The Manse120 The Loan

Loanhead

14th May 2018

Dear Friends

Over the last few weeks people from Tern TV have been filming some of the activities in the church here at Loanhead Church – including the Sunday we planted out some of the flowerbeds in Loanhead. I haven’t yet seen the finished article, which will be shown during the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, but hope that it accurately reflects some of what we are doing and learning together.

The filming is part of a bigger piece of work – looking at congregations and ministers who are involved in developing 21st Century churches for all generations. Something which is difficult to work through but yet is crucial for us. It is this that has been what has taken me away from Loanhead so much over the last three years – leading training events and conferences for ministers and members of congregations through a programme called Path of Renewal. Whilst I will remain involved in providing training for ministers and others, I am now in a position to hand responsibility for Path of Renewal on to others, hopefully giving me more time to help to develop the work and witness of the church here in Loanhead.

Interestingly though TERN TV have not been filming in Loanhead because we have everything worked out in terms of church life - but rather because we are trying out some new things and seeking to learn from them. Making connections with people in different ways and trying to ensure that we are ready to re-shape some of what we do in order to allow other people to find a place among us. I believe that those two things are really important and need to remain at the forefront of what we do, alongside trusting God to lead and guide us into the future he has for us.

What I find exciting though is that as we develop things in this way, we are seeing people connecting with us in different ways and becoming more involved in church life and worship. I pray that these are simply signs of what is to come!

In connection with that, we discussed at a Board and Session meeting our strapline “ a place for everyone.” What we spoke about at the meeting was how we ensure that we see ourselves (and others see us) as a church who are seeking to make sure that is true. We therefore agreed a very subtle but significant change so that the strapline will read:

“Creating a place for everyone.”

That reflects for us the journey that we are on together. A recognition that we have not “arrived” but continue to look at how we develop our church life and witness to allow others to be a part of all we do and share.

As we come to the end of another busy church year I am grateful for the support of so many within the church family at Loanhead and for the way people are so willingly involved in all that is going on. I hope that the summer months give everyone an opportunity to relax and recharge their batteries – but also to share together in our Sunday services, which have a wide and varied format over July and August. You will find details of these in the magazine. Hopefully within that there is something that everyone will enjoy and appreciate.

With every blessing.

Yours in Christ

Graham Duffin

Community Planting morning – 13th May 2018

During the autumnal conferences held at the church in late 2017 there were suggestions and discussions about how the church could undertake a large community project on a Sunday, with the idea of focusing on the interaction with others outside the church.

One of these ideas was to plant out community areas around Loanhead with plants and flowers.

Amy Richards and I took on this challenge with one of the key goals being to bring people from the church and the wider community together in an activity that would help foster a sense of pride in our community. We were also keen to increase the friendships of members of the church by having an activity that would allow members to bond while working towards a common purpose.

Over the course of the first few weeks and months of 2018, it seemed that it might not be possible to fix a date for the event with such a bad winter and snow coming nearly every week, however we worked towards a date in early May. We were very encouraged by Midlothian council and were supported very well by them, gaining knowledge from their past experience and also with the council’s commitment to supply the plants on the day we were energised to make this project a real success.

Amy and I formed the group called the “Loanhead Church Gardening Group” and plans for the day itself were taking shape nicely. As we entered into the month of May the weather started to improve and the sun was shining down on us on the day itself (albeit after torrential rain in the night).

We met at church and were very surprised and happy to see around 50 volunteers put up their hand to help with the planting. We managed a brilliant and enjoyable morning of planting of annuals which included marguerites, geraniums, begonias antirrhinums and lobelia (for you lovers of plants) in beds in Memorial Park and Fountain Green.

It was a fantastic event that was cross generational and it was great to share our knowledge of plants, nature (we found a lot of worms in the soil) and to enjoy what God has provided for us. The connection not just to Loanhead, but nature was very rewarding. The pictures of the final results will make me smile every time I now see the beds and makes me think that we are a growing church in more ways than one!

We now are looking to connect with other community groups throughout Loanhead and also to have more volunteers on a more regular basis to maintain the beds (part of our agreement with the council) so if you are interested then please do get in touch. Facebook @ Goo.gl/DbmaoR

Our hopes for the future are to have further planting events in the autumn (Midlothian Council hand out ~6000 bulbs to charitable groups each year) and also to be able to be a group that is reactive to the needs of the community, whether this is a litter pick, painting of fences or new floral displays in Loanhead.

