Tech/set up

Sunday 15 May traditional communion service at 8.45am in church building, Balerno.

Services at 10.30am on Sunday 15 May at St Margaret’s Academy Livingston and Balerno High School. Groups for up to P7 run in both locations.

Envision: (15 May.) All Youth have Envision, so Balerno young people should go straight to Church Building, Ladycroft for 10:30am. Lindsay is organising transport for Livingston youth. In Livingston P5 to S1 can go to Stack and Still for breakfast, meet at 10am at St Margarets.

Pioneers meet in Balerno High School at 10.30.

Transform; Evening Worship Service. 6.30pm Sunday 15 May. – this is at Balerno Parish Church, Balerno. No need to pre book. Next evening service will be 12 June.

Summer term flyer. Do pick one up if you didn’t get one and keep an eye on the what’s on section of our website https://stmungos.org/whats-on for details of where events are and how to book in.

The Big Night In – Games Night: Join us in the Ministry Centre Friday 20 May for a games night. This event is for all adults in St Mungo’s and is a space to come together, chat, play games, drink tea, eat traybakes and reconnect. 7.45pm – 10pm. See you there.

Balerno Gala Day, Saturday 28 May 12.30-4.00pm As a church we’ll bless our wider community in Balerno by running an ‘Activity Village’ for the children as well as telling people about our church and hosting a space for carers and wee ones. If you can help with set up / take down or during the event itself please email andrea.brewster@stmungos.org or respond to the ChurchSuite email sent to Balerno congregation.

Ukraine Info Evening: As we see the Ukrainian situation continue to worsen, on Thursday 2 June we are hosting an evening at the Ministry Centre from 8pm to 9.30pm for those in St Mungo’s who are interested, or are already helping Ukrainian refugees in Scotland. Our desire in facilitating this evening is to provide an opportunity for people to come together so they can hear what is already happening and to work out a way forward for how the group can respond. Please do join us if you can. Any questions ask Wendy.brown@stmungos.org

Livingston Congregation Walk – Saturday 4 June. A 3-4 hour walk within easy reach of Livingston, with coffee and picnic stops along the way. If you enjoy walking and would like to join us, please e-mail Katherine.burnett@stmungos.org.

Spring Harvest! This year we went to Spring Harvest in Skegness and were blessed beyond my expectations. We are going back next year and so far have four other Mungos families who have said they would like to come with us. The dates are 10-14 April 2023. For more info check out https://www.springharvest.org/events/ . If your family would like to be part of a group booking please email me at caitlin.boddy@stmungos.org

Youth Encounter Weekend: On Friday 20 May, we have our first Youth Encounter Night. It will run from the earlier time of 7pm to the later time of 10pm and will include a café time, worship, a talk from Kyle Parry from Bethel Baptist Church, Pontyclun and an extended time of waiting and ministry as we allow the Holy Spirit to move. Ahead of Friday, we will have a youth social BBQ on the Thursday (19 May) evening at Kenny and Suzie Erasmuson’s.

Magnitude: Parents of current P7-S6 please save the dates of Sat 23 to Wed 27 July. Booking details will be issued very soon.

Magnitude: We would like to invite members of the congregation to help us with either being an on-site leader with the youth for the week at Lendrick Muir, assisting with set up and take down on the Saturday (23 July) or Wednesday (27 July - or both!) or by providing a one pot evening meal for 30 people. Please contact Jonny.slatter@stmungos.org or Lindsay Glover if you can assist.

Kids Weekend Away: Parents of current P4-P6 please save the dates of 9-11 September 2022. Booking details will be issued soon

Balerno P7: BBQ and visit to Friday night youth: Friday 10 June (more details will be sent out)

Balerno P3-P6 BBQ and Garden Games - bring a friend! 4pm Saturday 11 June (invites and details available in groups)

The role of Youth & Children’s Worker in Livingston remains vacant, please do pass the details on to anyone you think would be interested in joining our 0-18 Ministry and working in Livingston. All the details can be found here.

Magnitude

Sunday 8 May traditional communion service at 8.45am in church building, Balerno.

Services at 10.30am on Sunday 8 May at St Margaret’s Academy Livingston and Balerno High School. A reduced 0-18 programme runs in both locations. Youth in Balerno will be in the main service.

Evening Worship and Prayer Service. Tonight (6.30pm Sunday 8 May) – this will be at our Church Building, Ladycroft Balerno. No need to pre book. We will be praying for our mission partner OM. Next week there will be a worship evening at Balerno Parish Church.

Balerno Congregation:

· Morning services have returned to Balerno High School.

· Car Parking and entrances at Balerno High School. Please refer to the Church Suite email for information on parking.

· 0-18 at BHS. Families will be directed to the relevant rooms for the different children’s groups. Little Wonders upstairs in F10, Climbers in café, Primary in small gym.

Summer term flyer. These were given out last week – do pick one up if you didn’t get one and keep an eye on the what’s on section of our website https://stmungos.org/whats-on for details of where events are and how to book in.

Gold the St Mungos over 60’s group meets on Tuesday 10 May in Church Building, Ladycroft, Balerno from 2pm until 3.30. Come and relax for an afternoon with home-made cakes and tea/coffee. Please phone 07470 312612 (David Brown) to book your place.

Prayer Ministry Training [by invitation]: We are running another training evening on Tuesday 10 May for Prayer Ministry Team who couldn’t attend in February. Sign up via the ChurchSuite emails sent on 4 April & 2 May. The training will run from 7.45pm to 9.30pm at St Mungo’s Ministry Centre, 46B Bavelaw Road, Balerno, EH14 7AE. Any questions contact wendy.brown@stmungos.org.

St Mungos Balerno Company of Men. A reminder that our launch evening is on Thursday 12 May 7.30-9.30pm at the Ministry Centre. We are really looking forward to seeing you! The event is fully booked so if you’ve signed up but now can’t attend can you please cancel on ChurchSuite or email adrian.smith@stmungos.org. A cash donation box will be available on the night.

Gavin & Heather Falconer in Ecuador: We are delighted that Gavin & Heather from our Livingston congregation will be interviewed as part of the Reach Beyond’s ‘PrayerZone live’ event on Thursday 12 May at 7pm. This event is on Zoom and you can register here to receive the Zoom link. Please do join if you would like to hear more of about their work in Ecuador, since arriving at the start of the year.

Balerno Farmers Market, Saturday 14 May, 9am-1pm A team from St Mungo’s will be hosting a stall (giving away church flyers and kids crafts). Please pray for opportunities for some great conversations, and if you’d like to get involved for all or part of the time, please contact andrea.brewster@stmungos.org.

Balerno Gala Day, Saturday 28 May 12.30-4.00pm As a church we’ll bless our wider community in Balerno by running an ‘Activity Village’ for the children as well as telling people about our church and hosting a space for carers and wee ones. If you can help with set up / take down or during the event itself please email andrea.brewster@stmungos.org or respond to the ChurchSuite email sent to Balerno congregation.

Spring Harvest! This year we went to Spring Harvest in Skegness and were blessed beyond my expectations. We are going back next year and so far have four other Mungos families who have said they would like to come with us. The dates are 10-14th April 2023. For more info check out https://www.springharvest.org/events/ or watch Songs of Praise (Sunday 8th May). If your family would like to be part of a group booking please email me at caitlin.boddy@stmungos.org

Friday Night Youth: This week (13 May) is our youth club week featuring the usual activities of football, table tennis, baking and more! 7:30pm at Church Building, Ladycroft.

Youth Encounter Weekend: On Friday 20 May, we have our first Youth Encounter Night. It will run from the earlier time of 7pm to the later time of 10pm and will include a café time, worship, a talk from Kyle Parry from Bethel Baptist Church Pontyclun and an extended time of waiting and ministry as we allow the Holy Spirit to move. Ahead of Friday, we will have a youth social BBQ on the Thursday evening at Kenny and Suzie Erasmuson’s. More details will be provided this week!

Balerno Sunday Morning: Youth will be in the service for Vision Sunday on 8 May, so there is no Youth Bible Study.

