News

Duddingston Kirk, Old Church Lane, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH15 3PX 0131 661 4240 email: jamesapjack@aol.com

Dates For Your Diary:

30 Aug Horticultural Society Show 2 – 5pm in the Kirk Hall
31 Aug Horticultural Society Show 2 – 4pm in the Kirk Hall
14 Sept Magazine Deadline
21 Sept Kirk Walk (see below)
23 Sept Kirk Session meets at 7.15pm in the Hall
25 Sept Country Dance Club (see below)
27 Sept Edinburgh Doors Open Day (Kirk open from 11am to 4pm)
16-18 Oct Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Duddingston Kirk
Scottish Country Dance Club
We are looking forward to the new session which begins on Thursday 25th September in the hall, 8.00 – 10.00pm. Our new instructor, John Watkins, will be leading the dancing. The session culminates with our Christmas Dance on Thursday 11th December.
New members welcome. Come along and join us.
Margaret Paul

Duddingston Kirk Walking Group
The walk on 21 September is to Beecraigs near Linlithgow and will be led by David and Isobel Sims.   The walk is about 3.5 to 4 miles and is on good paths, mainly level but with some slight inclines in places.    Please meet in the Hall at 11.15am.   Walkers participate at their own risk.
      Angus McKenzie Walks Co-ordinator

Our Flower Ministry
It is thought that in the Early Church, to combat those who were thinking that God was only spirit and not of this world, the worshippers decorated their churches with flowers.    For anyone entering that place of worship, a clear message was visible in the flowers that this congregation was worshipping the God who made this world, including the flowers.   And to this day flowers have appeared in the sanctuaries of the main stream churches.

Today we have turned this symbol of orthodoxy into a ministry of flowers.    After church, the flowers in the Sanctuary are delivered throughout the parish to the housebound, bereaved and those in hospital.   Over the past few years, this has been carried out by Tom and Linda Enterkin for which we are very grateful.
However, to enable others to be involved in serving the church in this way we intend setting up monthly flower Convenors.    If you could spend the time for four weeks of the year distributing the flowers after church then please let the Minister know.   Our intention is to have twelve convenors, one for each month.

Knitting is back!
Looking ahead to this year’s Samaritan’s Purse Shoebox Appeal, would you like to knit a friend for a child who may be lonely?
Patterns for a teddy bear hand puppet, clown hand puppets and a beanie hat are available on www.samaritanspurse.uk.com, or call Margaret on 669 4518.
It is a wonderful opportunity to help a child who might not receive anything other than your gift and is open to lady and gentlemen knitters. Items should be ready for November. Collection details later.
In the meantime please keep hold of your shoeboxes in preparation for this year’s appeal and look out for gifts suitable for children ages 2-14 years.
Hoping you enjoy collecting your gifts.   More information on 2008 Samaritan’s Purse Appeal will follow soon.

Parents & Toddlers - Report to Kirk Session
The Parent & Toddlers Group has again had a very successful year.   After a slight downturn in numbers last year, those attending this year have increased dramatically and there are currently over eighty children on the register.
The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed with the parents and carers enjoying a “cuppa” and the children playing happily with the plentiful supply of toys.
An innovation this year was a pre-Christmas Service in the Church which was attended by over forty mums with their children and proved to be a great success.
Our thanks are again due to Myra Farrell for her continued dedication and enthusiasm, to Katherine Taylor for her musical input, and to Marie Bain for her long and faithful service in the kitchen.
     Pam Reid

Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat
Rehearsals are under way for the production of our musical in October.   We have now cast most of the parts and are working on the music and having a wonderful time getting to know each other better.

Used Stamps - The Church Of Scotland World Mission Council
World Mission Council would like to thank everybody at Duddingston Kirk involved in the collection of used stamps and for their continued support and hard work.   Through such efforts a total of £2,057.50 has been raised to help disabled children in China.

This year's project is going to SUMI (Scottish University Mission Institute) in India. SUMI is a boys' school in Kalimpong.   The Principal noticed that some of the girls in the surrounding district were bright and eager to learn but had, through some reason or another, dropped out of school.   He invited them to join SUMI so that they could be educated and get back into the mainstream school system again.   The money raised from the stamps will go to help pay for the girls' education.   See the poster in the Church Hall which gives more information.

Please trim the stamps carefully leaving a quarter of an inch of envelope all round. Stamps on post cards are also most acceptable.   The collection box is on the left- hand side of the church entrance and we now also have a collection point in the hall.

Thank You
Forth Care at Milton Nursing Home on Duddingston Road has sent a letter of thanks to the Kirk.   The ladies of our "In Stitches" group had made rugs and shawls for the residents which were much appreciated.   Well done, ladies!

Duddingston: Edinburgh’s Historic Village
The Premiere of the film “Village in the City” was shown in the Church Hall to capacity audience.   So many wanted to see that film that an extra Preview evening was hastily put together.   Over 200 have therefore seen the film in its first week!   DVDs of the film are now available at the cost of £12.95 each.


