WEEKLY NEWS
PARISH CHRISTMAS CARDS Mayfield Salisbury: The annual parish Christmas Cards are ready for distribution and we would very much appreciate your help with the delivery around the local area. If you can, please feel free to take a street list and a bundle from the halls entrance area. Craigmillar Park and Priestfield have their own separate distribution systems which is being arranged separately. Many thanks.
CHORAL CELEBRATION OF CAROLS FOR CHRISTMAS The Church Choir are presenting a concert of Christmas music in Mayfield Salisbury sanctuary tonight at 7.30pm. There will be lots of favourites as well as some less familiar carols some poetry, and lots of carols for all to join in. Please come along to help us to launch the Christmas period in an hour of special seasonal music. All welcome!
NEWS EMAIL We produce a weekly news bulletin which is emailed to everyone on Friday or Saturday each week. That bulletin will now contain information about joint activities and about events and developments in the three individual churches. If you would like to receive this, please email William Mearns churchmanager@gmail.com and he will add you to the distribution list.
STANDING ORDER DONATIONS Members of Mayfield Salisbury Church who kindly pay donations by Standing Order or direct transfer should be aware that they do not need to take any action in regard to the Union as the account into which these are paid will continue in operation despite the change of name.
Members of Priestfield and Craigmillar Park will be contacted in due course regarding what, if any, action is needed in regard to ongoing donations but they should know that the current recipient bank accounts will remain in operation for some time.
FORTHCOMING SUNDAY SERVICES OF WORSHIP - NEWINGTON TRINITY
Sun 22
10.30am All-Age Worship – Mayfield Salisbury
6.30pm Traditional Christingle Service – Mayfield Salisbury
Tue 24
4.00pm Messy Church - Priestfield
11.30pm Watchnight Service – Mayfield Salisbury
Wed 25 10.30am Christmas Day Celebration – Mayfield Salisbury
Sun 29 10.30am A Service of Nine Readings, Poems & Carols – Mayfield Salisbury
OPEN TO ALL Coffee and tea will be served in the South Transept at the close of the Sunday service. Everyone is very welcome.
MORNING PRAYERS ON TUESDAYS We meet for prayers every Tuesday at 10.00am in the Newington Room opposite the Office. Everyone most welcome.
PRAISE AND PRAYER Every fortnight on Thursdays at 7.30pm in the Priestfield Church Lounge - next on 9 January 2025.
REQUEST FOR HELP – Candle Arches We are setting up the candles and arches for the Watchnight Service on Monday 23 December at 9.30am. If you can help, please speak with William Mearns, Church Manager - mobile number: 0780 801 1234
NEWS FOR YOUNG(ER) PEOPLE Queries to Bettina youthworkermspc@gmail.com
Sunday 22 Dec Morning; Young Church groups
Evening: Youth Group participating in Christingle service.
PASTORAL SUPPORT If you have any pastoral issues, including any suggestions for the prayer chain or if you wish to receive the prayer chain email, please contact the Minister while Pauline is on holiday. The pastoral contact details remain the same: pastoralassistantms@gmail.com (phone 0758 704 3191).
THURSDAY CLUB Our next meeting is on 19 Dec at 2.00pm. We will be entertained by George Ross and Susan Wooding at the Christmas Party. We will be having some seasonal goodies with our tea and, as always, everybody is welcome to join us.
CELEBRATION OF MAYFIELD SALISBURY - SUNDAY 29 DECEMBER 2024
The final service before the union of our three congregations is on Sunday 29 December 2024. As yet, Mayfield Salisbury has not had the opportunity for a celebration of the past 31 years, before Newington Trinity begins. That being so, the 10.30am service of Nine Lessons and Carols on 29 December will have readers from across the Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church Family. Afterwards, between 11.30am and 1.00pm, there will be a reception to share memories of Mayfield Salisbury, to which all are welcome; a chance to catch up with old friends and enjoy the warmth of fellowship. We have already had lovely messages sent in, and all going well the premiere of our film will be that morning. We have display boards to fill up and William has an archive of photos and memories. We are meeting at the Mayfield Salisbury Halls 9.00am to 12noon on Friday 27 December 2024 to finish the boards and set up for our celebration. All volunteers are very welcome. We will have the ‘kettle’ on. Please let any of the fellowship team know if you are able to help them. David Booth and Aileen Nimmo for the Fellowship Team.
