Church of St John the Evangelist, Princes Street

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Annual Report 2016Looking back on the year at St John's

Prepared for the Annual General Meeting

To be held on Monday 14th November 2016 at 7.30pm

At St John’s Church

Princes Street

Edinburgh

EH24BJ

AGENDANON AGM BUSINESS

1. Cornerstone Centre at St John’s Building Update (John Dennis (Edinburgh Ltd) & LDN) Marketing and Fundraising update

2. Children’s Ministry3. Canonical Change – Equal Marriage4. Visioning

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

1. Prayers and Roll of the Dead2. Apologies for Absence3. Minutes of AGM held on 9th November 20154. Matters Arising5. Minutes of Special General Meeting held on 23rd October 20166. Presentation and Adoption of Accounts

St John’s Cornerstone Bookshop Carbon Reporting

7. Annual Report8. Together Churches9. Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection10. Lay Representative’s Report11. Elections12. Thanks13. The Grace

Introduction from the Rector And I’ve been looking at the stars

For a long, long time

I’ve been putting out fires

All my life

Everybody wants a flame,

They don’t want to get burnt

And today is our turn

Days like these lead to…

Nights like this lead to…

(James Blunt – Bonfire Heart)

Dear friends,

The other day I walked into my favourite café (Caffeine Drip on Melville Place), when the above quoted song came on. I was very much intrigued: I liked the rhythm and the tune: folksy, contemporary, catchy. Yes, not everybody is taken by this rock-ballad about love (what else?). But it caught my attention. Very much so. And what caught my attention were the last two lines I quote above: Days like these lead to Nights like this lead to

It caught my attention, because I have experienced the last year a bit like this: One thing leading to another, leading to another, leading to another. Yes, there were moments of frustration: some little, unrecognised, extra thing, led to having to postpone some decision, which led to a delay, which led to… And I am not just talking “development!” But thanks to the patience, insistence and leadership of both lay and ordained members of St John’s, we have moved forward in our ministry, our mission, and we have moved forward in our development. The past year has indeed been quite unusual, as we have commenced the next step in a process that started over a decade ago. Many have laboured hard to get us to this point – even if at times it seems as if we were treading in place or were moving like molasses. It would be wrong to single out people, because so many hours have been spent behind the scene that made the development possible. Additionally, it is your

financial commitment to the project that has made it all possible. Thank you. Thank you indeed! And what was started under the leadership of Bishop John in the early 2000s is now coming to fruition. By next November, I trust we will meet once again in the hall. But it will be a completely new experience for all of us: Cornerstone Centre at St John’s, a renewed home to our children’s and adult’s formation spaces, to the Cornerstone Bookshop, to the One World Shop, to a café, to St John’s offices, and to a number of other non-St John’s organisations that benefit from accessible and welcoming environments. Remember what I wrote in the last edition of our magazine? The Cornerstone Centre will be “a new building to assist us in putting into reality God’s mission for us, to launch new initiatives as we participating in building Christ’s reign, and to be accessible for a wider variety of people.” It is good to remember this, because we still have some way to go: Days like these lead to Nights like this lead to…

Yet, despite my very own excitement (and, hopefully yours too), we must remember that the building is but a shell. We are not a museum for Regency architecture, but within our walls a community of people gather for worship, to engage in ministry and outreach, and to discern and live into God’s mission. Bricks and mortar are means to nurture and grow an active and sustainable congregation. Despite our most recent and rather necessary preoccupation with the development our focus is somewhere else. The building does not set the agenda. Our Mission does.And so, it is good to recall that in the past year, despite some interruptions, we were able

- to continue in the Apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in the prayers;

- to proclaim the good news by word and deed, serving Christ in all people;

- to work for justice and peace, honouring God in all Creation. (cf. Baptismal liturgy of the Scottish Episcopal Church)

There is a lot happening at St John’s on a daily basis – too much to mention. And there was a lot accomplished over the past year – too much to mention. But please forgive me, if I indulge in sharing just a few things that might not necessarily be on your radar screen, but that represent the many activities going on continuously at St John’s:

- It is very likely, that whenever you enter St John’s during opening hours, there are people sitting in the nave praying, meditating, and contemplating. Our location and the beauty of our space are such a blessing on so many levels: Encounters with our triune God often happen without our participation and sometimes even despite of us.