THE SUNDAY CLUB (Report to Kirk Session on 29 April)
Sections, Leaders, Meeting Places and maximum numbers are as follows:-
Creche & Seekers: Katherine Taylor McGregor Room 17
  Patricia Ball
  Karen Hunter
Explorers (P1-3) Fiona Hunt Hall   18
  Judith Hunter
  Jill Gilchrist
  Heather Davidson
  Joyce Anderson
Adventurers & Marie Pool Manse Basement 15
Voyagers (P4-7) Fiona Davidson
  Lucy Murphy

Average weekly attendance is 35.

Steve Oliver from the Voyagers and Elspeth Barrie from the Adventurers have recently retired and thanks are due to them both for several years of teaching in the Sunday Club.     These departures, combined with the lack of numbers in the Voyagers, caused the amalgamation of the two sections.     We would all wish to see children continue with a regular Christian input to their lives rather than drifting away from Church activities.
The basis of the weekly lessons is provided by Scripture Union material, supplemented by many other activities suitable to age and the topic for the day such as Christmas parties, visit to the Megabowl, Nativity Play, Easter egg rolling, coffee event, Christian Aid Walk, Promotion Service and Kirk Picnic.
It is a pleasure to see two whole sections filled with children and their parents in the Kirk on a Sunday.   We are blessed that so many young parents are attending with their children.    The teachers and helpers were most enthusiastic and make an excellent team.    They are due our thanks for their continued hard work in making the Sunday Club a happy and stimulating experience and allowing the children to grow in their understanding of Christian life.
Congratulations to Katherine Taylor on supplying the necessary leadership and co-ordination to make the Sunday Club such a success.

John Cook, Kenneth Train, Barbara Anderson.

41st BB Company Section - Annual Display
The boys yet again succeeded in providing a display of wonderful entertainment value.   Their presentation of School of Rock was both funny and surprisingly musical!   We have a group of young men of the finest quality who not only set themselves high standards but also achieve them. The chief guest at the display this year was John Hughes, manager of Falkirk Football Club or the "Bairns" as they are known.   John presented no fewer than five President's medals and four Queen's Medals to the Company, reflecting a year of tremendous effort and work.   All credit to Alan Meikle and his ever enthusiastic staff.   The 41st is a wonderful outfit and one that Duddingston Kirk is proud to be associated with.

Here are some quotes recorded at this year's camp.
"This is the best camp ever, there is unlimited coleslaw!"   Cameron Cumming cheers up dramatically.
"How can we play basketball with a ball?"   Kevin Backe gets himself slightly confused.
"We can use these blankets as insulin for the tents!"   Mark Macrae wants to make his diabetic tent warmer.
"Are we turning right, here? There is a sign saying BB accommodation"   Gavin Pinkerton learns all about Bed & Breakfast accommodation.
"You lot are mad"   Ian Stewart sums up the week perfectly!

THE GUILD 2007/2008
During the past session, the Guild has had a membership of 44 and all the meetings have been well attended, thanks to the volunteer drivers who take members to and from meetings.    This is organised by Mrs Norah Aitchison who has been doing the job for several years now and the Guild is extremely grateful to her and the team of drivers.
Meetings have again been presided over by a pool of seven or eight ladies.   Special mention must be made of the three leading officebearers – Mrs Dorothy Blacklock, overall Co-ordinator, Mrs Evelyn Robertson, Secretary, and Mrs Margaret Rae, Treasurer.   These ladies willingly commit a great deal of time and effort to ensure that the affairs of the Guild run smoothly and efficiently.
The National Guild’s theme from 2006 to 2009 has been “Let’s Live, Body, Mind and Soul”.    Last year, Duddingston’s syllabus was planned around the body and this year it has been planned around the mind – “Think on These Things”.    Again, this has been a very interesting syllabus with speakers from The Circle of Children, a voluntary organisation supporting vulnerable children and families in Scotland, and from The Lydia project which was set up to encourage understanding between Eastern and Western Europe and which helps many of the neediest people in Eastern Europe.    On our Visiting Guilds Evening, representatives from twelve other guilds joined us to hear Rev Alistair MacGregor speak about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and his recent experiences in Israel and Lebanon.   There was a splendid evening of praise when Mrs Yvonne Farrant and three of her friends each shared with us their favourite hymn and why that hymn meant so much to them.
During the summer, as well as the annual afternoon bus outing, several evening outings to various places of interest were arranged.   One was to St Andrews Church in Muirhouse where our ladies enjoyed their hospitality.   It is hoped to return that hospitality during the coming summer and to show the Muirhouse ladies our own Kirk and Dr Neill’s Garden.
None of the annual subscription fee of £7 has gone into our own Guild funds.    The capitation fee payable to the National Guild at 121 George Street was set at £7 and increases each year.    These contributions from members make up about 75% of the National Guild’s annual operating income.
The National Guild does bring a distinctive Christian voice to the public debate on a range of issues and social concerns, and it is one of Scotland’s largest voluntary organisations.   Each year, every Guild is invited to support financially and prayerfully a project from among six put forward by the National Guild.   This year, Duddingston is again supporting the Bluebell project which helps women suffering from post-natal depression.   The total raised so far by Guilds for this project is £64,000.    In recent years, Guilds have raised more than £2million for various projects.     Duddingston Guild also gives to our own Kirk and, as generously as possible, to other charities such as Richmond’s Hope, Direct Aid, and The Cystic Fibrosis Fund in the Sick Children’s Hospital.
At a time when an increasing number of churches are finding it difficult to maintain a Guild, we are very fortunate to have people whose commitment ensures the continuation of the Guild here.   What is the Guild?   “The Church of Scotland Guild is a movement which invites and encourages both women and men to commit their lives to Jesus Christ and enables them to express their faith in worship, prayer and action.”    The Guild here in Duddingston is continuing to strive towards that aim.

