2

Magnificat

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my saviour,

for you, Lord, have looked with favour on your lowly

servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:

You, the almighty, have done great things for me,

and holy is your name.

You have shown strength with your arm

and scattered the proud in their conceit,

casting down the mighty from their thrones

and lifting up the lowly.

You have filled the hungry with good things

and sent the rich away empty.

You have come to the aid of your servant Israel,

to remember the promise of mercy,

the promise he made to our forebears,

to Abraham and to his children for ever.

(from Luke 1)

Magnificat

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my saviour,

for you, Lord, have looked with favour on your lowly

servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:

You, the almighty, have done great things for me,

and holy is your name.

You have shown strength with your arm

and scattered the proud in their conceit,

casting down the mighty from their thrones

and lifting up the lowly.

You have filled the hungry with good things

and sent the rich away empty.

You have come to the aid of your servant Israel,

to remember the promise of mercy,

the promise he made to our forebears,

to Abraham and to his children for ever.

(from Luke 1)

3

The key event this month in the life of the Cathedral and the

Diocese is the ordination of John our bishop-elect as the next

Bishop of Edinburgh. Please remember him and his wife and family

as he embarks on this new ministry.

Other News:

* The new glass doors at the west end of the Cathedral are almost

finished and universally admired. Over the coming months we will

determine what needs to be done to enhance further the area at

the west end of the Cathedral in terms of welcome to our visitors,

keeping the area clutter free whilst providing storage for all our

bits and pieces.

* This month we say farewell to two faithful servants of the

Cathedral:

Wilma MacRae has probably arranged for more cups of coffee and

glasses of wine and fruit juice to be poured out in the Cathedral

that most of us would consume in a life time! The various coffee

teams (in either the Walpole Hall or the Resurrection Chapel) are

a key part of the Cathedral’s ministry of welcome, and Wilma has

been the ever-willing cornerstone of that ministry. Wilma heads

back north shortly, and in bidding her a fond farewell we wish her

every happiness in Nairn.

Many people have commented on the new planting in the Garden

of Remembrance and to the west of the Chapter House. Harry

Brown has been the source of horticultural advice and supervisory

activity for this. He too and his wife leave Edinburgh this month:

Harry leaves a legacy of beauty for us all.

4

* Master of the Music Duncan Ferguson will be married to Marie in

the Cathedral on Saturday 19 May at 2.30pm. As a sign of our

affection for Duncan and his bride the Cathedral is hosting a

reception in the Resurrection Chapel after the wedding so that we

can all toast the health and happiness of the bride and groom. Do

join us for this happy occasion.

* The Lady Chapel has been slightly re-ordered so that an oil

painting of Our Lady can be hung in it. Donated to the Cathedral

by Lady Clyde, it is most fitting to have such a painting in a

Cathedral itself dedicated to Mary.

* The Cathedral Organists’ Association is coming to Edinburgh this

month, and it will be lovely to welcome back to St Mary’s Tim

Byram-Wigfield (St George’s Windsor) and Matthew Owens (Wells Cathedral). Festal Evensong for the Conference is on

Tuesday 8 May at our usual time of 5.30pm and includes the first

performance of Sally Beamish’s Gaudent in Coelis.

* The Scottish Prayer Book Society will be meeting in Edinburgh on

Ascension Day (17th May) to celebrate the 350th anniversary of

the Prayer Book. There will be a talk by Revd. Professor Stuart Hall

on the history of the Prayer Book, at 4pm in the Song School. For

more information contact the Cathedral Office.

* Many of us knew Lisbet Rutter who died on Holy Saturday. ‘A

journey to faith’, written by her family, is reprinted in this month’s

magazine, not only in tribute to her but also to share more widely

her amazing life story.

5

Please reply

The Treasurer is waiting to hear from you!

