Looking for something a little different? In amongst the many festivals that take place in Edinburgh in August – the Edinburgh International Festival, The Fringe Festival, the Edinburgh International Book Festival, the Jazz Festival, the Festival of Comedy, the Edinburgh Deaf Festival, an Edinburgh Film Festival – you will find the Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts running from 13-19 August in venues ranging from St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, to St Vincents in Stockbridge, Old Saint Paul’s on Jeffrey Street, St Michael and All Saints at Tollcross, St John’s in Princes street, Canongate Kirk, Greyfriars Kirk, Church of the Sacred Heart at Lauriston Street, and more.
‘Let there be a tree,’ said God, once upon a time, ‘which grows from the birds down.’
And the church came into being. And its branches spread and its trunk grew downwards, until it rooted itself in the dusty ground. And theologians and clergy of many nations nested among its roots.
After a time, a dispute rose among them. ‘This tree does not flourish as it should,’ they said to one another. ‘We should pull up our roots, and move to richer soil, for one can see the quality of the earth here is abysmally poor. Other trees are improved by such transplanting. Let us have courage and follow their example.’ (For they saw from other trees that it was so.)
‘No! No!’ said others. ‘We have seen trees wither and die when you tamper with their roots. There are bad years and good ones, and we must take the rough with the smooth. It would be colossal folly to pull up our roots, which give us all our sustenance. Let us wait, and things will improve.’ (For they saw from other trees that it was so.)
Meanwhile, the noise of the debate reached some of the birds in the topmost branches, and they were puzzled. ‘Do they not know,’ said one small sparrow, ‘that we give this tree its life? Shall we not fly down, and stop them grubbing around in their toots?’ ‘No,’ replied a wise old pigeon. ‘We can only sing when we are touched by the sunlight. But we must sing louder, so that they remember the possibilities of birdsong. And he began to coo with all his might.’
This week’s service of thanksgiving and dedication at St Giles, following the coronation of King Charles III, had a distinctly Scottish flavour and showcased both the modern and the traditional within Scotland.
“Sisters and brothers, look around you – at this beautiful tapestry of humanity – Scotland“
Regardless of your feelings towards the Royal Family, the homily, given by the moderator of the Church of Scotland – the Rt Rev Sally Foster-Fulton – was both moving and thought provoking. The full text is on the Church of Scotland Website but here are some highlights…
“Your Majesties’, look around you. Sisters and brothers, look around you – at this beautiful tapestry of humanity – Scotland.What we learn when we listen to one another, listen to understand, not just respond; is extraordinary.
“We gather to commit to and celebrate the common good of the place and people of Scotland.
“How depleted life would be without the creative imagination that explodes through our diverse customs and cultures, faiths and beliefs – the literature, the poetry, the music, the sacred searching, scientific insight and innovation, the beauty of life unleashed.
“We are a saga, not a short story, a symphony, not a solo.
“How narrow our sight, and how monochrome our understanding when we do not embrace the richness of different perspectives.
“We can’t see round ourselves by ourselves, but need other human beings if we are to be what we were created to be – not just humans being, but humans becoming.
“The text we heard from the gospel of Matthew is from ‘The Beatitudes’ or ‘sayings of extreme blessing’. The subtleties and nuance in the original language is hidden and makes it very difficult for us to understand.
“But another way to see this today is Jesus setting out his stall, announcing his manifesto – ‘Blessed are’ can mean ‘this is what my vision looks like’ – this is what I will stand for, work for, offer my life for – this is what ‘my kingdom coming’ looks like in real time.
“Another translation is, ‘you’re on the right track if‘,
“The ‘poor in spirit’ – they are not weak or poor, the meek aren’t doormats – no, they are the brave ones among us with a deep awareness that no one alone has all the answers. The ones who call us together to search for answers that elude us when we search from our one limited perspective. We need them more than ever today.
“And ‘we’re on the right track if’ our people are brave enough, bold enough, empowered and hopeful enough to listen and learn from, and cherish, each other.
The following day Their Majesties visited The Great Tapestry of Scotland in Galashiels and saw the Tapestry that is Scotland, laid out before them.
“To choose collaboration and trust over a fear-filled circling of our wagons.
“Sisters and brothers, look around you.We are one global neighbourhood – intricately inter-related and completely co-dependent, woven together, like a tartan.
“My kingdom-coming in real time comforts those who mourn – the death of someone, of course, but also the life snatched from them by war, oppression, climate chaos, systemic poverty that pulls them down like a whirlpool.
“There is no them and us, only us – and when one human being suffers, we all suffer.
“My kingdom coming means we comfort each other, welcome each other, cherish every human life – mercy and peace are not ideals to be domesticated or downgraded, they are not ‘good to have’s’ but part of the fabric of our being.
“Are we on the right track?
“This ancient text reminds us today that a bold vision like this is a tough and very often thankless task – calling for love when there is so much fear is not for the faint-hearted.