Evelyn Robertson

The Lunch Club

After several meetings in the Manse with Rev David and Jean Donaldson in the summer of 1992, Duddingston Kirk Lunch Club was launched on Thursday 9 September.

We put notices in the Kirk News and Kirk Magazine informing the congregation of what was happening. People were very reluctant at first. We were told “thank you but I can cook my lunch”. However, at last we had five members – one of whom was Auntie Bella Urquhart – and we grew from there. We decided we would not take more than 24 and during the years we have had a waiting list. We receive calls from community nurses and doctors’ surgeries to see if we can accommodate a patient – who must be in the Parish. It is always sad to say “no”.

With regard to transport, we were lucky Jean Donaldson was a community nurse and knew Social Services which enabled us to obtain a minibus. David Donaldson, Ian Mack, Irene Coulter and Myra Farrell underwent training to drive it. David was our regular driver with Tom McLaren as escort. As our numbers grew, we required car drivers also and they responded to our plea.

We serve a two-course meal followed by tea or coffee and home baking, and we also have a sales table each week. We are one of the few lunch clubs who cook their own meals. Most are supplied by school kitchens.

Jean Donaldson was in charge of the kitchen and menus in the early days, and we had soup makers and bakers. Naturally, over the years, members and helpers have changed but a few of us have been there from the beginning. We still keep our list to 24 and we have ten helpers, some of whom are also car drivers. We also have drivers we can call upon for emergencies.

When we had our own minibus driver, time was not limited and we could have entertainment for about half an hour. Before Jean Donaldson left, she arranged with Social Services that we should still have a minibus but with a driver. The bussed members would arrive about 11.30am and would be picked up for home about one o’clock.

During each year we have Communion four times which is much appreciated as some members are unable to attend Church.

Our summer outing is by coach to a destination not too far away with afternoon tea in a hotel. The first Thursday in September is Birthday Lunch Day and for a few years we have been going to The Quayside – now The Quay – in Musselburgh. October is the month of our Children’s Hospice Lunch when the proceeds are donated to CHAS. We have a sales table and everyone is most supportive. At Christmas we have our Christmas Lunch in the Hall and we are very happy with the new kitchen and refurbished hall. Margaret Sinclair

Duddingston Kirk Scottish Country Dance Club

The club was started in early 1958 by the co-founders Jen Hay and Chris McNiven. Chris was the teacher and Jen the secretary/treasurer. The dance club was to be – and still is – a social night. In 1958 the new hall debt was still to be paid off and any money from the club went towards that. Once that was achieved, cash was donated towards the running costs of the hall plus gifts in kind where required.

On the first evening, 20 February 1958, twelve attended and three dances were taught. Now, the roll is almost fifty and between eight and ten dances are accomplished. Our members come from the parish and beyond to Musselburgh, Dalkeith and Penicuik.

For many years, music was via an old wind-up gramophoned – with all its problems. Later, tapes were used and now Cds.

Besides enjoying the weekly get-together on Thursdays, the class has entertained our own Guild and several neighbouring Guilds.

For almost twenty years there has been a liaison with St Margaret’s dance club. We make an annual visit there and they in turn visit Duddingston. It’s a wonderful excuse to have more than tea and a biscuit on these evenings, with the added bonus that St Margaret’s bring their own band. Each December, a special Christmas dance takes place.

In 1983 we marked our 25 years as a club, in 1998 our 40th anniversary, and now we have reached the Golden anniversary. It too will be marked by a special evening, meeting many friends from past years. None of our past teachers is still with us, but we shall remember especially Jen Hay, Chris McNiven and Molly Mathieson.

(Report given by Linda Sim at Services on Sunday 2 March)

Sunday Club

Our Sunday Club welcomes all children. We meet in the Church at 10am and join in the Service for 20 minutes.   We then walk together to then meet into our different groups.   We finish at 11am, when we are joined by the congregation for juice and biscuits.   Our groups are:-
Seekers           Babies and pre school (Kirk Hall)
Explorers       P1-3 (Kirk Hall)
Adventurers P 4-6 (Manse Basement)
Voyagers        P7 plus (Manse Basement)

We have children from different schools and areas of Edinburgh.   It is lovely to see them making friends and becoming a treasured part of the congregation.

Our activities last year included singing at a Festival of Water in Joppa,