The first Armistice Service took place on 11th November 1919 at the Cenotaph in London, with events replicated throughout Great Britain in market squares and prominent places within communities. There had been a victory parade in 1919, at which a plaster Cenotaph had been designed and erected by Sir Edward Lutyens, which was planned to be demolished thereafter. It was literally weeks before the anniversary of the end of the Great War, on 25th October, that clergy, politicians and the King began to consider whether there should be any official or public event to mark the anniversary of the end of the Great War. After much debate and compromise, it was decided to hold a silence of two minutes, which was primarily to be for the benefit of the widows, orphans and survivors. The Prime Minister, Lloyd George, wanted a secular service, but the Archbishop of Canterbury won his case and persuaded the committee that prayers, hymns and lessons would be appropriate.

The Cenotaph, which literally meant ‘empty tomb’, signified so much to those who gathered for what was to become known as The Silence. No matter where they were, they stopped and The Silence seeped into souls of those who stood and wept and remembered. After the first Armistice had been observed, it became clear that this was not going to be a unique event; the Silence had caught the imagination of the people and would be repeated. It was one of the ways that the population used to slowly and deliberately come to terms with all that they had gone through.

By the end of the Great War, there were over one hundred thousand missing soldiers, whose bodies had not been found. The decision by the government to bury those soldiers’ remains in, or near, the battlefields meant that there was an absence of graves in Britain. Many British people could not afford to visit a grave abroad, even if there was one. On 11th November 1920, the “Unknown Warrior” was buried in Westminster Abbey. Six corpses from the six main battlefields were exhumed and one was chosen by a blindfolded officer. The body was then placed in a coffin of oak from Hampton Court Palace and sailed to Britain on HMS Verdun. The grave of the Unknown Warrior became a personal and very real symbol of a resting place for all the victims of war. The strength of this symbol resulted in people from all over the country descending on London and flooding Whitehall with flowers. In Scotland, the National War Museum in Edinburgh Castle became a place of pilgrimage for Scottish people. It contains the names of everyone who died in the War and was built in the mid 1920s. The numbers who visited in the first few years were so great that the rough floor was worn smooth very quickly.

Whatever else you do on Sunday 13^th November, at 10.45am come to Church, and remember. And pray for peace.

Revd Dr Derek Browning

KIRK SESSION NOTES

At recent meetings of the Kirk Session:

· The Outreach Committee talked about its work. Its main work has been supporting the three congregational charities: Scottish Love in Action, Edinburgh Clothing Store, and the Open Door. In December the Committee will ask the congregation to choose a new charity for 2012, to replace the Open Door. An article for the Church magazine will be prepared in advance. The sum of £3,700 is required to be raised by the Church each year to support its funding commitments to the charities but this remains an on-going challenge, particularly as funds raised at recent events such as the Book Swap and Beetle Drive fell substantially short of the full amount required. The Committee is keen to expand its role to reach out to the wider community to demonstrate what the Church has to offer and anticipates engaging with other Committees to achieve this.

· The Property Committee highlighted that over the summer months Border Construction attended to the majority of items on the snagging list in the church halls albeit certain issues such as the heating in the toilets remain outstanding. MEP Consultants have produced a report outlining proposals and budget costs for installing a gas fired heating system for the Church and Cluny Centre, which will be considered at the next meeting of the Committee. At the Cluny Centre, a new lightning conductor system has been fitted and certain repairs to the harling and garage at the Manse have been recently carried out.

· Children & Families Associate - Lesley Fraser advised that Messy Church continues to be a success but that she is keen to increase attendance, particularly at the November and December events. As the December Messy Church would be a “parents’ shopping day”, where parents are encouraged to leave their children at Messy Church, volunteers are being sought to help with the event. Attendance at the Baby and Toddler group continues to be strong, with forty two mothers and fifty two toddlers now registered. The Carol Service is intended to be repeated this year at the group. Lesley reported that the change to the time of the Church service had not particularly improved the attendance at the Sunday School. Finally she recommended that the Session give consideration to establishing an internet connection at the Church to maximise the opportunities presented by new material. Lesley advised that her concern was not principally to do with the cost of computer hardware and projectors as these could be provided by helpers, but more the establishment of a Wi-Fi connection.

