1. education
2. school

December 2014
UPDATE POLWARTH
Issue 63
The
quarterly
magazine of
Polwarth
Parish
Church
For unto us a child is born
it’s Christmas story time
Well, here it is - your
Christmas Update
showcasing the Sunday
School’s nativity set. We
hope you, your friends,
family and neighbours find
this issue a really good read.
It heralds Advent and is
full of information about
what’s on at Polwarth in the
run up to Christmas and
beyond. Jack’s colourful,
seasonal posters feature on
pages 2 and 3.
With Jack’s review of
Stewardship 2014 we’ve
included some of Dawn’s
photos and the words of
Jessie’s ditty, cleverly penned.
Polwarth’s got talent indeed!
1
We’re delighted to
include a contribution from
Wendy Lund in the Zambian
project article, and we
introduce Teddy whom we
hope will go to a good home.
Read all about it, and him,
on pages 6 and 7.
Alice has submitted a
story which touched her and
which you might enjoy
reading too, after you’ve
solved Louise’s puzzles that
is!
We’ve reports from the
labyrinth group, the sconeloving café culture team, the
bowling club and more, each
representative of church
community life at Polwarth.
Audrey, a recent
Polwarth Guild recruit, gives
us a flavour of what it means
to be part of this Scotlandwide organisation. We hope
to hear more from her.
And no church magazine
can really be complete
without a contribution from
the Sunday School. They
know their heroes, do you?
On behalf of all
contributors and the
enhanced editorial team, a
Merry Christmas and a
Happy New Year to all our
readers.
Alison Kennedy, Editor
2
UPDATE POLWARTH December 2014
UPDATE POLWARTH December 2014
Sundays in winter
our run up to Christmas and beyond
By Rev Jack Holt
St. Andrew’s Day, 30 November, falls this year on a
Sunday - the first Sunday of Advent. We’ll mark
Advent by successively lighting the four candles on
our wreath, and we’ll hang apposite banners from
the pillars of the church.
The dates and times of services in the run up to
Christmas are shown in my festive poster on the
facing page.
Into 2015 now, and Burns’ Night, 25 January
also falls on a Sunday. Margaret Anderson and I
are planning a Robert Burns themed service. We’ll
sing hymns to tunes associated with the bard, read
Here is news of a
seasonal social
evening:
It’s on Friday 12 December at
7 p.m..
‣ Natalie will lead the choir in a
programme of seasonal items,
‣ Jack and Natalie will play
Christmas music
‣ we’ll all be treated to clips from
Christmas movie favourites,
(can you guess which ones we’ll
see?)
Come along for an evening of fun
for all the family topped off with
festive refreshments Polwarth
style.
3
paraphrases of scripture written by Burns and give
thought to some of the religious themes found in his
poetry.
The last Sunday of each month remains our
Family Communion.
All of our services offer opportunity for active
involvement. Could you read publicly from the
Bible, lead the prayers of concern, speak to the
children or sing in the choir? Then please speak to
me, Margaret Anderson or Natalie Chan. We
would love to add more people to those already
participating in these ways.
UPDATE POLWARTH December 2014
Stewardship season 2014
Polwarth’s got talent!
By Rev Jack Holt
Just a brief note to thank everyone for their
support, involvement and participation in
this year’s Stewardship Season. Over the
course of the two months:
‣ 18 people took part in the course
Recognising and Responding to Grace
‣ 95 adults and 9 children came through
our Doors Open Day and saw our
congregational groups display
‣ 63 offers of help and support were made
at the Sunday Dedication Service
‣ 34 CD cases were decorated with a
variety of skills and abilities and
‣ many groups wrote and performed
parody songs, alongside individuals
demonstrating their talent in our
concluding celebratory Pot-Luck Supper
social evening.
The Steering Group and Sandra Holt
were duly recognised and thanked for their
hard work and commitment to the great
success of all the events.
Photo momentos:
Kirk Session members sing their ditty
(above); the CD cases (below)
On the next to back page you’ll spot
pianist Louise and maybe... a louse!
Here’s a sample little ditty, a parody song about the
Scrabble Club, penned by Jessie McNeil. For Jessie the
most important thing was to phrase the words so that they
matched the rhythm of her chosen tune: The Battle Hymn
of the Republic with its chorus, Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
The words cleverly reflect each players’ game and the
song was fun to sing.
SCRABBLE is a word game that is loved by everyone
We make up words with letters and we have a lot of fun
Age is not a barrier to playing it that’s true
The best player in the club is ninety-two.
Chorus:Scrabble, scrabble we all love you
Letters letters I have drawn ‘q’
Happy happy now I’ve found ‘u’
To make quad, queen or queue.
