encourage | inspire | challenge | No. 23 | NOVEMBER 2012

Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL 0131 220 1677 www.augustine.org.uk Scottish Charity no. SC000385

Minister: Rev. Fiona Bennett minister.auc@gmail.com 07552 162 717

Church Administrator: Paul Lugton administrator@augustine.org.uk 0131 220 1677

Editor: Bill Stevenson William83.hs@btinternet.com

Designer: Sonja Meyer sonja.meyer@gmail.com

Seeds

Once there was a man who was digging in a field. As he was digging he came across some treasure. It was the most exciting and beautiful thing the man has ever seen, so he went away and sold everything that he had in order to buy that field.

I wonder if there is anything so gripping, so exciting, so beautiful, that you would sell everything, in order to possess it? When Jesus told this story he was not thinking about an object but a vision, a hope which he talked about as the Kingdom of God (i.e. the world being lived as a loving God dreams it to be lived). It

was a vision which Jesus knew was within grasp, if only people would choose to react out and make it real. This vision so excited and inspired Jesus that, in this short story, he showed that in his eyes it was worth using everything to grasp it.

The Church, also sometimes known as the Body of Christ, is a community with hands and feet, minds and In this edition

3. Christmas is coming. Exploring Membership. Scottish URC College.

4. Dr Dawkins desponds.

5. Those Cuts. Promoting good mental health. Helplines.

6. Seedlings. What is mental health?

7. November Calendar.

8. December Calendar.

Where our treasure is…

By Rev Fiona Bennett

> 2

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Seeds | GETTING INVOLVED

www.augustine.org.uk

Getting involvedWithin AUC are 11 Working Groups which take responsibility for different areas of Church Life. If you would like to know more or get involved with one of these, please email the contact person.

Children & Young People Kirsty Murray kirsty.murray@ed.ac.uk

Membership Sheila Storrier sheilastorrier@gmail.com

Communication Fiona Sommerville affie100@hotmail.com

Education Fiona Bennett minister.auc@gmail.com

Social Mandy Scott mandy_scott@hotmail.co.uk

Commitment for Life John Miller jojojama2@talktalk.net

Our Tribe Rev Maxwell Reay maxwelljay101@googlemail.com

Pastoral Doris Caldwell hhfcaldwell@gmail.com

Volunteering Ian Rathjen ianandeliz@rathjen.demon.co.uk

Local Community Volunteering Della Morris dellamorris@tiscali.co.uk

Worship Rev Fiona Bennett minister.auc@gmail.com

Centre, Property and Finance Tom Murray murray.tom@blueyonder.co.uk

hearts, who choose to work with God to grasp the vision Jesus had.

It is good for us, the Church, to have just and effective buildings and systems of government, but these are not the fuel to motivate and inspire us, or inspire others to join us. What inspires, what motivates all of us is Vision – Vision so full of hope and potential that we want to put the weight of our talents and resources and energy behind it.

I wonder where you see as the treasure, the Vision of the Kingdom of God here today?

I believe at Augustine we are discovering some of that treasure which Jesus called the Kingdom of God. It is the Vision of a community of diverse people experiencing. . .

The gift of sharing our different stories and journeys, and learning from each other,

The growth of including and welcoming all, and turning our own prejudices inside out,

The fellowship of sharing our faith and our doubts, and discovering the limitless depths of the love of God.

The companionship of supporting each other along the faith journey of life, and turning it into an adventure!

It is not an easy Vision which can be bought in a tin, it is something which we are forging with our relationships. It is a Vision of a community discovering meaning, belonging, acceptance, and hope. It is not just a Vision for the Church, but a Vision which speaks to deep yearnings within every human soul. It is a Vision to be excited about, to grasp, to proclaim and share with our world, and to put the weight of our talents and resources and energy behind.

For where our heart is. . . our treasure will also be. J

< 1 | Where our treasure is… (continued)

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CHRISTMAS IS COMING | NOTICES | Seeds

Christmas is coming…

Apologies to all who hate to see Christmas trees up before Dec 24th, but I thought it might be helpful to give folk a wee bit of warning about some of our 2012 Christmas / Advent fixtures. . .

On Dec 9th we will be hosting our Advent Lunch and Making. After the service all are invited to stay for lunch and then to make decorations, to decorate the Christmas tree.

