September 2020
Preparing to reopen the Sanctuary
A submission has been made to Edinburgh Presbytery for permission to reopen our Church building for worship. This is the culmination of a great deal of planning by Dilys Conway, Neil Johnstone, Malcolm Ogilvie and Jennifer MacDonald under the guidance of the Steering Group.
There will be restrictions in place to ensure the safety of our congregation and attendance will be on a pre-booked basis as this is the only way we can ensure adequate social distancing to adhere to Church of Scotland guidelines. Once approval has been received, it is our plan to open the building first for Harvest Thanksgiving on Sunday, 4th October. Online services have proved very popular and, due to the restrictions of numbers in Church, we will continue to stream services online. Depending on how the service goes on Sunday, 4th October, we are planning a mixture of ‘in Church’ and ‘online only’ services in the run up to Christmas.
We will keep you posted…..
Shoebox Appeal
Please note that there will be a Blythswood shoe box collection at the end of October. If anyone is interested then please be in touch with Bill Black (449-6707) or billblack@blueyonder.co.uk
Leaflets detailing what’s to go into the shoe boxes will be available shortly.
They Walked the Walk for Fresh Start
On Monday, 14th September, Bill and Allan completed their walk from Stockbridge to Balerno. This equated to 13.3km or 24,811steps! Debt Jubilee Petition
The economic impact of coronavirus has reached many of the world’s poorest countries. Our global neighbours have been hit hard, often without the safety nets we’ve had at home. Many governments are having to choose between healthcare and repaying their debts. Will you call on the UK chancellor, Rishi Sunak to champion debt cancellation for the poorest countries at this time of crisis? Sign the petition today:
Worship Planning
Sadly, in the lead up to advent there are many restrictions affecting what we are allowed as part of our worship, one of the most challenging is no singing in Church. Music is a big part of our worship at this time of year and so we feel the best way forward is to continue most of our services online for the immediate future. Please see below a short summary of our upcoming services. Please note that all plans will be revised should government and Church of Scotland guidance change.
Harvest Thanksgiving, 4th October (in Church service broadcast online).
Donations of dried/tinned food can be brought to the Church or else donated to the foodbank collection point in Scotmid.
Guild Dedication and Service of Communion, 7th October, using Zoom
11th October, 10am (in Church and online)
18th October, 10am (online only)
25th October, 10am (online only)
Communion Service, 1st November (online only)
This will be an online only service and worship will be led jointly by Rev Dr Andre & Rev Dr Jonanda Groenewald.
Remembrance Service, 8th November (online only).
Wooden crosses will be available during Mill opening hours to be placed in a designated area in the Church garden.
15th November, 10am (in Church and online)
22nd November (in Church and online)
First Sunday of Advent, 29th November (in Church service and broadcast online)
Everyone is invited to add Christmas decorations to our outdoor Christmas tree.
Remembering and Bereavement, 6th December (in Church service and broadcast online)
The morning and afternoon service will be combined into one worship at 10am. People unable to attend the service can ask to have a candle lit on their behalf for a loved one. This will be shown during the service for those watching online.
Family & Children Worship, 13th December (online only)
Cantata Service, 20th December (online only)
Christmas Eve, 6pm (in Church service and broadcast online)
One service combining Family and Watchnight service.
Christmas Day, 10am (online only)
Members of the congregation will be invited to submit a short message expressing Christmas wishes for their Church family. These will be shown as part of the service
Worship, 27th December 2020 (in Church service and broadcast online)
Worship, 3rd January 2021 (in Church service and broadcast onli
Mill Cafe
The Mill Cafe is open again for business. Restrictions are in place, tables are spaced out, masks must be worn while not seated, stringent cleaning routines are being followed and we are doing everything to make you feel safe and comfortable in your local community cafe.