- Even though Souper Saturday’s location had to move to Old St Paul’s during the development, we are still involved in this

wonderful outreach. Souper Saturday provides a safe space, a friendly welcome, and delicious food for anybody who comes. I wonder, how often we have been able to welcome Christ coming to us in the face of a stranger on a Saturday?

- It was a great joy for me to bring together the speakers for the third Festival Pulpit this year. When inviting each one of them, it was good to hear that St John’s is known beyond our fair city – our ministry has created an impact that goes much further than we think.

- When Stephen started Compline for the first time, we had no idea what would happen. But people came… There seems to be a spiritual hunger out there – a yearning to connect in new, yet old ways with something bigger than ourselves.

- I have been very deeply touched by one particular mural, created by Syrian refugee Nihad al Turk in June. While not a mural in the traditional sense, it brought home the suffering of those fleeing war and hardship and challenged our society’s ignorance.

- A few year’s back, our choir introduced me to John Ireland’s (1879 –1962) Te Deum (see www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY16QQXdcWA ). Of course, the ancient words speak deeply to truth and identity. But it is this particular setting that has now become a favourite of mine. Whenever I hear it, I am thankful for the introduction – and I realise how fortunate we are with our music ministry and those involved in it.

- Many of us over the past year have gone through troubled times. Sickness and grief, depression and threats to our livelihood have made for a dark time. But when our pastoral visitors reach out, connect, pray, and walk alongside those in pain, then god’s compassion and care is made real and becomes touchable and experience-able.

-Yes, a lot happens at St John’s and a lot happened last year. However we will continue to have prayer and worship, baptising and confirming new members, offering Christian formation for all ages, assisting those struggling in a world that seems to get colder and colder, standing up for all parts of creation, and challenging prophetically the powers-that-be. On the one hand this sounds like a tall order. On the other hand, however, it is a rather general view of what a church needs to think about in order to discern God’s call and God’s mission. More concrete ideas are needed. This is why vestry and I have started a process of visioning to focus our attention and to listen to what the Spirit is saying to us right now.More will be shared with you at the AGM, but let me say this already: In an initial step, vestry and I identified three Christian practices that we believe to be St John’s strengths: worship – beauty – reflection. I have added a fourth practice, which I believe to be a growth area: hospitality.

Over the next months we will continue in our prayerful discernment and expand our conversations to include members of the St John’s community and also include that of the greater community around us. This will help us to spell out more clearly how these areas will shape our ministry: for God’s sake and for the sake of those God has called us to serve. Worship – beauty – reflection – hospitality; these are not just self-serving and introspective. But these practises will push us beyond the boundaries of St John’s deep into the city of Edinburgh and the world. They will help us identify concrete ministry projects to focus our attention and energy and to live more fully into God’s mission for us.In addition to this visioning process, there are a few further aspects, which will need attention in the more immediate future:

- Children & FamiliesSt John’s is blessed with a significant number of younger families, who are very much part of our core identity. Vestry and I are committed to creating relevant and considerable programmes and ministry opportunities for families.

- Cornerstone CentreMuch has been said already, but I want to point out once again, that during the construction period much of my attention will be focused on completing the new Cornerstone Centre. I also need to remind you that, for a variety of reasons, we have created a separate company to run the development: Cornerstone Development (Edinburgh) Ltd. Due to tax reasons, this company will remain active in running the building beyond September 2017. They will not only oversee the construction, but also make decisions about usage post-completion. Already the CDEL-board has proven to be efficient, focused, and skilful and I am very grateful to the members for their hard work!

- Equal MarriageThe Scottish Episcopal Church started the process of changing its marriage canon over two years ago. As a congregation, we have engaged in the provincial “Cascade Process” both with members of other congregations and also on our own. Many of us, however, have been involved with this conversation for decades – and it is, not surprisingly, a topic dear to my heart. I hope and pray that our next General Synod will finalise the canonical process and allow for clergy to opt into the Scottish Equal Marriage legislation. I furthermore hope that the community of St John’s will support those of its clergy, who are willing to preside at the marriage of two members of the same gender at St John’s.