6

Crossword set by Elaine McCulloch Smith

Solution in the June Magazine

Clues

Scripture clues are always to be found in the Authorised Version Across 3 out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our ............ (5)

Luke 24 8 Christian liturgical hymn, forming part of Mass (6)

9 Toothed implement drawn over ploughed land to prepare for sowing seeds (6) 10 An upper cavity of the heart from which blood is passed to the ventricles (6)

11 Wind flowers (8) 12 Part of a circle (3) 13 A high-pitched piercing cry (6)

14 It is made up of wild shrubs and typically borders fields or roads (8) 17 Visually descriptive language, especially in literary work (7)

19 Set on fire (7) 23 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with ...... (5,3) Luke 24

27 to my Father; but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ....... (6) John 20 29 Concealed or obscured (3)

30 Shower (8) 31 This number & nine sheep are left in wilderness until the lost one is found (6)

32 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the ......... (6) John 16 33 O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have .......(6)

Luke 24 34 Particular patterns of stripes in a tartan or badgers’ burrows (5)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9

10 11

12

13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21

22

23 24 25 26 27 28

29

30 31

32 33

34

7

Down

1 A brood of chicks (6) 2 And were continually in the temple, ......... (8) Luke 24

3 He helps to cut and toss the grass in the fields when the sun shines (8) 4 Member of ambassador’s staff (7)

5 Strand of cotton or silk eg (6) 6 Furrow or slot (6)

7 A Spanish dance in simple triple time (6) 13 Style of dance or jazz music, or manner in which a golf club is used (5)

15 A form of the card game rummy (3) 16 The disciples did this when they approached the shore with 153 fish in their

net (5) 18 Dine (3)

20 therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of ......... (8) Heb. 1

21 As a group (esp. naval or military) (2,6) 22 From memory (2,5) 24 Say or ask more than once eg Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? (6)

25 Correctly or properly (6) 26 They are found in packs of cards (6)

28 A culinary spice (6)

Solution to April Crossword

T R E E O F L I F E P A L M

H N W A U F R O

E S S E N T I A L R E I G N

M U B R F E M T

B E H O L D I N S P A T E

B D L C T V

A S P H Y X I A L O C H R E

R H M E E R

G L Y P H B O D Y G U A R D

A S O A R I

I N I T I A L E N A C T S

N Q S A A N O I

F R U I T N A R C I S S U S

O E S C T T C L

R I S E G E T H S E M A N E

8

Mystery in the Cathedral

Reflections from a member of the audience – Mark Harris

On the evening of Sunday 1st April (Palm Sunday), a group of

sixteen actors dressed entirely

in black and white revived an

ancient tradition of performing

a mystery play, focussing on the

Passion, Resurrection and

Ascension of Christ. The play

was adapted from a cycle of

plays from Chester, dating back

to at least the 15th century, part

of a much wider tradition from

the Middle Ages of yearly re-

enactments of biblical stories

ranging from the creation to the

last judgement.

Some of these plays were very long and could run for a whole day or

even longer. This version (abridged and modernised a little) lasted for

about an hour and a half, and was staged at the High Altar of the

Cathedral, as a “dramatised reading”. Actors referred openly to copies

of the script as they went about and delivered their lines, but it soon

seemed quite natural, and one quickly forgot the scripts were there.

I was always taught at school that audiences from Shakespearean (and

earlier) times weren’t afraid to shout comments, to hurl insults (and

harder objects) and generally to make their feelings felt in the theatre.

I had a very small taste of that experience. I took my two oldest sons

along – Ben (aged 10) and Isaac (aged 9) – who had been to the

theatre on quite a few occasions, but never to see a play like this.

Intensely interested in trying to decipher the (approximately Shakespearian style of the) lines (which, they said, sounded like English

but not quite), Ben and Isaac kept asking me every minute or so what

9

was going on, until after a while they lapsed into a concentrated silence

when they realised that they basically knew the story. However, 40

minutes was about as much as they could take before intense fidgeting

and regular questions of “Is it nearly finished?” (answer by me – “He

hasn’t been arrested yet, what do you think?”) prompted an exit back

home. I returned, but had missed about 10 minutes. Luckily, I knew the

story, although I found that I slightly missed Ben and Isaac’s whispered

commentary.

Seeing the play was a very enjoyable and moving experience, and I

began to appreciate something of this great pre-Reformation tradition,

ably revived, produced, directed (and acted) by Mike Appleby.

