Volume 92, number 5 June 2014

South Leith Parish Church of Scotland, Edinburgh is a registered Scottish Charity, No. SC004695 Typeset & Printed by Barr Printers Ltd

East Old Dock Building, 6 Dock Place, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6LU. Tel: 0131 554 1736

Funerals‘I am the Resurrection and I am the Life’

22 April Kathleen Crawford, 209/1 Great Junction Street, Edinburgh

1 May Harry Fisher, 7/1 West Cherrybank, Stanley Road, Edinburgh

9 May Phyllis McGlynn, Ferryfield House, 100 Pilton Drive, Edinburgh

14 May John Duncan, 102 Cables Wynd House, Edinburgh

Readers’ Rota The readers for June are (correct at going to print) 1/Pauline McLaren and Anne Rutherford; 8 Ann Grant andJanet Tulloch; 15 no readers (LCF Joint Festival service);22 Kerry Mathieson and Margaret Wright; 29 FionaMarshall and Alex Meikle.

The next Kirk & FolkThe next Kirk & Folk will be a combined July/Augustissue published on 29 June. The issue after that will bepublished on 31 August. Material for the July/August K&Fshould be with the editor (details below) no later thanWednesday 18 June.

JUNESunday 1 at 11.00am John 17, 1-11Thursday 5 at 1.00pm Worship at One*Sunday 8 at 11.00am Pentecost John 20, 19-23Thursday 12 at 1.00pm Worship at One*Sunday 15 at 11.00am Leith Festival Joint

Service Matthew 28, 16-20

Thursday 19 at 1.00pm Worship at One*Sunday 22 at 11.00am Matthew 10, 24-39Thursday 26 at 1.00pm Worship at One*Sunday 29 at 11.00am Matthew 10, 40-42

* On Thursdays the Church is open at lunchtime forpeace and quiet prayer, with a short act of worship at1.00pm. Please enter by the Constitution Street door.

Worship in South Leith

South Leith Parish ChurchWe invite Visitors, Neighbours and Friends to share in Sunday Worship

Minister – Rev Iain May Tel: 555 0392Session Clerk – Dawn Birkinshaw Tel: 467 3447Pastoral Care TeamJoyce Armstrong (477 0543) Sheena Clark (554 0964)Janice Gailani (555 5423) Janis Fleming (669 3069)Betty Lewis (554 7847)Bookkeeper – Dorothy Purdie Tel: 467 9518Organist/Choirmaster – William D Watt, BD, MPhil6 Bowhill Terrace, EH3 5QY Tel: 551 5110Church Officer – Stuart Gardiner45 Darnell Road, EH5 3PH Tel: 551 6246

Office – 6 Henderson Street, EH6 6BS Tel: 554 2578Monday to Friday 1.30-4.30pm

Halls Manager – Marion Stout Tel: 554 2578Secretary – Yvonne King Tel: 554 2578Halls Officer – Robert Wanless

Halls Assistant – Luci Neises

Café Manager – Scott Darling

Cleaner – June Buckley

Kirk & Folk Editor – Gavin Booth Tel: 661 3813Email: gavin.booth@btconnect.com

Website: www.slpc.co.uk Email: slpc@dial.pipex.com

What does the month of June bring?June has traditionally been a month where the firstglimpse of summer can be seen in the flowering ofplants, green leaves on trees, the sun shining andproviding the welcomed warmth of the sun’s rays uponus. June is a time when there are many communitygatherings – Common Ridings in the Scottish Borders,Gala Days in many towns and of course our own LeithFestival when the folk of Leith gather to enjoy all that ispositive about our community.

Leith has a great deal to celebrate and the LeithFestival, in the middle of June, is certainly one of thoseoccasions. Organisations, groups, individuals all put agreat deal into making this week of events andcelebrations something all in Leith need to embraceand enjoy.

June also brings new joys to our Church here inSouth Leith. Checking my diary I can see that everySunday in June is taken up with a special occasion.The first Sunday we will be celebrating with SarahHawkins and Gareth Durante, the Baptism of theirdaughter Sienna. The second Sunday, Pentecost, therewill be an ordination of new Elders. The third Sundaywe will be joining with the other Church of Scotlandcongregations in Leith for the Leith Festival jointservice. The fourth Sunday we will be joined with byYouthlinks and our Sunday school, as we come to theend of another session for them. The last Sunday inJune we will gather to celebrate the Sacrament of HolyCommunion.

June will be a busy month for all in South Leith. Yetwhat I see through all these services is the Christiancommunity in Leith, coming together and sharing in thelove we all have for our Church and community. AsRobert Burns wrote in his poem ‘A Red, Red Rose’:

O my Luve is like a red, red roseThat’s newly sprung in June;O my Luve is like the melodyThat’s sweetly played in tune.