- AdministrationThanks to the work of vestry, the personnel committee, and (last, but not least) our Associate Rector, we have now completed implementing the staff-related suggestions of the Organisational Review. A next step will be to look at governance, including our constitution, to bring them up-to-date and in line with our mission

objectives. - Stewardship

Our Finance Committee and its convenor have over the past two years provided significant and insightful information about the nature of Christian stewardship. Thank you! And you have responded generously. Thank you indeed! But there is still room to teach and learn more about the theological and spiritual aspect of stewardship and its relevance for most if not all aspects of our life as Christians within God’s creation.

Phew! There seems to be an awful lot coming our way… Well, yes, it could all be overwhelming. Therefore, at this point, I need to come clean: I didn’t quote James Blunt correctly. I left out the last line of the refrain:

Days like these lead to…

Nights like this lead to…

Love like ours.

The last few months and the road ahead might look like they are marked by steep hills to climb. Well, yes, there is a lot to organise and finalise – and it won’t stop even at the completion date. Many of us will have to get used to the changes once the Cornerstone Centre is completed. And that will take adjustments. Equally, ministry often can feel like turning into Sisyphus, who kept on rolling a stone up a hill, which, once he reached the top, would toll down the other side. But if we really trust that God is with us and has called us to this life and to what we do as a community than Days like these lead to… Nights like this lead to… Love like ours: a love that heals, that tears down walls, and that unites us with the God of love. There is already a lot of love at St John’s, even if at times it is hidden by culturally-inspired reservations… And I have seen love expressed at St John’s in many ways. Thank you for your care and compassion. Thank you to Stephen, for his inspiration and support. Thank you to the members of the ministry team for all their untold hours spent in helping to establish the kingdom of God. Thank you to the lay leaders of the congregation (especially vestry) for taking on so many more responsibilities last year. Thank you to the dozens and dozens and dozens and dozens of volunteers that help out in so many different ways. Thank you to the staff for their laughter, commitment, and hard work. And thank you to you for being who you are, whoever or whatever you are, and for being willing to work with me, despite of my idiosyncrasies, my faults, my crazy ideas, my grumpiness (or maybe because of it…).

It promises to be a lovely and exciting year!

Yours as ever,

Markus

P.S. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

2016 Statistics

Baptisms 3Weddings 8Funerals 8

VESTRYAUSTIN REILLY

The last 12 months have been busy and eventful for Vestry.

In December, we welcomed Tony Falconer and Colin MacEachran as elected members of the Vestry. At the same meeting I was appointed Vestry Secretary and Alistair Dinnie, who had been Secretary for the previous 8 years, was co-opted back onto Vestry as part of the Development Executive.

It is certainly the case that for much of the year there has been a major focus on the Development as we worked with our Design Team and the Consultant advising us during the tender process, culminating in the decision taken at our August meeting to appoint contractors. Many technical details had to be agreed including the formation of Cornerstone Developments Edinburgh Ltd to be the St John’s interface with the contractors and consideration of the due diligence requirements of CAF Bank in respect of the loan we are obtaining from them. This, in turn, led

to the steps we are taking to amend the Constitution of St John’s to incorporate the authority to borrow.

In addition to the Development, much work was undertaken to implement the recommendations of the Organisational Review completed in October 2015. One of the consequences of the review was a complete change in Staffing in both the Office and in the Vergers. The fact that this was all completed smoothly is due in no small measure to the expert way in which the Personnel Committee (formerly the General Purposes Committee) chaired by Romy Langeland went about the task. Romy is standing down from this role at the AGM and we would like to record our great thanks and appreciation for her work during her membership of the Committee and Vestry.

Several other matters were considered during the year including the potential impact on the Congregation of Council proposals to impose parking restrictions on Sundays, the Scottish Churches Census (and the initial results relating to St John’s) and the Canon 31 proposals from General Synod in respect of a possible change to the Canons on marriage.

Over the next year, one of our challenges will be to follow through on discussions we have had on the governance of St John’s and how best Vestry, as leaders of the Congregation, can support our clergy in their mission work and utilisation of the new buildings we will have on completion of the Development. We took the first steps in this vital activity in September when we held an “away day”, which everyone found a stimulating and rewarding experience, and this will be continued by further such gatherings in the near future.