Thanks again to everybody involved in the preparation, planning and volunteering on the day itself and I look forward to seeing this group grow and flourish in the future.

Chris Claxton

Morning Services

Communion Services

Our June Communion Service is on Sunday 3rd June at 11 a.m.

The Afternoon Communion will be on Tuesday 6th June at Trust Housing. All are welcome.

Sunday Services in June

3rd June 11 a.m. Communion10th June 11 a.m. Morning Service 17th June 11 a.m. Morning Service 24th June 11 a.m. Family Service

End of Term Barbeque

Join us at the manse for a BBQ on Friday 29th June from 4.30 p.m. to celebrate the end of term. Bring your own drinks and a donation to cover the costs of the food. Come along – and feel free to invite your friends to join us.

There will be a Bouncy Castle as usual for the youngsters – and if it is wet we will be in the church hall.

Watch the Facebook page for other events over the Summer holidays @LoanheadParishChurch

Summer Services

Sunday 1st July to 19th August

Services at 10.30 a.m.

This year our summer services over July and into the 3 rd Sunday in August will start at 10.30 a.m. and will be timed to last around 45 minutes. On Sunday 26th August we will return to our usual time of 11 a.m.

Sundays 1 st , 8 th , 15 th & 29 th July – Traditional services

These services will include favourite hymns chosen by the congregation – put your suggestions in the box in the vestibule during June. There will be a video and activities in the hall for children during these services.

Sunday 22 nd July

A service to link in with the end of the Football Camp with the youngsters, with some sports activities in the park linked in with our morning service. Come along at 9 a.m. for the sports or join us at 10.30 a.m. There will be tea/.coffee and bacon rolls after the service.

Sundays 5 th , 12 th , 19 th August

The services will include lively praise, activities for children and a short reflection for adults. We hope that members, friends and visitors of all ages will enjoy sharing with us at these services. You can make suggestions for praise items for these services too!

Please note that the offering will be taken at the door as people arrive at all summer services.

Funerals

9th March May Burns 19th April Ronald(Ron) Pearson14th March Susan Atkins 20th April Caroline Hunter14th March Eleanor Broadfoot 23rd May David Stewart27th March William(Bill) Thomson 24th May Alex (Sandy) MacBeath

Weddings

4th April Josh Witherspoon & Katie Biggs6th April Lanna Sutherland & Chris hanks 26th May Megan Chalmers and David Macdonald

Blessings

20th May Violet Iona Shearer, daughter of Tracy & Danny

Baptisms

29th April David Macdonald29th April Amelie Honor Macdonald, daughter of Megan and David29th April Ferne Orla Macdonald, daughter of Megan and David

A tribute to Ron Pearson

Ron Pearson was ordained as an elder in Loanhead Parish Church in 2004. He was someone who got on well with people of all generations, enjoying a laugh and a joke - but there was much more to Ron than that. He was also a deep thinker and someone of real faith, his faith lived out through what he did. With a willingness to step up and take responsibility for things.

Over the years he helped out with the children’s work at the school, organised the car rota for Sundays, was a district elder and helped on the Fabric work team. Just whatever was needed done.

The other thing that marked Ron out was his remarkable resilience. Through numerous operations, Ron fought through with a characteristic determination – and if you asked him he was always “fine.” We give thanks then for the life and witness of Ron Pearson and remember Diane, Magnus and the rest of the family in our prayers.

Graham Duffin

Junior Church

It is almost the end of another session and with all the holidays at this time of year numbers are rather up and down.

Unfortunately, we have not yet had time to introduce the new format that was mentioned in the last Contact but we will definitely work on it over the summer break. We are experimenting with a few all age lessons in our last few weeks.

Hopefully we will all be back refreshed after the summer.

Thank you all for your continued support.

Margaret Hurst

Junior Church does not meet over the summer but there will be activities each Sunday for the children. Details on the page about summer services.