Envision: Next Sunday (15 May) Youth have their next Envision, so Balerno young people should go straight to Church Building Ladycroft for 10:30am. Lindsay will be organising transport for Livingston youth.

Magnitude: Parents of current P7-S6 please save the dates of Sat 23 to Wed 27 July. Booking details will be issued very soon.

Magnitude: We would like to invite members of the congregation to help us with either being an on-site leader with the youth for the week at Lendrick Muir, assisting with set up and take down on the Saturday (23 July) or Wednesday (27 July - or both!) or by providing a one pot evening meal for 30 people. Please contact Jonny.slatter@stmungos.org or Lindsay Glover if you can assist.

Balerno P7: BBQ and visit to Friday night youth: Friday 10 June (more details will be sent out)

Balerno P3-P6 BBQ and Garden Games - bring a friend! 4pm Saturday 11 June (invites and details available in groups)

Thank you to Lindsay Glover who stepped down last weekend from her paid role as St Mungo's youth worker for Livingston. Lindsay will continue to co-ordinate youth activities in Livingston until the end of term. The role of Youth & Children’s Worker in Livingston remains vacant, please do pass the details on to anyone you think would be interested in joining our 0-18 Ministry and working in Livingston. All the details can be found here.

Prayers:

Our mission partners, David and Evelyn, will be in the USA in May to meet with some of their colleague, which will be a welcome change after zoom meetings these past two years! Please pray for good health, meaningful connections with colleagues and a productive time as each of their teams plans for the coming year.

St Mungo’s at Balerno Gala Day – can you help?

Sunday 1 May traditional service at 8.45am in church building, Balerno.

Services at 10.30am on Sunday 1 May at St Margaret’s Academy Livingston and Balerno High School. A full 0-18 programme runs in both locations.

Vision Sunday: This year’s Vision Sunday will be shared over 2 consecutive weeks, revised dates are Balerno on Sunday 8 May and Livingston on Sunday 15 May. Please plan to be there.

Evening Worship and Prayer Service. Next one is 6.30pm on Sunday 8 May – this will be at our Church Building, Ladycroft Balerno. No need to pre book.

Balerno Congregation:

· From Sunday 1 May morning services will resume at Balerno High School.

· Car Parking and entrances at Balerno High School. Please refer to the Church Suite email for information on parking.

· 0-18 at BHS. Families will be directed to the relevant rooms for the different children’s groups. Little Wonders upstairs in F27, Climbers in café, primary in small gym. Youth can sit together before going out to their group which will meet at the church building.

· Pioneers will be in room G1 off the concourse.

Living Well event Saturday 7 May 9.45am – 1pm. You are invited to a morning seminar at the Ministry Centre on “Walking alongside people in loss and trauma.” This will be an interactive morning which will include opportunities to look at losses and traumas experienced during Covid as well as traumas and trauma responses faced by refugees. An email with how to sign up has been sent out. Contact lynn.millar@stmungos.org or Andrea.Brewster@stmungos.org for for more information.

Gold the St Mungos over 60’s group meets again on Tuesday 10 May in Church Building, Ladycroft, Balerno from 2pm until 3.30. Come and relax for an afternoon with home-made cakes and tea/coffee. Please phone 07470 312612 (David Brown) to book your place.

St Mungo’s Balerno Company of Men. Connect- Relate -Support. All St Mungo’s Balerno guys aged 18 and over are invited to come and join the St Mungo’s Balerno Company of Men launch evening on Thursday 12 May 7.30-9.30pm at the Ministry Centre. This will be a relaxed night to hear about the plans for the group, to chat with guys you haven’t talked to for a while and to eat pizza! This event is now fully booked but please email Adrian.smith@stmungos.org to be on a waiting list.

St Mungo’s at Balerno Gala Day, Saturday afternoon, 28 May. St Mungo’s will run the ‘Activity Village’ (a collection of activities for the children like ‘Hook-a-duck’, a hoopla stand and more) along with a hospitality tent for mums with wee ones (for nappy changes and feeds) and opportunities to tell others all about St Mungo’s. Please save the date – we’ll need plenty of helpers to join the team. Either contact andrea.brewster@stmungos.org for info / to sign up or sign up in person after the Balerno service on Sunday 1 May.

Friday Night Youth: This Friday (6 May) is a Taskmaster themed special. Come along for a night of team fun based on the hit TV Show. Open to all S1-S6’s, 7:30pm at Church Building, Ladycroft, Balerno.

Youth Worship: Youth Worship returns Thursday 5 May at 7:30-9:30pm at the Ministry Centre. This is open at all in S1- S6 who are interested in joining Youth Worship. We will be casting the vision for what youth worship is all about, so youth do not need to bring instruments.

Magnitude: Parents of current P7-S6 please save the dates of Sat 23 to Wed 27 July. Booking details will be issued very soon.

Magnitude: We would like to invite members of the congregation to help us with either being an on-site leader with the youth for the week at Lendrick Muir, assisting with set up and take down on the Saturday (23 July) or Wednesday (27 July - or both!) or by providing a one pot evening meal for 30 people. Please contact Jonny.slatter@stmungos.org or Lindsay Glover if you can assist.

Balerno P7: BBQ and visit to Friday night youth: Friday 10 June (more details will be sent out)

Balerno P3-P6 BBQ and Garden Games - bring a friend! 4pm Saturday 11 June (invites and details available in groups)

Thank you to Lindsay Glover who steps down this weekend from her paid role as St Mungo’s youth worker for Livingston. Lindsay will continue to coordinate youth activities in Livingston until the end of term.

Prayers: Our mission partners, David and Evelyn, will be in the USA in May to meet with some of their colleague, which will be a welcome change after zoom meetings these past two years! Please pray for good health, meaningful connections with colleagues and a productive time as each of their teams plans for the coming year.

Walking alongside people in loss and trauma

Sunday 24 April traditional communion service at 8.45am in church building, Balerno.

Services at 10.30am on Sunday 24 April at St Margaret’s Academy Livingston and Heriot Watt University.

A full 0-18 programme runs on 24 April at 10.30am. Livingston older youth are going to Heriot Watt to join Balerno youth meeting together at 10.30am for Envision.

Livingston families reminder that our new 0-18 groups begin on Sunday 24 April. Preschool will be in L16 (and primary in L30). Younger youth have a social morning and older youth are joining Balerno youth for Envision. Contact your group leader for further details.

Vision Sunday: This year’s Vision Sunday will be shared over 2 consecutive weeks, in Balerno on Sunday 1 May and in Livingston on Sunday 8 May. Please plan to be there.

Evening Worship and Prayer Service. Next one is being planned for Sunday 8 May – more details to follow.

Balerno Congregation:

• From Sunday 1 May morning services will resume at Balerno High School.

• Car Parking and entrances at Balerno High School for 1 May onwards. There is now much less parking in the main car park beside the swimming pool. However there are now a few more parking spaces down the other entry road, and you can enter the concourse directly from that car park. If you need a disabled car parking space, please use the ones in front of BHS (as previously, but use these ones in preference to any other). There are significant road works and traffic lights on Bridge Road, so please come early, park further away and walk if you’re able to!

• Primary and pre school at BHS. Families will be directed to the relevant rooms for the different children’s groups. Youth can sit together before going out to their group.

Worship and Prayer evening for the Wellness Centre Ministry on Tuesday 26 April 7.30pm – 9.30pm at the Wellness Centre – this is open to anyone from St Mungo’s to join the Wellness Centre team of counsellors and receptionists to pray for the work of the Wellness Ministry. We want to invite God to strengthen, empower and sustain us in our work in the Centre and we want to invite God to bring healing and restoration to our clients and to bring comfort to the people in our waiting list as they await the start of their counselling. We will be meeting in the Wellness Centre where there will be live worship music and prayer stations throughout the building and outside it. We would love you to join us!

Comfort International Mission Evening – Thurs 28 April, 7.45pm to 9.30pm: A ChurchSuite invite has been sent out to book a place for the Comfort International evening with David Gasana of Comfort Rwanda. Spaces are still available, we’d love to see you there if you are interested in hearing more from one of our main mission partners.

