Rector’s Letter – October 2024
St James the Less Penicuik and St Mungo West Linton
Scottish Episcopal Churches
The Rectory
23 Broomhill Road
Penicuik
EH26 9EE
01968 678254
07950 607574
Rector.pandwl@gmail.com
30th September 2024
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
Rector’s letter for October 2024
Personal Notes
Well, September has sped past. We have had the five Sundays of the Season of Creation, culminating in our Harvest Festival services on 29th September. We shall be holding services to bless pets at St Mungo’s on Saturday 5th at noon and at St James on Sunday 6th at 2.30 pm. These are timed to be close to St Francis’ Day, on 4th October.
Over the summer one of the books I have been reading is ‘Grounded: Finding God in the World, A Spiritual Revolution’, by Diana Butler Bass. It is a book I bought back in January 2022, after it was recommended to me. I have been wanting to read it since then but hadn’t found the time to do so. One way to read it was to include it as one of the three Faith Development books I invite the congregations to read and then discuss together, during the year We discussed it yesterday. The introduction to the book makes clear that how we speak about God has changed over the years. Not so many years ago the majority of people accepted that there was a God, and when bad things happened would ask questions such as, “Why did God let this happen?”, “What is God trying to teach us?”, and “What does God want us to do in response?” These were all questions that sought to discern God’s intentions. You can read this sort of response throughout the Old Testament especially. You will note that they do not ask, “Where was God?”, which would be a more modern question and response.
The author looks at the attitudes of the many people who say they are “spiritual but not religious”, i.e. believe in God or a higher power and experience God in a personal, almost an intimate way, and more accessible than for people who see God far off (far up even) in heaven. The book explores a range of issues and comes to some interesting conclusions about how to shape liturgies and services to be sympathetic to those who profess to be “spiritual but not religious”. As this group experience God in the ‘here and now’, understand God as being in-dwelling and all around us, and don’t refer or sense God being ‘up in heaven’ the author suggests that this group has a ‘horizontal theology’ as opposed to a ‘vertical theology’. A wonder what you think?
If you would like to join us three times a year (always when there is a fifth Monday in the month) to discuss a book of my choosing, look in the information below about the books I have chosen for next year. And, of course, you can influence my choices by suggesting a book to me.
Over the summer I have also been reading, ‘Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools’, by Tyler Staton. This was one of the books on prayer I listed in last month’s letter. It is an interesting and accessible book about prayer, more suited to individual reading than as a group study, I would suggest. I know several people have read this book too. A review for ‘In Touch’ would be great.
It won’t come as a surprise to you that I enjoy a good book, but don’t always give priority to reading as much as I think I should. I read books on religion and theology, engage in conversations about faith, and seek to explore other media to help me further my knowledge and understanding. It is a necessary and enjoyable part of my role, as much as encouraging others to take in interest in our faith, to have a thirst for learning more and journeying with Christ.
In the last few days, I have stumbled upon a podcast series (apparently it started in 2020, I am so behind the times!), called ‘The Bible for Normal People’. It was mentioned in a friend’s Facebook post, a minister who now leads a presbyterian congregation in the USA. It shall probably be my listening material when walking Misty for quite some time to come (there are now over 200 episodes). The people behind this project have also produced eight books to help guide you through some of the books of the Bible. So far, they have published books on: Genesis, Exodus, 1&2 Samuel, Psalms, Jonah, John, Romans, and Revelation. Quite a mixture. I am tempted to buy one of them, but I know I will add it to the large pile of ‘to be read’ books. Unless you want to buy and read one of them and offer a review for ‘In Touch’ sometime?
The trees that provide me with a lovely view outside my Rectory study window are starting to turn brown, yellow and gold, and some elm leaves have already fallen to the ground. It is a clear sign of Autumn, of passing the equinox, and the preparations for the winter to come. Like the trees, my planning has already included the services for November and December, whilst trying to focus on each day and what it has to offer.