· The Communications Committee advised responsibility for the Church website had been assumed by Wayne Hamilton and Session noted with thanks the previous role of Bob Alexander in developing the Church website. The Treasurer raised the possibility of at some point in the future having donations made to the Church through the website. Two prospective new logos for the Church were discussed by the Session. Following a proposal by Paul Cackette, the Session approved the holding of hustings in the Church halls in advance of the City Council elections next year.

COMMUNION SUNDAY – 4^th DECEMBER

A reminder that Communion Sunday is on 4^th December. There will be services in the Church at 9.30am and 10.30am. A good attendance at communion is expected at both services. If you have not been to church for some time, it would be good to see you at one of these services. The Thanksgiving service is at 6.30pm, and will be followed by Prayers for Healing at 7pm

NEW CHURCH LOGO

For many years the congregation of St Matthews, then Cluny, and finally Morningside Parish Church had grown accustomed to the fine-line drawing of the Church.

However, with the Union now well established, the removal of some of the trees, and the new building, it was felt that it was time to consider a new logo for the Church. It took some months to achieve this and many possibilities were considered. At its September meeting the Kirk Session adopted the new logo for the Church, which will appear on all Church stationery and publicity.

The window pattern is taken from the window above the gallery, in the west wall of the Church. (The four lights or panels represent Jesus as family friend, the raising of Lazarus, as preacher – the Sermon on the Mount, as philanthropist - feeding the multitude; and as missionary sending out the apostles). The logo design is by David Wright of KOG design (www.kogdesign.co.uk) and we are very grateful to him for donating the work to the Church.

SOUP & APPLE CRUMBLE LUNCH – 13^TH NOVEMBER

This year the lunch will follow the 10.45am Remembrance Day service on Sunday 13th November in the original church hall. As always, it is in aid of The Rock Trust who work with Edinburgh's young homeless people. All materials are donated so that all money taken in is given to the charity. Tickets remain at £5; primary children £1 and toddlers free. If you don't yet have your tickets, they can be bought at the door on the day of the event.

Isobel Paterson 0131 447 7315

GIFT SERVICE - 27^th NOVEMBER

It's that time of year again. We do not yet have exact numbers but it is hoped to provide gifts for up to 100 special needs children and around 30 men from the Wednesday Disabled Men’s Club.

Labels will be laid out at Church on Sundays 13th and 20th November. Please bear in mind that the children's parcels are posted to all those that live outside the Edinburgh area.

Supporting ECAS has been a long-standing congregational tradition so we hope that there will be another good response this year. An intimation will appear in the weekly sheet nearer the time.

Hazel Knight

MORLICH HOUSE

A celebration of completion of the conservatory took place on Thursday, 6^th. Oct. 2011 It was officially opened with a prayer of blessing by the Rev. Syd Graham, Social Care Council Convener. This project has taken several years to reach its conclusion and is proving to be a delightful sitting area for the residents. Congratulations go to Glen Brady, the manager of Morlich House, whose foresight and tenacity brought about this long term project.

Our heartfelt thanks go to all who supported our fund raising efforts. The money was used to provide special blinds, floor covering, armchairs and side tables. The total spent on these furnishings was £6,964-35 and was the combined efforts of Fairmilehead, Greenbank, Morningside Parish and Morningside United churches.

If any members of the congregation would like to visit Morlich House, please contact Fiona Watt, 447 9648, or Marion Cooper, 447 7149, and arrangements can be made

SOCIAL COMMITTEE

Our traditional Christmas refreshments event will be held on 11th December in the Church halls, following the Family Service. In addition to mulled wine, tea and coffee, Christmas cake, stollen, mince pies and shortbread will be served so why not come along and bring family and friends with you - the more the merrier. In order to cover costs we hope that everyone will be willing to make a contribution on the day. Any profits will be given to the three charities supported by our Church - The Edinburgh Clothing Store (SC039409), The Open Door (SC007315) and Scottish Love in Action (SC030516)

Fiona Fojut

ROLL CHANGES

Your prayers are asked for the following members of our church, Lorna Scott-Dodd and Kenneth Wilson, who were married on 10^th September at Rodel Church, Isle of Harris

FROM THE WAR MEMORIAL

What do you know about the lives of the people named on the War Memorial in Morningside Parish Church?