Cumbrae memoryThis photo provides a happy memory of the recenttrip to Cumbrae, showing a group of weel-kent SLPCfaces. These holiday breaks are for all ages – Minaand Peggy in the photo, aged 90, are clearly happy toholiday with a group.

So fair art thou, my bonnie lass,So deep in luve am I;And I will luve thee still, my dear,Till a’ the seas gang dry.

Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear,And the rocks melt wi’ the sun;I will love thee still, my dear,While the sands o’ life shall run.

And fare thee weel, my only luve!And fare thee weel awhile!And I will come again, my luve,Though it were ten thousand mile.

If this is what June brings, then let us hope and praythat every month is like JuneBlessingsIain

Pastoral Care Group Lots of our older or frailer members have enjoyed a visit from one of our team. At least they tell me they have!They appreciate hearing news of our church but also of friends not easy to keep in contact with. All of you, including ourElders, can play their part in keeping us informed about folk who might enjoy having a chat.

This is especially enhanced when we are able to take some of them on our Summer Outing to Longniddry on 22 June.It’s a date lots of people look forward to! I’m delighted that Betty Lewis and Janis Fleming, who organises that event, havejoined the group which means we can keep in touch with even more of you!Thanks from all of us for your support.Joyce

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South Leith Boys BrigadeMay has been a very busy month for all sections. TheAnchor Boys managed to raise £250 over a two-weekperiod for the Sick Kids; they put their money, which wouldnormally be for sweets, pocket money, treats, etc, in a boxand brought it along on the Wednesday. They also had 26new boys who are in P1 at the moment coming along for ataster night for next session; there were over 50 boys intotal each night. They also had their annual day out in Perthand a great time was had by all. To finish off their sessionthe Battalion are holding a fun day at the start of June.

The Junior Section is holding its parents night on 11June and also had its weekend camp the week before atLenderick Muir.

The Company Section was also fundraising and made£857 bag packing in Tesco and also took over the coffeemorning. The money raised will split between companyfunds and Scottish Epilepsy. We had a fantastic eveningwhen once again showcased their talents on the stageand lighting and sound skills. The band was again at thebeating of the retreat at Edinburgh Castle and did usproud as usual.

We finish of the session will a weekend camp toCraggan at the end of the month.David Macpherson, 555 2019

Afternoon Outing toLongniddryOur Afternoon Outing for older members of South Leith willbe on Sunday 22 June. We will leave Edinburgh about1.45pm and travel down to Longniddry Parish Church for ashort service followed by afternoon tea and return approx4.30pm. If you or anyone you know would like to join us,please contact me on 669 3069.Janis Fleming, Serving Committee

Belonging CommitteeWatch out in the order of service for some outings over thesummer. We are planning Dynamic Earth visits, walks andpossibly a day out to see The Kelpies. Issy Evans

Saturday StallThe stall will be in the Halls during the Coffee Morning onSaturdays 7 and 21 June from 10-12noon. We have astock of new books for sale and lovely pieces of jewelleryhave just arrived. You can also enjoy a Fairtrade tea orcoffee and delicious home baking. We would love to seeyou please try and visit.Saturday Stall Team

Leith Gala DayAs usual South Leith will have a stall on the Links on LeithGala Day. This year it’s on Saturday 14 June, from 10.00-4.30pm. We will be selling books, bric-a-brac, CDs,jewellery, pictures, toiletries and a tombola. Any donationsfor the stall will be gratefully received. Please come andvisit the stall and support South Leith.Janis Fleming

Leith Churches Forum PicnicThis year it will be at Letham Park after the Joint Serviceon 15 June from 12.30-3.30pm. You can bring a picnic orenjoy the BBQ – or both – and join in the fun.

Scotland’s Future - A Rainbow Nation? In this referendum year, we welcome Sister Isabel SmythSND as the guest speaker for the Leith Churches TogetherAnnual Meeting. How do we in Scotland -– independent orotherwise – live out our diverse heritage of faiths andcultures today? Everyone is welcome - bring a friend, of anyfaith or culture! Refreshments provided. It would be helpful toknow you're coming for catering purposes -contact JenniferStark, outreach@leithchurchestogether.org.uk, 07779900024 – or just come along. It’s on Tuesday 10 June,7.00pm for 7.30pm at the YMCA Edinburgh, Junction Place.A short business AGM will follow the talk.

Leith Churches Holiday ClubThis lively week of fun, drama, craft and activities for localchildren (many of whom have no church connection) will runthis year from Monday 28 July to Friday 1 August, 10.00am-12.15pm. The venue this year is the YMCA Edinburgh,Junction Place (the SLPC halls are not available that week).The material this year, 'Fit for a King', is produced byScripture Union Scotland and is linked to the GlasgowCommonwealth Games. Registration forms will be availableshortly on the Club website, lchc@yolasite.com. We do needa few more volunteers - there are many ways to be involvedand you can just do one or two mornings. Please contactJennifer Stark, jenniferstark3@yahoo.co.uk, 0777 9900024,or Hayley Dunn, YMCA Edinburgh,hayley@ymcaedinburgh.com, 0131 553 7877.