News and new things happening
Update from Peter Woodifield
Peter writes, ‘I had my third – and hopefully final! – hip operation in five months on Friday 20th September, and returned home three days later, on the Monday. There was no sign of any infection left, and the surgeon seemed very pleased with how it went. I am taking things very steadily at home, but I am walking more freely than I had expected at this stage as my leg felt pretty battered in the immediate aftermath. I now only occasionally need anything stronger than paracetamol and the next stage will be taking the staples out this Wednesday (October 2). I also restart physio this week to try to rebuild the strength in my leg muscles and around the hip. Due to various diary commitments, it may take rather longer for me to return to St James than St Mungo’s, but I hope it won’t be too long before I am back in harness.’
Peeblesshire Youth Trust Christmas Hamper Appeal at St Mungo’s
This year we are being asked to provide 120 beverages; tea, instant coffee, and hot chocolate, etc. Please be generous and help us reach this target. We have until mid-November to achieve the target, so don’t delay in making a contribution, as you are able.
St James’ Fellowship Lunch on 6th October
Last year Vestry decided that in October each year we will fundraise for a charity that works in Africa, as part of our continual memory of Rev Dr Neville Suttle, who along with his wife Tilly, did so much to raise funds for good causes in Africa. Neville’s birthday was in October, and we thought it would be wonderful to link our fundraising efforts to one of Neville and Tilly’s concerns. So, this year we are inviting people to donate to ‘School Yard Kitchen’. You can see more about them on their website at https://schoolyardkitchen.com/
Sara Brand has been involved in this charity and has visited Ghana to see the work there that improves the lives of Ghanian children and their families. School Yard Kitchen buys coca beans and chillies from Ghanaian farmers, paying them fair prices to ensure children can be educated and preventing child labour. School Yard Kitchens uses the coca beans and chillies to make a variety of lovely products. I am sure Sara will happily sell you some.
St James the Less & Midlothian Open Doors – 14th September
Many thanks to the volunteers who turned out to act as guides to people who visited the church, and also who helped make teas and coffees, made and offered soup and cakes. Although not very busy, there were sufficient numbers who came through the door, enjoyed looking at the church and stayed on for a spot of lunch or cake and tea and coffee, to make to all worthwhile. We also raised over £70 in donations to church funds.
St Francis’ Day and Pet Blessing Services
St Francis’s Day is on the 4th of October, and so this year I have decided to reintroduce the pet blessing services that never really got going because of the COVID lockdown. There will be a service on Saturday 5th at noon at St Mungo’s, and on Sunday 6th at 2.30pm at St James the Less. Spread the word, and bring your pet, or borrow someone else’s (and bring their owner too)!
October – Preaching Theme on Prayer
On the Sundays in October our sermons in both churches will be considering different forms of prayer. On Saturday 2nd November we shall hold a quiet time in both churches for people to come and spend time in prayer. More details to follow closer to the time, but for now, please put 2nd November in your diary.
Vestry meetings
The St Mungo’s Vestry met on 19th August and is next due to meet on 11th November. The St James the Less Vestry met on 24th September and is next due to meet on 5th November.
October’s Theme of Prayer
The clergy and Lay Reader team has been exploring other resources to be used in groups, including some excellent books on prayer. These have been recommended by members of the clergy and Lay Reader team:
- ‘7 ways to Pray’ by Amy Boucher Pye
- ‘How to Pray, a simple guide for normal people’, by Pete Greig
- ‘Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools’, by Tyler Staton
- ‘Learning to Pray, a Guide for Everyone’, by James Martin SJ
If you wish to recommend a favourite book that has helped you in your discipline of prayer, please let me know the details. Maybe you use a podcast or other way of keeping your prayer life relevant and nourishing. If so, please let me have the details to share with others.
Join a discussion Group – 7 Ways to Pray, by Amy Boucher
There has been some interest in having a small group read and discuss the above book. If you would wish to be part of this group, please let me know before the end of October. This would be an in-person group, meeting at a time and location of the groups own choosing.
Monday Study Night – ‘How To Pray’ by John Pritchard
Commencing in October we shall focus on prayer, to complement our preaching theme. We shall be using ‘How To Pray: A Practical Handbook’ by John Pritchard (ISBN 978-0-281-06430-4). We shall explore Part One of the book, called ‘Watch This Space’. It has five short sections, and we may spend one evening reading and discussing a section, and the following Monday report back on how we got on with following the ‘Try This’, before considering moving on to the next section. We won’t rush through the sections to complete them all by a set. We will stop at the end of November, to make way for the Advent course. If you wish a copy of the book, please let me know. The cost, second hand, will be in the region of £5.