I am playing with Margaret and Louise and Marion
We all have drawn seven letters but of vowels I have not one
How many words in English can have consonants alone
But the game goes marching on.
Dorothy will take her time and give us all a shock
Alma quietly plays her tiles without a lot of talk
Irene plays a clever game and scores an awful lot
Then Betty plays all seven.
Marjory and Kirsty now are coming through the door
They’ll play with Phil and Betty and make up another four
Mabel is the one that we all miss the most that’s true
But Peter, where are you?
Barbara has put down a word that we have never seen
She says it is a word she knows, whatever can it mean?
We are all quite happy to agree with her you see
For now it’s time for tea!
4
UPDATE POLWARTH December 2014
Come walk the Labyrinth
no matter your faith
By Margaret Anderson and the Labyrinth Group
As I write, preparations are
underway at Polwarth to host
an inter-faith evening on Friday
21 November. Its focus is to be:
What Nourishes Us?
Well, it follows that we’ll begin
with a meal! We’ll share and
enjoy the food we’ve each
provided. As we dine, we’ll
share our thoughts about what
nourishes us spiritually, which might include such
things as a beautiful sunset, a painting, music,
dancing, people, poetry, faith… Though we’ll be a
group of different faiths, I’m sure we’ll have lots in
common.
Walking a labyrinth can nourish us spiritually too.
So we’ll walk the labyrinth together. It’s a path of
contemplation with a long history; it transcends
difference.
A labyrinth is an ancient tool of meditation dating
back about 5,000 years.. It experienced a revival in
Medieval times and today there is a growing interest
in the benefits it offers for our health and general wellbeing.
Throughout 2014 Polwarth’s labyrinth team has
liaised with Iain Stewart, general secretary of the
Edinburgh Inter-Faith Association1 (EIFA), who has
given us much support and guidance about meeting
and engaging with people from other faiths. EIFA
holds monthly community suppers at St. John’s in
Edinburgh’s West End, at which individuals speak of
of their faith journeys. There’s also time to chat
around the table and get to know each other altogether an ideal opportunity for us. Polwarth is
now a member of EIFA.
We have met separately with representatives of
different faith groups, talking to them and planning
together the content of our evening and how we
might involve the participants. We hope to welcome a
diverse range of people.
Although our event will have taken place by the
time you read this article, we do think it important to
keep you informed of our plans and activities. You
1www.eifa.org.uk
might just want to be involved!
Café Culture
our autumn report
By the Café Culture Team
In September we visited The Well café of the City
of Edinburgh Methodist Church, right in the
centre of town, tucked away in a corner of
Nicholson Square. It was another joy to behold:
bright and airy with a lovely view onto a courtyard
where you could enjoy your coffee on a summer’s
day. On offer as well as the lovely fare was free WiFi, a first I think for a church cafe. It is open
Monday to Friday 9.30 a.m. – 2.30 p.m. and 9.30
a.m. – 2.00 p.m. on a Sunday.
A most delightful lady showed us the church. It
was all painted white and big clear windows let in
lots of light. The pews had been removed leaving a
lovely flexible space. It is used as a festival venue
and took part in Open Doors day 2014. If it takes
part again next year we recommend a visit.
November found us down at a stormy bleak
Forth. But the Newhaven Connections café was
bright and warm and the cold outside was soon
forgotten. Some of you will be familiar with the lay
out at Newhaven as you may have attended Peter
5
Most of us
sampled the
lovely home
made scones at
Newhaven
Connections café
and really enjoyed
them.
Bluett’s induction. A play group was in full swing
as we passed the church on our way to the café.
We arrived at 10.30 a.m. and by 11.00 a.m. all
the tables were full. The café’s motto is food for body
mind and soul, and it certainly was.
The congregation see the café as an outreach to
the local and wider community, which was obvious
as everybody that came in seemed to know
everybody else. They are open Tuesday to
Thursday 9.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m., run mostly by
volunteers.
January the 20th is our next visit (weather
permitting), to Gilmerton Faith Mission.
UPDATE POLWARTH December 2014
6
Zambian thank-you’s
making such a difference to young lives
By the Global Concerns Team with Wendy Lund
We are coming to the end of our first year
the orphans who have come, in various
of fund raising for our Zambian Projects;
ways, into Caroline's care. She has
to date we have raised £1,927.55 (see
searched tirelessly for ways to raise their
table). It’s a fantastic amount and we
fees through friends and contacts, as well as
would like to thank all of you for your
using her husband's salary. Nevertheless
support.
there have been times when these kids too
As it’s a two year project, our
have faced rejection from school and the
involvement will end in November 2015.
path to despair.