The Gift Service will be on Dec 16th and the gifts this year will once again be dry-store food goods for CHAI and small gifts (perhaps toiletries or sweets) for the Royal Edinburgh (could these please not be wrapped but put in gift bags, so that the chaplains know what they are handing out…)

Dec 23rd at 2pm we will host again a Blue Christmas service. This is a quiet reflective service to remember people we have lost and miss at Christmas time. Also in December we are invited to send a singing group up to the Royal Edinburgh one evening (date tbc) to sing some carols round wards. (Humour is a far greater requirement for this event than singing ability. J

Exploring Membership: On November Mondays 12, 19, 26th: at 7.30-9pm

This three-session series, explores what it means to be a member of the world-wide church, of the United Reformed Church, and of Augustine United Church.

It is an opportunity for existing members, or people who are considering becoming members of AUC to think about what church membership could mean for them?For more information contact Fiona (minister.auc@gmail.com) or Ian (ianandeliz@rathjen.demon.co.uk)

Scottish URC College: Education Programme 2012 – 2013

In full: the Scottish Reformed & Congregational College, whose core purpose is educating people for ministry in the United Reformed and Congregationalist traditions, holds an Education programme, each year holds lectures, open to all.

This year the autumn courses, held on Thursdays in October and November, at Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge. The November courses are as follows:

On Trinity 1- 29 November 10.30 - 12.30

On Making Sense of Experience 1-29 November 13.30 - 15.30

Other Events taking place in October:On: Vocations 4 October Synod Office 17.30 - 21.00

Everybody Welcome 25 October, Synod Office, 19.00 -21.00

On: Love Free or Die 4 October Synod Office, 19.00 - 21.00

Please visit both the Synod of Scotland and College websites; for the full information of the College’s courses, please register your name with Patsi.

[Synod Scotland insert website address here][College insert website address here]

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Seeds | DR DAWKINS DESPONDS

Here, surely, was a chance to open a lively, thorough and respectful public discussion of fundamental questions which people commonly keep locked up in their inner wallets and handbags.

Debate can reveal, not merely opinions, but also the depth of the subject under discussion. Where the debaters have a good grasp of their topic, and a willingness to respect their rivals, the result can be both enlightening and challenging.

But alas, the chance was missed. Dawkins’ approach is to choose an area where religion (as he sees it) is vulnerable, so that he can show it to fail. Sex is a handy example, easily shot down. Christianity has, since its beginning, made sex a notorious playground for Sin, and therefore a broad highway to Hell. For religion, indeed, Sin and its punishment is the prime topic, ever since Adam and Eve. Not reconciliation, or resurrection.

In the second episode, a mother speaks touchingly of her experience of having to watch the inevitable death of her child, and yet the relief of her pain by her faith and trust in God. Dr. Dawkins admits that he is “not immune” to the feelings which arise from the associated religious rituals; but in spite of the mother’s evident sincerity, her beliefs are declared irrational and unreal. Beyond the effects of ritual, any rational

thought must see “the truth that evolutionary science reveals about death” – it “exists to prolong the species” in a mindless, irrational circuit.

One thing clear in the whole series is Dr. Dawkins’ concept of religion. All faiths are equal: no distinction is made here between Christianity, Taoism, or Islam, etc., whether in (to use the series’ heading) “Sex, Death, or the Meaning of Life”.

This is a pity; the series was a missed chance for enlightened and truly rational discussion, a benefit for all of us. J

Dr Dawkins desponds DOCUMENTARY REVIEW DOCUMENTARY REVIEW

To read of Richard Dawkins’ three-part series “pondering what would happen if people abandoned all religious beliefs” to “examine the roles of reason and science” in solving the triple problems of “Sex, Death, or the Meaning of Life” was lively and promising...

DOCUMENTARY REVIEW DOCUMENTARY REVIEW

Richard Dawkins at the 34th American Atheists Conference in Minneapolis

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THOSE CUTS! | PROMOTING GOOD MENTAL HEALTH | HELPLINES | Seeds

Promoting Good Mental Health at AUC

One of AUC’s priority areas is our Mental Health Ministry. This strand of our work aspires to promote and support good mental health.

This is what we have been up to in October. . .On Oct 14th we participated in a Church Meeting

Discussion, led by Rev Maxwell Reay, which explored our understanding on Mental Health (see p. 6).

On Oct 21st we marked Mental Health Sunday with Rev Lynne MacMurchie, a chaplain at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, and affirmed our commitment to the See Me Campaign. (As part of the URC Synod of Scotland we signed up to the SeeMe campaign, which is trying to end the stigma associated with Mental Ill-Health.)