Reflections from a member of the cast – Yvonne Mills

I have seen the Passion Play at Oberammergau three times, in 1970,

1990 and when I led a group there from the Cathedral in 2000, so that

particular part of the Christian story has always held a fascination for

me. When I read in Magnificat that it was planned to perform a

rehearsed reading of the Passion story on Palm Sunday and volunteers

were sought to read parts, I was keen to participate and so contacted

Mike Appleby and was invited to join a planning meeting at his home

where approximately fourteen people were present. A number were

Cathedral members and there were several players from the Makars

drama group. It was clear that readers would have to take

responsibility for several parts as there were over thirty people in the

planned performance – The Passion adapted from the 15th century

Chester Cycle of Mystery Plays by Edward Burns with the script in a

poetic style.

Scripts were supplied and parts allocated and we read through the

play. For three consecutive Sunday evenings after that we rehearsed

in the Cathedral and had one final ‘dress’ rehearsal on the Thursday

before the performance. It was decided to perform the play in the

sanctuary with the audience sitting close to the players.

10

Assistant Organist Nick Wearne has been busy.......

We in the Cathedral enjoy Nick’s playing every week. It would seem

others are discovering what we already know! Nick won the Poul

Ruders Prize at the Odense International Organ Competition last year

and part of the prize was to record Ruders' Trio Transcendentale for the

American label Bridge. This CD has had outstanding reviews across the

board, including in the Sunday Times. It received an International Record

Review Outstanding recommendation and was Gramophone Editor's

Choice. Nick has been selected to compete at the Chartres

International Organ Competition this year

He has given recent Cathedral recitals in Bourges, Durham, Berlin and

Canterbury. Later this year he is to give a concert on the famous organ

of Merseburg Cathedral, and also at the Frauenkirche Dresden and the

Nikolaikirche, Leipzig.

I have never been keen on ‘acting’ so it was quite a surprise when I

realised we would be performing our parts with the scripts in our

hands. However, from the first rehearsal in the Cathedral it became

clear that this was going to be a very moving experience for all of us

involved and personally I had difficulty at one stage in reading my

words as they evoked quite strong emotions within me. Although

several of us took more than one part it was not difficult to change

moods depending on the part of the story we were performing. As

doubting Thomas I felt particularly moved towards the end of the

play when invited by Jesus to put my hands into his wounds and

declare “My Lord, My God, My Christ, My King – now I believe

without doubting.” Probably all of us would have felt the same

emotion at this point in the story.

I considered it a privilege to take part in this expression of our faith, and thank Mike for all he did to direct us in what I believe was a

successful, though not faultless, production of the Passion story.

11

The Cathedral Walkers

DO YOU LIKE TO WALK? DO YOU LIKE TO TALK?

Why not join the Cathedral Walkers where we do both!

The “Walk and Talk” group meets once a month usually on the first

Thursday of the month.

On Thursday 12th April 2012 nine of us walked from Duddingston

to Fisherrow a distance of about 5 miles. We walked along the old

railway track past Niddrie Mains and The Jewel and then along by

the side of the Brunstane Burn. We then did a circuit of the

grounds of Newhailes before re-joining the Brunstane Burn to go

down to the water front and along to Fisherrow harbour.

The next walk is on Thursday 3rd May.

Starting from Rosewell we will walk to Dalkeith – a distance of

about 5 miles. We will follow the old railway line – a part of which

will become the new Borders Railway Line, so walk it while you

can! The pathway is level, of a good width and is ideal for a gentle

stroll with an opportunity to chat along the way. We will be using

public transport in each direction – so don’t worry if you do not

have access to a car.

As usual I will be sending details to

everyone on my email list but

newcomers always are welcome –

please let me know if you would like to

join us. If you are interested in taking

part in the Diocesan Borders

Pilgrimage on Saturday 5th May please

see the information on the next page.

John Spencer

12

Evening Walk on 10th May

The next ‘Saturday Walk’ is on a Thursday evening! It will be on

Thursday 10 May at Corstorphine Hill, meeting at 7 pm nearby - the

exact place will be confirmed later. It is hoped that this may be the

first of several walks, exploring all the seven hills of Edinburgh.

Further details will be sent to all those on the Thursday walkers’

email list. If you would like more information, but are not already on

the email list, please contact the Cathedral office.