With this in mind, and with your help, we
So, you can imagine how much hope it
plan to raise as much money as possible in
brought for a better future for the whole
the coming months so that we can give
extended family when they heard that
Caroline an extra year’s school fees. This
Polwarth was eager to raise funds to cover
would take away the worry of finding fees
the school fees for the next two years.
for 2016 and give Caroline time to source
Caroline's strategy is to get to know the
other avenues of funding.
head teachers well enough that they permit
The small change jars/small money
her to pay the school fees by instalments,
bags raised £205 and now they are waiting
which has worked well with Polwarth’s
to be filled again. Please pick up another
incremental fund raising. And now, we are
and continue in 2015 to collect small
so thankful that we have a balance sum
change.
with which to begin paying the next round
We are looking for ideas for next year’s
of fees, meaning that the youngsters can
fund raising and if you have one please
start immediately.
pass it on, or if you would like to run an
Let the young people speak for themselves:
event yourself, we’d be happy to help.
You’ll see from Wendy’s article
2013
£
£
which follows just how much the
Receipts
Christingle
363.00
young people appreciate being able
to go to school without the worry of
2014
finding fees. Once again, thank you
Receipts
Donations
454.00
so much for your generosity; it’s all
happening because of you!
Fund raising
1,007.05
Wendy writes:
Gift Aid
103.50
Sadly here in Zambia, at certain
times in the year, it is common to see
Total
1,927.55
youngsters out and about still in
uniform, having been chased out of
Payments School Fees
1,012.50
school for non-payment of fees or
Plumbing Bill
lack of proper dress.
27.00
(School)
The most stressful time for them
is when they are threatened with
Albino
50.00
exclusion from exams or are unable
Foundation
to collect their results until they have
Purchase of
managed to earn enough to pay their
Chickens &
50.00
fees in full. I have met young people,
Rice
a year after sitting exams, still
struggling to raise the remainder of
Total
1,139.50
their fees and collect their results.
This was the case for many of
Excess carried forward
788.05
UPDATE POLWARTH December 2014
It is just marvellous that these young people can,
between house/garden work and school, be FREE
to play and learn, as you can see from these photos
taken when they were sent puzzles and games from
another presbytery in Scotland.
The lego was particularly popular, as was the
Hungry Caterpillar in book and puzzle form!
Wendy Lund,
Mission Partner
“It means a lot to me to have my school
fees being paid because it used to be
challenging to raise my school fees by
myself.”
“I felt good when they finish paying my
school fees because I will be learning freely
with peace of mind.”
“If someone pays school fees for me
that means someone really cares for me and
my future, so thank you for it.”
“It (is) important for me if someone is
pay my school fees because it is very difficult
if someone don't help you.”
“You caring for me and my education
(means that) once I finish my school, I will
start to help my friends.”
“We were having some problems to pay
our school fees (but) now (we) have you to
help us. It (is) very good to have someone
help you.”
“I thank you for all that you have done
for me ... may God bless you all the time.”
“Today I feel excited to have people like
you ... I don't know how to appreciate for
whatever you have done in my life.”
Rising to the challenge
we have takers!
By Audrey Downie
In the June 2014 issue of
Update, the Global Concerns
Team put out a challenge (as in
this issue). We invited
individuals to run their own
events in aid of our Zambian
projects.
To this end Betty Robertson
recruited some friends and
together they are running a
Christmas Stall in the large hall
over 3 consecutive Sundays from
30 November to 14 December.
If you have never tasted
Morag Mason’s tablet, Margo
Baxter’s truffles or had the
chance to buy one of Betty’s
Teddies then now is your
opportunity.
7
Betty has also kindly donated
a Teddy for whom she has
knitted two outfits: one for
Christmas and one for going on
a winter holiday!
For just £1 the Teddy, his
outfits and his little Teddy bag
are yours if you can guess his
birthday. We’ll keep a diary in
which you can mark your chosen
day(s).
On 14 December at the
Christmas lunch, Betty will
check the diary and announce
the winner. If no one has
guessed the right birthday then
the person who has the nearest
day will win.
Here’s Teddy!
By Dawn Whittaker of the Global Concerns Team
These days we are bombarded by the written word,
the most irritating being junk mail. It takes time to
decide what to read and what to discard - in the
recycle bin, of course! So how do we decide what
we should read?
Since becoming responsible for Polwarth’s
Fairtrade stall, I get lots of emails as well as printed
booklets. I try to find time to read them all and pass
on what I think is important and worthwhile.
