togetherness1 issue 3 summer 201

New Forms of Church p8

Festival Preview p12

Contents

4 Together News 5 Christian Aid Sale 6 Ian Gilmour 7 City Centre Plans 8 New Forms of Church 12 Festivals Preview
George's West

Togetherness: magazine of Edinburgh City Centre Churches Together

Copyright 2011 Edinburgh City Centre Churches Together Authors.

12 Cuthbert's 16 The Festival at Stand St and St Andrew's

Festival of Spirituality and Peace

togetherness contents

18 20 22

17 Spotlight on lthe Fringe and Book Festiva

Roll Away the Stone

Edinburgh City Centre Churches Together is a Registered Charity. Charity Number SCO40773 St Andrew's and St George's West Church 13 George Street Edinburgh EH2 2PA 0131 225 3847 editor/coordinator Joe Evans

The Less Travelled road

What Together means to Russell McLarty

togetheredinburgh.org.uk office@togetheredinburgh.org.uk joe@togetheredinburgh.org.uk twitter@eccctogether

Together News
The Revd Ian Gilmour joined the Together Trustees at the Trustees meeting on 5 May by virtue of taking up the position of minister at St Andrews & St Georges West. One member from each of the two sister Together churches had attended meetings of the appointments committee and many members from each church attended his induction on 28 April. The congregation, which included members from Ians former parish of South Leith, filled the church and transferred to a cordial buffet and entertainment in the George Hotel. The annual Together joint service was held on 5 June and St Johns was packed with well over 300 attending. The service celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Cornerstone Caf, which had been set up to provide young people with coffee, snacks and a warm place to meet during the hours 10pm2am. This was long before the current 24/7 culture! Over 100 of the original volunteers

attended the service at which the address was given by the Revd Norman Shanks. It has always been one of Togethers aims that a Workplace Chaplain should be appointed. After a series of delays, an appointment has been made and the Revd Tony Bryer will take up the position in the autumn. The post will be run in conjunction with the support of Workplace Chaplaincy Scotland. On 9 April about 40 people gave up their Saturday to attend a conference on New Forms of Church. The programme built on the experience gained the previous year under the banner of Creative Space and explored the new forms that the Church might take in current society. The days success was ensured by inviting Revd Norman Smith to state his vision of how things might be, and to facilitate discussion. An account follows on pages 811.

Kenneth MacKenzie Chair

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The Wider World

Earth Be Glad! Following the article in the last issue of Togetherness, the Earth Be Glad website is now up and running. Monitor your energy usage and find out much more at earthbeglad.org.uk Ecological Christianity A great resource for anyone interested in caring for the planet as a Christian. christian ecology.org.uk EIFA Community Meal The Edinburgh Interfaith Association hold a community meal on the 1st Monday of the month. Held at St John's, this is a great opportunity to meet, greet and eat with those of many faiths. eifa.org.uk

A proportional response

Following celebratory scenes, The September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows released a response to Osama Bin Laden's killing. "Our thoughts turn not only to our family members who were killed on September 11th, but to all of the innocent people around the world who have died, and continue to die, as a result of the events of September 11th, 2001 "One person may have played a central role in the September 11th attacks, but all of us have a role to play in returning our world to a place of peace, hope and new possibilities. We hope that process will begin today."

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This group came together not to see their loved ones avenged, but because they didn't want the cycle of violence that led to their deaths to continue. peacefultomorrows.org

Christian Aid Sale

Back for another year, this year's Christian Aid Sale at St Andrew's and St George's West was again a huge success.