Tuesday afternoon Bible Study for all – Starting 8th October
We shall be reading the Book of the prophet Hosea. We shall use the ‘Immerse Bible Study’ approach of reflecting on four questions:
- What stood out for you this week?
- Was there anything confusing or troubling?
- Did anything make you feel differently about God?
- How might this change the way we live?
You can listen to the Bible readings online if you wish, rather than reading them by accessing them at ImmerseBible.com/Prophets
Crescendo Choir Concert at St Mungo’s – 23rd November
‘Crescendo’, the local community choir in West Linton and District enjoyed singing for us in the service on 25th August, and the congregation were very appreciative of their singing too. They have asked if they can come back in November and do a concert one evening. We have settled on this taking place on Saturday 23rd November. Do put this in your diary and invite your friends and neighbours.
The Crescendo Choir are looking for more people to join, and you will be warmly welcomed no matter whether you are a soprano, alto, tenor, baritone or bass. As you might expect, baritones and basses would be given an extra special warm welcome. Crescendo meets in St Mungo’s at 7 pm each Thursday.
Four Week Course (Online) on How to Read Theology Books
In November the Dean of Windsor, Bishop Christopher Cocksworth and the Reverend Canon Dr Hueston Finlay are running a free online course entitled ‘Reading Theology Together’. The four-week course held every Tuesday at 7pm for 45 minutes will offer an insight into how to read theology books. There is a book you would need to buy and read in advance. It is, Robert W. Jenson, A Theology in Outline: Can these Bones Live? (Oxford: O.U.P.,
2016). The Kindle version is £18.19 and the hardcover book is £37.99. The book is 152 pages long.
If you wish to do this course, please let me know and I will submit your email details to the administrator at St George’s House, Windsor Castle.
Advent Group – ‘Who Are We Praying To? – Mondays 2nd, 9th, 16th & 23rd Dec
To complement October’s preaching theme of prayer, in Advent this year we shall be running a discussion group (or maybe more than one, depending on numbers) using the York Course called, ‘Who Are We Praying To?’. If you are interested in joining the discussion group for this course, please let me know.
The course booklet will cost about £5.30. This group will meet in person. Depending on the numbers interested we may run more than one group.
Year C – The Gospel of Luke: Reading It Aloud Together in small groups?
Advent Sunday is the beginning of the new church year. In our three-yearly cycle of readings, or gospel readings will mainly be from the Gospel of Luke. Last year you may recall about 15 of us got together to read it aloud. Although a short Gospel, it still took us about 2.5 hours. The idea of reading the Gospel of Luke in one sitting is not practical; it is a much longer Gospel than Mark’s. So, I thought there may be two ways to offer this read through.
The first is that you could decide to get together with other members of the congregation, and possibly some neighbours, to form your own smallish group to read it together. I would suggest a minimum of four sessions, although you may want to have a few more and make each session shorter. If you wish to do this, I am happy to act as the person who connects people interested in doing this. I shall also use the Tuesday afternoon Zoom Bible Study slot in November to have a read through with those who wish to meet online.
In Other News…
At the Iona Community on-line service at the beginning of September, (it is held on the first Tuesday of every month), the reflection was based on the Iona Community members’ commitment to account for their use of time as part of following the Iona Community’s rule. The presenter read to us a great children’s book, called ‘Jesus’ Day Off’, by Nicholas Allan. It was fun, with great pictures, and a timely reminder that accounting for our time includes ‘downtime’. It acts as a reminder to me of the need for time out and to try and achieve some sort of balance between action and contemplation. It’s a life-long project for me!
This last week I had the privilege of visiting and blessing a couple on their 60th wedding anniversary, eating some celebratory cake and looking at their card of congratulations from the King and Queen. It was a really happy occasion, and the couple’s faithful and loving relationship was wonderful to witness.
Nick Bowry
Regular Activities
Ministry in Care and Nursing Homes
Cowan Court, Penicuik: We have been part of a rota with the other Penicuik churches, visiting Cowan Court on a Sunday afternoon for the last year. We visit Cowan Court about once every 5 or 6 weeks. Our next visit is on 6th October.