Fairtrade is a straightforward way in which to
make a difference - it’s a matter of choice. Fairtrade
means realistic pricing, decent working conditions,
local sustainability and fair terms of trade for
farmers and workers in the developing world. It
aims to enable the poorest farmers and workers to
improve their position and have more control over
their lives.
Remember Fairtrade Fortnight last February,
with Foncho and his bananas? I can’t buy a banana
now that doesn’t display that Fairtrade sticker. Not
that I would!
I know that so many are helping make a
difference - the Honesty boxes in church tell me.
The enormous success of leaving items on tables is
reflected in an increase of at least 10% in
commission earned this year. We’ll send it to the
Traidcraft Exchange charity in Gateshead in
December. The Fairtrade Foundation benefited
from the funds raised in February at our soup and
banana lunch.
We now purchase goods to sell from the One
World Shop at St John’s Church in Edinburgh, the
Just World Shop in Portobello and also on line from
Traidcraft in Gateshead. We try to give you a good
range of products and bargains, though the best
seller is still chocolate!
Here is some useful advice from the Scottish
Fair Trade Forum whose leaflet I picked up at the
excellent South Queensferry Coffee Morning in
November:
‣ Buy Fairtrade products
‣ Ask shops to stock more Fairtrade products.
‣ Get your workplace, community groups and
college/university to buy Fairtrade.
‣ Email your favourite companies and ask them to
make their products Fairtrade.
‣ Spread the word – tell friends and family why
they should choose Fairtrade.
Perhaps these could go on your New Year
Resolutions list! I certainly have acted. On noticing
that with its Fairtrade coffee my bank serves nonFairtrade sugar sticks, I requested that they serve
fairly traded sugar as well. I’m still waiting...
The Fairtrade Foundation suggests topical items
to purchase by month.
‣ December - Christmas:
Fairtrade nuts, dates, chocolate Yule Log and
spiced rum.
‣ January – Detox:
Fairtrade cotton yoga pants, quinoa and herbal
tea.
‣ February – Valentine’s Day:
Fairtrade flowers, wine and Fairtrade and fairmined certified gold.
‣ March – Pancakes:
Fairtrade lemons, sugar, honey and jam.
Happy fair trading!
ANAGRAMS
Mistletoe, Roast Beef, Greetings, Manger, Santa Claus, Decorations, Carols,
Brandy Sauce, Mince Pies, Presents, Pantomime, Christingle
RIDDLE-ME-REE
Hogmanay
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UPDATE POLWARTH December 2014
Fairtrade / Traidcraft
news worth reading!
UPDATE POLWARTH December 2014
9
The tablecloth story
could it be true?
Submitted by Alice McPherson
A young pastor and his wife were assigned to
their first ministry, to reopen a church in
suburban Brooklyn. They arrived in early
October 1972 full of enthusiasm.
When they saw their church, it was very
run down and needed much work. They
resolved to have everything done in time to
welcome the community to the first service of
worship on Christmas Eve. They worked hard;
repairing pews, plastering walls, painting
woodwork, so that by the 18th of December
the huge job was just about finished.
The next evening a driving rainstorm hit
the area and lasted for two days. When the storm
finally abated and the pastor visited the church his
heart sank to see that the roof had leaked, causing a
large area of plaster to fall off the front wall of the
sanctuary just behind the pulpit. The pastor cleaned
up the mess on the floor, and not knowing what else to
do but postpone the Christmas Eve service, headed
home.
On the way, he passed a charity shop. In the
window was displayed a beautiful, handmade,
crocheted tablecloth with exquisite work, fine colours
and a Cross embroidered in the centre. It was just the
right size to cover up the hole in the front wall of the
church. He bought it and immediately retraced his
footsteps to the church.
By this time light was fading and it had begun to
snow. An elderly lady hurried from the opposite
direction to catch a bus. She missed it. The pastor
invited her to shelter inside the church until the next
bus was due. She sat in a pew and paid no attention as
the young man eagerly fetched a ladder to hang the
newly acquired tablecloth over the damaged wall. He
could hardly believe how beautiful it looked covering
the problem area.
As he gazed up at this remarkable wall-hanging he
suddenly became aware of the woman, her face pale,
walking down the aisle. She asked, "Where did you
get the tablecloth?" The pastor recounted the story of
its purchase. The woman excitedly asked him to look
in the lower right corner to see if the letters ‘EBG’
were crocheted there. They were plainly to be seen.
These were her initials, she explained and the
tablecloth had been made by her years before, in the
home she shared in Austria with her husband.
My mum passed this
story to me after she
read it in the Aberlour
church magazine. It
brought a tear to my
eye, it is so touching.