Pastoral Care Group

The members of the group continue with their work in the community. If you know of anyone who would like a visit please let us know, also those who are ill, in hospital, have a special birthday or anniversary, so that we can send a card or flowers. Our afternoon tea in March had to be cancelled because of the visit from the beast from the east, but it went ahead on the 23rd April and a good many attended. We had a lovely afternoon that was enjoyed by all.

A note for your diary, the next afternoon tea will be held on Monday 1st October, more details in the next magazine.

Joyce McHale who has been sending the cards on our behalf for a number of years is stepping down. We wish to thank Joyce and her husband Andrew who helps to deliver all then local cards by hand, no matter what the weather is like. Their work has been very much appreciated by the group. Many thanks and best wishes to you both.

Diane Pearson has agreed to take on that position and will be sending the cards from the beginning of June. Margaret Green is stepping down as treasurer and Alison Chalmers will take on that position but there is no change over date as yet, possibly the end of the year.

Please keep us all in your prayers.

God Bless, Ann

“Easter Unpacked”

A week before Easter we experimented with “Easter Unpacked” – a family event taking a journey through Holy Week including palm waving, feet painting, (followed by feet washing!), visits to the Upper Room, the Garden of Gethsemane and Calvary as well as the chance to go into the empty “tomb”.

The journey was topped off with Easter afternoon tea.

Thanks to everyone who came along, to all the hosts of the stopping points on the Holy Week journey, to Margaret Anderson and her team for preparing and serving afternoon tea and to Elizabeth Veitch for her donation of the Real Easter eggs.

Thanks also to everyone who brought along donations for our charity coat collection. All donations were gratefully received by the Edinburgh Clothing Store, a charity run by volunteers, offering free of charge, clothing, shoes and bedding for people in genuine need.

Gala Day Tearoom

Don’t forgot to visit our tea room in the church on the afternoon of Gala Day, Saturday 23rd June!

In what has become a long standing feature of the events in the Memorial Park on the afternoon of Gala Day, once again we will be running the church tearoom, (accessible directly from the park), offering light refreshments and a chance for folk to have a seat and a blether before heading back to the park and the various attractions and events on offer there.

GIFT AID

Please remember to let Angela Stewart know if you have stopped paying sufficient tax.

Thank you.

 

More from Rwanda

Recent news from Rwanda has not made for good reading.The recent spring rains have been particularly heavy and three of the children sponsored by individuals in the congregation have experienced damage to their houses, and have also lost clothes, bedding and food.

Jessica, who has her school fees paid by Loanhead Church regularly appears at Scripture Union saying she is hungry. Now that she is at primary school she no longer receives a daily meal as she did at nursery. We understand that food for the family is very scarce and her mum, Mbabazi has been very sick and was in hospital.

Thanks to the generosity of folks here, the Rwanda Group have some money in our account just now and we have sent out some emergency funding to help to rebuild homes, replace belongings and buy supplies of basic foods – rice, beans and maize.

Please continue to pray for everyone in Rwanda, especially those known to us, as they face yet another challenge.

Learning New Skills at Rutonde

Pastor Zacharie is teaching the people who live in Rutonde new skills. He is using a “teaching garden” to show them new and better ways to grow crops. The system is a tiered structure with a filter/funnel in the middle at the top for the water. It is hoped that the skills learned in the garden will be replicated on even the smallest plot of earth at their own homes.

He is also teaching the youngest how to look after a small tree, so that when they grow up they will know how much time and effort is needed to grow crops.This wee lad was really proud of how he had been looking after and protecting his tree.

The church in Rutonde is really just a big rectangular space with an uneven, broken floor. Pastor Zacharie has taught some of the men how to mix concrete to do small repairs in the church, again in the hope that they can transfer these skills to jobs in their own homes or in a job.

Chickens Against Malnutrition and Poverty

Bronwen and I visited Embrace Rwanda’s new chicken project with the Director, Hilary King and Pastor Francis. Although only in it’s first season, this project was growing very quickly, and building on the site is still ongoing. The first lot of chicks (a stronger, healthier breed of Belgian chicken than the Rwandan chicken) arrived in early June last year and when we visited, egg production had already reached 82%. Eggs are sold to local businesses

and when the hens stop laying, hotels are already lined up to buy the meat for their restaurants.Alongside the egg production, they run a programme with women in rural communities (one of these is in Runda where we delivered the fish and chip jumpers) teaching the value and importance of healthy eating – especially the combination of eggs and vegetables.

