The first few weeks of 2010 seem to have passed really quickly but it has been good to see the different groups and activities within the church picking up after the Christmas break.

Sunday morning services have been encouraging (since we got rid of the snow and everyone has been able to return!) In this, our studies in Colossians have challenged us to keep focussed on Christ and deepening our walk with him. A timely reminder, since we can often drift in our relationship with Christ. Not so much lose our faith as fail to cultivate a close walk with Him.

As part of this we’ve been looking at ways to do this on our own – being reminded of the promise we all made when we joined the church to be “Faithful in reading the bible and in prayer.” We looked at a number of study aids earlier in the year – but if you missed this visit www.wordlive.org.uk for daily readings and reflection.

Sunday mornings are only the tip of the iceberg though in what goes on in and around the church – there is much work that goes on at other times.

Our Children’s work continues to develop and grow with the Xplorers lunch time groups in the school particularly strong and the new time for JAM drawing increased numbers. Our Sunday evening youth work is small but developing as is Christian Adventurers on Sunday mornings. Junior Church has seen a few new faces and our uniformed organisations continue to flourish.

Friday mornings continue to provide a focus for people to share together with Chatterbox and Coffee & Chat alternating. Chatterbox will provide the focus for a fundraiser for Haiti. Fellowship Groups have faltered a little with many people finding it difficult to find the time to meet regularly midweek but the groups continue, as does the Guild, and the Men’s group is slowly growing.

The Thursday Lunch Club has added new members being much appreciated by those who attend and the work of Pastoral Care Group quietly continues, providing support and encouragement to many within the community as well as the church.

Within all of this though – and in our personal and work life - it is so important that we find time to wait and listen to God. Not just busy for him but walking with him. I see this very clearly in the life and ministry of Jesus - the gospels make clear that there were constant calls on his time, yet he often went to lonely places to pray and taught his disciples about how to pray together. (See for example Luke 4 v’s 38 – 44.)

In this Jesus provides a pattern for us to follow - as individuals and together as a church. Cultivating our own prayer life and committing ourselves to praying together. With increased opportunities for us to share together in prayer this year I hope that 2010 will become a year in which we develop this further – and hope you will share in this.

With thanks for you prayerful support.

Yours in Christ,

A personal note:

Jane and I trained as Foster Carers during 2009 and Jane has given up her work to become a full-time foster carer. We currently have a new born baby placed with us as a family. Please pray for us as we adapt as a family and for Jane as she copes with getting up during the night to feed the baby. Much as I would like to help …..

Each year the Kirk Session discuss the priorities for development in the coming year and set SMART goals for this (Goals that are Simple Measurable Attractive Realistic and Timed.) The outcome of those discussions is below:

Need given priority in 2010

• Take a group of young people to Soul Survivor event in July 2010
• Organise a Praise Night once a month on Sunday evenings during 2010
• Organise a new event with wide appeal to the older members of the congregation
• Support our young people in producing a Business plan for a youth centre in Loanhead
• Complete research on our local community and practically respond to one area where needs exist

Should be worked towards in 2010

• To have 30 people “signed up” to use bible reading notes by June 2010
• To focus on “Deepening our walk with God” in our morning services in January - March
• Run a “Griefshare” course (or equivalent) for bereaved in 2010
• Organise at least four Family events during 2010
• Develop congregational prayer life with 15 people involved in prayer meetings on a monthly basis

Could be worked towards in 2010 but only if time allows

• Develop a series for the Fellowship Groups on deepening our faith and walk with God
• Run a worship event for children in Midlothian, along with other churches
• Develop Communion Services at Trust Housing four times a year
• During Lent run a series of evenings offering reflective worship
• Organise two social events for young adults by June 2010

Would be good to see – but not priorities in 2010

• Run an Alpha Course for women on Friday afternoons
• Organise events specifically for those aged 20 – 45 to explore issues of faith and life
• Assist with the devlopment of a regular Contemporary worship event in Midlothian
• Develop the Men’s Group further - growing the group to 10 members
• Provide volunteers for new groups and activities at Newton

Youth Centre

After Soul Survivor last summer our young people were concerned to be stretching themselves beyond what they were currently doing, believing that this was what God was calling them to do. As a result those involved in leadership on a Sunday evening (Kate Mechie, Alan Duffin, Sarah Brown, Laura Duffin, Gary Yule) are currently exploring the possibility of opening and running a youth centre in Loanhead. A place where young people can meet and mix, giving the church the opportunity to meet young people in an environment they are comfortable with.

Plans are at an early stage and the group are at the stage of visiting other churches who have set up similar projects in places across Scotland. More information about this will be available later in the year – but you will note that it is one of the areas that the Kirk session have been anxious to see taken forward.

Community Involvement

A group will be involved in looking more widely at the needs which exist within Loanhead and how we might help to met at least some of those needs. If you would like to be part of the group involved in this please speak to Margaret Harkness, Harry Fisher or the minister.