I have no idea if it is a
true story, I hope it is!
I hope you enjoy
reading it too!! It has a
very strong message.
Alice McPherson
When the Nazis came to Austria in 1938, she and
her husband planned to leave. The woman left home
one week before her husband but she was captured,
sent to prison and never saw her husband again. On
hearing the woman’s story the pastor wanted to give
her the tablecloth; but she insisted that he keep it for
the church. She accepted instead his offer to drive her
home across town; an errand had brought her to the
area that one day.
The newly opened church enjoyed a wonderful
service on Christmas Eve. The church was almost
full, the music was good. After the service, the pastor
bade farewell to everyone at the door. When all had
spilled into the cold night the pastor turned to find
one older man sitting in his pew and staring at the
tablecloth on the wall.
The pastor felt the hair on the back of his neck
stand as he approached the gentleman. For the man
had raised a trembling hand and was pointing at the
wall as he asked “Where did you get that cloth?” It
was identical to one that his wife had made years ago
when they lived in Austria before the war and how
could there be two tablecloths so much alike?
He told the pastor how the Nazis came, how he
forced his wife to flee for her safety, and then was
himself arrested before he could follow her. He never
discovered what had become of his young wife.
Amazed, the pastor invited the man to go for a drive.
They drove across town to the house where a few days
earlier he had taken the woman. He helped the man
climb the three flights of stairs to her apartment,
knocked on the door, and stood back to witness the
greatest Christmas reunion he could ever imagine.
Happy Christmas
UPDATE POLWARTH December 2014
Our church family
we remember them… fondly
Atholl Stewart (06.10.2014)
Atholl, who at one time ran the Ettrick Hotel, was
married to Eileen.
Isabella Scott May (11.10.2014)
Isa was raised in Corstorphine, one of 8 siblings,
and a twin. She worked for many years for Young
& Saunders, Licensed Grocers and with Scottish
Widows. She was the widow of George May whom
she married in 1956 and moved to Slateford Road,
her home for the next 58 years. They had no
children. Isa was housebound for the past 3½ years
following a series of falls. She is survived by a
brother, sister and nieces.
Christine Verth (08.11.2014)
Christine, a cousin of Ellen Pereira, was the widow
of James Verth and a member of the Tuesday
Country Dancing Group at Polwarth.
change of address
Louise Stobie to Craiglockhart Terrace
Betty Robertson to Perdrixknowe
Lawrie and Jenny McCallum have moved from
Shandon 10
Public profession of faith
(and baptism)
thinking of joining the church?
By Rev Jack Holt
‣ How does a person become a Christian?
‣ How does a person become a member of the
Church?
The answer to the first is: make a decision to be a
follower of Jesus and then be publicly baptised. The
answer to the second is: by doing the above. The
roll of a congregation is made up of those who are
baptised, have made a public profession of their
faith and are actively engaged in Christian
discipleship.
There are those who were baptised as babies or
infants; the intention of that event being that the
youngster would grow and be nurtured in the
Christian faith as a child and adolescent, and
eventually make a personal decision to be a follower
of Jesus, which they’ll publicly proclaim.
So a call goes out:
‣ if you wish to be a Christian and have not been
baptised
‣ if you were baptised as a baby but have never
made your own public profession of faith
‣ if you wish to be included in the membership of
this congregation,
then contact me, by end December, on
[email protected] or at 441 6105.
I will then meet with you to discuss further what is
involved.
Christmas Greetings
from the Manse
Greetings from
Christine and Kenneth S.
Jack and Sandra would like to wish everyone
a Blessèd Christmas and a Peaceful New
Year, and to thank all who kindly remember
us with cards.
May we also thank everyone who
remembered us with cards at the birth of
our grandson Jacob, and on his behalf thank
everyone who remembered him with gifts.
Your kindness and generosity has been
touching and appreciated.
We will be celebrating Christmas this year
with our family in Australia.
We would like to wish everyone at Polwarth
a very happy Christmas and a healthy and
peaceful 2015.
Please don’t send us a card this year!
With best wishes
Christine and Kenneth
UPDATE POLWARTH December 2014
Puzzle corner
Christmas conundrums
A RIIDDLE-ME-REE
Discover the hidden seasonal word:
My first is in March but not in May.
My second is in salmon and trout.
My third’s a child’s horse when doubled you know!
My fourth’s in remember - not doubt.
My fifth is in Kenya - Nairobi too.
My sixth is in negative not photo.
My seventh is in Autumn and amber time.
My eighth comes from holly and year.
My whole comes round very late in the year
and is celebrated fully in Edinburgh here.