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As the St Andrew's and St George's annual Christian Aid Sale draws ever closer to its 40th year, it still shows no sign of slowing down. This year Scotland's Makar, Liz Lochhead was patron. Over 100,000 books were sold along with all manner of artwork, ephemera, records, cds, dvds, antiques, collectibles and toys, raising a total of around 117,000. Of particular interest were an original copy (1628) of Harvey's treatise on the circulation of the blood and an original Alasdair Gray print. view the video at tinyurl.com/stagwsale

Welcoming Ian Gilmour

Where was your previous ministry? I served at South Leith Parish Church. 15 years working with such hardworking, energetic people was a privilege. Tell me about your first Sunday at STAGWs. Push and Shove Sunday was an eyeopener. Transforming the church for the enormous Christian Aid Sale makes that Sunday like no other. I saw how members supported each other and how they stretch to contribute to the church's wider work. Which experiences may be helpful in your new parish? Two things stand out. I was involved in setting up Ocean Terminal's ecumenical chaplaincy. This connects with St Andrews & St Georges West's work with retail and business and Together's workplace chaplaincy. The other was twelve years'

Together coordinator, Joe Evans, put some questions to St Andrew's and St George's West's new minister, and here are his answers.

involvement with Leith Festival, including being convener. Our Together congregations are well situated for Edinburghs Festivals we can create events, provide venues and offer informed critiques. So what's making you excited for the future? I hope to develop with the congregation a vision of a church that looks after its own family while moving outward. There are so many networks of people in the city centre, we can't serve everyone. I'm delighted the Together churches are already doing so much for the most vulnerable. I'm really looking forward to exploring the possibilities for Christian presence, prayers and prophetic action as part of a highly skilled Together team. It is in areas of socialising, creativity and business that so many engage in this city, the church must discover ways of enriching their lives. It won't be dull!

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Robert Philp reports.

Ideas for the city centre

The most recent meeting of the City Centre Partnership was about the delivery of a worldclass public realm for Princes Street and the Gardens, a subject of some relevance to our churches. Gehl Architects have worked in cities across the world to improve the environment for their citizens, revolutionising e.g. Times Square in New York, where accident rates have fallen by 63%, and Copenhagen, among many others. They have made proposals to Edinburgh Council for Princes Street. Is it to be a world class street or a giant bus station? They start with the presumption that city centres are for people. Edinburgh is at present the 5th most congested city in Europe. Since 1998, Princes Street has seen almost a 50% decline in pedestrian traffic. The domination of the bus causes fumes, noise and vibrations, blocking the view and the sun (when its there) and making it hard to cross. There are 400 bus movements an hour. All this is seriously worrying both for tourists and Edinburgh citizens. Currently the worldfamous street simply fails to be a space for meeting and interacting. Gehl wants us to rethink city centre traffic, encourage activities for passersby, provide walking areas and activity zones, remove railings and superfluous traffic clutter and generally open up this iconic space for people. The debate is ongoing.

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New Forms of Church for the New Town

On the 9th April around 30 people from the three congregations met in St Andrews & St Georges to learn about the movement called New Forms of Church and to consider the implications and possibilities for our churches of its ideas and principles.

David Hill provides a summary of Norman Smith's report on the New Forms day conference.
and the situation is mirrored south of the border. This calls for a new type of mission.

Revd Norman Smith, Mission Convener of Presbytery and former Convener of Emerging Ministries Task Group within the Church of Scotland, led the proceedings and has reported We expect people to become on the day. like us, to take on our language, our mannerisms and Why do we need New our traditions. We also expect Forms of Church? What is our church practice to endure. the problem? So the majority of the The problem is that population are left untouched. congregations throughout the country have no contact at all The new type of mission: with whole sections of their "Go!" parishes. This is not in fact new at all. After all, that is what Jesus This was the finding of the said. He sent out the 72, he survey undertaken by the sent the disciples and ultimately Church of Scotland in 2011 he sends us. Unfortunately for

The old type of mission: Come! Our present congregations work very hard at inviting people to come and join them. They keep their buildings open, put on services, provide hospitality and night shelter, give talks, hold concerts, arrange walks, provide counselling and other services to vulnerable groups.

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The disparity between existing church and secular culture is widening

Where once Westerners might have found their identity, their social togetherness and the ongoing life of their society in the area of production, these are increasingly today found through consumption.We are what we buy. We relate to others who consume the same way we do. David Lyon, Memory & the Millennium
many years it has often become all too easy to turn his command to go into a command to come. reach an opera goer you find an opera goer who has a desire to share the gospel!