Ministers are entitled to two weeks Study Leave a year. This year I am spending taking time in February to look at two different things:

Firstly at what is developing within different churches in Scotland as we enter a new decade. Churches all over Scotland are aware that much of what we have been doing is not drawing in new members. Church attendance is declining and the average age of those attending is increasing. In addition the profile of the church is not good - the words “boring” and “old fashioned” are those most consistently used by ordinary people to describe church. Alongside this many people see little need to think about how God fits into their life.

Not altogether an encouraging picture! However this backdrop is leading many churches to experiment with new ways of doing things – trying to be authentic in the way they express faith in the 21st Century. Whilst no one in Scotland claims to have the answers I plan to engage in conversation with a number of church leaders throughout Scotland to hear what different churches are doing and learning. Taking time within that to listen to God. I hope that there will be something will emerge from this time which will help us as we take things forward in Loanhead.

Secondly I’ll be looking at how churches are becoming more engaged with their local communities. We are very much a parish church rooted in our local community and the Session have been keen to see this developed further. Again I hope to learn from the experiences of others and will be attending a Faithworks Conference in London looking at how other churches have developed this area of their work.

Graham Duffin

The website includes information on Baptisms/Blessings, weddings, children’s activities and services, along with a “gallery” of pictures from different church events and activities

The period between Christmas and Easter Sunday is one of the busiest times in the Christian Calendar. Indeed more than a third of the years religious festivals take place during this period
which makes for a busy time at the church with a number of special services leading up to Easter. Details elsewhere in the magazine.

I know that with the inclement weather a number of our regular attenders missed three or four Sundays – we missed you.

We have also had a number of social and fund raising events including a special appeal Chatterbox Coffee Morning for Haiti. The ceilidh in Bilston Miners was well attended, although my dancing was limited as I was still wearing my winter non-slip shoes and no slipperene on the floor now, I believe banned by ‘Health and Safety’! Still it was good to sit and watch young and not so young enjoying themselves.

Harry

As usual Christian Aid Week is being held during May a lovely time of the year with long light evenings. This is so important as the main fund raising event is the house to house collection . Did you know that around 300,000 people will hit the streets of Britain and Ireland working together to help end poverty. The local committee hope that you will be one of these collectors. We are so grateful to the many of you who collect every year but we are always looking for more collectors in order that the whole of Loanhead and Straiton can be covered. Make it a family affair anyone can deliver the envelopes but you have to be over 16 to pick them up – you can collect in pairs if you want. We do hope if you have collected before you will do so again this year.

The annual Christian Aid Coffeee morning and sale will be held in St. Margarets Church Hall on Saturday 15th May from 10 – 12noon. Help will be required. A special note for all gardeners do not miss the plant stall.

The opening meeting of the second half of the Guild was our Scots Night which was enjoyed by all. We must thank everyone who contributed – The Cantare Singers, Harry who addressed the Haggis, the piper making his first solo appearance and of course the caterers.

We then had a ‘knit in’ and bring and buy raising £47.

We are looking forward to a speaker from ‘Search and Rescue Dogs’ on the 16th February and Professor Palmer on the 2nd March.

This year the World Day of Prayer Service is being held in Glencorse Church on 5th March.

Other dates for your diary –

16th March Quiz Night
6th April Angela Stewart - Floral Display
20th April Rev S Kelby - The Sound of Silence/AGM
4th May Floral Tea
29th May Outing to Dunblane

I would appreciate donations of money, spring flowers and help decorating the Church the Saturday before Easter. There will be more information nearer the time. Thank you to those who have put their names on the Flower Rota. There are still some spaces so if anyone wants to add their name to the list, please do so. The list is in the Vestibule of the Church.

Shelagh Jenkins
0131 440 0641

Once again we appeal for help with preparing and serving teas on a Sunday morning. If you can help at all PLEASE contact myself or Pam as we are really struggling.

Margaret Chambers
0131 448 0114

Pam Mackay
0131 440 0468

The Anchor Boys are averaging 12 boys a week and will hopefully still have their visit to Dalkeith Police Station happening soon.

The Junior Section have just recently went ten-pin bowling at the Corn Exchange where a good time was had by all. They have some competitions coming up soon, including indoor board games, a quiz and five-a-side football.

The Company Section have been busy with company competitions and also the badminton nights have returned for the month of February in St Margaret’s Church Hall. At Battalion level, Gary Begg participated in the Musician of the Year competition gaining a bronze award. A great experience for Gary as it was his first time competing as a soloist.
Scott Ralston and Callum Hughes reached the quarter finals of the Junior Badminton Doubles competition at Meadowbank.
The next couple of months bring more competitions within the East & Midlothian Group as well as Battalion and National.
On another note Councillor Owen Thompson visited the Company recently and led a lively discussion with the boys regarding matters relating to Loanhead and its surrounding area.