Youth meet together at 7.30pm on Friday 29 April to hear from David Gassana of Comfort International.

Living Well event Saturday 7 May 9.45am – 1pm. You are invited to a morning seminar on “Walking alongside people in loss and trauma.” This will be an interactive morning which will include opportunities to look at losses and traumas experienced during Covid as well as traumas and trauma responses faced by refugees. We will focus on how we can love, listen and lend a hand to people we walk alongside both within and outwith our church community, remembering that all our strength and empowerment in helping comes from God. Details about the venue and how to sign up will follow soon but save the date! Contact lynn.millar@stmungos.org or Andrea.Brewster@stmungos.org for more information.

St Mungo’s Balerno Company of Men. Connect- Relate -Support. All St Mungo’s Balerno guys aged 18 and over are invited to come and join the St Mungo’s Balerno Company of Men launch evening on Thursday 12 May 7.30-9.30pm at the Ministry Centre. This will be a relaxed night to hear about the plans for the group, to chat with guys you haven’t talked to for a while and to eat pizza! What’s not to like?? Please email Adrian.smith@stmungos.org to be on a waiting list.

St Mungo’s at Balerno Gala Day, Saturday afternoon, 28 May. As a church we won’t be hosting our own Family Fun Day this year but we have a great opportunity to be present at Balerno’s biggest community event – the Gala Day! St Mungo’s will run the ‘Activity Village’ (a collection of activities for the children like ‘Hook-a-duck’, a hoopla stand and more) along with a hospitality tent for mums with wee ones (for nappy changes and feeds) and opportunities to tell others all about St Mungo’s. Please save the date – we’ll need plenty of helpers to join the team. Either contact andrea.brewster@stmungos.org for info / to sign up or sign up in person after the Balerno service on Sunday 1 May.

Staff News: Graham Wilson has been appointed as an Operations Assistant for 28hrs a week for 6 months. Graham joins the staff team with many years of experience volunteering on the tech team in a variety of roles and will alongside the rest of the operations team to continue to deliver our Sunday services, midweek events and the accompanying logistical and administrative tasks associated with this.

Face Coverings: are no longer a legal requirement in places of worship, but we are asking that people wear a face covering when entering and exiting our services this week, but they may be removed for the duration of the service. Anyone wishing to continue wearing a face covering is very welcome to do so and we would recommend switching to using an FFP2 style mask. This style of face covering will protect the wearer from the current dominant variant as society moves from 'wearing a face covering to protect others' to 'wearing a face covering to protect oneself'. Please contact david.lyons@stmungos.org if you have any questions or clarifications.

The Company of Men

Sunday 17 April traditional communion service at 8.45am in church building, Balerno.

Services at 10.30am on Sunday 17 April at St Margaret’s Academy Livingston and Heriot Watt University. These are all age family services and cannot therefore be live streamed as we cannot show children on a YouTube site without permissions.

Face Coverings: are no longer a legal requirement in places of worship, but we are asking that people wear a face covering when entering and exiting our services this week and next, but they may be removed for the duration of the service. Anyone wishing to continue wearing a face covering is very welcome to do so and we would recommend switching to using an FFP2 style mask. This style of face covering will protect the wearer from the current dominant variant as society moves from 'wearing a face covering to protect others' to 'wearing a face covering to protect oneself'. Please contact david.lyons@stmungos.org if you have any questions or require clarification.

There are accessible seats and a socially distanced area which do not need pre booking.

Refreshments are currently not being served after our services but do stay to chat.

Easter evening worship Sunday 17 April at 6.30pm at Heriot Watt University for all congregations.

Balerno Congregation will resume meeting at Balerno High School on Sunday 1 May.

Vision Sunday: This year’s Vision Sunday will be shared over 2 consecutive weeks, in Balerno on Sunday 1 May and in Livingston on Sunday 8 May.

Comfort International Mission Evening: Thurs 28 April, 7.45pm to 9.30pm: A ChurchSuite invite has been sent out to book a place for the Comfort International evening with David Gasana of Comfort Rwanda. Spaces are still available, we’d love to see you there if you are interested in hearing more from one of our main mission partners.

St Mungo’s Balerno Company of Men. Connect- Relate -Support. All St Mungo’s Balerno guys aged 18 and over are invited to come and join the St Mungo’s Balerno Company of Men launch evening on Thursday 12 May 7.30-9.30pm at the Ministry Centre. This will be a relaxed night to hear about the plans for the group, to chat with guys you haven’t talked to for a while and to eat pizza! What’s not to like?? Put this event in your diary – now. ChurchSuite email to book in has been sent out, and there are just a few places left. Once full please email adrian.smith@stmungos.org to be on a waiting list.

Livingston families reminder that our new 0-18 groups will begin next week, Sunday 24 April. Preschool will be in L16 (and primary in L30). No changes to youth venue. Contact you group leader for further details.

Minis for families with little ones is on Easter break until 26 and 27 April.

Staff News: Graham Wilson has been appointed as an Operations Assistant for 28hrs a week for 6 months. Graham joins the staff team with many years of experience volunteering on the tech team in a variety of roles and will work alongside the rest of the operations team to continue to deliver our Sunday services, midweek events and the accompanying logistical and administrative tasks associated with this.

Deanpark Primary and the “Bells” estate houses in Balerno are looking to celebrate their 50th anniversary by displaying contributions from community groups of their presence in the village. If you have good quality photographs involving St Mungo’s in Balerno over the years please contact us at enquiries@stmungos.org. If you are creative and would like to be involved in collating this material on behalf of us as a church please also get in touch.

Congratulations to Andrew and Rebecca Savage (Livingston congregation) on the birth of Marissa.

Holy Week & Easter

Sunday 10 April traditional communion service at 8.45am in church building, Balerno.

Services at 10.30am on Sunday 10 April at St Margaret’s Academy Livingston and Heriot Watt University. A limited 0-18 programme will be running at the services for both congregations. In Livingston this is preschool only, and for Balerno preschool and primary only. Face coverings are still required whilst entering and leaving the buildings and whilst singing. There are accessible seats and a socially distanced area which do not need pre booking.

Refreshments are currently not being served after our services but do stay to chat.

Evening worship and prayer service on Sunday 10 April at 6.30pm at Heriot Watt University for all congregations.

Easter services.

· Maundy Thursday (14 April) ; two communion services in the Church Building, Ladycroft, Balerno at 7pm and 8pm. (limited spaces so this requires pre booking via a ChurchSuite email which will go out soon)

· Good Friday: (15 April) in Church building, Ladycroft, Balerno (15 April). The building will be open between noon and 2pm and again between 5pm and 9.30pm for a self-led time of Easter reflection and contemplation on the Stations of the Cross.

· Easter Sunday (17 April) there will be whole-church family services in both venues at 10.30am. (No separate 0-18 groups available including no creche) These services involve children taking part so will NOT be live-streamed. Join us to celebrate together as a church family.

· Worship evening service at 6.30pm on Easter Sunday at Heriot Watt for all congregations.

St Mungo’s Balerno Company of Men. Connect- Relate -Support. All St Mungo’s Balerno guys aged 18 and over are invited to come and join the St Mungo’s Balerno Company of Men launch evening on Thursday 12 May 7.30-9.30pm at the Ministry Centre. This will be a relaxed night to hear about the plans for the group, to chat with guys you haven’t talked to for a while and to eat pizza! What’s not to like?? Put this event in your diary – now. More details will follow soon including a booking-in email.

Gold; the St Mungo’s over 60’s group meets on Tuesday 12 April in the church building, Ladycroft, Balerno from 2pm until 3.30pm. Easter theme, Traidcraft goods stall (bring some cash) and afternoon tea/coffee. Please contact David Brown on 07470 312612 to book your place.

Living Well event Saturday 7 May 9.45am – 1pm. You are invited to a morning seminar on “Walking alongside people in loss and trauma.” This will be an interactive morning which will include opportunities to look at losses and traumas experienced during Covid as well as traumas and trauma responses faced by refugees. We will focus on how we can love, listen and lend a hand to people we walk alongside both within and outwith our church community, remembering that all our strength and empowerment in helping comes from God. Details about the venue and how to sign up will follow soon but save the date! Contact lynn.millar@stmungos.org or andrea.brewster@stmungos.org for more information.