One of the names is J H C McIlwrick, or Hamish as he was known to the family. He was the uncle I never knew as I was born in 1946, some 3 years after Hamish died when the Whitley Bomber, of which he was the pilot, was shot down over France.

Hamish, the youngest son of Thomas and Elizabeth McIlwrick, was born on 29^th April 1914 and lived with the family at 9 Comiston Terrace before they moved to 50 Greenbank Crescent in the early 1930’s. He attended James Gillespie’s School and on leaving became a cabinet maker and joiner. He was by all family accounts a fun loving person who enjoyed life to the full.

At the outbreak of the Second World War he joined the RAF and trained to be a pilot in Alberta, Canada where by coincidence he met up with one of his nephews, Eric, who was also training to be a pilot. Having completed his training he returned to Britain and was eventually stationed at Netheravon as part of 295 squadron.

On the19th February 1943 Hamish led a squadron of 14 bombers on a mission to destroy the electricity substation at Distre, in the Loire Valley, which powered strategic bases of the German army in the West of France. Whilst leading the attack and flying at low altitude over Terrefort his plane was hit by German antiaircraft fire. In attempting to land in the dead of night, one of the wings hit the top of a pine tree which brought the plane down, bursting into flames and 4 members of the crew, including Hamish, perished.

One member of the crew survived but despite being hidden by a local French family was discovered by Germans and made a prisoner of war. The couple who had hidden him erected a wooden memorial pillar at the spot the plane crashed and initially those who perished were buried in the woods and their graves were tended by the locals. In 1982, after a campaign by the local people, a new and more permanent memorial pillar was unveiled on the spot of the crash and the airmen’s bodies were moved and reburied in the military cemetery at Saumur.

Hamish died at age of 28 with his life ahead of him. He never had the opportunity to experience a happy marriage, parenthood and growing old with grandchildren and family. To all the young men like Hamish who sacrificed their lives in war, we owe an eternal debt of remembrance.

Bill Mitchell

FLOWER LIST
		Provided by	Arranged by
Nov	13	Mrs M Gossip	Margaret Gossip
	20	Mrs J M Cowan	June Cowan
	27	WEDDING
Dec	4	Miss K Elder	Sheena Allan

CHRISTIAN AID

Many thanks to those who came and supported our recent Coffee Morning, whether providing something for the stalls, coming for refreshments and chatter or purchasing items.

Alexander McCall Smith, the well-known author, will be “In Conversation” at Greenbank Church on Tuesday 29 November at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £7 and are available from Bill Reid (466 3111)

JOINING THE FRIENDS OF MORNINGSIDE PARISH CHURCH

Over the past twenty years, the Friends of Morningside Parish Church have raised over £400,000 in donations and legacies and given their time and expertise to suggesting, researching and carrying out a range of projects to enhance the furnishings and facilities in our Church.

Some of the projects have been major. The Friends have made significant contributions to the refurbishment of the Father Willis organ and the development of the new church halls. Many smaller projects have also been undertaken and these include installing the St Cuthbert commemorative window, refurnishing the pews, upgrading the eagle lectern and providing financial support to the choir by way of robes and scholarship funding.

The Friends have £60k of funds currently available for more projects and we are keen to continue, over the next few years, to implement new schemes which will continue to beautify and enhance our church building.

To that end, we wish to recruit a number of new Friends who, through a commitment to Morningside Parish Church, are prepared to play a role in making things happen. There is no financial impediment to becoming a Friend. Members pay an annual subscription: this can be as little as £10 per annum or more if you wish.

In the next few weeks you will all receive a flyer about the Friends, our activities and how to join. Please read this carefully and if this generates interest with you, we should be delighted if you would join us as a new Friend.

