Church of Scotland Guild Weekly E-News
Advent
As we enter the season of Advent and light the candle of Hope, I began thinking about the origin of the Advent wreath. I decided to speak to my friend ‘Mr Google’ and found that the Advent wreath first appeared in Germany in 1839.
　
A Lutheran minister working at a mission for children created a wreath out of the wheel of a cart. He placed twenty small red candles and four large white candles inside the ring. The red candles were lit on weekdays and the four white candles were lit on Sundays.
　
Eventually, the Advent wreath, as we know it, was created out of evergreens, symbolising everlasting life in the midst of winter. The circle reminds us of God’s unending love and the eternal life He makes possible. Advent candles are nestled in the evergreen wreath with some holly and berries being added. The red of the berries points ahead to Jesus’ sacrifice and death and the pine cones can symbolise the new life that Jesus brings through His resurrection.
　
As we continue to light the candles of Faith, Joy and Peace and await with anticipation the birth of Jesus, let us always remember the true meaning of Christmas and not get too caught up in the hustle and bustle around us. Let us also remember, at this special time of year, those who struggle with loneliness, anxiety and providing for their families, and uphold them in our prayers.
　
‘The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the broken hearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.' - Isaiah 7:14
　
Blessings to you all,
Margaret Muir
National Convener
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Christmas Big Sing cancelled
We are extremely disappointed to inform you that the Christmas Big Sing this Friday has had to be cancelled. The emergence in the number of cases of the more easily transmitted strain of COVID-19 in Glasgow means it is simply the right decision.
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Finding the light in every... tree
The Guild at St Mungos Parish Church in Alloa has decided to decorate their church's Christmas tree to highlight one of our Guild projects, 'Finding the Light in Every Child'. The project, in partnership with the Starchild charity, aims to build a 'Sunflower Centre' where children with autism and other additional needs can come and realise their potential.
　
This is a very effective way to let people in their congregation know about the project and they hope it will start lots of positive conversations about the Guild. They are certainly not hiding their light under a bushel.
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Maxwelltown West celebrates 90 years
Maxwelltown West Church Guild celebrated 90 years of history in November with a special dedication service to mark the occasion. The church’s newly arrived minister, Rev Johannes Wildner, conducted the proceedings and there were warm tributes paid to all those who have for many years served the Guild; this last period of more than eighteen months being particularly challenging. The Guild’s convener, Anne Dunbar, said that they were delighted to be able to meet again on the exact day 90 years ago when the first Guild meeting was held, and they are looking forward very much to embarking on our strategy for the next three years, ‘Look Forward in Faith’.
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Happy 100th birthday, Nan
Renfrew North Guild recently celebrated Nan Hill’s 100th birthday and 76 years in the Guild with an evening of reminiscing down memory lane, a great idea for a Guild meeting. Nan was presented with a long service certificate and a collage of her memories. A truly remarkable service for which we all give thanks.
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O come, O come Emmanuel
As we begin our Advent journey, we share this popular but thoughtful hymn. Why not take some time to prepare once more for the coming of the Christ child and all that His birth, life, death and resurrection mean for us today?
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Lockerbie Hutton & Corrie Guild
Lockerbie Hutton & Corrie Guild were delighted to have successfully restarted face-to-face meetings. So far, they have had two meetings and report that everyone felt so safe that they agreed to meet once a month. We are so encouraged to hear of so many Guilds being able to get back to meeting together.
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Buy oranges to support refugees
We are being encouraged by the Faith Impact Forum to buy oranges to support refugees living and working in Italy. The oranges are £30 a crate and would be fabulous for a Christingle Service, a gift at a Guild Christmas lunch, or given as a donation to your local food bank. Why not find out more in this article in Life and Work? Orders need to be made by Friday 3 December.
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Monday memory
Our memory this week is the 2019 Christmas Big Sing. We are so saddened not to be able to have this event again this year.
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Pray this week
Monday: giving thanks for Associate Secretary, Karen Gillon, as she speaks to the Guild in Lenzie.
Tuesday: thinking especially of Guilds in the south of Scotland, asking for God's guidance as they think about how they can improve the way they work together.
Wednesday: thinking especially of people living with and affected by HIV and remembering those who lost their lives to AIDS.
Thursday: remembering particularly the more than 40 million people worldwide who are victims of modern slavery. Those who endure forced labour, debt bondage, forced marriage, and human trafficking. Praying for action to be taken to free all those who are enslaved.
Friday: praying that we will be able to host the Christmas Big Sing again soon.
Saturday: remembering especially all who struggle each day with a disability, asking that they might find the support that they need to live life to the full.
Sunday: thinking especially of ministers in new charges, praying God's richest blessing on their ministry.
Contact us
Phone: 0131 225 5722 <tel:+013120225205722>
121 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4YN