Finally, I would like to thank Markus, Stephen, Alistair and all members of the Vestry for the help and support they have given me as I settled into the role of Secretary.

FAITH FORMATIONStephen Holmes

Pilgrim Course

Pilgrim is a series of eight courses developed by the Church of England which explore the basics of Christianity using the Bible, video clips, prayer, discussion, and reflections by contemporary pastors and theologians. Following the success of the first three course at St John’s in 2014-15, St Andrew’s and St George’s west kindly hosted the group on Thursday evenings in Lent because of our building development. This was adopted by City Centre Churches Together as a Lent Course and had members from all three churches. These were again convivial occasions which enabled some deep conversations about the faith and we look forward to the next course on the Eucharist at St Cuthbert’s in November/December. The diocese was interested in our use of the Pilgrim Course, Stephen hosted a meeting of clergy to discuss their experience of Pilgrim and will be facilitating another meeting next year for the diocesan programme Adventures in Faith. See: www.pilgrimcourse.org

Theology Symposium

The St John’s Theology Symposium is a joint event with Edinburgh University School of Divinity (New College), the University Centre for Theology and Public Issues and City Centre Churches Together. It is also supported by Edinburgh Presbytery. The aim is to bring together members of various churches and different universities to explore the main areas of Christian systematic theology with a theologian who has made an international contribution to our understanding of Christianity. This is done around a fine lunch provided by members of St John’s and drinks. After the popular Symposiums in 2014 and 2015 on Jesus, Revelation and the Trinity, St Cuthbert’s kindly hosted the first Symposium of 2016 led by the Revd. Professor David Fergusson of New College on the Christian doctrine of God which filled the large Lindisfarne Room and led to some exciting discussions. On December 10 Professor Jeremy Begbie of Duke University, USA, who is a concert pianist as well as a theologian, will speak (and play) in the church at St John’s on God, Music, Sin and Redemption.

THURSDAY SUNG COMPLINE

During Lent this year a group from St John’s again met in the church at 9.30pm on Thursdays to sing Compline (the ancient night prayer of the church) in semi-darkness to Gregorian chant. This was again popular and a couple of Compline’s were sung under Dean Bridge with the Meet Up group Wild Reekie organised by Eleanor Harris. We will resume singing Compline in November 2016 and a number of people from St John’s and beyond have signed up to form a Compline Choir.

FESTIVAL PULPIT

Following the success of last year’s Festival Pulpit, after Evensong during the Festival, with leading Scottish politicians from Holyrood, this year we invited people from Westminster to explore the intersection of public life and religion in the UK. Baroness Neuberger, Baroness Butler-Sloss, Lord Hope of Craighead, and the Revd Dr John Hall, Dean of Westminster Abbey gave a series of excellent talks which attracted an even greater crowd and provoked some more good discussion. In a newspaper interview the Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson mentioned her 2015 St John’s Festival Pulpit talk, during which she spoke about her sexuality, faith and politics, as a significant cathartic event in her life. We hope this St John’s initiative will continue to make an impact on Scottish cultural life alongside the Just Festival.

PILGRIMAGE TO INCHCOLM ABBEY

Following a successful dinner at the Rectory for a large group of members of St John’s in their 20s and 30s, with their friends, a pilgrimage was organised with the same group to the island of Inchcolm in the Firth of Forth, site of a Medieval Abbey dedicated to St Columba. The group had a tour, sung some medieval chants in honour of St Columba from a medieval manuscript from the Abbey, and was soaked by a wave on the boat on the way home. It is hoped to organise similar events in 2017.

Fabric report GRACE DURHAM

The purpose of the Fabric Committee is to ensure that the Fabric of St John’s is maintained to the highest standard within our financial constraints. This year has largely been concerned with how the Fabric can be protected during the Development period and preparing for the arrival of contractors.