Bob Cunningham, Treasurer

Friends of Morningside Parish Church

LIFE AND WORK SUBSCRIPTIONS

Would members wishing to take Life and Work in 2012 please note that subscriptions are now due.

The price remains at £1.80 per copy, but annual subscriptions are at the discounted price of £19 (£1.60 per copy). Order forms are enclosed in this month's Life and Work and are also available on the Welcome desk.

Please return order forms as soon as possible as numbers have to be in by the end of November.

New subscribers are always welcome. If you wish to view the magazine, spare copies are available on the Welcome desk.

Joan McKenzie and Audrey Riddell

188 Edinburgh Guides

What a great start to the term some of us have had after quite a quiet summer on the camping front.

We have 30 guides now in the unit and a nice mix of ages working at different stages of the programme.

· 4 Guides are working on their Baden-Powell Trefoil which is the highest award achievable in the guide section.

· 6 are looking at doing Camper Advanced badge so that they can go on and complete their Guide Camp Permit which allows them to take a group of their peers to camp without a leader. A most exciting prospect to this group!

· The rest are younger guides all just learning to work together in their patrols and complete ‘Go For Its’ and badges thoughout each term.

We didn’t manage a unit camp in the summer due to everyone’s holiday dates unfortunately, but one of our newest members Juliana, took part in the 34^th WAGGS conference in July in Edinburgh and has the badge to prove it!

THEN on 2nd October 6 guides and 2 guiders joined 80 guides and guiders from Braid Division at the Big Gig in London’s Wembley Arena. A pop concert full of big names (or at least they are if you are aged between 10 and 26!) just for guides. The Wanted, Pixie Lott, Ed Sheeren & Olly Murs to name a few, provided great entertainment for us all and we spent the rest of the time sailing on the Thames in beautiful sunshine, shopping in Primark when it got dark and visiting Mme Tussaud’s.

For the rest of this term we’ll enjoy a joint Halloween party with the three brownie units in our District, 70 participants in fancy dress should be fun, and our annual visit to the Gang Show where we have Steph and Sarah from our unit as part of the cast.

We’ll host Baden-Powell Presentation night for guides who completed their badge last year (so cake, badges and games will be on the agenda), complete more of the exciting Science Challenge that we’re all working on and deliver some of the Church’s Christmas Leaflets in the Parish for the reward of hot chocolate and marshmallows when we finish.

We have 3 leaders at present as Maddie is still on maternity leave taking care of Esme, but we hope to have her back with us in the new year.

We are always looking for more help so please do get in touch, but even if you just want to come along one night and see how guiding has moved on since you were one of our number we’d love you to visit.

Moira Clark, Guide Guider

Saturday 12^th November 3-5pm

Church halls, Braid Road

Come and join us at Messy church for a fun filled family afternoon.

Messy church is a special time for families of all shapes and sizes to enjoy, games, crafty – fun activities then together time with songs and a story before finishing with a hot meal together.

There is a charge of £3 per head to cover the cost of food and craft materials.

For children from pram to primary 7 – this is a family event, so please bring an adult with you.

Christmas Messy Church

Saturday 3^rd December 10.30am – 12.30pm

A fun filled morning for children to make Christmas cards, decorations and presents for Mums and Dads while parents head for the shops to do some Christmas shopping of their own.

£4 per head, lunch provided – parents welcome to stay if they wish.

Please note that children must be registered by 25^th November for the Christmas Messy Church either by email to lesleyfraserassociate@hotmail.co.uk or phone on 449- 2447

SCOTTISH LOVE IN ACTION - India Trip

Thanks to everyone who responded to the appeal in last month's magazine for small items to take on the SLA trip to India in November. A wonderful variety of craft materials, small toys and dozens of bottles of nail varnish have been accumulated and will now be distributed amongst the 12 volunteers heading for Tuni in mid November.

Projects to be undertaken by volunteers include mural painting in the school classrooms, improving sports facilities, serving hundreds of children at mealtimes and of course keeping dozens of children occupied and amused while the mural artists set to work in the classrooms! That's when all the craft materials will be invaluable.

