encourage | inspire | challenge | No. 9 | May 2011

Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL 0131 220 1677 www.augustine.org.uk Scottish Charity no. SC000385

Minister: Rev. Fiona Bennett minister.auc@gmail.com 07552 162 717

Church Administrator: Paul Lugton administrator@augustine.org.uk 0131 220 1677

Editor: Bill Stevenson newsletter@Augustine.org.ukDesigner: Sonja Meyer sonja.meyer@gmail.com

Seeds

In this edition 1. A Growing Year.2. Editorial note.

Flowers.3. Trustees’ Report.

Getting to know you.4. Accepting the Challenge.

Christian Aid Week.5. God’s Commas.

Affirmation Scotland.6. 150 Years of Augustine.

Reading Maps.7. Seedlings.8. Calendar.

The AUC Mission Statement, reviewed in 2010, begins “The people of Augustine United Church seek to live out God’s unconditional inclusive love in our worship, our care for each other in our communities, and the world.” The AUC Annual Report for 2010 is a hopeful read that we are growing in this direction.

Over the last year our attendance at worship, our membership, our activities, volunteering and giving, both to the local church and to projects working for global justice, have all significantly increased. Through many people’s hard work and the gracious, unpredictable Holy Spirit, Augustine is growing in depth and numbers. The challenge now is to continually grow and evolve, as we seek to realise that mission, locally and globally.

But what might this mean? If the love of God is both radical and inclusive, how can we make it real in our church? Should the Sunday door welcomers be hugging strangers walking in for the first time? Would that make God’s unconditional inclusive love more real? Well it might - but it might be quite scary!

Making real the unconditional inclusive love of God, is not simply how we welcome people across our doors, or into our organisation and our lives. It challenges us not only to welcome all people, but to be open for new people to touch and shape our understanding and our community life.

Globally, this implies not only looking for ways to share with others across the world, but also ways to receive; not only teaching but

A Growing YearBy Fiona Bennett

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Seeds | Editorial note & Flowers

also learning; not only to love but also allowing other to love us.

To make real the unconditional inclusive love of God is a continual response to the people and situations which we meet, allowing them to shape and touch us as much as we reach out to them.

“The people of Augustine United Church seek to live out God’s unconditional, inclusive love in our worship, our care for each other in our communities, and the world.” 2010 was an exciting year of growth in that way. We wait (and work!) with hope to see what the rest of 2011 will bring. J

“Let us build a house where love may dwell . . .” It has been brought to my notice as I type, that

this on the morning of the royal wedding, and that tens of thousands are crowding to see what they can of the event. True, not a few people regard the Royal family as an expensive and out-moded adjunct to a democratic state –an expensive fuss, and what if he will be king? An irrelevance, surely, in the modern world?

But one significant fact. A Prime Minister may think he (or she) is the boss here. But though corruption smoulders in the republics of the world, there is one person to whom they (she or he) must answer, and come when bidden. A Minister of state

is just that, after all – a high servant; never, not possibly an unchallenged dictator. Let us pray for the new royal couple, who are set, if not in this editor’s time, to bear no little influence among, and beyond, our people.

Been reading lately?If so, and if you’ve read a book you would like

other people to know about, why not write down your thoughts about it and send the result to SEEDS? A couple of paragraphs will do, and you can call it a review. (If you think it’s a terrible book, it will still be fun to read your opinions.) We’ll be glad to hear from you either way. J

Flowers Every Sunday there are displays of

flowers in the AUC sanctuary and in the foyer, which add a beautiful burst of natural colour and beauty to our building.

Each week the flowers are donated, either by people arranging them themselves or by individuals giving some money to May Ross who buys and arranges them beautifully. Often

the flowers quietly commemorate anniversaries of marriages, deaths and special birthdays.

For many years May Ross has organized the flowers and the rota of flower dates (see the Church notice-board) for which we are very grateful.

If you would like to make a donation to the fund or arrange the flowers for a particular date, please speak with May (or Della if May is not available) and add to the natural colour and beauty in our building and as part of our worship. J

Editorial noteBy Bill Stevenson

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Trustees’ Report & Getting to Know You| Seeds