Wellness Centre is closed 11 to 18 April inclusive.

Minis for families with little ones is on Easter break until 26 and 27 April.

Deanpark Primary and the “Bells” estate houses in Balerno are looking to celebrate their 50th anniversary by displaying contributions from community groups of their presence in the village. If you have good quality photographs involving St Mungo’s in Balerno over the years please contact us at enquiries@stmungos.org. If you are creative and would like to be involved in collating this material on behalf of us as a church please also get in touch.

Youth & Children’s Worker [Livingston] vacancy: We are continuing to advertise for someone to join the 0-18 staff team and we have extended the closing date for applications to Saturday 30 April. Please do share the application pack, which can be found on https://stmungos.org/vacancies, with anyone you know would love to join the 0-18 staff team and work with our children & young people in Livingston.

Youth: Both Friday night and Sunday morning groups are on pause for Easter, they will restart on Sunday 24 April.

Congratulations to Andrew and Rebecca Savage (Livingston congregation) on the birth of Marissa.

Please pray for the next stage of the Associate Rector interview taking place this weekend, for wisdom, guidance and clarity for all involved.

Minis

Sunday 3 April traditional communion service at 8.45am in church building, Balerno.

Services at 10.30am on Sunday 3 April at St Margaret’s Academy Livingston and Heriot Watt University. A full 0-18 programme will be running at the services for both congregations. There are accessible seats and a socially distanced area which do not need pre booking.

Refreshments are currently not being served after our services but do stay to chat.

Easter services. Easter Sunday is 17 April and we plan whole church family services in both venues at 10.30; there will also be an evening worship service at 6.30pm for all congregations. We are also planning two evening communion services on Maundy Thursday (14 April) in the church building (this will require pre booking via a ChurchSuite email which will go out nearer the time), and a drop in event on Good Friday in Balerno (15 April). More details about all of these to follow.

Evening services are being planned and more details will follow once finalised. Sunday 10 April is possible next date so look out for details once finalised.

Comfort International Mission Visit: We are delighted to share that David Gasana of Comfort Rwanda will be joining us for 2 evening events in April [Thursday 28: church information evening and Friday 29: joining Friday night youth]. David heads up Comfort Rwanda and oversees the Comfort Transformation Centre which our 2018 Christmas Gift Collection raised funds for. More information about these evenings and invites will be sent out soon.

Living Well event Saturday 7 May 9.45am – 1pm. You are invited to a morning seminar on “Walking alongside people in loss and trauma.” This will be an interactive morning which will include opportunities to look at losses and traumas experienced during Covid as well as traumas and trauma responses faced by refugees. We will focus on how we can love, listen and lend a hand to people we walk alongside both within and outwith our church community, remembering that all our strength and empowerment in helping comes from God. Details about the venue and how to sign up will follow soon but save the date! Contact lynn.millar@stmungos.org or Andrea.Brewster@stmungos.org for more information.

Deanpark Primary and the “Bells” estate houses in Balerno are looking to celebrate their 50th anniversary by displaying contributions from community groups of their presence in the village. If you have good quality photographs involving St Mungo’s in Balerno over the years please contact us at enquiries@stmungos.org. If you are creative and would like to be involved in collating this material on behalf of us as a church please also get in touch.

Gold the St Mungo’s over 60’s group meets again on Tuesday 12 April in the church building, Ladycroft, Balerno from 2pm until 3.30pm. Easter theme, Traidcraft goods stall (bring some cash) and afternoon tea/coffee. Please contact David Brown on 07470 312612 to book your place.

Ukraine. As we continue to pray for the people of Ukraine and the many Christians affected in Russia too, Open Doors is a useful resource to guide us how to pray; to understand the role of the Church in Ukraine and to read updates from local pastors.

https://www.opendoorsuk.org/news/latest-news/russia-ukraine-military-assault/.

Youth & Children’s Worker [Livingston] vacancy: We are continuing to advertise for someone to join the 0-18 staff team and we have extended the closing date for applications to Saturday 30 April. Please do share the application pack, which can be found on https://stmungos.org/vacancies, with anyone you know would love to join the 0-18 staff team and work with our children & young people in Livingston.

Worship and Prayer evening for the Wellness Centre Ministry on Tuesday 26 April 7.30pm – 9.30pm at the Wellness Centre – this is open to anyone from St Mungo’s to join the Wellness Centre team of counsellors and receptionists to pray for the work of the Wellness Ministry. We want to invite God to strengthen, empower and sustain us in our work in the Centre and we want to invite God to bring healing and restoration to our clients and to bring comfort to the people in our waiting list as they await the start of their counselling. We will be meeting in the Wellness Centre where there will be live worship music and prayer stations throughout the building and outside it. We would love you to join us!

A new prayer cell 'Creation Care' is starting on Monday 25 April at 6.45am (note early morning) via Zoom. It will focus on the stewardship of creation entrusted to us by God, including love for our unseen global neighbours and justice for those who are most impacted by our acts of commission and omission. For more information, please contact enquiries@stmungos.org or Alison Marshall or Sue McLeod.

Youth: Both Friday night and Sunday morning groups will pause for Easter after Sunday 3 April. They will restart on Sunday 24 April.

Livingston : pre school Sunday group runs as normal on 3 and 10 April. Easter on Sunday 17 April is a family service. Those children moving up will do so on 24 April.

Pioneers will be meeting at 10.30 on Sunday 3 April at Naomi’s house.

Andrew Quinn will step down from his role as St Mungo’s operations Coordinator at Easter. Our thanks and more information is at : https://stmungos.org/news/aqleaving

Primary events all on Saturday 2 April, P1-3 'Pentland Adventure' a walk and picnic 12-2 is now cancelled. P4-7 'Chips and chat' - an evening stroll ending at the chippie! 6-8pm Parents must register for these events by emailing caitlin.boddy@stmungos.org (and full details of location will be sent in the reply confirmation). Invite handed out in kids groups - friends welcome too!

Mungos Merch

Remember to change your clocks tonight – Saturday 26 March. Clocks move forward so one hour less sleep!

Sunday 27 March traditional communion service at 8.45am in church building, Balerno.

Services at 10.30am on Sunday 27 March at St Margaret’s Academy Livingston and Heriot Watt University. A full 0-18 programme will be running at the services for both congregations. There are accessible seats and a socially distanced area which do not need pre booking.

Mother’s day. Daffodils are available to bless all women after our services on Sunday morning.

Refreshments are currently not being served after our services but do stay to chat.

Easter services. Easter Sunday is 17 April and we plan whole church family services in both venues at 10.30. We are also planning an evening service on Maundy Thursday (14 April) this will require pre booking, and a drop in event on Good Friday (15 April). More details to follow.

Evening services are being planned and more details will follow once finalised.

Comfort International Mission Visit: We are delighted to share that David Gasana of Comfort Rwanda will be joining us for 2 evening events in April [Thurs 28: church information evening and Fri 29: joining Friday night youth]. David heads up Comfort Rwanda and oversees the Comfort Transformation Centre which our 2018 Christmas Gift Collection raised funds for. More information about these evenings and invites will be sent out soon.

Ukraine. As we continue to pray for the people of Ukraine and the many Christians affected in Russia too, Open Doors is a useful resource to guide us how to pray; to understand the role of the Church in Ukraine and to read updates from local pastors: https://www.opendoorsuk.org/news/latest-news/russia-ukraine-military-assault/.

Youth & Children’s Worker [Livingston] vacancy: This role is now advertised for someone to join the 0-18 staff team. The closing date for applications is Monday 28 March. Please do share the application pack, which can be found on https://stmungos.org/vacancies, with anyone you know would love to join the 0-18 staff team and work with our children & young people in Livingston.

End of the tax year – a gentle reminder for those of you who like to give a one-off gift at this time of year. Our bank account details are: St Mungo’s Church, Balerno, sort code 83-19-15 account no. 00266149. Please add your name as a reference!