And for the next few weeks in the AUC Foyer we are hosting a photo exhibition by the talented photographer, William Lightheart, who is connected with AUC through the Tuesday morning Drop-In.

While you enjoy William’s photos please pick up some of the SeeMe information in the foyer.

Helplines.............. Here are some Helpline telephone numbers;

we hope to make this a regular feature of SEEDS, adding others that we consider important:

Childline Call: 0800 1111;

Breathing Space (mental health) Call: 0800 838587;

LGBT Support: Call: 0131 5231100 or 0141 8470447;

Rape Crisis Call: 08088 010302.

Samaritans: Call: 0845 6909090.

A couple of years ago, SEEDS gave a group of comments by people affected by the cuts.

This is the first (anonymous) comment that may interest those interested to know if circumstances have changed.

Here are some comments about the current situation, in general or my own.

The effect of the political climate is marked, and continues to be negative. The recession grinds on. Salaries here remain frozen, or went down this year; we were asked for increased contributions to our pension, and the retirement age has been raised.

A further blow is that even child benefit, the key support, that we can claim in January next year, may be cut. This doesn’t affect just me; it affects my partner and child. We made a positive choice to have one parent at home full-time, so these cuts affect us all.

Other blows: there is continued talk of my office being moved to the outskirts of the city, to save rental costs and floor space – also increasing the amount of travel time to and from wor k, affecting family life as well. I for one usually drop my daughter off to her half day council nursery place in the morning, but I couldn’t do this if I had further to go to work.

We may have to move to a more central area of the city if this happens, or it will just be too difficult, and affect the quality of our service. Working late (sometimes necessary) will be a different matter on a wintry night on the outskirts of town.

I noticed the local CAB office here in Leith put a poster up in the window listing places to eat in Edinburgh cheaply or for free. I think they must get asked about this all the time now. J

THOSE CUTS!

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Seeds | SEEDLINGS | WHAT IS MENTAL HEALTH?

Look out for - • Bible at our Fingertips – where we will find the Biblical

passage about the journey to the Promised Land, and use an interactive map to trace the route, to learn about some of the things that happened to the Israelites on their journey.

• Eat your Way through the Bible – a workshop taking the form of a progressive meal eaten at different stations, representing the different stages of the Israelites journey in the Sinai.

• We will also have a Remembrance service this month - we will be doing candle making.

• By the way – Elin Jones is 7 on November 10th.– we mustn’t forget birthdays!

Our October Church Meeting, on the theme of Mental Health and Wellbeing, was led by Rev. Maxwell Reay , of the Edinburgh Community Mental Health Chaplaincy, in the context of our overall health by asking what Mental Health is? Maxwell put this to the meeting with questions for open discussion: asking first, simply, “What do you think mental health is, adding to our own propositions the definitions of the World Health Organisation (WHO): “A state of wellbeing in which the individual realises their own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to their community”. WHO defines health as: – “A state of complete physical, mental spiritual and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. Maxwell pointed out that “Mental Health” is as important as physical health (a matter often ignored); we also noted elements that lead to mental illness, and others (too

many to list here)that lead to health: in particular, the Spiritual elements. This gives meaning and purpose, is important whether religious or not, its regulated or repeated actions in everyday life create meaning and purpose throughout mundane life.

Not understanding this brings misconception, leading to stigma and discrimination, with serious effects to the sufferer’s life. We can help people who are not feeling mentally well by accepting with understanding what is happening, allowing them the flexibility they may need, giving time to listen and understand how they may be feeling by asking them and not just making assumptions. We can hold out hope just by being there and supporting them.

In conclusion, Maxwell informed us of the “SeeMe – I’m a person, not a label” campaign which we will see at our next week’s service. Our thanks go to Maxwell for helping us to understand more clearly the mental health of ourselves and those around us. J

What is Mental Health?

 

The focus of Junior Church in November develops our yearly theme of ‘Witness to God’s Presence’ by continuing the story of the Hebrew people, under the heading ‘Wandering in the Wilderness’.

An abbreviated version of Ian Johnson’s summary of the meeting; a complete report will be found in the Augustine Church minutes.