By Louise Stobie
SUDOKU
Fill in the grids so that every row, every column
and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1-9:
1
9
4
6
5
3
4
3
7
2
6
5
7
2
1
4
3
6
9
7
4
5
3
8
2
7
ALL MIXED UP
Christmas time anagrams:
1. MOST ELITE
2. BEE SAT FOR
3. SING EGRET
4. RAG MEN
5. A CLASS AUNT
6. DO I TAR CONES
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
SCOLAR
USE BAR CANDY
SPICE MINE
REST PENS
PAINT MEMO
GRISTLE INCH
For answers, see page 8
Inreach
caring for our
elderly and infirm
By Nancy Henderson
Our celebration of Holy
Communion for Advent will
take place in the small hall
at 2.30 pm
on Sunday 7 December.
It will be a short service followed
by a cup of tea and a chat. If
you would like to join us you will
be made very welcome.
We’ll provide transport, if
required.
In 2015, GLITS, the ladies’
choir whose performances we’ve
enjoyed at St. Brides Centre, has
asked to come to Polwarth on
Friday 20 March to perform
their new production for us. Of
course, we’re delighted! More
information to follow.
11
Flower team
say it with flowers!
By Doris Tulloch
As convenor of the Flower Team,
may I thank all who kindly
donated to the Flower Fund and
marked their special Sundays in
the Flower Calendar.
Thank you also to all who
deliver flowers after Sunday
services.
You’ll find the 2015 Flower
Calendar on the hall notice
board shortly.
Nearly New Sales
thank you
By Elaine Hopley
Thanks to everyone
who helped with
baking or donated
their time and
energy on the day at
our 2014 Polwarth Nearly New
Sales.
Our final totals for the year
are as follows:
Rent paid
£1,950
Polwarth Church
£2,950
CHAS1
£1,250
Sick Kids
Hospital
£2,500
Total raised
£8,650
Items sold:
10,304
Dates for 2015 are:
25 April,
26 September,
14 November
1CHAS
is a charity that provides
the only hospice services in
Scotland for children and young
people who have life-shortening
conditions for which there is no
known cure. See more at:
www.chas.org.uk
UPDATE POLWARTH December 2014
Heroes, jokes and recipes
inspired by Children in Need 2014
By The Sunday School
Thomas aged 5:
'My heroes are my godmother Jo because she
never gets cross and Sharon, because she's
nice and she doesn't make you eat all of your
lunch and she makes nice lunches.'
Robert aged 8:
My hero is Gamma [Granny] Patsy. When
anyone in my family needs help she helps
them for example she was going to stay with
my brother and I but my Auntie Kelly needed
help with her baby so she helped her.
Ava:
My dog Vinny because he is so cuddly and
when I am upset he makes me calm.
Molly:
Dr Jones at the Sick Kid's Hospital (my 'tickle
doctor') who helped me get better after my
neck infection and surgery when I was little
and Ella because she looks out for me.
Sorcha:
My piano and clarsach teachers for teaching
me and 'doggy' for helping me get to sleep
Katharine:
My Mum as she was the one who gave birth to
me and she is the one who feeds me.
Ella:
The Suffragettes for fighting for women's
rights and the Army for fighting for our
country and for keeping us safe.
Chocolate Crumble
6 oz marg. (block not tub)
2 tablespoons drinking chocolate
1 tablespoon syrup
½ lb rich tea biscuits
8 oz chocolate to cover
Melt syrup, marg. and drinking chocolate
Add crushed biscuits
Press into swiss roll tin (non stick or greased)
Cover with melted chocolate
Cut into squares when cold.
12
Q. What's a child's favourite King at Xmas?
A. a stoc-KING!
Q. What is a mum's favourite Xmas carol?
A. Silent Night!
Xmas Biscuit Recipe: Zimtsterne
(Cinnamon Stars)
courtesy BBC Good Food website
2 egg whites
1 tsp lemon juice + zest of 1 lemon
200g icing sugar, + extra for dusting
250g ground almonds
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
pre-heat oven to 150'c
Whisk egg whites till foamy
Add lemon juice and whisk till holding soft
peaks
Slowly mix in icing sugar
Whisk until stiff
Set aside 1/4 mixture for topping
Add almonds, cinnamon, ginger & lemon
zest to remainder of the mixture
Mix to a dough
Put dough on sheet of parchment paper
dusted with icing sugar
Dust top of dough with icing sugar
Place sheet of parchment paper on top
Roll out to about 1/2 cm thick
Peel off top sheet of parchment paper
Use 5 cm star cutter to cut
Place biscuits on large baking tray, which
you've covered with parchment paper
Spread reserved mixture all over the biscuit
tops (add drops of water if a bit too thick)
Bake for 12 - 15 mins till top is set but not
browned
Eat and enjoy!
