Author Archives: St. Columba's

Something to celebrate…

We have recently been awarded Eco-Congregation Scotland’s Silver Award for “incorporating care for creation as an integral part of its work and worship”.

The award reflects the work we have done to :

• research energy use and take practical action for example, when our church-lighting reached the end of its lifetime last year, we installed lights which use less than half the energy of the old ones.
• tend our garden in appropriate ways , composting and encouraging butterflies and opening it as a Quiet garden, as a place of renewal for the public.
• support the education of girls particularly in Malawi, by making re-usable period-protection kits ( Days for Girls)
• including Creation in our liturgy.

For more info on Eco Congregations go to www.ecocongregationscotland.org

Same-sex marriage

At St Columba’s by the Castle we celebrate the historic decision of the Scottish Episcopal Church to allow same-sex marriages to be conducted by those clergy, and in those churches, wishing to do so.  While we are mindful of the hurt some may feel at this decision, we believe that God affirms and delights in all people, including those who find themselves blessed within a life-giving relationship of love and faithfulness.  The clergy at St Columba’s are now licensed to conduct all marriages equally and we welcome enquiries from both same-sex and opposite-sex couples.

Creation Season

It’s Creation season. This Autumn we’re celebrating “Holy Ground”- after all, we are the church on a volcano!

More information…

Festival Open Church

Featuring Amnesty International Exhibition

Until 26th August, Mondays to Fridays, 10am to 12 noon.

You are welcome to use the Church as a quiet refuge from the festivities and view our Amnesty International Exhibition.

As part of Amnesty’s “I welcome” campaign, the exhibition briefly charts the history of refugees since 1948 up to the present and includes some memorable photographic images.

Quiet Garden Open at St. Columba’s

We are now affiliated the worldwide Quiet Garden Movement. On April 28th we celebrated the opening of our south-facing terrace, with children enthusiastically sprinkling it with holy water (much needed in this driest of springs). As we were about to open the gate some tourists who had seen the new signs at the top of the steps looked in. They were called Carlotta and Andreas from Italy and not only did they become our first visitors they ceremonially unlocked the gate for us!

We hope that the gardens will be open on many days though we will not be able to open when we have private Hall users.  During the Festival period the garden will once more become a Fringe ticket office and café.

Our Rector David has written a prayer for this new aspect of our mission:

A blessing in the rain and sun
The goodness of the Three in One.
A blessing in the flower and tree,
The beauty of the One in Three.
A blessing in the living earth,
The knowledge of creation’s worth.
A blessing in this quiet place
The presence of the God of grace.
On all who wander in and stay
To sit, relax or think or pray
To look for stillness or release
A blessing from the God of Peace.

More information about the Quiet Garden

The Lord’s Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer in Aramaic, which people learnt, chanted and danced to, at February’s ‘StC’s@6’ service

Hosting the Bethany night shelter

Our lovely Hall  is used in many different ways, from ceilidhs and  wedding receptions to conferences and theatre space. This February, it became a temporary nightshelter for 5 nights. Here in Edinburgh The Bethany Trust organises safe “bed and breakfast” for 45 – 60 people every night from October to March. They are brilliant. To make it work they need hall space around the city and so many churches help out.

Being so central we are in a prime position to help and we also know as Christians that we are not just giving but receiving. We should expect to see something of the love of God in those to whom we offer hospitality. We enjoyed meeting the men and women who joined us for the night. There was a camaraderie of mutual support amongst the guests and we were touched by the atmosphere of peace which descended by 10.30 as everyone lay down their weary bodies on their beds.

Thank you to the church volunteers who cooked and cleaned, and to Doneil and Samuel for tidying up. Thank you Justin for your administration of the event. Thank you to the Bethany team for your quiet Christian presence and wisdom in this city. Thank you God for caring about each one of us.

Prayers for our city

At a recent Sunday service we were each invited to light a candle and place it on a map of Edinburgh somewhere we had a connection with and wanted to pray for. The candles marked places of work, schools, universities, the City Council, the Parliament and Government, our homes and those of friends and family; places in particular need, places where we can bring Christ’s light.

“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.” (from St. Matthew’s Gospel)

A day to celebrate

On Sunday January 15, Jenny Paton-Williams was licensed by the Bishop as
a Lay Reader in the Diocese of Edinburgh. Since she and David moved up
from Leeds, Jenny has quietly and sensitively sought the form her Lay
Ministry might take up here, and it is great that she has been affirmed
in her calling. The Bishop charged us: “Will you, the people of God in
this place, support Jenny with your prayers and encouragement for her
ministry among you and in the wider community?” With the help of God, of
course we will, Jenny. You’ll work with grace and care and we are
delighted to welcome you!

That same day we had a different but very welcome cause for celebration.
Depending on how the calendar falls, the second Sunday after Epiphany is
sometimes the Birthday of Gilbert Clark, MBE, a person who doesn’t
believe that he is extraordinary, but who is much treasured both within
the Columban community and further afield. We celebrated his 95th
birthday, which had actually occurred two days earlier. Gilbert’s still
cultivating his allotment, still bringing vegetables to sell to raise
funds for Christian Aid, still haranguing us if we allow ourselves a
short break from singing carols (“they won’t give us any money if we’re
silent”), still attending many meetings, still protesting at injustices.
He keeps us on our toes and it’s hard to keep up with him, bless him.

Words: Val Bland
Pictures: (c) Katherine McHale