A new prayer cell 'Creation Care' is starting on Monday 25 April at 6.45am (note early morning) via Zoom. It will focus on the stewardship of creation entrusted to us by God, including love for our unseen global neighbours and justice for those who are most impacted by our acts of commission and omission. For more information, please contact enquiries@stmungos.org or Alison Marshall or Sue McLeod.

Worship and Prayer evening for the Wellness Centre Ministry on Tuesday 26 April 7.30pm – 9.30pm at the Wellness Centre – this is open to anyone from St Mungo’s to join the Wellness Centre team of counsellors and receptionists to pray for the work of the Wellness Ministry. We want to invite God to strengthen, empower and sustain us in our work in the Centre and we want to invite God to bring healing and restoration to our clients and to bring comfort to the people in our waiting list as they await the start of their counselling. We will be meeting in the Wellness Centre where there will be live worship music and prayer stations throughout the building and outside it. We would love you to join us!

Andrew Quinn will step down from his role as St Mungo’s operations Coordinator at Easter. Our thanks and more information is at : https://stmungos.org/news/aqleaving

Safe Families – this wonderful charity supports vulnerable families across Edinburgh and the Lothians. Existing volunteers from St Mungo’s offer help and support through befriending, hosting a child overnight or by giving resources (DIY skills or any equipment required). If you’d like to find out more, speak to andrea.brewster@stmungos.org; visit https://safefamilies.uk/volunteer/ or join the Information Night, Monday 28 March, 8-8.45pm on Zoom (email scotland@safefamilies.uk or call 0131 603 8430 to receive the link and details)

Friday Night Youth will be at Church Building, Ladycroft with the usual activities at 7:30pm.

Primary eventsall on Saturday 2 April,P1-3 'Pentland Adventure' a walk and picnic 12-2.P4-7 'Chips and chat' - an evening stroll ending at the chippie! 6-8pm Parents must register for these events by emailing caitlin.boddy@stmungos.org(and full details of location will be sent in the reply confirmation).Invite handed out in kids groups - friends welcome too!

Update on Balerno High School and Covid-19

Sunday 13 March traditional communion service at 8.45am in church building, Balerno.

Services at 10.30am on Sunday 13 March at St Margaret’s Academy Livingston and Heriot Watt University. A full 0-18 programme will be running at the services for both congregations. There are accessible seats and a socially distanced area which do not need pre booking.

Refreshments are currently not being served after our services but do stay to chat.

Evening Worship and Prayer Service. Next one will be at Heriot Watt at 6.30pm on Sunday 13 March. This is not live streamed or recorded so come along. There are accessible seats and a socially distanced area which do not need pre booking.

Evening Worship Night in Balerno Parish Church: We will be holding a worship night in Balerno Parish Church at 6.30pm on Sunday 20 March. Seats will be limited and so look out for the booking information and we look forward to seeing you there.

Balerno Congregation: Sunday services will be continuing at Heriot-Watt University and not Balerno High School as initially planned. For more information on why this is please read the following: https://stmungos.org/news/importantinfo

Youth & Children’s Worker [Livingston] vacancy: This role is now advertised for someone to join the 0-18 staff team. The closing date for applications is Monday 28 March. Please do share the application pack, which can be found on https://stmungos.org/vacancies, with anyone you know would love to join the 0-18 staff team and work with our children & young people in Livingston.

OM Ukraine Emergency Appeal: We have given £5,000 towards OM’s emergency response to the situation in Ukraine to support their teams working in the surrounding countries of Moldova, Romania, Poland and Hungary right now to help refugees arriving who need much needed supplies. OM also has a number of teams on the ground in Ukraine, including Kyiv, still supporting local believers and churches in the midst of the conflict. Please continue to pray for the nation of Ukraine as they face an escalating and dire situation, for the Prince of Peace to reign over this conflict and for bloodshed and violence to cease quickly.

Church family news:

· Richard and Sharon Knott (Balerno congregation) have moved to England where Richard has taken up the role of Children and Youth Development Officer with the United Reformed Church, West Midlands Synod. They would appreciate prayers as they seek to find new long-term home and fully settle in the Midlands

· Gavin & Heather Falconer, (Livingston congregation), have arrived safely in Ecuador; just completed their language training and are now beginning their ministry roles. Please continue to pray for them as they settle in and find their feet. You can read their first newsletter here: https://stmungos.org/mission-giving.

St Mungo’s Christmas Collection: The final total raised is £27,320 with Challenge Ministries Swaziland and Starfish Asia receiving 50% each. We are absolutely delighted to have reached beyond our projected total and these funds will make a significant difference to both of the projects identified and the communities directly impacted through the work of these mission partners. Thank you to everyone who has contributed so generously and sacrificially. Once we have reports on the progress of the projects, we will keep the church updated.

Friday Night Youth will be at Church Building, Ladycroft with the usual activities at 7:30pm.

Primary events all on Saturday 2 April, P1-3 'Pentland Adventure' a walk and picnic 12-2. P4-7 'Chips and chat' - an evening stroll ending at the chippie! 6-8pm Parents must register for these events by emailing caitlin.boddy@stmungos.org (and full details of location will be sent in the reply confirmation). Invite handed out in kids groups - friends welcome too!

Congratulationsto Tim and Beth Wong (Livingston congregation) on the recent birth of Abel.

Ukraine prayer points

Sunday 6 March traditional communion service at 8.45am in church building, Balerno.

Services at 10.30am on Sunday 6 March at St Margaret’s Academy Livingston and Heriot Watt University. A full 0-18 programme will be running at the services for both congregations. There are accessible seats and a socially distanced area which do not need pre booking.

Sunday (6 March) is an Envision Sunday for the youth of both Balerno and Livingston. Starts at 10.30am at Heriot Watt in the youth space.

Refreshments are currently not being served after our services but do stay to chat.

Evening Worship and Prayer Service. Next one will be at Heriot Watt at 6.30pm on Sunday 13 March. This is not live streamed or recorded so come along. There are accessible seats and a socially distanced area which do not need pre booking.

Evening Worship Night in Balerno Parish Church: We will be holding a worship night in Balerno Parish Church at 6.30pm on Sunday 20 March. Seats will be limited and so look out for the booking information and we look forward to seeing you there.

Balerno Congregation: Sunday services will be continuing at Heriot-Watt University and not Balerno High School as initially planned. For more information on why this is please read the following: https://stmungos.org/news/importantinfo

Gold. If you’re older than 59, exciting news, a meeting of our Gold Group will take place in the church building, Ladycroft Balerno on Tuesday 8 March from 2pm until 3.30pm. There will be some fun together with refreshments including homemade cakes and tea or coffee. There’s a lot of catching up to do. Please phone David Brown on 07470 312612 to find out more or to book your place.

OM Ukraine Emergency Appeal: We have given £5,000 towards OM’s emergency response to the situation in Ukraine to support their teams working in the surrounding countries of Moldova, Romania, Poland and Hungary right now to help refugees arriving who need much needed supplies. OM also has a number of teams on the ground in Ukraine, including Kyiv, still supporting local believers and churches in the midst of the conflict. Please continue to pray for the nation of Ukraine as they face an escalating and dire situation, for the Prince of Peace to reign over this conflict and for bloodshed and violence to cease quickly.

The Big Bethany Sleep Out [Fri 11 Mar]: Bethany have their annual sleep out, either in person or at home, on Friday 11 March, to raise funds and awareness for what is a daily reality for many in Scotland. To find out more:

https://www.bethanychristiantrust.com/event/the-big-bethany-sleep-out-is-back/.

St Mungo’s Christmas Collection: The final total raised is £27,320 with Challenge Ministries Swaziland and Starfish Asia receiving 50% each. We are absolutely delighted to have reached beyond our projected total and these funds will make a significant difference to both of the projects identified and the communities directly impacted through the work of these mission partners. Thank you to everyone who has contributed so generously and sacrificially. Once we have reports on the progress of the projects, we will keep the church updated.

Parentalk – the Teenage Years The final session of the course (on Zoom) is on Wednesday 9 March (7.45pm onwards), exploring the topic of ‘Letting Go’. All households with a young person in P6-S5 are welcome to join – sign up via the email sent last week or contact andrea.brewster@stmungos.org if you have any questions.