Diocesan Pilgrimage from Melrose Abbey

Saturday 5th May 2012

This will be the third Diocesan Borders Pilgrimage, and it will be led

by Revd Maurice Houston, Rector of Holy Trinity, Melrose. It will

begin with coffee at 10.00 at the Corn Exchange in the centre of Melrose and will then continue with Opening Prayers at Melrose

Abbey at 10.30am.

There are options for two

walks. Both are along a

muddy footpath at the

beginning. The shorter walk

is about 5 miles, mainly on

the flat, going through

Newstead, passing the

Thomas the Rhymer Stone

and then back to Melrose.

The other option is a slightly

steeper walk of 6-7 miles, that heads up the hill at the Rhymer

Stone, following the curve of the lower Eildon Hills, then back to

Melrose. Both walks will have a break for a picnic at the Thomas the

Rhymer Stone, and will finish with closing prayers at Melrose Abbey

at 2.30pm. You will need stout footwear, warm clothes, waterproofs

and a picnic for both walks. Maps will be available at the start.

If you would like to take part please let the Diocesan Office know -

0131 538 7033.

13

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK

The power of standing together

This article is from the resources on the Christian Aid Week website

Christian Aid Week tells the story of a community in Sierra Leone that has

seen remarkable change. Tenneh Keimbay’s life turned around when the

Methodist Church of Sierra Leone (MCSL) started to work in her town,

distributing tools and teaching farmers simple food production techniques. She

talks enthusiastically about the difference this has made: “Now the children eat

two meals all year round, whereas before it was one. They are growing well;

they don’t cry around me because of hunger. They are happy to go to school

because something is in their stomach.”

The benefits of regular food speak for themselves. But the effects of the food

production group have been more wide-ranging than this. Tenneh speaks of

the huge difference working in a group has made to her. Acting together, the

farmers can share their skills and work more efficiently. As she tells us, the

bottom line is that “the group work provides more food”.

Tenneh speaks of the support and the encouragement that the farmers give to

each other, and how much can be achieved when the community comes

together. “What inspires me in life is unity,” she says. “To me, unity means

coming together to decide on one thing and take that forward.” Now that they

are no longer limited by hunger, the people of Gbap (pronounced Bap) have

come together and successfully lobbied for a new school and an agricultural

work centre for the community. The people of Gbap have taken their future

into their own hands.

During Christian Aid Week, 15,000 churches across Britain and Ireland will

organise house-to-house collections and events to raise funds to enable

organisations like MCSL to carry out their work transforming communities

such as Gbap. Christian Aid currently works with 507 partners in 47 countries

in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin

America and the Caribbean, helping

people to make change happen. Our

donations will be multiplied many times

over as many small actions come

together to make a huge change. But

the giving that takes place during

Christian Aid Week is not one way.

14

Unity is something that our churches are not always good at, and the value of

community that has inspired Tenneh is something that we can learn from and

be changed by. Christian Aid Week is about raising funds. But it is also a call

to unity – an invitation for churches to come together and celebrate the

possibility of hope and life in parts of the world where mere survival can be a

struggle. This is a challenge, because division and inequality and injustice will

always be easier than unity. But Tenneh’s insistence that remarkable things

can happen when we come together is not new. We see it in the actions and

ministry of Jesus, who pushed against all that leads to violence and separation

and called his disciples to model a new way of community.

Can we use this Christian Aid Week to allow ourselves to be changed? If we

can work together, with each other, with our churches and with our

neighbours both at home and as far away as Gbap, then we may start to see

huge change happen. Tenneh says that “when you are a group and work with

focus and total commitment, you work at a faster rate; the stronger ones can

help with work that weaker ones cannot do by themselves”. As we engage in

Christian Aid Week, we can rejoice as we stand together in solidarity.

Although we might ask who is the strong and who is the weak – and who is

actually giving to whom.

Be a part of Christian Aid Week this year: if, together, we take

small actions we can give people like Tenneh the tools to make big

change happen. £6.50 could buy a set of four hand tools for a farmer living

in the town of Gbap. £50 could pay for advocacy training for two young

people in a Kenyan slum, equipping them with the tools they need to put

pressure on their government to provide essential services. £123 could buy a

reclaimed aluminium greenhouse for women working on market gardening

projects in Tajikistan, providing a vital tool for growing vegetables in a harsh

climate experiencing extremes of hot and cold.