UPDATE POLWARTH December 2014
The Guild
expressing our faith
By Audrey Downie
Polwarth Guild began Session 2014-2015 on
Monday 6 October when Rev Jack Holt spoke
about his new role as World Mission Convener for
Presbytery and also gave Communion.
We meet fortnightly on Monday evenings in the
Small Hall at 7.30 p.m. Tea/coffee is served after
each meeting. All are welcome. Here are some
2015 dates to note:
• January 26
A Nicht Wi’ Burns - verse and song
• March 6
World Day of Prayer (venue t.b.c.)
• March 28
Guild Projects Fund Raising Coffee Morning
Our full Syllabus can be viewed at
www.polwarth.org.uk.
The Guild is a movement within the Church of
Scotland which “invites and encourages both
women and men to commit their lives to Jesus
Christ and enables them to express their faith in
worship, prayer and action."
Polwarth Guild
Session 2014-2015
Theme:
“A World to Serve”
President: Doris Tulloch
Treasurer: Margaret McDonald
•
worship is an essential ingredient of all meetings
and activities.
• prayer underpins all we do.
• action involves living out the faith by taking
forward Guild projects1, in exploring topics
raised for discussion and becoming involved as
local groups and individual members in various
aspects of Christian service.
This aim is underlined in our motto, taken from
Acts 27, verse 23:
'Whose we are and Whom we serve.'
1 www.churchofscotland.org.uk/serve/the_guild/projects
Scrabble club news
playing the game
A ‘Guild’ gather
toiletries wanted
By Jessie McNeil
By Doris Tulloch
Having fun
The Council has asked The
Guild to collect small toiletries the type we pick up in hotels and
planes etc.
We’ll send them to the
Sisters of Mercy, Lauriston
Gardens.
There will be a box in the
church for you to leave your
donations. Thank you.
Bowling club
2014 report
By Betty Robertson
Deep in thought
13
It was a good season. We played
on Thursday afternoons from
2 - 3 pm.
We held our end of season
meal in the Ettrick Hotel where I
had the pleasure of presenting
the shield to Muriel Anton, the
season’s points leader.
We are a small group of
seven and would warmly
welcome anyone who would like
to join us for a relaxing game of
bowls.
You can hire bowls at the
venue for a nominal charge and
you only pay to play on a weekly
basis as there is no membership
fee.
If you are interested in
joining us next summer please
have a word with me.
UPDATE POLWARTH December 2014
14
Fireside reflection
anticipating Christmas
By Rev Jack Holt
The LORD be with you…
And also with you.
It’s early November and I’ve just seen a
trailer for a forthcoming advert - a 10
second teaser about Monty the Penguin who
will feature in this year’s John Lewis
Christmas publicity.
For the past few years the John Lewis
Christmas advert has become a must-see
event! Its little storyboards have captured
the hearts of viewers, and its music has
become the Christmas No. 1. Yet the
purpose of these commercials is still to
direct people to John Lewis stores, to buy its
goods and boost its sales. But with it, for
many, the anticipation of Christmas begins!
In the Church we begin our own rituals
of anticipation. We use the traditional
Advent Wreath: a crown of evergreen, four
red candles (though one will be rose!), with a
white candle in the centre. Like all
Christian Christmas traditions this one has a
pre-Christian origin. Countries like
Germany and Scandinavia have used lighted
candles and evergreen as signs of hope of
dark winter’s end and the return of light and
warmth.
But somewhere in the Middle-Ages the
Church redefined its purpose and meaning
in relation to the birth of Christ. Jesus was
the Light that has come into the world, and
the candles became associated with ‘themes’
or biblical figures.
The Wreath became a feature of both
Catholic and Lutheran traditions in the
1600s and it then spread across churches
and the world. Its introduction into the
Reformed Protestant tradition of the
Church of Scotland is very, very recent!
Indeed there will be parts of the country
where having such a thing in church would
still be deeply frowned upon.
The symbolism of the wreath is that as a
circle it has no beginning and no end – like
the love of God that was displayed in his
sending his Son into the world. The
evergreen speaks of the eternal life that Jesus
came to bring to the world lost in the
darkness of sin, evil and death.The candles
demonstrate the Light that is God: the
people in darkness have seen a great Light!
And the candles are assigned different
meanings.