Balerno Farmers Market, Saturday 12 March, 9am-1pm. A team from St Mungo’s will be hosting a stall (giving away church flyers and kids crafts). Please pray for opportunities for some great conversations, and if you’d like to get involved for all or part of the time, please contact andrea.brewster@stmungos.org

Friday Night Youth will be at Church Building, Ladycroft with the usual activities at 7:30pm.

Primary events all on Saturday 2 April, P1-3 'Pentland Adventure' a walk and picnic 12-2. P4-7 'Chips and chat' - an evening stroll ending at the chippie! 6-8pm Parents must register for these events by emailing caitlin.boddy@stmungos.org (and full details of location will be sent in the reply confirmation). Invite handed out in kids groups - friends welcome too!

Heriot Watt Chaplaincy Lecture on Monday 14 March at 7.30pm in person or on zoom. The Poetry of Music and Science given by Prof Tom McLeish, University of York. To attend in person book for free by 10 March. please register here on Eventbrite or for viewing on line please register here on Eventbrite

Prayers

Please pray for the Associate Rector interview taking place soon, for wisdom and clarity for Ollie and the interview panel.

Youth weekend away at Limitless

Thank you for your continued patience with us as we move into a season of venue decisions for various meetings and services which require discussions and meetings with external bodies. Please keep an eye on your emails, our Facebook community page and our Website for the latest news and venue confirmations.

Sunday 27 February traditional communion service at 8.45am in church building, Balerno.

Services at 10.30am on Sunday 27 February at St Margaret’s Academy Livingston and Heriot Watt University. A full 0-18 programme will be running at the services for both congregations.

Refreshments are currently not being served after our services but do stay to chat.

Balerno Congregation: Sunday services will be continuing at Heriot-Watt University and not Balerno High School as initially planned. For more information on why this is please read the following: https://stmungos.org/news/importantinfo

Evening Service: Will be at Heriot Watt at 6.30pm on Sunday 27 February. This is not live streamed or recorded so come along. Personal prayer ministry will be available. There are accessible seats and a socially distanced area which do not need pre booking.

Ash Wednesday services on Wednesday 2 March at 8am and repeated at 5.30pm. Each will be about 45 minutes long. These will be communion services (bread only) and held in our Church Building, Ladycroft, Balerno . Invites have been sent via ChurchSuite as booking is required.

Balerno Youth Sunday Bible Study returns this Sunday at Heriot Watt. We will be in for the beginning of worship before heading out to begin an Easter video series.

Friday Night Youth will be at Church Building, Ladycroft once again with the usual activities at 7:30pm.

Next Sunday (6 March) will be an Envision Sunday for the youth of both Balerno and Livingston. More details to follow in the coming days!

Livingston Staff. Ollie recently shared an update on the current Livingston staff recruitment, please do read the recent email communication sent on Sunday 20 February for all the latest information and prayer points.

Alpha course in Balerno just started. Still time to join, to sign up email alpha@stmungos.org.

St Mungo’s Christmas Collection: Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the Christmas gift collection over the last 3 months and enabling us to move beyond our original target of £25,000. Both Challenge Ministries Swaziland and Starfish Asia will be delighted to receive 50% each of the final amount, blessing the projects and communities who will be significantly impacted by your generosity. We will share updates from both projects as and when we receive news on their progress.

Heriot Watt Chaplaincy Lecture on Monday 14 March at 7.30pm in person or on zoom. The Poetry of Music and Science given by Prof Tom McLeish, University of York. To attend in person book for free by 10 March. please register here on Eventbrite or for viewing on line please register here on Eventbrite

World Mission & Giving

Thank you for your continued patience with us as we move into a season of venue decisions for various meetings and services which require discussions and meetings with external bodies which sometimes move at a slower speed than would be desirable. We will continue to keep Facebook and our Website updated with all the latest news and venue confirmations.

Sunday 20 February traditional communion service at 8.45am in church building, Balerno.

Services at 10.30am on Sunday 20 February at St Margaret’s Academy Livingston and Heriot Watt University. A limited 0-18 programme will be running at the services for both congregations. No youth activities for Balerno congregation due to half term.

Balerno Services. We are returning to Balerno High School for our services on Sunday 27 February! Thank you to everyone who has helped sort and clean all the equipment, boxes and cupboard contents ready for this return.

Balerno Primary on Sundays from 27 Feb will all be in the drama studio at Balerno High School and will need checking in and out. Climbers (pre school) will be in the café and Little Wonders (2 and under) back upstairs.

Evening Service: As yet, no final decision has been made on a venue for our proposed evening service at 6.30pm on Sunday 27 February. Please keep an eye on our Facebook pages; Website and ChurchSuite emails for updates.

Alpha course in Balerno starts on Thursday 24 February. This will be in person in the church building, Ladycroft Balerno, with food – think about who you can invite. To sign up email alpha@stmungos.org.

Friday Night Youth returns on 25 Feb with all the usual fun at 7:30pm at church building Ladycroft, Balerno.

Ash Wednesday services on Wednesday 2 March. We will be holding a morning and early evening communion service in our Church Building, Ladycroft, Balerno to mark Ash Wednesday. Timings to be confirmed, please keep an eye on our Facebook pages and Website for updates. Invites will be issued via ChurchSuite as booking will be required.

St Mungo’s Christmas Collection: With just over a week to go, we are really delighted that we have raised just over £25,000 which will greatly bless both Challenge Ministries Swaziland and Starfish Asia and their particular projects. We hope to provide further details on both projects in the coming weeks. The giving page will remain open until 28 February if you still wish to give: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/pages/christmasappeal2021.

Heriot Watt Chaplaincy Lecture on Monday 14 March at 7.30pm in person or on zoom. The Poetry of Music and Science given by Prof Tom McLeish, University of York. To attend in person book for free by 10 March. please register here on Eventbrite or for viewing on line please register here on Eventbrite

Prayers Please pray for David Lyons and the operations team as they continue to prepare and test tech equipment in Balerno High School for our return to morning services.

Alpha @ St Mungo's

Sunday 13 February traditional communion service at 8.45am in church building, Balerno. Pre booking required from those for whom this is their regular service.

Services at 10.30am on Sunday 13 February at St Margaret’s Academy Livingston and Heriot Watt University. A limited 0-18 programme will be running at the services for both congregations. No youth activities due to half term.

Evening worship service at 6.30pm on Sunday 13 February at Heriot Watt University. An hour of worship, all welcome so bring friends. This service is not live streamed.

Heriot Watt University has red phones on the walls near the auditorium, they kindly request that these emergency phones are not picked up as they are linked to their University staff for emergency purposes only. Thank you.

Balerno Services. The hope and plan is that we will return to Balerno High School for our services from Sunday 27 February.

Care Van resources needed: When it's cold outside, it's good to have a warm pair of gloves, isn't it? Those who we serve on the Bethany Care Van supporting the homeless in Edinburgh agree! They’d welcome donations -most urgent first: Gloves, toothpaste, men’s disposable razors, deodorant, small shampoo, coats, t-shirts, shoes, scarfs, joggers, plain soaps. Please contact Susan treasuredartwork@yahoo.co.uk to arrange delivery. Thanks so much.

St Mungo’s Christmas Collection: We are delighted to announce that we have reached our target of £25,000 with just over 2 weeks still to go. We are extremely grateful to everyone who have contributed to both Challenge Ministries Swaziland and Starfish Asia and the blessing this will be to their work. We will keep the giving page open until 28 February if you still wish to give. https://www.stewardship.org.uk/pages/christmasappeal2021.

GOLD (St Mungo’s over 60’s group) hope that they will be able to meet face to face soon. They are still working out where and how but afternoon of Tuesday 8 March is the likely date. More information and details coming soon.

Alpha course in Balerno starts on Thursday 24 February. This will be in person in the church building, Ladycroft Balerno, with food – think about who you can invite. To sign up email alpha@stmungos.org.

Youth will not be meeting on Friday 18 February, or Sundays 13 and 20 February because of half term.

