new beginnings as the earth wakes up from its winter sleep. But the  purpose of Lent is traditionally more than just a period of beginning again,  it is also a period of reflection, a time for taking stock of our life and our  relationship with God. It begins with Ash Wednesday, when we start on  our Lenten journey with Christ to the cross, and then on to the joyous  Easter dawn and his resurrection. Many Christians, under normal  circumstances would celebrate Ash Wednesday saying sorry; resolving with the help of God to turn around their life, change in life’s direction, with the  intention to be different from this point forward in a renewed decision to  live as disciples of Jesus serving others and renewing efforts to pray. March therefore is a busy month, what with Lent, Mothering Sunday, the clocks  going forward an hour, and looking forward to Holy Week and Easter. It is  with this in mind that we have much to be grateful for in our parish. 

Like many of you I am very relieved that COVID-19 and its effects are slowly dissipating and that we can gather as a worshipping community each  Sunday. The work of the congregation continues, many groups are now returning to use the building and the issues of the Presbytery Plan are  slowly being resolved.

On a positive note, we hope to appoint Brigitte
Harris as our new organist. She has a great deal of experience and was  formerly organist at St Andrews and St George's. She is an excellent  musician and will work with Evan Cruikshank to re-establish a singing 
congregation. I am especially happy with the news from the Government that we don't have to wear masks after 21 March. This means people can participate fully in worship and sing and read with gusto, and best of all, we  can celebrate the sacraments in person. 

March will also see us kick off several new events and groups that will hopefully deepen the spiritual life of the church and congregation.
  • We will  launch our Lent Appeal to raise money for good causes, details of which will  be available in the first week of March.
  • On Thursdays we hope to have music and reflection for Lent and a Bible study. This is an opportunity to  explore the Christian faith and ask those burning questions I know we all  have about life, faith, our purpose and how we might live.
  • The fortnightly coffee morning for people especially older members or those connected  with the Parish care homes has recommenced.
  • Edinburgh Napier University Chamber Choir will hold an Easter concert for us at the beginning of April  
  • Christian Aid book sale : in May, the Christian Aid Book Sale will happen in a changed format
  • At  some point in the next couple of months we shall share worship with  Christchurch, Marchmont St Giles, St Catherine’s and the German speaking  congregation.
  • I also know that we are invited to some of the Romanian  Orthodox concerts and worship for their Lent and Easter which will be later than ours because of their use of different calendars.
  • We also will be hosting the Malawian Christian Community prayer and fellowship meetings  on some Sunday afternoons.
New life is happening in the Church, and this  has been cemented by the fact that we have received 8 new members since November. 

These events that I have outlined are all part of a bigger plan that I believe the Lord is leading us into this year. The church doors at MUC are open to  allow people into the building ecumenically serving people of the parish  and University. It is my prayer that we will see more doorways open into the church for those in our community who do not yet know the redemptive love of Jesus. Because that, dear friends, is why we are here: to share that same love with our neighbours, so that they may find themselves caught up in the great story of God. So may you find a way to become a  “door” for someone else this Spring so that MUC becomes a true place of  welcome in Christ’s name. 

With every blessing,
 

Rev Steven

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Charitable Donations 2021

9/3/2022

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Thank you so much for the generosity of members and friends alike, who, although it was a difficult year, continued to make donations throughout  2021. It is really appreciated by everyone who benefits from our fund  raising. Our Lent collection and our Advent collection both raised an  incredible amount, and we cannot thank everyone enough for your support  and kindness. 

  • Eric Liddell Centre : £1424 
  • Salvation Army Gorgie Foodbank : £1423 
  • Refugee Survival Trust : £1343 
  • Rev Annie Kapinda (Malawi) : £1343 

Those who have been joining our coffee mornings that recently restarted,  helped to raise £180 for Save the Children’s Afghanistan appeal, and a concert arranged by our previous organist, Max, raised £95 for Marie  Curie. 

Once again, thank you. 
Lesley Donald 
Church Treasurer

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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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    About

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

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