Serious faults have been discovered in the chandeliers, making them a potential fire hazard. As a result the transformers are being replaced and, at the same time, a pulley system in being installed to allow the chandeliers to be lowered electronically, making the replacement of bulbs speedier and, more importantly, safer. The bulbs are being changed to LED to reduce electricity consumption.A pulley system has been installed in the roof voids to enable the smoke alarms to be serviced and batteries checked and changed with a much greater degree of safely.City of Edinburgh Wi-Fi: this has been installed in the tower and ten years’ rent has been paid up front. Trees have been removed at the Ramsay Memorial area because they had damaged the retaining wall. The wall has now been replaced.

FinanceWREN HOSKYNS-ABRAHALL

Once again it has been a year in which balancing the need to finance the Church’s continuing ministry and of having sufficient funds in place to be able to begin the Development has predominated.Happily, since the year end, work on the Development has begun and we look forward to having a beautifully refurbished building by this time next year.Inevitably during the next 12 months we will need to continue to fundraise, but now is also the time to begin thinking about life beyond building works. The refurbished Terrace will be an important source of income for us. For tax purposes, we have passed management of the refurbished areas to our development company, CDEL, but it is responsible to Vestry both for delivering the development and running the Cornerstone Centre thereafter.It is always encouraging, even if tinged with sadness, when the life-time decision of someone to leave a legacy to St John’s is completed after their joining the Church Triumphant. Two such members have left us legacies which brought in funds during the last year: Lilias Finlay and Freda Alexander. If you want to consider making such provision in your will, please talk to one of the Ministry Team.We are all extremely grateful to the support team at St John’s, particularly to George Fyvie for the example he sets to the staff he leads. Once again it is my pleasure to commend all that Pete Silver manages to achieve as our Treasurer, alongside his busy and many-faceted other commitments.

Your Finance Committee may be small (Rector, Treasurer, Business Manager, Mark H-A and myself) but between us we have, hopefully, covered what needs to be done and I am grateful to all the members for their patience and hard work on St John’s behalf.

Flowers for 2016ANNE GOODWIN

Another busy year with challenging weather. For those who grow flowers and vegetables and greenery in different guises, all of which are used in St Johns in abundance, it is challenging indeed.Those of us who are creative in the floral sense enjoy everything we do to the end.Organ music is always very therapeutic, however loud!Please call me if you could spare time to help with cutting greenery/flowers or anything for any festive occasion.A big thank you to the few stoic people who turn up for every festive (and other) occasions for their time.There is a flower fund – all donations are gratefully received.

Souper SaturdayMARK DIVER

"As Souper Saturday begins its third year we are again happy to say that we are part of the St John's family.

Funding has been less straightforward this year and we have to thank the congregation of St John's as well as the Together Churches committee for their fantastic generosity and the generosity of spirit and messages of goodwill we receive over email and social media, which mean just as much as the financial donations.

We have a close-knit team of very experienced and competent volunteer supervisors who do an amazing job of supervising and guiding the larger team of less experienced or less regular volunteers, some of whom have been helping out for almost the whole three years of our existence.

We appreciate the help that we have received from Old Saint Paul's who have housed us during the refurbishment at St John's but we are aware that this is temporary and we are looking forward to returning to St John's.

We survive on the generosity of others and are extremely fortunate to have received it in spades."

ST JOHN’S SOCIAL COMMITTEE FIONA MCLUCKIE

The Social Committee has had another busy year, organising its usual mix of talks, trips and parties. This year’s talks were Tony Falconer’s ‘Maternity’ sharing his experiences helping mothers in the Third World, and Ann Booth-Clibborn’s ‘The Birth and Vision of Christian Aid’, drawn from her own long involvement with the charity. Both were well attended and the wine and nibbles enjoyed by all. The Spring Theatre trip (this year to Edinburgh G&S Society’s ‘The Gondoliers’) and the Summer Tea Party provided an opportunity for many of our housebound members to meet with their Church friends and continue to be part of our community. The Festival Fireworks viewing brought some of our elusive teenagers out of hiding too. We also co-ordinated the Shrove Tuesday Party where we were provided with excellent pancakes by Isobel Watson and Sheelagh Brand, and the usual high standard of entertainment from George Harris and the St. John’s Choir.In May Ian Stevenson stepped down after long and dedicated service as the Committee Chair. Much thanks are due to Ian for his hard work and persistent cheerfulness throughout his time as our Convenor. He will be missed!