I look forward to letting you know all about the trip in a future edition of the magazine. If you would like to read more about SLA's work in India and associated fundraising events please visit their website at www.sla-india.org or have a look at the latest edition of SLA's magazine InTouch, which can be found on the welcome desk in the vestibule.

Thank you for generosity and your words of encouragement. I will take your best wishes to the children in Tuni who, I hear, get very excited about having visitors to stay.

Fiona Ross

LADIES GROUP

At our first meeting at the end of September, we welcomed Colin Dale who came to give us a talk on “The Oman Family and Fairmilehead Inn”. He was an excellent orator who knew his topic – his family! Oman is a name from Caithness, not an Arab state! The family originated there with grandparents moving south where they worked in pubs, although they were tee-total. They worked hard and saved well so that they could buy pubs and expand their business. They knew where to purchase, their clientele and how they wished to spend an evening. The laws were changing in the 1930’s so when they had a chance to expand, they bought the land from Mortonhall Estate to erect the Fairmilehead Inn, which was very successful over the years. After they sold the business, and over a few years, the business slumped and we know it is now an empty, soulless building awaiting its fate. Unfortunately it is not a listed building. During the talk we also learnt about the drinks trade in the City.

The speaker at our next meeting at the beginning of October was Miss Calcott who gave us another interesting talk on “Growing up in Queensberry House”. She grew up there in the 40/50’s where her father was Governor until his health no longer allowed him to work. At that time it was a hospital, or place for destitute people relying on charity, with separate buildings for men and women. After the war it came under the auspices of the National Health Service. She felt safe wandering around pushing her doll’s pram or trying to roller skate. She started by telling us how the House came to be built by Lord Queensberry about 200 years ago so that the family had space which wasn’t available further up the Royal Mile. Over the years there were various changes of occupants and uses and now it is part of our Scottish Parliament.

For these two meetings we have had about 30-35 ladies attending along with either one or two gentlemen. If our future topics interest anyone please come and join us where there will be a warm welcome.

Catriona Reid, President

466 3111

The Ladies Group meets in the New Hall at 7.45pm. The following are the November and December dates for your diary.

November 7^th        Feather Finesse                    Rosemary Storm

November 21^st      Procurator fiscal                   Martin Macari

December 5^th        Nairns                                   Russell Clink

December 19^th      Christmas Party

Anna Cunningham, Secretary

THE GUILD

The Guild was very happy to welcome three new members at their first meeting of the season. The next meetings, to which all are welcome, are on the following Tuesdays at 2.15pm in the Church Hall.

November 1^st The Open Door

15^th Bronze Age Jewellery Dr Alison Sheridan

29^th Fisherwomen Simon Fairnie

There is also a joint meeting with Greenbank and Fairmilehead Guilds on Wednesday 16^th November in Fairmilehead Church Hall on Millie Gray will speak on “Family Life in Leith”.

Kate Stewart

55TH EDINBURGH BOYS’ BRIGADE BACK AND FUNDRAISING!

Friday the 23^rd of September saw the 55^th Edinburgh Boys’ Brigade start back after our well earned summer break. It was a great evening for all involved with nearly all the boys from last session returning to the Juniors. Friday 23^rd also marked the recommencing of the Company Section (after a year), with George, Alex and Marco all attending for their first night as Company Section boys.

As you may have heard previously, the 55^th Edinburgh Boys’ Brigade received the very kind grant to the value of £250 from Register of Scotland (RoS). After some deliberations it was decided that this grant would be spent on purchasing two new three man tents – to be used for camping within the Company Section – as our old canvas ones are getting a little bit past it, a new 16 handle parachute – although we don’t have 16 boys to use all the handles so send your boys and their friends along, a Eurohoc Junior set – which is being enjoyed by all of the sections (including the staff), a new indoor football (to save those windows), a new rugby ball, and a new selection of arts, craft and stationery material. We have already used all of this new equipment and it seems to be very popular with the boys and staff alike. To see it in use, visit our website http://55th-edinburgh-boys-brigade.webs.com.