In some traditions the four candles stand
for those who were involved in the coming
of Christ, moving from far off to near. So
the first candle stands for all the people of
the Old Testament period who watched
and waited for the promised Anointed One
( the Messiah) who was to come; the second
candle for the prophets whose words
announced that coming; the third for John
the Baptist who was the forerunner of the
adult Jesus’ ministry; and finally the fourth
for Mary who was told she would be the
mother of God’s Son.
But in other traditions, like the one we
follow at Polwarth, the candles stand for the
state of heart and mind the coming of
Christ brings - first, HOPE, the belief that
all in the end will be well; second, PEACE,
that all things shall be complete; third, JOY,
that in all things there is glad contentment;
and finally, LOVE, that which will remain,
when all else has passed away.
And in the centre the white candle lit on
Christmas Eve to mark the birth of Christ
who is our Hope, our Peace, Joy and our
Love.
Last year’s John Lewis advert is gone
and forgotten, but our annual ceremony
remains unchanged and undiminished. Its
symbolic power awakens in us the
anticipation that Christ is coming, to be
born in the night, born for us, to be God
With Us, now and until the end of the age.
Until next time…
The Lord Bless You and Keep You.
UPDATE POLWARTH December 2014
Prayers for Israel and Palestine
an open invitation
By Rev Jack Holt
Last summer’s conflict in Gaza shocked the world and
Christian communities on all sides pressed for ecumenical
prayer vigils on the 24th of each month across the globe.
The World Mission Council of the Church of Scotland,
Christian Aid and other bodies have pledged their support
and have organised events around the country on or around
that date each month.
On January 24 2015, the vigil comes to Edinburgh and
will be hosted by... Polwarth Parish Church.
Speakers are arranged, and a call is issued to all
congregations in the city and others to congregate at
Polwarth on Saturday, 24 January from 10 a.m. until 12
noon.
I hope you will support this event by not just participating
in the vigil but also by helping to provide refreshments.
24 JANUARY 2015 10 a.m. - 12 noon
POLWARTH PARISH CHURCH
Just a snippet
By Michael Greenlaw
While popping into Mather’s Bar in Queensferry
Street for a pie and a pint recently, I noticed that
Mather’s along with the adjacent bank and
Caledonian Backpackers hostel were all designed
as a group of buildings by architect Sydney
Mitchell – the architect of Polwarth Church.
Polwarth’s Story
Polwarth is a safe place
for all people to worship
regardless of age, race, creed, cultural
background or sexual orientation.
15
But we do more than worship: we provide
a community location
enhancement to the environment
a means to overcome stress and loss.
We do more than worship: we grow,
learning how to live as followers of Jesus
discovering the value of faith and prayer
living a common life in community.
We do more than worship: we care
about people in all stages and conditions of life
about poverty and homelessness
about fairness and justice.
We do more than worship: we share
the stories of what we do
work in partnership with other agencies
making sure all are included.
UPDATE POLWARTH December 2014
What’s on: December 2014 to February 2015
regular events in Polwarth Church and halls
morning
Sundays
afternoon
early evening
evening
10.00 Choir
(Communion: 28 December,
11.00
Morning Worship 25 January and 22 February)
Mondays
Tuesdays
14.00 - 16.00
Guid Blethers
every 1st & 3rd Mon
09.15 - 11.30
Parents and
Toddlers Group
14.00
Scrabble Club
19.15 Guides
19.30
The Guild
every 2nd week
from 1 Dec.
18.00 - 19.00
Piloxing
Wednesdays
19.30
Country Dancing
17.30 - 19.30
Weight Watchers
Thursdays
14.30 - 16.30
Parents and
Toddlers Group
18.30 - 19.30
Insanity Fitness
19.30 Choir
20.00 - 21.00
Yoga
Fridays
occasional events in Polwarth Church and halls
December
January
Sunday 7 December, 2.30 pm
Inreach Communion for Advent
Sunday 7 December, 7.30 pm
Concert: Colinton Amateur Orchestral Soc.
Friday 12 December, 7 pm
Music and Movies for Christmas fun for all the family
Saturday 13 December, 7.30 pm
Concert: Cadenza at Christmas
Saturday 24 January, 10 am till 12 noon
Prayer Vigil for Israel and Palestine
Polwarth Parish Church
in the City of Edinburgh
36-38 Polwarth Terrace
EDINBURGH
EH11 1LU
Minister
Rev. Jack Holt
0131 441 6105
[email protected]
Church of Scotland Reference: 010115
Registered Scottish Charity:
SC 004183
16
contact us
office hours:
Tuesday 9am-1pm
Friday
2pm-6pm
Saturday 10am-1pm
0131 346 2711
[email protected]
www.polwarth.org.uk