Getting to know Rebecca ...My name is: Rebecca Faith Nilsson Shadwick. I’ve never felt kinship for the Biblical Rebekah – with her mothering methods! ‘Faith’ came from my paternal grandmother; my mother kept her maiden name after marriage, hence ‘Nilsson’, which I love, be-ing close to the Scandinavian side of the family, an important part of my family life. My favourite hymn is: (Difficult choice). When I was younger, a lot of my time was spent in a church with a large youth/teen group, worshipping with guitar and drums more than piano. Still, I’ve always loved the music in the service –an incredible way of approaching the holy – words may not suffice, and piano or organ or choir in a church never fails to lift my soul. It’s ages since I heard “All Creatures of Our God and King” – it beautifully expresses our connec-tion to Creation, and I can identify very strongly with it. So much of my life has been spent out of doors, appreciating the miracles of the earth we’ve been lent.I spend my time: Postgraduate study makes life pretty hectic, being terrible with routines (change is healthy!). Student life lets me indulge that chaotic side. Any time outside classes or away from comput-ers (I miss books and papers for reading!) is usually spent catching up mundane tasks forgotten in the rush, catching up with similarly-rushed friends in various time zones, cooking something new (per-haps someone else’s), preferably with lots of spices and vegetables – or plotting some adventure to get me somewhere into the countryside.My special place: I moved around a lot as a child, so “home” belonging can mean different places. Some things do feel special to me, though: with child-hood in San Diego and a marine biologist father, the ocean is comforting to me. I credit a childhood spent camping and hiking and playing out of doors, on foot or bike. I can’t seem to get enough of it, anywhere. Also, with a fairly good memory for plants, I miss having a garden – my family always grows some vegetables, even in the city – but I love walking along; plants I ‘know’ are like old friends! I’d hope I have a lot of travel ahead of me, but if I ever settle down I know it will include a garden, access to the great outdoors, and, I hope, the coast. J

TRUSTEES’ REPORTThe news in March that the Augustine Trustees

were about to report on the affairs of the church caused a frisson among the congregation, soon quelled when it was understood that most of the Trustees were familiar faces. They have, however, a legal responsibility to consider thoroughly the state of the church’s affairs, which they present in their annual Report, too long to reprint in SEEDS, but can be had from the President (Robert Somerville), the Secretary (Doris Caldwell) and others.

It is a very pleasing document, concluding that “2010 has been an extraordinarily busy and successful year which has seen: • “A heartening 30% increase in attendance at

services; • “A 20% increase in membership; • An increase in people willing to become elders;• “A 300% increase in our financial support of justice

& global development;• “A transformation in participation in all aspects

of congregational life – “ especially including the integration of members of MCC Edinburgh who joined the Congregation, to develop our new ministry to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community;

• “ and to complete the establishment of working groups to implement change across the structure and whole range of Church activities.”

These eleven working groups, which regularly oversee the different aspects of the church’s life, and report to the Church Meeting, are: Worship; Pastoral; Membership; Children & Young People; Volunteering; Social; Commitment for Life; Our Tribe; Education; Communications; and Centre & Property.

As can be seen, their widespread activities maintain the URC’s tradition of members’ involvement in every aspect of the life of churches. The Report’s separate comments are too lengthy to reprint in full, but they are worth reading in full. As Fiona says: “In 2010 we have seriously bucked a physical and psychological trend - few other theologically liberal churches in the UK have seen the size of growth we have (not just by numbers of membership) over the last year. There is much work to be done, but I do think what we have achieved in 2010 is worth celebrating.” J

4 May 2011 www.augustine.org.uk

Seeds |Accepting the Challenge & Christian Aid Week

It’s certain: the clocks changed a month ago, the weather has improved, and we are coming out of hibernation to make the most of our forthcoming Scottish summer, marked by warm, sunny days with bright blue skies, going for long summer walks, picnics, visiting friends for BBQs. We have cast aside our winter woollies and waterproofs, donning our light-weight summer wardrobe (well, some of us live in hope!). Some of us will take advantage of lighter evenings to go running in preparation for this year’s Edinburgh marathon on May 22nd (or am I in the minority on this one?).

Why am I training develop aching joints, blisters and utter exhaustion? Well: last November my father was diagnosed with cancer, and just last month, in one week, I heard of a further four people I am close to who have been diagnosed with cancer. I am ashamed to say that despite nursing people with this diagnosis, and supporting their relatives and friends, it was not until this personal experience I realised the effect it has on the individual, their family and friends; but also, I fully appreciate the work of various

organisations providing practical and emotional support and information.

One such organisation is Macmillan Cancer Support – 99% of whose services are funded by the generosity of its supporters. This is the charity I have chosen to run the Edinburgh marathon for – all 26.2 miles (please don’t forget the 0.2!), not solely for my relatives, but for those in our Church family who have been affected by cancer in one way or another. I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to support me by sponsoring me in this challenge. However, just as important to me is your support through your encouragement, interest, prayers and thoughts. Any organised running event causes disruption to travelling around the city for someone. If that someone is you, please remember the thousands of people who, like me, are running to raise money for some charity; and if you happen to see me out training in the next few weeks or perhaps on the day give me a wave – it’s unbelievable how such a simple action boosts flagging spirits! J

Christian Aid WeekThis month we will be celebrating Christian Aid

Week (15 - 21 May) - Help People In Poverty Out of Poverty.