The first £5 million donated to Christian Aid Week will be

matched by the Government pound for pound, so that we can

help even more people in communities like Gbap to work their

way out of poverty.

Val Brown from Christian Aid Scotland will be giving a talk at the 10.30 Eucharist on Sunday 13th May. There will be a

collection for Christian Aid at the Service, and Christian Aid envelopes will be on the seats.

15

Faith in Older People

Malcolm Goldsmith Lecture

The Annual Malcolm Goldsmith Lecture

will be on Tuesday, 29th May 2012 at 5pm

Lecture Room 1, New College, University of Edinburgh,

The Mound, Edinburgh

(Faith in Older People in collaboration with

the Centre for Theology and Public Issues)

FINDING MEANING IN THE EXPERIENCE OF DEMENTIA

Professor Elizabeth MacKinlay, Charles Sturt University,

Queensland, Australia

This event is free but you must reserve a seat which can be done via

www.faithinolderpeople.org.uk (under Activities - Events).

16

From the Registers

Weddings

Scott Brewster and Alexis Duncan

Andrew Reekie and Clementine Bartlett

Funeral

Lisbet Rutter

St Mary’s Cathedral Retreat

The College of the Holy Spirit,

Millport, Isle of Cumbrae

Friday 18th May to Monday 21st May 2012

We still have a couple of spaces for this retreat. If you are

interested, or would like more information, please contact Andrew

or Sadie McCowan via the Cathedral Office.

The Retreat will now be led by Revd Dr Harriet Harris, Chaplain

to the University of Edinburgh.

Cleanliness is next to Godliness

We are looking for one or more volunteers to

launder regularly those white servers’ albs which are

not owned and/or cared for by particular individuals.

If you could offer this service, please contact Anne

Milne via the Cathedral Office .

17

A Journey to Faith

Lisbet Rutter’s funeral took place in the Cathedral on 19 April. Lisbet was a

very special person, and the Cathedral was very much central to her life for

many years. Her journey goes back to Czechoslovakia emerging from the

World War I. What is printed below is her family’s account of Lisbet’s journey -

‘a journey to faith’.

Czechoslovakia

Lisbet was born on December

23rd 1920 in the town of Pilsen

in the newly created country of

Czechoslovakia. It was a time

of new hope following the

Great War, and the positive

attitude towards progress and

social change would colour her

attitudes throughout life. She

was immensely proud of her

Czech heritage, and would

often reminisce about Karlovy

Vary, an international spa town

where she grew up.

In the town, where her parents

ran a bookshop, Lisbet

encountered people of many

nations, and heard many

languages. She also became an

omnivorous reader, working

her way through the stock.

As a child, she was somewhat resentful of her birth date, since she often

received one large present for birthday and Christmas combined, rather

than two smaller ones which would have been much more fun. In later

years, she had a very different attitude, always downplaying her birthday

in order to emphasise the birth of Jesus, who was far more important.

That journey to faith is the key to understanding her life.

18

The War

As the National Socialists rose to power in Germany, political debate

became more heated in the surrounding countries. Lisbet was once

reprimanded by her father for inviting a beating by wearing the colours of

all parties to school. She tried to engage with all sides, but ended up by

being somewhat of an outsider.

Her mother was Jewish, and in 1937 was arrested by the Gestapo. Lisbet's

aunt very bravely obtained her release and it was essential for them both

to leave rapidly. With the help of family and a Church of Scotland minister,

they managed to leave the country on one of the last trains out of Prague.

She spent some time working in the Netherlands before joining her

mother in the UK. Her father remained in Czechoslovakia.

Monica

During the war Lisbet worked as a land girl at a farm in the Malvern Hills

where she fell in love with an Italian prisoner of war. They lived as man and

wife until he was repatriated to Italy saying that he would return at the

earliest opportunity. However, Lisbet was devastated when she received a

letter from his Italian Priest informing her that he had married before the

war and would not be coming back. Lisbet was carrying their child, Monica,

who was born in October 1946.

Lisbet had had a long-standing interest in forms of communal living and

joined an organisation known as the Bruderhof. She rapidly learned that

this was not all she had hoped for, but the cult-like conditions made it hard

to get away. She was eventually rescued by David Cadbury, a friend of her

Mother and they escaped over snow-covered countryside carrying the

infant Monica. They were taken in by a country vicar called Sarjenson, with

whom Lisbet retained a strong friendship.