So the first task is to examine We spent a session ourselves and understand what considering where we might interest groups we are already go, that is, with which part of. Business and the arts interest group Christians will feature at or near the top could become involved. of an analysis of our Suggestions included congregations interests. So we Residents, Immigrants, Young are already on the right lines in Clubbers, Workers, Ladies who appointing a Workplace Lunch, Students, High Culture, Chaplain, and in considering and Arts Festivals. the appointment of someone to work especially with the Arts But how? and Culture sector a This is not easy for us. possibility currently being Obviously not, or we would explored by St Cuthberts. have been doing it. But it becomes easier if we What will church look like understand that the best for people in groups like people to reach out to a this? particular group are those who Whilst all Christian churches are already part of it. You worship God, the form of that dont send a skateboarder to worship will be different

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The Christian task is NOT to help people bridge into our church context. While working with the Jews, I live like a Jew in order to win them and even though I myself am not subject to the Law of Moses, I live as though I were when working with those who are, in order to win them. In the same way, when working with Gentiles, I live like a Gentile, outside the Jewish Law, in order to win Gentiles. This does not mean that I don't obey God's law I am really under Christ's law. 1 Corinthians 9:2021
depending on peoples frame of reference. Use of language, patterns of worship and issues of concern will all arise from peoples understanding of God in their context. Any congregation that initiates outreach to a different cultural group should not expect their mission to result as a clone of themselves. Nor should they expect a direct return to their own congregation, either in additional people or additional revenue. New Forms of Church is essentially an act of grace on the part of the sending church. Where to from here? 1. Continue exploring Emerging/New forms of Church. 2. Keep on developing a vision for mission to the City Centre. 3. Identify people within the Together congregations who have a passion for reaching others and who can operate within target cultures.

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FIND OUT MORE Fresh Expressions encourages new forms of church for a fast changing world, working with Christians from various denominations and traditions. The initiative has resulted in hundreds of new congregations being formed alongside more traditional churches. freshexpressions.org.uk

4. Take steps to equip them for the task of outreach and commission them. 5. Carefully manage expectations of existing churches on what they are looking for and what they expect in return for their investment. 6. Pray continually. Conclusion We believe no sector or segment of society is beyond the reach of God that is not to say they will be attracted to our way of doing church. Our challenge is to find ways of bringing them and the gospel together. That is our task, God will do the rest. I would strongly encourage

you to pursue Emerging/New Forms of Church for the City Centre as you have many unique opportunities not open to any other place in Scotland. Hundreds of thousands of people come each year to your area from all over the world looking to connect with Edinburgh. I pray that as they come here they will also be connected both to the Christian past of the city and find their way of embracing and expressing that faith for themselves. Yours is a high calling and on behalf of the Mission Resourcing Group of Edinburgh Presbytery we wish you every success and offer our services to help you as we can. Revd Norman Smith, Conference Convenor

GET INVOLVED Are you interested in finding a new way for our churches to interact with people in the city centre? Are you interested in taking forward the ideas presented in this report? If so, Together would like to invite you to get involved further with this exciting area and to try and make something new. contact Joe Evans 07751529717 or joe@togetheredinburgh.org.uk

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In September this year, it will be the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Therefore, a major strand in the Festival 'conversation' programme will be to reflect on the legacy of the events of that day and the violence which followed it. We will be particularly pleased

To start our 6 page Festival Preview, Donald Reid, Director of FoSP gives us a brief rundown of what's happening at this year's Festival Saturday 6 Monday 29 August

Faith, Hope and Reality: The Festival of Spirituality and Peace

to welcome Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf from New York City who was at the centre of the controversy last September about the socalled 'Ground Zero mosque'. He will help us understand the trauma and paranoia which has gripped the US and whether 10 years on,