Prayers

Pray for the 40 youth plus leaders away for the weekend of 11 to 13 February. For Jonny as he heads up everything and for God to touch these young people’s lives as they meet together.

AGM News update

Sunday 6 February traditional communion service at 8.45am in church building, Balerno. Pre booking required from those for whom this is their regular service.

Services at 10.30am on Sunday 6 February at St Margaret’s Academy Livingston and Heriot Watt University. A full 0-18 programme will be running at the services for both congregations.

Heriot Watt University has red phones on the walls near the auditorium, they kindly request that these emergency phones are not picked up as they are linked to their University staff for emergency purposes only. Thank you.

Balerno Services. The hope is that we will return to Balerno High School for our services from Sunday 27 February.

Care Van resources needed: When it's cold outside, it's good to have a warm pair of gloves, isn't it? Those who we serve on the Bethany Care Van supporting the homeless in Edinburgh agree! They’d welcome donations -most urgent first: Gloves, toothpaste, men’s disposable razors, deodorant, small shampoo, coats, t-shirts, shoes, scarfs, joggers, plain soaps. Please contact Susan [treasuredartwork@yahoo.co.uk] to arrange delivery. Thanks so much.

St Mungo’s Christmas Collection: Thank you for your continued generosity towards the appeals for both Challenge Ministries Swaziland and Starfish Asia. We have now reached over £24,000 [including gift aid] with 3 weeks to go to reach our target. We are hugely grateful to the Church for showing interest in these projects in this way. https://www.stewardship.org.uk/pages/christmasappeal2021.

Midweek Word Live will finish on Wednesday 9 February, do join Ollie for a Word from the Word. Available on the St Mungo’s Community Facebook page and the St Mungo’s Balerno & Livingston YouTube channel.

GOLD (St Mungo’s over 60’s group) hope that they will be able to meet face to face soon. They are still working out where and how but afternoon of Tuesday 8 March is the likely date. More information and details coming soon.

Alpha course in Balerno starts on Thursday 24 February. This will be in person in the church building, Ladycroft Balerno, with food – think about who you can invite. To sign up email alpha@stmungos.org.

Parentalk – the Teenage Years The next session of the course (on Zoom) is on Wednesday 9 February (7.45pm onwards), exploring the topic of ‘Big Pressures…. Good Choices’. All households with a young person in P6-S5 are welcome to join – sign up via the email sent on 2 February or contact andrea.brewster@stmungos.org if you have any questions.

Balerno Farmers Market, Saturday 12 February, 9am-1pm . A team from St Mungo’s will be hosting a stall (giving away church flyers and kids crafts). Please pray for opportunities for some great conversations, and if you’d like to get involved for all or part of the time, please contact andrea.brewster@stmungos.org

Youth will not be meeting on Fridays 11 or 18 February, or Sundays 13 and 20 February because of half term.

Prayers

Pray for the 40 youth plus leaders going away for the weekend of 11 to 13 February. For Jonny as he heads up everything and for God to touch these young people’s lives as they meet together.

Continue to pray for the Vestry, especially the two new members just appointed: Tara Devlin and Gareth Ihmig.

Please pray for Kara Packwood as she returns home on Tuesday after 2 years away on the OM Logos Hope ship – for a time of rest; recovery and reconnection with family and friends. Pray that Kara’s re-entry to life in Edinburgh is smooth and for space to seek God’s purpose for her next stage.

Youth Weekend Away Prayer points

Annual General Meeting: for all Church members on Sunday 30 January as part of our 10.30am services at both St Margaret’s in Livingston and Heriot Watt University. Details were emailed to all members on 7 and 26 January. Church members watching the service via the live stream participate in the Vestry nominee affirmation process via an online voting form which will be issued via ChurchSuite on the morning of Sunday 30 January. This form will be open for the duration of the service only. Only the Balerno service will be live streamed.

Sunday 30 January traditional communion service at 8.45am in church building. Pre booking required from those for whom this is their regular service.

Sunday 30 January: a full 0-18 programme will be running at the 10.30 services for both congregations.

Worship and Prayer event Sunday 30 January: 6.30pm at Heriot Watt University for both congregations. As we start the year together we want to use our evening service to come together as church family and prayer for our church. The evening will begin with worship and then move to led intercession from the front with opportunities to pray with those seated around you and finish with more worship.

Balerno Services. The hope is that we will return to Balerno High School for our services from Sunday 20 February.

Alpha course in Balerno starts in January. This will be in person, with food – think about who you can invite. To sign up email alpha@stmungos.org.

Youth Weekend: A reminder that bookings for this are only open until 31 January - contact Jonny.slatter@stmungos.org for more info.

Friday Night Youth: on 4 February is back in person for a prayer stations evening. Meet at 7.30pm at the Church Building Ladycroft Balerno.

Balerno P1-3 Arts and Craft Saturday 5 February 3-4.30pm in the Ministry Centre. Feel free to bring a friend! Balerno P4-7 Games Night Saturday 5 February 6.30-8pm in Church Building, Ladycroft, Balerno. Feel free to bring a friend!

St Mungo’s Christmas Collection: Thank you for your continued generosity towards the appeals for both Challenge Ministries Swaziland and Starfish Asia. We have now reached over £22,000 [including gift aid] as of 27 Jan. The giving page will remain open until 28 February: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/pages/christmasappeal2021 .

Midweek Word Live will continue for the first two weeks of February, 8.30am for half an hour on Wednesday, available on the St Mungo’s Community Facebook page and the St Mungo’s Balerno & Livingston YouTube channel. Do join us for a Word from the Word!

Prayers

Please pray for the 0-18 teams in both locations as they seek to fill the gaps in volunteers across the ministry. For further details, please read Caitlin Boddy’s news post from last week: https://stmungos.org/news/0-18-recruitment-news.

Please pray for Gavin and Heather Falconer (members of our Livingston congregation) as they travel this week for 2 years in Quito, Ecuador where they will be serving with Reach Beyond. For more details of what they'll be doing, and how they feel God has led them to this opportunity, please have a watch of their interview on the website.

0-18 Ministry Needs You!

Services on Sunday 23 January at 10.30am. In person service at St Margaret’s Academy for Livingston congregation, with groups for 0-18. In person service for Balerno congregation at Church Building, Ladycroft - booking required. Only this Balerno service will be live streamed.

Balerno 0-18: Climbers are getting together at 9.15am on zoom on Sunday 23 January. Mighty Mungos will also be on zoom today at 10am. (no pre-recorded programme) . Email with details of how to join these has been sent out to families.

Sunday 23 January traditional communion service at 8.45am in church building. Pre booking required from those for whom this is their regular service.

Annual General Meeting: for all Church members on Sunday 30 January as part of our 10.30am services. Details were emailed to all members on 7 January with further details being emailed during the coming week. Church members watching the service via the live stream participate in the Vestry nominee affirmation process via an online voting form which will be issued via ChurchSuite on the morning of Sunday 30 January. This form will be open for the duration of the service only.

Sunday 30 January: We are planning for our morning and evening Balerno services to be at Heriot Watt University. If this changes we will issue updates via the website, email and in the Facebook group.

Worship and Prayer event Sunday 30 January: As we start the year together we want to use our evening service to come together as church family and prayer for our church. The evening will begin with worship and then move to led intercession from the front with opportunities to pray with those seated around you and finish with more worship.

Housegroup Leaders meeting on zoom on Wednesday 26 January at 8pm.

Alpha course in Balerno starts in January. This will be in person, with food – think about who you can invite. To sign up email alpha@stmungos.org.

Sunday night (23 January) youth cancelled due to team shortages.

Friday Youth on 28 January: will be on zoom for our vision night. All parents/guardians invited to join their young people as the team cast their vision for where youth is going over the next 12 months. There will be a family quiz throughout the night. So join for an evening of fun and excitement and hear the youth plans.

Youth Weekend: A reminder that bookings for weekend away are open until the 31 January - contact Jonny.slatter@stmungos.org for more info. Full programme details will be issued this week.

