It is with regret that the house group at 7 Eskbank Court has to be called off for a short time.

We will keep you informed of when the house group will be back up and running.

If you are interested in attending a house group please speak to our small groups co-ordinator, Kim Kristoffersen, on 0131 063 6992.

As part of our continuing fund raising efforts, a social event is planned to appeal to all interested in gardening and seeing otherwise private and formal gardens and features. This is open to all, not just the congregation, but friends and family too.

The event will take place from 2pm to 4:30pm at 20 Park Road, Eskbank and will be hosted by John and Margaret Mitchell. Tickets are now available for sale and are priced at £4 for adults and £1 for children (drinks and cake included in ticket price).

Please see a member of the Fundraising Steering Group for more information.

We are happy to invite all Primary School age children (including children starting P1 in August 2011) to our 'Pyramid Rock' holiday club event. This is a week of fun-packed teaching with a live band, messy games and arts and crafts. Holiday club is free of charge and application forms are available from JAM and Sunday Club leaders.

For more information please contact Heather Cartledge on 0131 660 1859.

A discipleship team is required for the forthcoming mission in November. If you feel that this is something that you are being called to, there is a meeting on Tuesday 28th June at the Full Gospel Church at 7:30pm.

Our next 24/7 prayer weekend will take place in the upper room from 6pm on Friday 1 July to 11am on Sunday 3 July (41 continuous hours). Please come along and spend time with God individually or in pairs/in a group to pray for our church and local community.

There are still a few slots available, please contact Nick Cartledge or Lynne Neville for more information.

You will know that during the past year the Church has had to carry out a lot of essential repairs, and we are not finished.

We have been able to meet the costs of repairs so far but if we are going to be able to afford the outstanding work we need to and start on some of the things we want to do we will need an increased fundraising effort. With that in mind we have formed a small Fundraising Steering Group to coo-ordinate projects and appeals.

There are a couple of events planned for the near future, including the postponed comedy night, and notices of future fundraisers will be notified here on the website and in Kirk News.

In addition, everyone will get a letter from Keith with a leaflet enclosed explaining how they can help.

If you have any questions or suggestions please pass them to members of the Fundraising Steering Group, who are Donald and Isobel Marshall (0131 663 3062), Norma McNeill, Ann Coveney (0131 663 5937), Emma-Jane Stewart (01874 821 895) and Andrew and Fiona Brown (0131 654 9906).

The Kirk Session at St John’s & Kings Park church has set up a Pastoral Care team from members of the church congregation.

A co-ordinator is appointed to work with the minister and this person then relays information to the other care team members.

The idea is that each team member has between one and three persons to visit every 6 – 8 weeks, just to see how they are getting along and have a chat with them.

Most of the people on the list cannot attend church for different reasons so it is a way of keeping in touch with them and providing some company if they are in the house alone.

If for any reason they wish to contact the minister the team will arrange this for them.

When the team member visits, if no one is in, a card with the care team members name and phone number is left in case the person would like a chat over the phone or to request a more suitable time and day to revisit.

The pastoral care team meet up every couple of months to discuss how the visiting is going and to update team members on any new information needed.

IT’S THRILLINGLY EASY TO MAKE FOLK GLAD
A FRIENDLY SMILE OR A WORD OF CHEER
A BIT OF PATIENCE WHEN LIFE IS DREAR
A LITTLE HELP OR A LISTENING EAR
AND WE’VE BROUGHT NEW JOY TO A HEART ONCE SAD.

Be still and know that I am God – Psalm 46:10

If you know anyone that would appreciate a visit please get in touch with either Keith or Avril Hay.

Thursday 2nd December at 2:00 pm
Mrs. Lawrie will talk on her visits and experiences in the Philippines, a presentation that promises to be highly interesting and enjoyable.

Thursday 16th December at 7:30 pm
As a follow up to the very successful show he gave last year, Mr. Bill Prentice will present a compilation of entertaining “Old Time” films.

In addition, there will be a Secret Santa – and mince pies and coffee.

Thursday 13th January
Guild Night Out to the County Hotel

Thursday 20th January at 7:30 pm
Bertha Walker will be visiting with a selection of vintage clothes. Come along and see if you recognise some of them!

Thursday 3rd February at 2:00 pm
Rev. Keith Mack will give a talk on this year’s theme: “What Does The Lord Require of You – To Have Mercy”.

May we wish you all a Very Happy Christmas and please join us at any of our meetings. You will be made most welcome.

Sheena Henderson, Secretary

Our new Guild Session got off to an excellent and enjoyable start in October with a fundraising event for the Church Repair Fund when Helen Anderson and her Choir ‘Cantare’ entertained us.

The meetings and events planned for November are as follows:

• On 4th November at 2pm, major John Houston from the Salvation Army will give a talk on the work of the organisation.
• On 18th of November at 7.30pm, a speaker from the Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) will give a presentation titled “Mission Run – Madagascar”. Our Guild has chosen to support MAF as our project this session.
• On Saturday 20th November, the guild Coffee Morning in aid of Church Funds will take place from 10am – 12 noon. Admission is £2, with a selection of home baking and coffee. There will also be a Bring and Buy stall.
• At the beginning on Guild Week on Sunday 21st November at 11am, Guild Members will conduct the Guild Dedication service and at the end of Guild week on Sunday 28th November after the service, the Guild will provide lunches. A 3 course lunch with coffee will cost £4 (children £1), with the proceeds going to the Guild Project.

On Thursday 2nd December at 2pm we will have a highly interesting talk headed “Visits to the Philippines”, by Mrs Lawrie. Please come and join with us at these Guild events. You will be made most welcome.

Sheena Henderson
Secretary

There Guild would like to invite you to an open evening on Thursday 14 October. Entertainment will be from Helen Anderson & Cantare, followed by a light supper.

This will be a most enjoyable evening and tickets (£5) can be obtained from Guild members.

All proceeds are going to the church repair funds so please support this event.

If you require any further information please contact Sheena.

Sheena Henderson
Secretary