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NOVEMBER CALENDAR | Seeds

Calendar AUC Worship: Services at 11am at AUC, George IV Bridge, unless otherwise stated

NOVEMBER

Thurs 1st 10.30am-12.30pm “Trinity”(1): 1.30-3.30pm: Making Sense of Experience(1): College Education Programme: open to all: see p.3) Sun 4th 11 am Morning Worship with Communion – Our URC Connections.Mon 5th 2 pm Women’s Union at Saughtonhall URC.Tues 6th 7.30 pm Elders & Group Leaders’ Meeting in the Library.Thurs 8th 10.30 am-12.30 pm “Trinity” (2) :1.30-3.30 pm: Making Sense of Experience(2): At Augustine: College Education Programme, (see p. 3 & noticeboard). Sun 11th 10.45 am Morning Worship for Remembrance Sunday. 12.30 pm “Business” Church Meeting: Review of Church Life Working Groups. 7 pm Refugio: Reflective Communion at Greyfriars’ Kirk.Mon 12th 2 pm Women’s Union Bring and Buy sale at Saughtonhall URC. 7:30 - 9pm Exploring Membership : CourseTues 13th 7.30 pm Book Discussion Group “The Heart of Christianity” (Marcus Borg).Wed 14th 7.30 pm TLC Steering Group Meeting at AUC.Thurs 15th 10.30-12.30 pm (Trinity 3): 1.30-3.30 pm: Making Sense of Experience (3): at Synod Office (College Education Programme, open to all: see p.3) . 12.30 -2.30 pm Open Fellowship “Bring and Share Lunch” and Chat.Fri 16th 8-11 pm Nitekirk at Greyfriars’ Kirk .Sun 18th 11 am Communion Service: - Transgender Remembrance Sunday.Mon 19th 2 pm Women’s Union at Saughtonhall URC. 7:30 - 9pm Exploring Membership : CourseTues 20th 7.30 pm Contextual Bible Study in the Library. Wed 21st 7.30 pm at Saughtonhall URC “Jack and the Beanstalk” Pantomime – to Sat 24th (by pre-booked ticket only.).Thurs 22nd 10.30am – 12.30 pm “Trinity (4). 1.30 – 3.30 pm Making Sense of Experience (4), (College Education programme, open to all: see p.3).Sat 24th 6.45 for 7 pm Our Tribe: A Singer/songwriter entertains.*Sun 25th 11 am Morning Worship with a Scottish Women’s Aid Theme: preacher, Revd Lesley Orr .Mon 26th 2 pm Women’s Union at Saughtonhall URC. 7-8.30 pm Rabbi Mark Solomon: Islam’s influence on Judaism, Martin Hall, New College. 7:30 - 9pm Exploring Membership : Course Thurs 29th 10.30am to 12.30 pm: “Trinity” (5):1.30 -3.30 pm. Making Sense of Experience (5) (College Education Programme, open to all: see p.3).* (Note: Tommy Steele may bring Wooden Items from GROW for sale after the service. And please contribute

Household Items for Fresh Start by today (See Noticeboard for appropriate items).

PLEASE NOTE: THE DECEMBER CALENDAR FOLLOWS ON PAGE 8

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Seeds | DECEMBER CALENDAR

Calendar

Please note that the deadline for material for the next issue is NOVEMBER 19th.You can send your material to Bill Stevenson by hand or at william83.hs@btinternet.com

DISCLAIMER: Although we check all information in the newsletter, as ever with these things we can give no warranties as to accuracy or relevance and encourage active checking before you make any decisions. The views expressed in our newsletter are those of the individual contributor, they are not necessarily those of AUC or the editor.

AUC Worship: Services at 11am at AUC, George IV Bridge, unless otherwise stated

PLEASE NOTE: THE NOVEMBER CALENDAR APPEARS ON PAGE 7

DECEMBERSat 1st 1.30 pm in AUC “A Taste of Malawi” – A Fundraising Event for the Love in Utale. Village Charity (LUV) – Buffet Lunch, followed by a presentation, music

and photographs. (Tickets £10, from Doris).Sun 2nd 11 am Advent Sunday (and St Andrew’s Day Communion Service led by

Revd John Miller. See p. 3: please wear something Tartan (if possible!). 4 pm Nativity Carol Service in St Andrew’s Square.Tues 4th 7.30 pm Elders Meeting in Library. Sun 9th 11 am Morning Worship, followed by Christmas Lunch with Party, and

Advent-Tree Decoration-Making.Sun 16th 11 am Communion Service, Gift Sunday: All Age Worship with - Gifts for REH.