Aaron House, Penicuik: We are part of a rota with the other Penicuik churches, visiting Aaron House on a Wednesday afternoon at 2pm. As with Cowan Court we will visit once every 5 or 6 weeks. Our next visit is on 6th November. If you able to join the team offering this ministry, please let me know.
Whim Hall, Lamancha: We visit Whim Hall Care Centre on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month. Our next visit is on 10th October.
If you are interested in supporting this rewarding ministry by being part of the visiting teams then please let me know. Normally three of us attend each time, so we can support and guide people through the service and have a chat afterwards with whoever attends. We use a simplified form of the Liturgy for Reserved Sacrament and sing a few well-known hymns. Your prayers are welcome for this increased activity in and for members of our local communities.
Bible Study for all
We hold our weekly Bible study at 2pm on a Tuesday afternoon, online, for up to an hour and a half. We have a break for July and August.
We come together with the common aim of exploring the texts, understanding their context, and just as importantly, exploring how it speaks to us and how it informs us today. We enjoy exploring our different understandings and learning from each other. Please do join us, we are always happy to include more people.
From 8th October, we shall be reading the Book of the prophet Hosea.
Monday Study Night
During October we shall focus on prayer, to complement our preaching theme. We shall be using ‘How To Pray: A Practical Handbook’ by John Pritchard. We shall explore Part One of the book, called ‘Watch This Space’, and one of the books we are reviewing, or maybe a book you recommend we use.
Faith Development ‘Faith Books’
When we have a fifth Monday in the month, we hold a discussion at 7.30 pm about a book as a way of introducing people to different authors which may pique an interest to read more of their work (or not!). In looking for new or used books, I have often used www.bookfinder.com I am sure there are other search sites that will help people find the books on our reading list.
The books we shall be discussing in 2025 are:
31st March: ‘The First Paul: reclaiming the radical visionary behind the Church’s conservative icon.’ By Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan (published by SPCK, ISBN 978-0- 281-06158-7).
30th June: ‘Making Sense of God’s Love: Atonement and Redemption’, by Lorraine Cavanagh (published by SPCK, ISBN 978-0-281-06403-8).
29th Sept: ‘A Rabbi’s Bible’ by Jonathan Magonet (published by SCM, ISBN 978-0-334-02506-1)
Morning and Evening Prayer
We meet online Monday to Friday at 9.00 am and at 5.30 pm. It is a good way to start and end our day, coming together for worship, with daily readings including the psalms; a good rhythm for worship in the Anglican tradition of saying the Daily Offices. Please do consider joining us.
If you wish to access the Daily Office liturgy with the daily scripture readings, go to the Provincial Website, www.scotland.anglican.org and place your cursor on the ‘Spirituality’ heading. A submenu appears and you can select the appropriate Daily Office from the right-hand side of the page.
I circulated the Daily Intercessions booklet we use by email on 26th February. If you would like a paper copy, please let me know.
Mid-week evening services on Zoom
On the first Wednesday of each month, at 7.30 pm, we hold a service of Prayers for healing online. If you wish someone or a situation to be prayed for, send an email to me or Marion Mather.
At 9pm every Wednesday evening we hold the service of Compline. Please do join us for this short service of calm and settling prayers before sleep.
Continuing our Mission: Leading Your Church into Growth Prayer
Each weekday morning, we pray for growth in our church. If you are not able to join us online for Morning Prayer at 9 am, can I encourage you to pray this once a day. The prayer is given below.
God of Mission, who alone brings growth to your Church,
send your Holy Spirit to give:
vision to our planning, wisdom to our actions, and power to our witness.