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with a different administration those ghosts can be exorcised. Yasmin AlibhaiBrown, commentator and broadcaster, will start this series of topics, with an event on Monday 8 August, asking if the world and Britain is a safer place with the killing of Osama Bin Laden and with democratic movements across the Middle East. Several speakers with close links to Egypt and Syria will help us understand the meaning of events there and in other Arab countries. We will also look at HOW the revolutions happened, with Osama Saeed from Al Jazeera and Ruaridh Arrow, director of the film about Gene Sharp's 'From Dictatorship to Democracy' (often cited as the revolutionary text behind the uprisings). James Fergusson (author of Taliban ) and Ming Campbell will explore the potential to talk to the Taliban and we will hear from Steve McLaughlin about being an ordinary Squaddie in such conflicts. Don Mullan, a civilian victim of Bloody Sunday tells the story

2011 is also the 30th anniversary of the identification of HIV, so we will look at how faith communities influence the incidence of AIDS, especially in Africa and Bishop Christopher Senjonyo from Uganda will describe the plight of gay people there. Thinking of other perspectives on reality, what does science have to tell us about the efficacy of prayer or the health benefits of faith? What ethical

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of the recent truth telling on that atrocity.

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issues are presented by the latest scientific technology? With philosopher Julian Baggini, we will ask: Do we have a soul? We will also look for Ethics in the financial system and what we can learn from Islamic finance but also the faith based case for and against general taxation and reflections on how businesses have striven to act responsibly in the recession. But the festival is not just talk. This year we will have a significantly increased performance programme

playing host to some of Edinburgh and the worlds finest performers. We are excited to welcome back Tokara Taiko drummers from Japan and Coreen Scott from closer to home. Other highlights include a Sitar concert, Persian bands and an explosive Science cabaret. There will also be a wide range of classical music for you to escape from the hustle of the festival. Or relax at a performance of The Screwtape Letters, St Johns Gospel or The Gospel of Matthew by candlelight. If you are looking for something more hands on get

We even have a range of children and family events featuring storytelling and an animation workshop (sign up now, places limited! ). It would be good to have a short animated film made during the festival by children and available to be shown at the opening or closing event. There will also be thought

Though most events are at St Johns, many will be at venues all over the city including the Together Churches. Look out for a brochure and pass them on to friends, word of mouth works best! festivalofspirituality.org.uk

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involved with our workshops which will introduce you to Punjab cooking, martial arts or have you rolling around on the floor during Laughter Yoga. If you are really daring you could even try firewalking.

provoking art exhibits, including Postcards from Japan following this year's devastation. With twice as many events this year there really is something to suit everyone, so come and feed the body and the mind at one of this summers most diverse festivals.

Festival Events
At St Cuthbert's
A wide variety of events are due to take place throughout the Festival with over 30 performances starting with the Jazz Festival Service on Sunday 31st July at 6 pm and ending with a Lunchtime Organ Recital on Saturday 3rd September at 1.30pm. The Programme will include a series of six Organ Recitals on six consecutive evenings at 6 pm at which six renowned organists will play each of the six Vierne Organ Symphonies! A number of events will form part of the Festival of Spirituality and Peace. For further information please pick up a leaflet from the church or visit stcuthberts.net.

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The church will stage 78 performances with the Undercroft hosting the Amnesty International festival exhibition. Many of our regulars return: Edinburgh Music Theatre Company, Triplicity and the church choir as well as Lawrence Dunn, Big Band Swing and Aberdeen a Cappella to name but a few. Newcomers include Andrew Carvell and friends, and Catherine Backhouse. The Scottish Chamber Forum will be exploring new ground when they shine a light on the Scottish chamber music scene, combining showcase performances with information about the range of music available across the country. Programmes can be found in the church or at standrewsandstgeorges.org.uk. This year this important venue plays host to Remarkable Arts, who have a varied programme including Audience Ontroerend Goed, and Almer Mater. Visit remarkableartsltd.com