Scottish Country DancingSHEELAGH BRAND

We meet for the period of the development in the chapel after evensong after the choir have disrobed gathering at 7.15 and the doors close at 7.30 for security reasons. We begin in late September and continue until late May with breaks for Christmas and Easter. We are a small group averaging eight dancers, with the occasional visitor joining us to see what it was all about. This year it was a pastor from Sweden who enthusiastically joined in, and no doubt there will be others.We are always looking for others to join us- no experience required. For further details contact me on 0131 339 4406.

Cornerstone magazine.JILL DUFFEILD

Magazine production has faced some changes this year, especially new office staff, with the departure of Anna Watt and arrival of George Fyvie and Kerri Kivlin. We are very grateful to both. Kerri has mastered the programme for setting up page layout in an impressively short time, and George has been immensely helpful on the business side. George also organised some beautiful photographs of a selection of our stained glass windows by William Palmer, who also took the picture used on last year’s Christmas card. One of the new pictures, showing builders at work on Solomon’s Temple, appeared on the cover of the current magazine to mark the start of the Development. Others will illustrate covers during 2017.

I continue to rely upon the expert help of Olivia Donaldson in choosing contents, proof reading and having excellent ideas about page layout. Sue Goode works hard organising distribution of magazines to postal subscribers and keeping track of the complimentary copies that we send out.

I want to thank all the regular and occasional contributors to the magazine for their willing co-operation, and acceptance of changes to their copy when necessary. I am especially grateful to those who have contributed First World War memoirs. I hope we have provided a varied and interesting selection of articles. We are always glad of feedback and suggestions for future contents.It is your magazine, and I want it to reflect the life of St John’s for each other and for people beyond our membership.

Sceptics GroupPAT BOYD

The Sceptics Group meets informally to discuss issues raised in sermons preached at St John’s or issues arising from the liturgy. The group meets in the chapel after the 10.30am service on the last Sunday of the month, very often with the preacher. We normally have between 10 and 20 people attending and it is always a lively discussion as we bring questions regarding out faith. During the summer I had cause to describe Sceptics to a group of members of ‘Modern Church’. They were envious of us for having such a group within our congregation. The Sceptics Group is a vibrant expression of worship at St John’s and everybody is very welcome.

St John's Garden GroupFRED MOBECK

It has been a very successful year in many ways for the Garden Group, especially with the removal of the two trees from the Dean Ramsay area. We removed all the plants from the area where the two trees were to be removed and potted them up and placed them in the Dormitory Garden.Then after the retaining wall was repaired and the old tree stumps chipped the bed was replanted and I'm sure you will agree with me it does look good for the passers-by to admire.We have put in more Hyacinths in red pink and blue, also Alliums for colour in the spring which happens to be my favourite season of the year. Four more Roses are to be planted to provide a good display in summer.The Vergers Ryan and Steve have been tending to the grass and have done a jolly good job – many thanks to them.We are able to work around the “Development Team” which is great as we want to try and keep the place tidy.We are using the bark from the “chipped “tree stumps to make a bark path down the side of the fence at the east side of the garden, so we are “re -cycling which is good!We could do with some new members to help with the work, so if you feel inclined please feel free to talk to us.

St John's Sacristy Guild.FRED MOBECK

The Guild is a very important part of Ministry in St John's and as Sacristan I would like to thank on behalf of the Congregation the members who launder the linen which is used at our Services throughout the year. Many thanks indeed.Our numbers have increased over the year to eleven which is most encouraging and rewarding as we serve our Lord.I took over as Sacristan just after Amanda departed to the Isle of Cumbrae and I do enjoy it as there is quite a lot to do over the year including polishing the Silver four times a year.

The Green Ginger GroupGEORGE HARRIS

One of our biggest concerns in the last twelve months has been to get people thinking about how St John’s after the Development can do more to justify its status as an eco-congregation at the West End.

An excellent session was organised in which an expert on lichens gave a talk in the DRT and then took us out to observe and measure in the graveyard. Lichens are an excellent indicator of air quality, and it was sad to find (though not unexpected) that the air quality at the West End is really bad.