A couple of dates for your diary. Our Annual Fayre and Coffee Morning will be on Saturday 20th March 2010 in the Masonic Hall. Please feel free to pop in for a cuppa and any donations of baking, etc., will be gratefully received.
Our Annual Presentation of Awards will be on Thursday 29th April 2010 where our Chief Guest will be Mr. Robert Doig, President of Edinburgh, Leith & District Battalion.

Project Stedfast continues as I have just received photographs of the Children at St Andrews School, which I hope to have on display in the Church Hall soon. As the children have progressed on to their next year a new intake of children has started and also a new teacher has been employed to cope with the numbers. It definitely shows the school is growing and developing over time. When I received the pictures it brought a great sense of joy to my heart to see the smiles on their faces.
Unfortunately only hours after receiving the pictures we received word that the Chair Lady of the school was tragically killed in a fatal accident. Our thoughts and prayers go to our friends in Kenya at this time.
Plans are now starting to be put in place for our return visit in February 2011 with a chance that we might be taking more people than last year!!!
Also Project Stedfast have been honoured that Gavin Brown MSP is holding a reception at the Scottish Parliament to celebrate the work done by the project.
To continue fundraising for the school we have set up the Project Stedfast 125 Club where individuals can make one-off donations or wish to set up a standing order to donate. This fund will be used to help the school over time.

If you wish further information on the Boys’ Brigade or Project Stedfast please contact me on 440 0906 or by email jp.ralston@btopenworld.com

Jim Ralston
Captain

The Voice of Adventure
Those who try to keep their lives will lose them. But those
Who give up their lives will save them.
Luke 17:33

There is a rawness and wonder in life. Pursue it. Hunt for it. Sell out to get it. Don’t listen to the whines of those who have settled for a second-rate life and want you to do the same so they won’t feel guilty. Your goal is not to live long it’s to live.

Jesus says the options are clear. On one side there is the voice of safety. You can build a fire in the hearth, stay inside, and stay warm and dry and safe. Or you can hear the voice of adventure, God’s adventure. Instead of building a fire in your hearth, build a fire in your heart. Follow God’s impulses. Adopt a child. Move overseas. Teach the class. Change careers. Run for office. Make a difference. Sure it isn’t safe, but what is?

Max Lucado
He Still Moves Stones

I write this report whilst in the middle of compiling the 2009 Accounts for examination and then presentation to the Board & Session on Wed 10th March. They will be presented to the Congregation on Sunday 14th March at our Annual Stated Meeting (ASM).

2009, like all Organisations wasn’t an easy year for Finance and we saw Giving fall for the first time in last quarter of the year. This, along with committed spending has resulted in our budgeted Surplus for the Year being reduced. This will make 2010 a difficult year for our Church finance.

The Congregational Board has already made the decision to curtail expenditure in 2010, and that to keep you all informed of the financial situation throughout the year. Keeping a constant level of Giving and Fundraising will be vital in 2010. A detailed Budget will be presented at the ASM.

Giving
I reported to the Board the following on our Freewill Offerings. We have started positively in 2010, aided by increased Giving during a recent Blessing. We have to maintain, at least, this level of Giving in 2010.

Gift Aid
We can currently claim 25% back from the Inland Revenue of all Freewill Offerings given by Envelope or Standing Order. So, if you were to Give £20 a month, and you are a taxpayer, then by completing a Gift Aid form we would be able to claim back £60 at the end of the year – an extra 3 months of giving free! By agreeing for us to reclaim this tax on your Giving does not affect any of your personal tax. I have also included a Gift Aid form for you to complete and return to either myself, or Angela Stewart. We can also claim Gift Aid on any individual donations made throughout the year if a declaration is in place.

Angela is currently wading through all the current forms that we hold for Gift Aid and has spotted a few anomalies eg. Not updating the form with married names (like me!), or with new addresses. If it has been some time since you have completed a form and would like us to check the details then give Angela a call on 440 3188 or email myself at gayle@monteithjones.co.uk and we’ll check what is on the form for you.

Regards

Gayle Jones - Treasurer

It will also be open to people from the church and local community on the Monday and Tuesday evenings.

The event will take place at the Dalkeith school campus with lively worship and stimulating speakers. Full information about the event is not yet available but if you enjoy lively worship put the date in your diary now!

We plot, we plan, we assume things are going to go a certain way and then they don’t and we find ourselves in a new place, a place we haven’t been before, a place we never would have imagined on our own, and so it was difficult and unexpected and maybe even. Tragic and yet it opened us up and freed us to see things in a whole new way. Suffering does that— it hurts, but it also creates.
How many of the most significant moments in your life came not because it all went right, but because it all fell apart?
It’s strange how there can be art in the agony…

The Drops Like Stars tour is a two hour exploration of the endlessly complex relationship between suffering and creativity—

LOCATION: Perth Concert Hall
Date: 19th March 2010
Doors Open: 7.30pm/ Start Time: 8.00pm/ Finish: 10.00pm