Help our church to grow:
in numbers, in spiritual commitment to you, and in service to our local
community, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
In Touch Magazine for St James the Less and St Mungo’s
In Touch is circulated to all on email and is issued in paper format to those who do not have email. The cost of a paper copy is £2 for an A4 version, and about £1.50 for an A5 version. We print a very limited number of paper copies to keep out costs down, and to reduce our consumption of paper. If you receive an email version but would also like a paper copy, please let Sue Owen know and we invite you to make a suitable donation (preferably by bank transfer rather than in cash) to cover the cost. The deadline for content to be submitted for the next issue is 3rd November 2024. I would like to encourage you to submit something for inclusion in the magazine, a poem, a review of a book or a film, an article on a subject of interest. If you wish to submit an article, please send them to intouch@stjamesthelesspenicuik.org
Financial giving to St James the Less or to St Mungo’s
If you are able, can I ask you to prayerfully consider setting up a recurring monthly payment to the church via on-line banking, to contribute financially on a regular basis. Details of the bank accounts are given below for each of the churches.
St James the Less:
Monthly donation by bank transfer (include your name in the reference line when setting this up – only the Treasurer knows the name of the donor). Bank details are: St James Episcopal Church Penicuik, acct no 17117264, sort code 80-22-60. If you wish to make a donation by cheque, please make out the cheque to ‘St James Episcopal Church Penicuik’.
St Mungo:
Monthly donation by bank transfer (include your name in the reference line when setting this up – only the Treasurer knows the name of the donor). Bank details are: St Mungo’s Vestry, acct no 00817851, sort code 80-09-39.
Ecumenical Relations and Community Involvement Work
The Penicuik Ministers continue to meet every month in the Storehouse for a chat. Once a month the Penicuik Churches Together (PCT) has a joint Sunday evening service. The schedule detailing where the services are each month is on the PCT website. http://penicuikchurchestogether.org.uk/ I continue to meet with Revd Dr Tony Foley to discuss joint services and matters of mutual interest.
Diocesan and Provincial Activities
I attended the Diocesan Personnel Committee meeting in August. Our next meeting is in Ocotber. I attended a meeting of the Provincial Inter-Faith Relations Committee on 26th September. I am the Interim Rector of Peebles and Innerleithen, now they are in vacancy. This will involve me in helping them reach a place where they can create a congregational profile and define the criteria for appointing a priest at some point in the future. It will not involve me in taking services in Peebles or Innerleithen. I meet the other Episcopalian priests in Midlothian once a month for a time of conversation and prayer, which helps us share ideas and support each other in our ministry.
The Ministry Team
We continue to meet monthly to plan for the coming months; planning services and faith development activities as well as exploring other aspects of what is offered to the congregations and to our local communities.
Zoom Links for Services
We have a regular pattern of services. Details of these are set out below. You can access them using the Zoom links.
Morning Prayer at 9 am, and Evening Prayer at 5.30 pm, Monday to Friday. (Zoom only)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/6289561588?pwd=aGtNeE1ZM3l1Tkluckp3bVJtZkRHQT09
Meeting ID: 628 956 1588 Password: 040775
St Mungo, Holy Communion at 10.30 am on Sunday.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/93417190423?pwd=K1ZoS0xKUWpRVENGTzFYL3NvakFHQT09
Meeting ID: 934 1719 0423 Passcode: 062021
St James the Less, Holy Communion at 10.30 am on Sunday.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/92002197798?pwd=REp5NHQwVEdSd3A4a09lN1lHOUdnUT09
Meeting ID: 920 0219 7798 Passcode: 040775
1st Wednesday Evening Service at 7.30 pm (not July or August) (Zoom only)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/96303841875?pwd=YmZiYkdNNzZJeWI5cmtZL2RLUWc1Zz09
Meeting ID: 963 0384 1875 Password: 040775
Wednesday Evening Compline at 9 pm (all year) (Zoom only)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/95345457224?pwd=TDNoT20vR2dYMVQ5STdsS0lzR0dMQT09
Meeting ID: 953 4545 7224 Password: 040775
Zoom Links for Activities
‘Monday Evening Studies’ at 7.30 pm (Zoom only)
https://zoom.us/j/97670406222?pwd=WWUzL0dLNHdWdFJ0YVNnLzdvY2w2Zz09
Meeting ID: 976 7040 6222 Passcode: 202101
Use this link for Monday Evening Studies and the ‘Faith Book’ discussions.
Weekly Bible Study: Tuesdays at 2pm (Zoom only)
https://zoom.us/j/92510962481?pwd=L1hsaCtiWTh0ZFFib3N0WlluaVlaUT09
Meeting ID: 925 1096 2481 Passcode: 040775