Unfortunately we are still rather low on numbers, with no Anchor Boys at all, so if you know of any boys aged between 5 and 18 who may be interested then send them along. The Anchors (age 5 to 8) and Juniors (age 8 to 11) meet every Friday night between 18:30 and 19:45, and the Company Section (age 11 to 18) meet every Friday night between 19:45 and 21:30. All of our current boys say “it’s great fun!”

THE 55^TH EDINBURGH HAS A DATE FOR YOUR CALENDAR!

On Friday 18^th November 2011, from 6:30pm to 9:30pm, we are holding ‘The 55^th Edinburgh Boys’ Brigade Big BB Fun Night’. This is a fundraising event for the 55^th Edinburgh BB. The event is open to everyone and is set to be a great night of fun and games. The night will feature ‘Captain Craig’s Crazy Quiz’ and ‘The Big BB Team Challenge’. Everyone attending will receive drinks and light refreshments as part of the entry fee.

The cost is £5 per single person, or £20 for a group of 4 people or more. Advance booking only and spaces are limited!

To Book Your Place visit our website http://55th-edinburgh-boys-brigade.webs.com, or phone 07849651122 (5pm to 9pm).

We Look Forward To Seeing You There!

Allan N Eley

Lieutenant

MUSICAL NOTES

Since the last magazine, we have welcomed four new choral scholars to the choir, an alto and three sopranos. Three of them introduce themselves below:-

Kate Brazier Tope, our alto scholar, is a fourth year Geography student at the University of Edinburgh. Originally from Oxford, she has sung in choirs since the age of eight, including stints in Oxford Pro Musica and The Hildegard Choir. With the latter she competed in the Choir of the Year competition, as well as winning Best Youth Choir and Best Piece in an international choir festival in Jersey. As well as singing, she plays the piano, violin and saxophone. She has been a member of the Edinburgh University Chamber Choir since arriving in Edinburgh and has a particular interest in early music.

Irene Carter is from Bristol and in her second year studying Social Anthropology at Edinburgh University. She has sung in choirs her whole life including Bristol Cathedral consort, where she was head girl, and the Edinburgh University Chamber Choir. She is very pleased to resume singing choral music in a church setting and is especially looking forward to singing Faure's Requiem

Lucie Robathan is a fourth year Theology and Philosophy student at the University of Edinburgh. She does as much singing as possible with Edinburgh University Chamber Choir and Edinburgh Studio Opera, but is so happy to have the chance to do more every Sunday morning and is really enjoying being part of the church choir. She is hoping to continue singing with a masters in vocal studies next year, but until then is looking forward to the year ahead in Edinburgh.

Morley Whitehead

WORK PARTY

The forthcoming meeting of the Work Party is scheduled for 5^th December at 10.45am in the Cluny Centre and will be a Christmas Coffee Morning.

A display of finished articles will be on view by the members. All who attend will be made most welcome.

Margaret Guild, 447 6290

DECEMBER MAGAZINE

Material for the December issue of the magazine should be with the editor, Alison Riddell, by Friday 11 November 2011 (Yes, earlier than usual, for Christmas material). Contributions may be put in her pigeonhole at church, sent by post to 1 Swanston Road, Edinburgh, EH10 7BB, sent by email to alison@riddell2.plus.com, or office@morningsideparishchurch.org.uk

A REFLECTION FOR THE TIME OF REMEMBRANCE

From the desolate fields of Flanders

To the rugged fields of Helmand

Poppies grow and thrive and colour

Battlefields of then and now;

Whose frailty, beauty and search for life,

Remind us of a longed for future.

Young men fight

Families wait for news

And with them we remember.

We remember beauty and heroism

Disparate carnage and precious life

Given in Service,

We remember children at play - women at work

Whose future ended

Through the raining of bombs

We remember those countries for whom these past and present tales

Are a future threat.

And with them,

we commend all people

To God’s care and keeping

Then, now and tomorrow.

Minister: Revd. Dr D Browning 447 1617 minister@morningsideparishchurch.org.uk

Magazine Editor: Alison Riddell 445 2330 alison@riddell2.plus.com

Church Office: Ms Carole Byres 447 6745 office@morningsideparishchurch.org.uk

Church website www.morningsideparishchurch.org.uk