Sports Ministry Training at Scripture UnionScripture Union is the venue for a variety of training sessions, and while we were there, delegates were attending Sports Ministry Training. This involved discussion and sharing idea as well as outdoor activities which caused much hilarity. [Look out for more on Rwanda later in the year – Mary Millan

Children & Youth work.

School work.

Break time groups have become a time where the young people have enjoyed coming along and learning more about what Jesus did when he was on earth and what we can learn from these stories. This has brought up good discussion with the children with the majority of those attending at break time also attending on a Friday night. Christian Adventurers.

Sunday mornings have become a busy place for the young people with on occasions us having to get extra chairs into the vestry. This has been great watching the young people explore and deepen their understanding of what it means to be a Christian and how we can through our lives walk closely with God but also do as Jesus would.

Connect Bus.

We have spent the time before Easter planning for an event that the young people asked for but more of that later. As well as planning the event we have been using clips from The Simpsons to explore different themes tied in with a bible passage. This group have grown their friendship and their faith by coming along to another refresh event that was held in Dalkeith.

Ignite

After our first refresh event the young people wanted to hold their own event in Loanhead that they could invite their friends along to. We had this event on the 27th of April. The young people planned the event with what was going to happen on the night and were responsible for publicising and inviting their friends along. On the night we had pool, mocktails, food, FIFA and glitter tattoos. We then had a time of worship with a talk about what it means to be a Christian with Liam coming along to tell his testimony. The night was a great success with 30 young people attending with groups also coming from Dunbar and Mayfield. It was great to see the young people taking ownership of the event and then inviting their friends to come along and make the event a success. We are looking at holding one event every term.

Summer football camp 2018

This will be year 6 of football camp with us planning this years camp on week 3 of the summer holidays from the 16th-20th of July. Last year we had just a 3 day camp but this year will be returning to the full week with an event on the Sunday. We are going to be holding a family sports challenge on Sunday the 22nd of July.

This will consist of teams being made up and competing in various sport challenges before church followed by an awards ceremony during the church service for the winning team.

Alan Duffin

1st Loanhead Boys’ Brigade

Almost another session will soon be drawing to a close. All sections have been busywith their weekly programmes and competitions.The 3rd year boys of the Junior Section enjoyed a weekend camp at the Well Road Centre in Moffatt with our friends at 5th Livingston & 1st Blackburn. It was a busy weekend, blessed with a glorious day on the Saturday. A lot of tired boys returned home on the Sunday!!!

Our Annual Display & Presentation of Awards was held on Thursday 26th April 2018 at Loanhead Parish Church. Our Chief Guest and Inspecting Officer was Master at Arms Stuart Campbell, Royal Navy Police. Stuart is a former member and Queens Badge holder of the Company. Stuart was accompanied by his wife, Diane and we also had Samantha Service, the new Development Officer from Edinburgh, Leith & District Battalion.After the Opening Service, led by Rev Andrew Dick, the audience were entertained by all three sections of the Company. The Anchor Boys played the games Traffic Lights and Cat & Mouse. The Junior Section played Human Battleships and a display of maze marching. The Company Section boys had Crufts Dog Agility races and a team balancing race.The following awards were presented.

Anchor Boys were presented by Samantha Service.Perfect Attendance – Finn Anderson, Flynn Campbell & Lewis NelsonGreen Badge – Ryan SalmondGreen & Red Badges – Finn Anderson, Flynn Campbell, Marcus Kennedy, Charlay McLennan, Oliver Quickfall, James Rawcliffe, Harry Taylor, Oscar Wyllie, Charlie Wallace & Matthew YoungBlue Badge – Rudy Campbell, Elliot Morgan & Lewis NelsonPromotion Certificates – Rudy Campbell, Elliot Morgan, Lewis Nelson & Matthew YoungTop Boy – Rudy Campbell