Boys Brigade Awareness/Activity weekendWe're running this in Ocean Terminal Community Space,Saturday 7/Sunday 8 June, 11.00am-4.00pm. Activitiesand fun for all the family - tell your friends, especially thosewith children! If you'd like to be involved, contact David

Edinburgh North East Foodbank, www.facebook.com/EdinburghNorthEastFoodbank, is run by volunteers and provides amuch-needed service to the community. On Saturday 7 June at 7.30pm in South Leith Halls there will be an evening ofmusic, comedy, drama and poetry to raise donations to help support the Foodbank.

The event is FREE but we ask people to bring donations of food or possibly a cash donation. The items the Foodbankrequires are milk (UHT or powdered), sugar (500g), fruit juice (carton), soup, pasta sauces , sponge pudding (tinned),tomatoes (tinned), cereals, rice pudding (tinned), tea bags/instant coffee, instant mash potato, rice/pasta, tinnedmeat/fish, tinned fruit, jam, biscuits or snack bars .

To book a ticket (essential) please contact South Leith Halls on 554 2578 between 12noon-4.00pm, Monday-Friday oremail gow78@dial.pipex.com.

The emphasis for Saturday 7 June is to put on an entertaining evening, but with a serious message underpinning it, inorder to support the Foodbank.

An evening of music, comedy, drama and poetry

Foodbank generosityOne of the advantages of helping with the foodbank project isthat you see how generous and kind and thoughtful peopleare in helping those less fortunate than themselves. And weall need to hear about the good news stories rather than sooften the 'bad news' stories that receive the headlines.

We have a young gentleman who generously gives twolarge polybags of groceries to the foodbank each week. Hehas done this for the past five weeks or so. He buys the foodin Lidl and drops it off in the halls each week.

When I realised this weekly donation was happening Ilooked out for him and managed to meet him. I was able tothank him and tell him more about the food bank and also allthat goes on in the halls.

When I explained to him how we also give out food eachThursday evening and provide Sunday breakfasts and thentook him into the cafe to meet Scott and experience theatmosphere he was really interested. I then mentioned thesuspended coffee and suspended meal initiatives upon whichhe asked how he could help. He ended up passing Scott £10for suspended meals for those less fortunate than him.

And to show how kindness and generosity cuts across allGod's people, this gentleman is still a fairly young man, and isBulgarian, albeit he has lived in Edinburgh (Niddrie) for 11years. Arthur Mathieson

Fresh StartCan you remember Harvest Festival a year or two back whenall our offerings were donated to Fresh Start? We now hope tohave regular donations for this very worthwhile charity whichis helping people get back on their feet and set up a newhome. Our task is to make the house or flat into home forthem and their family. Most of us in our own homes have morethan enough and with some to spare – your family has movedon and suddenly you have surplus dishes, glasses, cutlery,linen etc also things like cleaning materials, mendingmaterials and household goods. Also unlike most charityshops electrical goods are accepted, tested and passed on tovery grateful recipients.

If you could help South Leith in this way please hand in anygoods you have to our Halls – and this is very important:please mark them clearly for Home Start. I shall arrange topick it up and taken to their HQ in Ferry Road area.

I do hope you can help in this way. It will be reallyappreciated it. It could also be picked up from your home –just a phone call to me! Joyce Armstrong477 0543

The trees in our midst!Do you know that there are some 50 trees in our churchyard?Do you know that the largest number is Lime, with quite a fewSycamore and then several one-offs such as Rowan andNorway Maple and Ash.

Do you know that the churchyard is an important area of‘green’ in amongst what is a very built-up area lacking in treecover; our trees are therefore very important.

The age structure is predominantly mature (like ourcongregation!) with 32 falling into this category. Eight trees aresemi-mature and six are young. Most trees are in goodcondition, some are reasonable and a few are poor.

I encourage you to look afresh at our trees this springtimeand consider how valuable they are. Have a wander round. Ifyou wish a copy of the tree map please say. We have eachtree numbered with type.

In fact the Green team would love to have someone (ormore than one!) take an active green interest in the overallchurchyard. There is of course the Gardening team who workeach Thursday afternoon and their season has just started.They work with the Secret Garden and long borders. There isscope for someone to do some simple work including lookingafter the bird feeders, encouraging other wildlife, trying out afew things and generally helping the congregation and thecommunity gain more from our green space.

Please say if you wish to know more. Showing an interestwill not commit you to a job. You can get back to the Greenteam if you decide to take on a little work for a number ofweeks.Arthur Mathieson 552 2511For the Green team

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