To get inspired, why not take a look at the website and read more about POVERTY - Christian Aid’s visionary ‘Manifesto for Change’. http://www.povertyover.com

Poverty robs people of dignity, hope, and the power to determine their own future. Christian Aid are highlighting eight of the global issues that underpin poverty (climate change, conflict, corruption, disaster, food and agriculture, health, inequality and tax), and some of the changes required to shift the balance of power in favour of the poorest. We need to understand these issues and act on them. Together, we’re all the more likely to bring an end to poverty, once and for all.

Please pray for the work of Christian Aid across the world, and give what you can on the 15th May.

José Emilio Echavarría, co-operative president, Los

Alpes community, Nicaragua, said:“God wants us all to look after each other... That is what Christian Aid is doing.”

God, who is more than we can ever imagine,give us a bigger picture of the world;give us a broader view of justice; give us dreams of lovethat are not defined by boundaries of geography or

race or religion,or by the limitations of worldly structures and systems. Enlarge our imaginations and inspire our courage

this Christian Aid Week to put ourselves in that bigger picture.

Keep us struggling,keep us faithful,keep us strong,so that we never give up on the promise of your

kingdom, where the world is transformed,and all can enjoy life in all its fullness. J

ACCEPTING THE CHALLENGE BY MANDY

 

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God’s Commas | Seeds

God’s CommasExcerpt from a sermon by Rev’d Jean Tinto on the 15th March, 1992, as Dalkeith Road URC was deciding whether to unite with Augustine.

God never uses full stops. He always uses commas. Our reading from Genesis 12 reminds us that God is always calling his people to leave the familiar and comfortable and to venture into the unknown; and, for this, Abraham and Sarah are outstanding examples.

Here they were, well into old age, seemingly comfortable settled with their extended family and friends around them. Yet they felt called by God to uproot themselves and set out on a journey of which they did not know the end. It wasn’t just a physical journey but a great venture of faith.

There were no landmarks to follow, no certainties about this God who was calling them and who had made such incredible promises to them... This building [Dalkeith Road URC] has, for many years, hallowed memories and deep association, but sometimes we are required to strike camp and move on as Abraham and Sarah had to do, to follow the God who uses commas.

I finish with the words of the message to the Church at Philadelphia. “These are the words of the Holy One; The true one who holds the keys of David; when he opens, none may shut; when he shuts none may open. I know all your ways and look I have set before you an open door which no one can shut.” May we have the eyes to see the door which God opens, and the willingness to go through it. J

Affirmation Scotland at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland

Praying For An Inclusive Church

A service of prayer and reflection

Sunday 22nd May, 2011, at 7.30pmin St. Andrew’s & St. George’s West Parish Church,

Shandwick Place, Edinburgh

Everyone is welcome at this special service to reflect upon what it means to be an inclusive

church, and to pray for this church to become a reality.

Affirmation Scotland is grateful to the Kirk Session of St Andrew’s and St. George’s West Parish Church

for opening their sanctuary to us for this service.

Sanctuary Space – Open to all –

a place offering quiet, prayer, and pastoral care during The

General Assembly’s debate on ordained ministers and same-sex

relationships.

Monday May 23rd 2011, 10.30am – 4.30pm

in the nave of St Columba’s by the Castle Scottish Episcopal Church, 14 Johnston Terrace

(blue door), Edinburgh

   

Affirmation Scotland |Affirming the place of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Christians in The Church of Scotland

www.affirmationscotland.org.uk

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Seeds | History

Augustine-Bristo, twenty years or so since, had already been involved in a number of inter-church discussions over the years. As Molly says, the congregation of Hope Park (now united with Augustine, had for years had a close relationship with Dalkeith Road. When the proposal for a union between Augustine and Dalkeith Road was suggested there was enthusiasm for it in Augustine, although members probably did not appreciate how much members of Dalkeith Road were giving up, particularly weekly communion and adult baptism.

The minister of Augustine, Brian Bailey, had been in the United Reformed Church before coming to Scotland; and then Augustine United became “URC” happily accepting Dalkeith’s position.

The leadership of Dalkeith Road brought a great stimulus to the new Augustine United Church, bringing imaginative ideas to the reconstruction and layout of the building which demonstrated new life.

In the next issue, more details will be given of the visible changes which followed. J

150 years of Augustine

Reading MapsI have of late been scanning large-scale Ordnance

Survey maps of our part of Edinburgh. They make fascinating viewing of the history of Augustine, because these are copies of maps made between 1852 and 1877; and Augustine was not here in 1852, but was definitely here in 1877.