At St Andrew's and St George's West George Street

Shandwick Place

Together's spotlight on

church choirs at St Michael's and All Saints. (Sun & Wed in Aug 5.30pm) St Mary's Metropolitan Cathedral will be housing daily prayertimes with silence and Gregorian Chant. Palmerston Place Church is putting on a series of evening concerts (911 and 1618 Aug, 5.30pm) and C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters (22nd27th Aug, 2.15 & 7.15pm) edfringe.co.uk discusses his book "A History of Jerusalem is a History of the World." (18th Aug. 6.30pm)

St Augustine's houses 'The Presentment, where a modernday, ecclesiastical trial tears a family apart. (6th 29th Aug, 7.10pm & 9.05pm) Hear liturgical music from across the centuries, sung by one of Edinburgh's finest

Together's spotlight on

St Peter's Seminary in Cardross, widely regarded as one of the most significant modern buildings in Europe, is in a state of disrepair. Angus Farquhar, and Edward and Gordon Murray discuss plans for its future. (13th Aug, 7.00pm) Simon Sebag Montefiore

In "The Future of Faith" Joan Bakewell discusses whether were in an age of doubt with writer and former bishop Richard Holloway, political historian Gregory Claeys and scientist Richard Wiseman.(23 Aug, 7.00pm). edbookfest.co.uk

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"The Book That Went to War" For the 400th anniversary of its publication, Melvyn Bragg charts the remarkable history of the King James Bible. (27 Aug,11.30 pm )

Things to See and Do

The less travelled road

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In search of local spiritual sights, Frances Cooper stumbled upon an interesting idea
Two recent abortive attempts to visit Dr Neils Garden in Duddingston Village resulted in two unexpected half hours spent in the garden of

Duddingston Kirk manse, following the contemplative trail which has been created there. Brief information boards tell a little of the history of the place

and the people and offer the reader a theme for reflection in various parts of the garden. It is a place of peace and quiet, allowing time and space for contemplation. It gives an opportunity to drink in the beauty of the setting and watch the bird life while still being aware of the bustle of the city on the other side of the garden wall. It is a unique place, in a special part of the city. Those half hours in Duddingston gave pause for thought. Could we offer people a chance to follow a trail through our joint parishes, with points of interest on the way about the characters and places that have made the church life in the centre of this great city such a vital piece of the mosaic that is Edinburgh? The home territory of the churches in Together is in a unique place, in a special part

of the city. Our buildings and surroundings tell a great story about the past and present in this vibrant city, amidst its endless bustle. It might not be the obvious item on the tourist must do list but, as the Robert Frost poem depicted on one of the sculptures in the Duddingston Kirk garden says,

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I I took the one less travelled by, And that has made all the difference."
A less travelled road (or visitor activity) might be exactly what we can provide, giving those who seek it an opportunity to find out something about the spiritual richness of Edinburgh city centre and what it could mean to them. Just a thought from the garden in one part of the city to stir the thoughts of those of us around the garden in the city centre.

If you know of a local site or attraction which could feature in this magazine in future, please email joe@togetheredinburgh.org.uk.

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Roll Away The Stone

David Denniston writes
Roll Away the Stone which took place on Sunday 22 May in Princes Street Gardens and St Cuthberts was a wonderful day of celebration for the Church of Scotland. provided a welcome and a place to withdraw for the Lord High Commissioner, provided the keyboard for the praise band at the closing worship event, and through the wonders of modern technology it was the I am privileged to have been a St Cuthberts organ that led the part of the planning team for hymns at that closing event at the event, and delighted that the Ross Bandstand. St Cuthberts had the opportunity to play such a key In our church buildings the role in what has been a most variety of activities was successful, joyful and vibrant extraordinary, from food to day. worship, prayer to jazz, choirs to drumming, and bells to As well as hosting a wonderful organ recitals. variety of events within the church buildings, we also Out in the gardens a variety of