The Business Manager attended one meeting to bring us up-to-date on the ways in which the day-to-day running of St John’s is in accord with the highest practical environmental standards. Whether it is cleaning fluid, paper suppliers, water-heating, rubbish disposal or whatever he and his team are completely on board. Not the least of his work has been to compile our Carbon Audit for the past year. See the separate report about this. Thanks are due to the Manager and the Rector for many tons of rubble from the lower terrace taken for recycling.

We could not have our usual Creation tide Fair, for there was no Hall for outside stall-holders to use. But we pressed ahead on our own. Our theme for Creation tide concentrated on what we can do here in St John’s. There was a “Meet-up” looking seriously at the many manifestations of wild nature – plants and invertebrates mostly – in the Graveyard. On the pillars we displayed ideas for accommodating wild-life on our site once the builders have finished. The Fair reflected on what we do already – gardeners, walkers and so on. The chance was also taken to launch a new post-card campaign. This is still going on; do take part.

As we look forward, one of our major considerations for the coming months will be the global water crisis. Floods, droughts, pollution and the effect of climate change on the oceans are all on the agenda.

Theological Book GroupEILEEN THOMPSON

This year has seen the group develop in different ways. We looked at topics such as evolution, ecology and ecumenical thinking. The books themselves ranged from heavy weights to popular secular writing and came from a variety of places on the religious spectrum. Our membership

has diversified too and become more ecumenical. We meet monthly and are now peripatetic. New members are always welcome.

Charity Committee PAT BOYD

This year, the total donations made through the Charity Committee Account amounted to £8,525.13. The Committee would like to thank the congregation for its generosity throughout the year. The Committee would also wish to thank Winifred Wyse as she has stood down from the Committee after giving it loyal service.

ELSPETH YEO

This year, the total donations made through St John’s Charity Account amounted to £8,525.13. The details are shown below. These figures do not include Gift Aid which is claimed by the individual charities themselves, rather than by St John’s on their behalf, nor any charitable donations made by St John’s from a different Account. The Committee would like to thank the congregation for its generosity throughout the year and particularly for its support of the Care Shelter.A variety of causes have been supported, including two charities working overseas (Water Aid and Medical Aid for Palestine), a small locally based charity which helps children and their parents prepare for hospital treatment, and three charities working with refugees and the homeless. Of these last, the figure raised for the Care Shelter came both from its annual appeal and from the collection taken at the Advent Carol Service.Summary of Charitable Giving through the Charity Account from 1st August 2015 to 31st July 2016:-Water Aid £729.00The Care Shelter 2131.11Refugee Survival Trust 742.60What? Why? Children in Hospital 1082.91Souper Saturday 455.00Bishop’s Lent Appeal 2038.16Medical Aid for Palestine 671.35Alzheimer Scotland 675.00

_______

£8525.13In August 2015, Winifred Wyse resigned from the Committee. She had served as both Chair and Treasurer since 2003, and we are extremely grateful to her for all her energy, enthusiasm and hard work. She has been succeeded by Pat Boyd.

Carbon Budget 2015-2016GEORGE HARRISThe carbon emissions of St John’s have been measured since 2009 as a major part of our Earth Be Glad scheme. The commitment was to achieve an annual reduction of 5%. The audit includes use of gas and electricity, aviation and road transport.

The figures for the year 2014-2015 are not reliable. Changes in boilers, electricity suppliers, occupation of properties and changes in personnel are no doubt the reason why the figures are startlingly low. These figures have been omitted from this paper. However, this year George Fyvie has reintroduced efficient procedures into preparing the Carbon Budget. Many thanks to him.

The good news is that the 5% pa reduction has been met – indeed slightly passed.

Total annual emissions (kg CO2)

2013-2014 2015-2016

Electricity: 39077.05 31697.75

Gas 63242.16 59808.96

Road Transport and Aviation are NIL 2015-2016. They were 607 for 2013-2014.

Comment:

I suggest that we can be pleased with the reduction and congratulate all concerned on achieving this.

Reason suggests that each year the reduction will be harder. But I know that the Business Manager and the Fabric Committee are on the case. They inevitably take a lead in these matters; but all those who use the St John’s premises should exercise ceaseless vigilance as regards unnecessary heating and lighting, the running of hot taps and the circulation of cold draughts.