One thing that stands out is the number of churches surrounding us at that time. It was a time of ecclesiastical hubris; every denomination seems to have been keen to be the biggest. Ancient Greyfriars, of course, was there, still divided into two congregations; but in the 1852 map, the eastern half of the building was marked as “ruins”. Opposite Augustine there is now the club which jokes of a link to Mary Shelley, but that building, afterwards a Pentecostal Church, at the time of these maps was the “Martyrs Memorial Church”, listed by James Grant in his Edinburgh, Old and New, of1884, as a “Reformed Presbyterian Church, founded in 1834”, in memory, no doubt, of the Covenanting martyrs of the 17th century.

Names did change; St. Columba’s Free Church in 1887 was “St. John’s Free Church”. Nearer, on the corner opposite AUC, was New North Free Church, now the students’ Bedlam Theatre, reminder of the Bedlam once close by. Meanwhile, along Bristo

Place, next door to the Baptist Chapel, alone among the Reformed churches, stood “St. Mary’s R.C. School (Boys & Girls”) – now the Cyrenians; and between them and the Museum was the imposing Congregational (or “Evangelical Union”) Chapel (“seats: 1700”!), later a University lecture hall.

The environment was not entirely of churches or schools. Hume’s Close just behind Augustine from Chambers Street ran right down to the Cowgate; on its west side, a “recreation ground”. Augustine has never been fussy about her neighbours. In the area long occupied by the Dental Hospital, and now by the courts, the Eye Dispensary took up a small space, but right behind Augustine extended the Merchant Street Brewery ; but the Watt Institution also has a place, on the way to becoming, eventually, Heriot-Watt University , miles away from the crowded architecture of George IV Bridge. Times and places change. J. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

We have to remember that the history of a community is not simply a history of changing buildings, reorganisations, the advent of new practices, doctrinal shifts, and the like. We are reminded of this by a letter I have been shown from a long-time friend of Isa’s, who recalls the lively activities of the Youth Club as war turned to peace. So some passing, enjoyable events are often the foundation of much that follows.

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Seedlings| Seeds

 

POST YOUR WORK INTO THE SEEDLINGS POST BOX

MaySun 15th 11.00am Christian Aid Sunday – Communion

Tues 17th 7.30pm Contextual Bible Study in Library

Wed. 18th 6.45pm Sutherland Lecture – Prof. David Ferguson.

7.00pm Interfaith Women at Nicolson Square.

Thurs. 19th 2.00pm Open Fellowship visit to Reid Collection of Musical Instruments – see Della.for details.

Fri, 20th 8.00pm–Midnight Nitekirk at Greyfriars

Sat 21st End of Book Sale

Sun. 22nd 11.00am Worship including interview with Jubilee Scotland

12.15pm Augustine Lunch, followed by Intercessions Workshop

Wed. 25th 7.00–9.00pm Transcendence.

Thurs. 26th 6.45–8.00pm Prayer Group.

Sat. 28th 10.30am–3.00pm at Barrhead URC - Consultation for those taking part in leading worship.

7.00–9.00pm Our Tribe.

Sun. 29th 11.00am Morning Worship

1.30–3.00pm “Exploring our understanding of Domestic Violence” Preacher Dr. Lesley Orr

Tues. 31st 7.00–9.00pm Elders’ Training

JuneWed. 1st 7.00pm Edinburgh Churches Together: AGM in The Upper Hall of St. Cuthbert’s

Church of Scotland.

Thurs. 2nd 6.45pm Prayer Group.

Sun. 5th 11.00am Morning Worship followed by Church Meeting.

6.00pm Spirituality Book Group in AUC.

Tues 7th 7.30pm Elders Group Leaders.

Thur 9th 6.45pm Prayer Group.

Sun. 12th. 11.00am UNITED SERVICE with TLC in Greyfriars.

Tues. 14th 7.00–9.00pm Elders Training.

Thur. 16th. 6.45pm Prayer Group.

Fri. 17th 7.00pm Saughtonhall Church: College Service: Celebrating 200 years of training.

Sat. 18th 10.00am–4.30pm SYNOD DAY at Perth Racecourse.

Also note: Church Picnic to Carcant after morning Service on 26th June. Inchcolm Service will be on 14th August this year

Calendar

Please note that the deadline for material for the next issue is May 26th. You can send your material to Bill Stevenson at newsletter@Augustine.org.uk.

DISCLAIMER: Although we check all information in the newsletter, as ever with these things we can give no warranties as to accuracy or relevance and encourage active checking before you make any decisions. The views expressed in our newsletter are those of the individual contributor, they are not necessarily those of AUC or the editor.

AUC Worship: Services at 11am at AUC, George IV

Bridge, unless otherwise stated