TODAY! NEWINGTON CHURCHES TOGETHER COMMUNITY CAROL SINGING The annual NCT community carol singing has now been arranged TODAY at 1.00pm in Nicolson Square garden. Singing will again be led by the Salvation Army band.
EDINBURGH STREET PASTORS WINTER APPEAL Would you like to make a difference to a homeless person this winter? £10 will buy a hot drink, snack, and blanket. £25 would fill a Street Pastors rucksack with hot drinks, snacks and a first aid kit. You can donate online at the Edinburgh Street Pastors website. Thank you for your support. Jean
ARTICLES FOR POSSIBLE READING? The issue of the journal ‘Theology in Scotland’ which came out recently published articles by our minister on ideas of ‘mission’ as the Church of Scotland envisages a new future; and by our member, John Sturrock, with a lay perspective on the future of the church and Christianity in Scotland. Both arose from a recent conference at New College. If the article is of interest, Sandy would welcome any thoughts – and is sure that John would too. Sandy’s article: https://ojs.st-andrews.ac.uk/index.php/TIS/article/view/2807/2141
and John’s article: https://ojs.st-andrews.ac.uk/index.php/TIS/article/view/2811/2144
MESSAGES OF HOPE Edinburgh-based Christian international healthcare charity, EMMS International, is collecting Messages of Hope for the families it supports. You will find cards in the halls entrance, and EMMS asks that you please write a short Message of Hope to hang on the Newington Trinity Christmas tree, to be shared with families in the New Year. EMMS International bridges healthcare inequalities in Malawi, India, Nepal, Rwanda, Zambia and here in Scotland, and the Messages of Hope will support its Christmas appeal to bring health, hope and peace to those who are isolated and living in fear. Please find out more at emms.org/peace or speak to Kirsty Nicholls in church or at kirsty.nicholls@emms.org
STEWARDING AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Saturday 17 to Thursday 22 May 2025 Stewards play a significantly important role to ensure that many of the backup services, in support of the General Assembly, operate in a highly efficient, welcoming and friendly manner. Throughout the week of the General Assembly some 150 stewards help to cover over 400 different duties. Each ‘shift’ generally lasts for about three hours and it is up to each steward as to how often they wish to help. With so many tasks to undertake we are always seeking new volunteers and we are still short of our required target for 2025. If you think you might like to help us then please get in touch for more information. Your help would be very greatly appreciated. For more details please contact the Chief Steward, Sandy Gemmill, at assemblystewards@churchofscotland.org.uk , or speak with William Mearns, the Church Manager (and Assembly Officer), at church.
CHURCH GIVING Our Quick Response code is a handy way of using your smart ‘phone or tablet’s QR app to link you to our Giving Page. Once you have joined the Giving Page safeguards are still operative. Those who would have wished to use it may make use of the offering plates situated in the vestibule and halls entrance, at the close of the service. Regular and one-off donations are possible online at www.give.net/20311853 (scan the QR code) or please contact our Freewill Offerings Treasurer, Hugh Somerville on 0131 466 2446 or hs.somerville2@gmail.com
Forthcoming Deadlines
Order of Service Next Week: Thursday at 10.00am
Next Parish Magazine: Friday 24 January 2025 at 6.00pm
Craigmillar Park Church www.craigmillarpark.org Scottish Charity SC017061
Mayfield Salisbury Church www.mayfieldsalisbury.org Scottish Charity SC000785
Priestfield Church www.priestfield.org.uk Scottish Charity SC014499