Junior Section were presented by Mrs Diane Campbell

Target & Bronze Badges – Riley Carr, Daniel Guilar, Max Kiernan, Kerrin McLellan, Kerr Notman, Riley Peden, Murray Simpson & Sam CairnieSilver Badge – Ioan Jones & Daniel RooneyGold Badge – Jude Anderson, Lachlan Beattie, Glen Campbell, Danny Mackay & Rylan MaguirePromotion Certificates – Jude Anderson, Lachlan Beattie, Glen Campbell, Danny Mackay & Rylan MaguirePerfect Attendance – Rylan Maguire, Kerr Notman & Riley CarrCaptain’s Trophy for Bible Reading – Murray SimpsonBest Group – Lachlan Beattie, Daniel Guilar, Riley Peden & Murray SimpsonThe Beatrice Ralston Trophy for Best Uniform – Lachlan Beattie, Kerr Notman and Daniel RooneyThe Robert Thompson Memorial Trophy for Top Boy – Ioan Jones

Company Section were presented by Stuart CampbellPerfect Attendance – Nathan Denholm, Kyle Anderson, Ross Notman,John Sturgeon & Lewis RalstonCompass Badges – Declan Carr, Sean Hughes, Andrew Hogg, Finlay Morgan & Lewis RalstonRobertson Cup for Best Recruit – Lewis RalstonMorrison Cup for Drill – Ross NotmanRobert Thompson Memorial Cup for Bible Knowledge – Kyle AndersonBobby Buchan Memorial Trophy for Best Uniform – Ross NotmanAmbulance Trophy for First Aid – Ross NotmanCaptain’s Trophy for General Endeavour – John SturgeonGeorge Haddow Memorial Trophy for P.E. – Callum CochraneJames C. Ralston Quiz Trophy – Nathan DenholmInveravon Trophy for Indoor Team Event – Ross Notman, John Sturgeon, Connor Finlayson, Lewis Ralston ,Andrew Hogg & Sean HughesCompany Cup for Best Squad – Ross Notman, John Sturgeon, Connor Finlayson, Lewis Ralston, Andrew Hogg & Sean Hughes

Dunedin Trophy for Champion of Champions – John SturgeonPromoted to Warrant Officer – Callum DeansPromoted to Lance Corporal – Ross Notman, John Sturgeon, Connor Finlayson & Kyle AndersonBadminton Singles – John SturgeonBadminton Doubles – Connor Finlayson & John Sturgeon10-Pin Bowling Boys – John Sturgeon 10-Pin Bowling Staff – Andrew RalstonSnooker – John Sturgeon Pool – Connor FinlaysonCarpet Bowls – John Sturgeon Carpet Skittles – Andrew HoggDominoes – Lewis Ralston Chess – John SturgeonDraughts – Sean Hughes Archery – John SturgeonTable Tennis Singles – Nathan DenholmTable Tennis Doubles – Nathan Denholm & John SturgeonWest Lothian Battalion Badminton Junior Doubles

– Connor Finlayson & John SturgeonEdinburgh, Leith & District Battalion Indoor Fives - Connor Finlayson, John Sturgeon, Lewis Ralston & Andrew Hogg

Queens Award – Nathan Denholm

After the presentations Stuart Campbell spoke to the boys and congratulated them all on their achievements.

The evening was closed by the Anchor Boys saying their prayer.

We had 3 boys helping at the Annual Beating Retreat on the Castle Esplanade on the 5 th May 2018. We were blessed with sunny weather and a large crowd on the esplanade.

The Company Section boys finished the session with a meal at Frankie & Benny’s with all the Company Staff.

Nathan Denholm will be presented with his Queens Badge Certificate on Wednesday 6 th June 2018 at Linlithgow Palace. Once again we will be participating in this year’s Loanhead Carnival and Gala Day Parades.

The Company Section will be away 14th -21st July 2018 to our Annual Camp to the Ganaway Centre, Millisle, Northern Ireland with the 51st Bonnyrigg, 5th Livingston, 1st Blackburn & 41st Duddingston Companies.

I would like to intimate my personal thanks to all the staff of the Company for their continued enthusiasm and dedication to the Company. Without them we simply would not have a Boys’ Brigade Company in Loanhead. If anyone would like to help us out, especially the Junior Section, please contact myself, details below. Jim Ralston, CaptainTel. 440 0906Email jp.ralston@btopenworld.com

1st Loanhead Boys’ Brigade

Our Chief Guests Mr & Mrs Stuart Campbell with the Company

Company Captain Jim Ralston congratulating our latest Queens Man, Sgt. Nathan Denholm