Lisbet attended Hillcroft College in Selly Oak, which she found to be a very

liberating and enriching experience. The Cadbury family provided support

buying the family a house, helping Lisbet find work at Bournville, and

introducing her to Quakerism. She found their open and non-doctrinal

approach to Christianity a welcome stage in her spiritual journey.

A second family

Soon after the death of her Mother, Lisbet met Richard Rutter (known as

Dick) who also worked at Bournville and attended the same Quaker

19

Meeting. He had served in the Friends’ Ambulance Unit as a conscientious

objector during the war. Their very varied backgrounds and Christian

convictions drew them together, and they were married in July 1956, with

Dick immediately adopting Monica as his own. They had a full life and large

circle of friends in Birmingham, enjoying folk dancing, rambling and

entertaining.

Dick was “head hunted” by a firm in Leamington Spa and the family moved

there in 1958. Tragedy struck when their son Simon died within hours of

his birth in January 1959. However, they were blessed by the birth of Eoin

in April 1960, followed by Alison 3 years and 3 days later. They were active

members of Warwick Quaker Meeting.

Moving to Scotland

In 1965 Dick's key area of work was transferred to another company,

leaving the family with a difficult decision whether to stay with the old firm,

seek new work locally, or move with the job. They decided to move, and

the family headed for Edinburgh. Unknown to them until they arrived,

Dick's younger brother Andrew had finished a period of voluntary work,

and arrived in Edinburgh with his wife Margery just a few days earlier. Their

children were of very similar ages, and the two families worked in close

harmony for several years, with children spending alternate weekends in

each household to give the parents a welcome break!

Lisbet became very active in ecumenical outreach, and in political activism

in support of Peace and Justice. In particular, she supported the

Corrymeela community which sought to bring reconciliation across the

sectarian divide in Northern Ireland with a particular emphasis on children.

She gradually came to find that the Quakers no longer filled her spiritual

needs and after some searching joined the Episcopalian church, becoming

an active member of the congregation at St Mary's Cathedral.

Her interest in internationalism and community living continued, and the

family became hosts for SERVAS (or Peace-builders International), resulting

in a string of guests from all around the world. She was also a very active

member of the Iona Community, another ecumenical Christian

organisation dedicated to Peace and Justice.

A Journey to Faith - continued

20

The Maneaba

As the children grew towards independence, Lisbet and Dick considered

how to progress towards their shared dream of community living.

Eventually they decided that they would have to found their own

community. In 1977 they bought a larger flat in central Edinburgh, and

named it ‘Te Maneaba’ after the communal meeting houses of the Gilbert

Islands (now the nation of Kiribati), having learned the term from several

exchange students who had stayed with them. The Maneaba had many ups

and downs, but successfully continued for a decade, providing a shared

home for a wide variety of people, all united round shared prayer, a simple

lifestyle, and social commitment.

During this period, Lisbet was greatly affected by the death of her daughter

Alison. She would later mourn the loss of nephews Adrian and Chris, and

her grandson Martin. She steadfastly refused to dwell on her own sadness,

and offered what comfort she could to others. She was greatly sustained by

her belief that all would be well, as part of God's plan.

Retirement

Eventually Lisbet and Dick had to leave the Maneaba, and they settled in

nearby Dalry. Although slowing down, Lisbet maintained an active interest

and catalytic role in many areas related to faith and to social justice. She

helped Dick to gain a belated interest in reading, and they held many

interesting conversations over the Scrabble board.

Lisbet contracted Alzheimer's, and was greatly distressed by the loss of the

mental faculties she had always valued. She became increasingly dependant

on Dick for care. Eventually, this proved too much for him, and Lisbet spent

her final years in Camilla House, a nursing home in the Grange.

On Dick's death a year later, Martin and Alison McNaughton, former

members of the Maneaba and close family friends kindly took on primary

responsibility for her welfare.

Once settled at Camilla House, Lisbet was popular with staff and residents.

In lucid moments, she still had much of her acumen, and even when

confused, her cheerful spirit often shone through. She retained her keen

interest in nature, and was particularly delighted with the many trees which

grew in the area.