“But rejoice, it says, rejoice because it is worth it. Love is worth it.
“The psalm we heard read is a song, it’s a poem.
“Concentrated imagery that speaks to the soul, whispers a truth beyond the words.
“The heavens are telling the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims God’s handiwork.
“This beautiful, formidable, yet fragile planet we call home, was here long before we were – and without words, it worships its God.
“Tides surge, plants push through the earth and bathe in the sun, luxuriating in it.
“Birds sing full-throated and animals have languages all their own. Are we too self-absorbed to hear them? Or have we sadly become too preoccupied to listen?
“Blessed are we … on the right track are we when we understand that the heavens and the earth are not commodities or possessions, we are part of it and called to cherish and protect it.
“Blessed are we, and on the right track, when we understand that our children do not inherit this earth from us – we have borrowed it from them.
“And it is our duty to return it still singing and surging and bathing, not baking to a crisp.
“Your Majesties, you have made it part of your mission to speak alongside creation; advocating for it. As we present the honours of Scotland to you, we commit ourselves to walking that journey with you. We are all a small part of something so much bigger – this beautiful, sacred creation and everyone and everything in it.
“Thanks be to God.
“Amen.”
Reproduced with kind permission from Rt Rev Sally Foster-Fulton, Moderator of the General Assembly
The inspirational Sandra Brown from Craigsbank asks for support for her Moira Anderson Foundation Corridor of Hope Project, involving the painting of a large mural 15 m x 2.5m. This wonderful charity assists children and families affected by child sexual abuse. The bright and glorious artwork by Ukrainian refugee and artist, Tetiana Hurn, will decorate the ‘corridor of hope’, that runs through the middle of the building following a recent extension.
‘This is the corridor our young clients walk through to get to the playrooms for support and therapy. Although we all would like to see children safe in their families and communities the reality is that children are still being sexually abused and need our support. Please support us in our endeavour to make the setting as lovely as possible for children and young people accessing our services.’
In June we marked the Summer Solstice focussing on the abundance of life all around us and joining with the youngster’s in Messy Church. Come and join us in July. Our theme will be
‘TREES to BEES‘
Suitable all – young families, children, anyone and any age!
Join a discussion about our required union with the Old Parish. This is a meeting for everyone to air their views about the union and how best to achieve it. Air your concerns, hear what has been done so far and how far we have to go, learn about Church Planting, ask questions, let your voice be heard.
You will be made very welcome, whether you usually come to session meetings or not.
East Craigs Church Centre is being offered as a temporary donations collection venue in support of the residents of Craigievar House who are affected and have been displaced by yesterday’s serious fire.
The East Craigs Church Centre will be open to receive donations in support of the victims of yesterday’s fire during the following hours: today (Thursday, 15 June) and tomorrow (Friday, 16 June) from 5.00pm to 7.00pm and Saturday and Sunday from 12noon to 2.00pm. The church is collaborating with the Corstorphine Community Centre on this.
We will update what is needed once we have more detail. At the moment the following will be useful:
Toiletries, and toothpaste/ brushes, deodorants, hair brushes/ combs & sunscreen, new underwear & clothing for adults and children.
Footwear for adults and children.
Toys, teddies and games for children.
Non perishable food items.
Hold back with actually dropping off furniture and electricals until the families have confirmed what they actually are in need of.
We are not accepting cash donations, but understand there is a JustGiving campaign set up (although we are not able to vouch for its credibility yet).
What a grand way to gather together – coffee, tea. croissants, jam, more coffee, live music and good chat.
The theme for our cafe church gathering in April was ‘Crowning the King’ – appropriate for the week before King Charles’ coronation – but looking more to God as ‘King’ or ‘Father’. Conversations veered off in all directions but came back again and Alan led us in prayer while the musicians led us in praise.
Join us for our next cafe church on the last Sunday in July. More details to follow.
On Sunday 9 April, a retiring collection was held for the ongoing work of the Care Van. It raised an excellent £306 including Gift Aid. All involved offer sincere thanks to those who have so generously.
During this quarter, any donations through the after-service teas and coffees will also go to the Care Van.
The Care Van offers hot soup, hot drinks, sometimes warm clothes and blankets, and a friendly ear to those in crisis and living on the streets of our city. The Craigsbank and East Craigs team go out as part of an evening rota covering Waverley Bridge, Grassmarket and North Bridge.
The hugely popular Christian Aid sale at St Andrews and St George’s returns in the Spring (13-19 May 2023).
Items are requested in support of Christian Aid. These can range from Books, Antiques, Collectables, Pictures, Stamps and Postcards, Sheet Music, Toys, Games, Jigsaws.
Donations of suitable items can be uplifted for delivery from 8th and 9th May.
Contact Anne Currie (anneicurrie@yahoo.co.uk) for more information and/or assistance for uplift.