Balerno P1-3 Arts and Craft Saturday 5 February 3-4.30pm in the Ministry Centre. Feel free to bring a friend! Balerno P4-7 Games Night Saturday 5 February 6.30-8pm in Church Building, Ladycroft, Balerno. Feel free to bring a friend!

St Mungo’s Christmas Collection: Thank you for your continued generosity towards the appeals for both Challenge Ministries Swaziland and Starfish Asia. We have now reached almost £13,000 [including gift aid] as of 21 Jan. There is still time to contribute https://www.stewardship.org.uk/pages/christmasappeal2021.

Safe Families – opportunities to volunteer. This organisation matches volunteers with families across Edinburgh to provide support through befriending (children or parents), resources or hosting a child overnight. There is an info session on Monday 24 January (8.00-8.45pm). Contact scotland@safefamilies.uk for zoom link or to sign up for volunteer training sessions coming up in February.

Congratulations to Arran and Rebecca McLeod (Livingston congregation) on the recent arrival of baby Zoe.

Midweek Word Live continues through January, 8.30am for half an hour on Wednesday, available on the St Mungo’s Community Facebook page and the St Mungo’s Balerno & Livingston YouTube channel. Do join us for a Word from the Word!

Prayer: Please pray for Gavin and Heather Falconer (members of our Livingston congregation) as they leave for 2 years in Quito, Ecuador where they will be serving with Reach Beyond. For more details of what they’ll be doing, and how they feel God has led them to this opportunity, please have a watch of their interview on the website.

Services on Sunday 16 January at 10.30a.m. In person service at St Margaret’s Academy for Livingston congregation, with groups for 0-18. In person service for Balerno congregation at church building, Ladycroft - booking required. Only this Balerno service will be live streamed.

Balerno 0-18. Climbers are getting together at 9.15am on zoom on Sunday 16 January. Mighty Mungos will also be on zoom today at 10a.m. (no pre-recorded programme) Email with details of how to join these has been sent out to families.

Sunday 16 January traditional communion service at 8.45 in church building. Pre booking required from those for whom this is their regular service.

Balerno Youth Bible Study will not be happening on Sunday 16 Jan. due to the evening service.

St Mungo’s AGM at 10.30am on Sunday 30 January in both locations. Details were emailed to all members on 7 January. **CORRECTION** - we said in our email communication that the Vestry nominee affirmations required to be completed in person. However, we have now updated this to confirm that an online voting form will be issued via ChurchSuite for members of the congregation watching the live stream. This form will be open for the duration of the service only.

Alpha course in Balerno starts in January. This will be in person, with food – think about who you can invite. To sign up email alpha@stmungos.org

Friday Night Youth on Jan 21 at 7:30-9:30pm at Ministry Centre. All S1-S6 welcome! Pre-booking is required, with numbers capped at 20. Contact jonny.slatter@stmungos.org for more information.

Youth Weekend Away: More info contact jonny.slatter@stmungos.org. Bookings close on 31 Jan.

Balerno P1-3 Arts and Craft Saturday 5 February 3-4:30pm in the Ministry Centre. Feel free to bring a friend! Balerno P4-7 Games Night Saturday 5 February 6:30-8pm in Church Building, Ladycroft. Feel free to bring a friend!

St Mungo’s Christmas Collection: Thank you for your continued generosity towards the appeals for both Challenge Ministries Swaziland and Starfish Asia. We have now reached almost £8,300 [including gift aid] as of 12 Jan. There is still time to contribute https://www.stewardship.org.uk/pages/christmasappeal2021.

Tearfund’s Afghanistan Emergency Appeal: We have given a further £5,000 to Tearfund’s in country partner to support the work on the ground in Afghanistan. These funds will go towards life-saving relief in the form of food packages, hygiene supplies and winter kits, which include blankets to help people stay warm as the temperatures plummet. Please continue to pray that vulnerable families who have lost everything will have their needs met through this support.

Thank you to those who helped deliver Christmas Hampers to New Scots families in Edinburgh through the work of Edinburgh City Mission. St Mungo’s sponsored 15 hampers and we are truly grateful to the volunteers who distributed these before Christmas to be a blessing to refugees, asylum seekers, and people with no recourse to public funding. Please continue to pray for the ministry of Edinburgh City Mission.

New daytime housegroup in Livingston is starting soon. Open to anyone, of any age, who is available on Tuesday mornings. To express interest contact kate.yates@stmungos.org

Congratulations to Arran and Rebecca McLeod (Livingston congregation) on the recent arrival of baby Zoe.

Midweek Word Live is on Wednesdays at 8.30am for half an hour, available on the St Mungo’s Community Facebook page and the St Mungo’s Balerno & Livingston YouTube channel. Do join us for a Word from the Word!

AGM information

Services on Sunday 9 January at 10.30a.m. In person service at St Margaret’s Academy for Livingston congregation, with groups for 0-18. In person service for Balerno congregation at church building, Ladycroft - booking required. Only this Balerno service will be live streamed.

Balerno 0-18. Climbers are getting together at 9.15am on zoom on Sunday 9 January.
Mighty Mungos will also be on zoom today at 10a.m. Email with details of how to join these has been sent out.

Sunday 9 January traditional communion service at 8.45 in church building. Pre booking required from those for whom this is their regular service.

Balerno Youth Bible Study is at church building, Ladycroft on Sunday evening (9 Jan) at 6:30-8pm as we continue our series looking at the parables of Jesus.

Alpha course in Balerno starts in January. This will be in person, with food – start thinking about who you can invite. To sign up email alpha@stmungos.org

Parentalk – the Teenage Years –The next session of the course (on zoom) is on Wednesday 12 January (7.45pm onwards), exploring the topic of Communication & Conflict. All households with a young person in P6-S5 are welcome to join – email has been sent out on 5 Jan with details of how to sign up, and contact andrea.brewster@stmungos.org if you have any questions.

The proposed Gold Meeting on Tuesday 11 January will not now take place. It is hoped to return to Gold Meetings as soon as is practical.

Minis will now postpone its restart this term until later in the month.

New daytime housegroup in Livingston is starting soon. Open to anyone, of any age, who is available on Tuesday mornings. To express interest contact kate.yates@stmungos.org

Friday Night Youth starts up again on Friday (Jan 14) at 7:30-9:30pm at Ministry Centre. All S1-S6 welcome! Pre-booking is initially required, with numbers capped at 20.

Balerno P1-3 Arts and Craft Saturday 5 February 3-4:30pm in the Ministry Centre. Feel free to bring a friend! Balerno P4-7 Games Night Saturday 5 February 6:30-8pm in Church Building, Ladycroft. Feel free to bring a friend!

Youth Weekend Away: Deadline for early bird price of £80 is TODAY, Sunday 9 Jan. After this date, it is £90. Bookings will close on 31 January. Forms should be emailed to jonny.slatter@stmungos.org and direct payment should be made to the church bank account with surname and "camp" on it as the reference.

St Mungo’s Christmas Collection: Thank you for your continued generosity towards the appeals for both Challenge Ministries Swaziland and Starfish Asia. We have now reached almost £7,000 [including gift aid]. There is still time to contribute https://www.stewardship.org.uk/pages/christmasappeal2021.

Tearfund’s Afghanistan Emergency Appeal: We have given a further £5,000 to Tearfund’s in country partner to support the work on the ground in Afghanistan. These funds will go towards life-saving relief in the form of food packages, hygiene supplies and winter kits, which include blankets to help people stay warm as the temperatures plummet. Please continue to pray that vulnerable families who have lost everything will have their needs met through this support.

Thank you to those who helped deliver Christmas Hampers to New Scots families in Edinburgh through the work of Edinburgh City Mission. St Mungo’s sponsored 15 hampers and we are truly grateful to the volunteers who distributed these before Christmas to be a blessing to refugees, asylum seekers, and people with no recourse to public funding. Please continue to pray for the ministry of Edinburgh City Mission.

Midweek Word Live will return on Wednesday 12 January at 8.30am for half an hour, available on the St Mungo’s Community Facebook page and the St Mungo’s Balerno & Livingston YouTube channel. Do join us for a Word from the Word!

Happy New Year St Mungo's Church family.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!".
2 Corinthians 5:17. NIV