A Journey to Faith - continued

21

Men's Group

The Men’s Group meets on the first and third Thursdays of each

month, at 8pm in the Chapter House. More information from

Adrian Tupper or the Cathedral Office.

Men's Prayer Group

We meet on the first Sunday of each month at 9am in Old Coates

House. More information from Mike Sinclair.

Lisbet had had a history of minor strokes, but in late March suffered a

major attack which left her severely disabled. She seemed to have

stabilised, but unexpectedly passed away peacefully on Easter Saturday.

Monica and Eoin had both visited her shortly before she died.

An emerging pattern

Although she endured much throughout her long and varied life, it only

served to deepen her convictions and eventually to strengthen her. All

who met her were struck by her sense of purpose and concern for

others. She was an inspiration to many, and a great friend to those who

had the joy of knowing her.

She firmly believed that death would be the start of her true life and

would want you all to share her sense of liberation on this occasion.

Although we naturally feel the loss of her departure, we are all the

richer for having known her.

RIP

WELCOME

We are now making plans for the new season of the Welcome ministry

which we hope to start in June.

If you were involved in our Welcome group last year or are interested

in joining us or finding out more you are invited to a meeting on Sunday

13 May in the Library at the back of the Cathedral, after coffee.

We look forward to seeing you.

Allan Hood

Sheila Kidney

22

The Book Group

The next two meetings of the Book Group will be at Peter's

flat, 12a Grosvenor Crescent, at 8pm on Tuesday 1 May, and

then again on Tuesday 3 July. On 1 May we will be reading Janet Morley's The Heart's Time. We have not yet decided on a book

for 3 July. All are welcome. For more information, please

contact Mike Sinclair or the Cathedral Office.

STORE CUPBOARD SUNDAY – THANKS

On Sunday 1st April (Palm Sunday) we collected dried goods and

tinned food for distribution to homelessness agencies across the

city. We called this ‘Store Cupboard Sunday’ to reflect the goods typically would be those found in kitchen store cupboards – items

useful in an emergency but also providing staple ingredients for

many recipes. Our collection this year had a dual focus – to provide

emergency food for meeting unexpected needs but also the basic

ingredients to support the cookery teaching programmes which

many agencies now offer to homeless people to prepare them for

living independently and having to cope on a low budget and cook

for themselves.

We were overwhelmed at the

response to this appeal which

resulted in about 40 full carrier

bags of items being distributed to

12 agencies across the city. The

agencies were delighted to

receive these very welcome

donations.

We would like to thank those

congregation members who

delivered bags to agencies – this

was greatly appreciated by the

appeal organisers as it eased the

load on us. Thanks to everyone

who contributed to this appeal.

Please note the next Fresh Start

collection will be on Sunday 6 May

2012 in the Walpole Hall after the

Service

Should you wish to donate before

this or at any other time, goods

can be taken to

Fresh Start 22-24 Ferry Road

Drive,

Edinburgh EH4 4BR

Telephone 0131 476 7741.

FRESH START

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Light a Candle A Prayer for Christian Aid Week

People working together,

children going to school,

women speaking out,

tools for transformation,

communities thriving and

not just surviving,

and no more hunger -

these are fruits that will last.

Jesus who calls us friends,

may we love one another

and remain in your love.

24

Published by

St Mary’s Cathedral, Palmerston Place,

Edinburgh, EH12 5AW

Tel: 0131-225 6293 Fax, 0131 225 3181

Web-site: www.cathedral.net Email: office@cathedral.net A Scottish Charity: SC014741

If you or one of your family are sick or have gone into hospital,

please let the Clergy know as soon as possible; and if you want them for any reason, please never hesitate to telephone.

Please consult the Provost before any arrangements are made for

Baptisms, Weddings or Funerals.

We are always delighted to hear of boys and girls, men and women

who:

Would like to be trained as Servers

Would like to help with the Sunday Groups for children

Would like to help with coffee in the Walpole Hall

Would like to help as Stewards or at the Welcome Desk

Would like to train as bell-ringers

Are interested in helping with flowers

Are thinking about doing some visiting

Have some gifts they would like to offer to the Cathedral.

Copy date for April is 20 May 2012