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displays and opportunities to find out more about the work of the church provided the thousands who attended with interesting information and interaction. This came alongside a wide variety of musical offerings (from rock bands to African choirs) and various interviews, comedy sketches and presentations not to mention the 5aside football competition (which interestingly was won by youngsters from my previous congregation in Perth!) cameos from the Easter Play, the buskers, the puppets and so much more. As I write this it is rather too early to be accurate in assessing the numbers

attending, but the estimates are that around 5000 people attended the event, and something in excess of 2500 came through the doors of St Cuthberts. The church itself was very busy with the various choirs and recitals, and the Lindisfarne Room was packed to overflowing for both Messy Church and the Jazz group. It was a marvellous day that should have made us all proud to be part of the diverse, outwardlooking and vibrant Church of Scotland and glad also that we in St Cuthberts were able to be so involved. St Cuthberts was thanked by the General Assembly on the day following the event, and I in turn would like to thank the very many St Cuthberts members who stewarded, guided, welcomed, staffed the shop, directed people, made coffee and tea and so much more besides. Now the planning begins for next year!

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What Does Together Mean To You?

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Together allows us to show people in the city centre that different congregations are united in the faith they share in Jesus. The use of the Together logo on all our service sheets, magazines, publicity and noticeboards is a good start. I believe that we need to demonstrate our togetherness in many different ways and to promote and support each other if we are going to have credibility to other people as the church in the city centre. Celebrating our difference Together allows our own church folk to better

Russell McLarty was Chair of Together from its beginning to Summer 2010. Here he gives his thoughts on what Together is and can become.

appreciate how each congregation is different in its tradition, its vision and what it can offer. I believe that we are greatly enriched when we take time to learn about our neighbours and to share in their lives. We ought to delight in the way our sisters and brothers are different. Better than that, we need to share our appreciation more openly and talk to others about these wonderful differences. New shared initiatives Together can allow us to better develop initiatives for the city

centre where we might struggle to do this in our own congregations. Where people from the different congregations and outwith can look to shared interests we might see exciting new areas of mission. A top priority Together must be among our top three priorities if it is to grow to reach its potential. I have been impressed where the twelve Trustee members of Together have met regularly through the past two and a half years and where the ministry teams have made the monthly meeting one of their highest priorities. This has shown tremendous belief in the value of Together. One plea to church members would be to match this commitment and even to better it!

A chance to thrive Russell will soon be taking up a new post as Coordinator for a new Project called A Chance to Thrive. This Project will give an opportunity for eight congregations from the poorest parishes in Scotland to work to develop exciting ideas in partnership with their local community. Church buildings may be redeveloped to provide a wonderful resource for that work. A Chance to Thrive is looking to recruit up to 40 volunteers (from accountants to artists to architects) to support local congregations over the next 3 years. If you would like to know more about the support role, please contact Russell at 01875 614496.

Kenneth MacKenzie CB (chair) David Hill (secretary) Paul Sweetnam (treasurer) Rev Ian Gilmour Frances Currie Gordon Reid (vicechair)

Frances Cooper Revd David Denniston Professor Ian Percy CBE Margaret Romanis Very Revd Dr John Armes Robert Philp

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The Together Trustees are:

The next issue of Togetherness will be released on 27th November. If you would like to contribute, please contact Joe Evans on 07951529717 or Joe@togetheredinburgh.org.uk The deadline for submissions is Sunday 30th October.

1 3

2 4

1: St Johns Scottish Episcopal Church Princes Street Edinburgh EH2 4BJ 0131 229 7565 www.stjohnsedinburgh.org.uk 2: St Andrews & St Georges West Church George Street Edinburgh EH2 2PA 0131 225 3847 www.standrewsandstgeorges.org.uk

3: St Andrews & St Georges West Church Shandwick Place 0131 225 7001 Edinburgh EH2 2RT www.stgeorgeswest.com 4: St Cuthberts Parish Church Lothian Road Edinburgh EH1 2EP 0131 229 1142 www.stcuthberts.net

togetherness back page

The Christian faith is about exploration rather than about explanation above all its about transformation the promise of new life, new possibilities, changing lives, changing the world. Norman Shanks (from his sermon on 5th June at the Together Joint Service read the whole text tinyurl.com/cornerstonesermon)

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