WEEKLY NEWS
OUR LOCUM - The Very Rev Dr Angus Morrison
We are delighted that the Very Rev Dr Angus Morrison will be with us this Sunday and will be leading us in worship the following week. He has passed on some information about himself.
Born in Glencoe. Educated at Oban High School and the Universities of Glasgow, London and Edinburgh. Ordained in Oban (Free Presbyterian Church) in 1979. Transferred to the Church of Scotland in 2000. Served charges/parishes in Oban, Edinburgh, Stornoway and Kinross-shire. Preaches regularly in three languages (Gaelic and Italian, in addition to English). Was Chaplain to the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly (Lord Mackay of Clashfern) in 2005/6. Appointed Chaplain in Ordinary by HM Queen Elizabeth II in 2006, serving in that role until her death. Moderator of the General Assembly 2015-16. Appointed Extra Chaplain by HM King Charles III in 2023.
He and Marion were married in 1983 in Fort William, her hometown. They have four children and five grandchildren, with another en route! His leisure time involves walking (to avoid the day's to-do list for a while), surviving games of 'Dinosaurs' with the grandchildren who are made of rubber and possess boundless energy, and ends the day sinking wearily into a chair with a good book and some favourite (usually classical or Gaelic) music. Welcome to Newington Trinity!
WEEKLY NEWS
1. Volunteers needed Last autumn I put out requests for volunteers to help fill a number of roles and, in December, to consider how we might relieve the tasks of those on the Nominating Committee. As of today there are still some important roles needing filled:
• Freewill offering Treasurer (includes overseeing gift aid)
First advertised in August.
• Bethany co-ordination for the NT-Mayfield team (rota and clothing):
could be a job share (I have had to take this on meantime)
• Convenor of the Communications Activity Group
Pauline Weibye was only temporarily covering the role and with her other commitments has now had to step back
We appreciate the time and effort put in by many across the congregation but if you think you can help with any of these please let me know as soon as possible. Taking on a helping role should not be a life-long commitment. However, in order to allow people to step back after a while, we do need others to step forward.
Boyd McAdam Session Clerk
2. OPEN TO ALL Coffee and tea will be served in the Bill McDonald Hall at the close of the Sunday service. Everyone is most welcome.
3. Services of Worship Next Sunday 9.30am All-Age Service of Worship and 10.45am Traditional Service.
4. ANNUAL LEAVE. Boyd McAdam, Session Clerk, is away 23 to 30 January inclusive but will be checking in online from time to time. Pauline Robertson, Parish Deacon, is off on 25 January and away 29 January to 7 February inclusive. Pauline Weibye, Depute Session Clerk, is also away 29 January to 7 February inclusive. Bettina Hather, Children and Young Adult Worker, will be away 14 to 18 February inclusive.
5. PASTORAL CARE If you or someone you know would like a pastoral visit or phone call please contact Pauline Robertson, Parish Deacon. Pauline’s email address is
6. AFTERNOON SERVICES Please save the dates TUESDAY 17 MARCH and TUESDAY 19 MAY for the next two short Afternoon Services in the Bill McDonald Hall, from 2.30pm to 3.45pm. All are welcome! More information in the February and March/April issues of Newington Trinity News.
7. Child Aid Uganda This Easter, Jen Cresswell will be going to Lyantonde, Uganda, with Child Aid Uganda. There she will visit schools and institutes aided by the charity. They have asked for supplies, both physical and financial, to take out. If you have any items you wish to donate, please let Jen know. They are asking for children’s t-shirts, school supplies, educational books, torches and the like - these items will be taken out in suitcases. If you want to donate money to buy supplies in Uganda for the schools, you can give Jen the money,
For more on the charity, please visit www.childaiduganda.org
8. YOUNG ADULT GROUP (18+) Sunday 25 January 6.00pm to 8.00pm (online and in-person) in NT-Mayfield Bill McDonald Hall... Bible Study & food. You are welcome.
9. FLOWER ROTA The new flower rota will commence from Sunday 1 March 2026, with flowers in the sanctuary on the first and third Sundays of the month.
10. MORNING PRAYERS ON TUESDAYS We meet for prayers every Tuesday at 10.00am in the Salisbury Room opposite the Office.
11. PRAISE AND PRAYER This small group meets every two weeks at Newington Trinity - Priestfield. Anyone is welcome to join others for this time of prayer from 7.30pm until about 9.00pm. We next meet on Thursday 22 January. All Welcome.
12. THURSDAY CLUB The Club meets again on Thursday 22 January at 2.00pm in the Bill McDonald Hall, Newington Trinity - Mayfield. The event will be Wee Sangstream Burns Songs.
13. STAMP APPEAL A reminder that TODAY is the last date for handing in stamps . Thanks to everyone for their support over many years. NB: Donations of stamps, as well as foreign coins and notes, are welcome at Oxfam shops. If you have any queries, contact Kate O’Brien at
14. INTERFAITH DISCUSSION The Rev Dr Scott McKenna, a former minister of Mayfield Salisbury will be speaking with Rabbi Mark Solomon on “To Dwell in Darkness: Light and Darkness in Jewish and Christian Mysticism. The event will be on Thursday 22nd January at 7.30pm at the City of Edinburgh Methodist Church, Nicolson Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9BX and online. More details on the back page.
15. PIONEER COURSE. For those of you interested in what “pioneer ministry” means and involves and did not get an opportunity to go on the course led by Rev Dr Sandy Forsyth and Rev Peter Woods (who spoke to the Pioneer Group in January) , another opportunity to join the course is coming up. Details are in the link as follows https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/introduction-to-pioneer-ministry-and-church-planting-2026-tickets-1900472838419?aff=oddtdtcreator. The application deadline is 9am on Wednesday 14 January with the first of eight sessions on Saturday 24 January. There is a fee associated with the course. If you wish to attend and need assistance with the cost please let me know asap.
16. Newington Churches Together are holding a service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (18-25 January). Do please come along and join us at Community Church Edinburgh (King’s Hall, 41 South Clerk Street) at 4.30pm on Sunday 25 January for this ecumenical service.
17. ECO TIP As some of us make New Year resolutions it is worth remembering the words of the late Jane Goodall. ‘Every day we make some impact on the planet . And the cumulative effect of millions of small ethical actions will truly make a difference’ From ‘The Book of Hope’.
18. Marmalade alert There have already been early sightings of Seville oranges on supermarket shelves. If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to make marmalade, please consider producing a little extra for our annual Christian Aid marmalade sale – the unique golden preserve is in high demand and eagerly anticipated! More details to follow – The Christian Aid Team
19. Can you help with stewarding at the General Assembly? Stewards undertake a vital role at the General Assembly to ensure the safety and comfort of those attending. Stewards provide a friendly welcome to the Assembly Halls; ensure the security of proceedings by checking passes; are alert to security threats and disturbances and have a responsibility to ensure the safe evacuation of the Assembly Hall if required. Individual shifts last for three hours and volunteers can select the day or days upon which they would seek to help. A reasonably high level of fitness is required.
For more details please contact Neil Proven, Chief Steward
20. CHURCH GIVING Regular and one-off donations are possible online at www.give.net/20311853 or scan one of the QR codes throughout the building. Alternatively, please contact our Freewill Offerings Treasurer, Hugh Somerville on 0131 466 2446 or by email at:
Forthcoming Deadlines
Order of Service: Thursday at 10.00am
Next Parish Magazine: Friday 23 January 2026 at 6.00pm
www.newingtontrinity.org Scottish Charity SC000785
