What is Kintsugi Hope?

What is Kintsugi Hope?

Kintsugi Hope is a charity based in the UK striving to make a difference to peoples mental wellbeing.
"Kintsugi' (金継ぎ) is a Japanese technique for repairing pottery with seams of gold. The word means 'golden joinery' in Japanese. This repairs the brokenness in a way that makes the object more beautiful, and even more unique than it was prior to being broken. Instead of hiding the scars it makes a feature of them.

We want to see a world where mental and emotional health is understood and accepted, with safe and supportive communities for everyone to grow and flourish.

Kintsugi Hope Groups

A Kintsugi Hope Group is a safe and supportive space for people who feel or have felt overwhelmed, providing tools for self-management in a facilitated peer mentoring style setting.

It consists of a structured yet flexible series of 12 weeks of content, which includes group and individual activities designed to help participants to accept themselves, to understand their value and worth, and grow towards a more resilient and hopeful future.

The role of the Group Leader is to facilitate the sessions using the material available, signposting people if necessary to further help and support. It can feel vulnerable and scary starting a group, but the benefit of a Kintsugi Hope Group is that Group Leaders are not on their own.

Issues covered include; disappointment, loss, anxiety, anger perfectionism, shame and resilience

What are St Mungo’s doing?

St Mungo’s Church will be running a Kintsugi Hope group on Thursday evenings. The group will meet at 8pm on Thursday 28 September in St Mungo’s Ministry Centre, Balerno, and will run for 12 weeks. The group is open to anyone, whether you are a member of St Mungo’s Church or whether you have no faith at all. The primary aim of the group is to provide a safe place where people can support one another.

How do I sign up?

If you are interested in signing up, please email david.lyons@stmungos.org

Counselling Diploma Course

For past 20 years Vital connexions, under the leadership of Andrea Wigglesworth, has run a Diploma in counselling with a Christian perspective – it is a unique course in that it leads to an Accredited Professional qualification as a counsellor whilst also having a Christian perspective and Biblical focus. Hundreds of Christian counsellors have been trained in this over the years and it is the course that the vast majority of our Wellness Centre counsellors have done.

From next September 2023, Lynn Millar will be taking on the role of Course Director of this diploma. Andrea has been encouraging Lynn to do so and will also remain in the background as a support. Lynn will be collaborating with Laura Wylie, who will be another Course Director of the same course in N Ireland and both will be developing a new team of core tutors.

Lynn will stay in her role as Director of Counselling in the Wellness Centre, but to allow time for the new role will be reducing her hours and passing some responsibilities onto Siobhan Short, who is currently our Wellness Centre manager. She will move into a Clinical Manager role.

It is hugely important for the longevity of the Wellness Centre that we have more Christian counsellors being trained up and so it would be wonderful if any of you would be interested in training to become a counsellor. If you want more information about the diploma check out the video below or the VItal Pathways website. This will give you information about it and how to apply.

If you are interested, you have to do a Certificate in counselling course prior to joining the course. One of these will be run by Andrea Wigglesworth in the first part of the new year - see flyer below.

Return to Normal

We are really looking forward to welcoming you back into Balerno High School this Sunday, 21st August. This is an information email to let you know a few of the practicalities before arriving on Sunday. I appreciate that it is long, but I have written it in sections, so please skip through anything that isn't relevant to you.

Headline news:
- We are returning to Balerno High School but with added refreshments so bring a reusable cup!
- The 0-18 groups are restarting but there are new locations for some groups
- There is no evening service this week 

The more detailed info: 

Getting Here

Address: Balerno Community High School; Address: 5 Bridge Road, Balerno; Postcode: EH14 7AQ

Walking: We encourage anyone who can walk to do so. There are multiple entrances available, including a new one we are opening at the end of the concourse, near the 2G pitch.  We started to do this last term, wonder if we say "including at the far end of the concourse, near the 2G pitch which we used last term".

Cycling: Bike racks are available. Access these by turning into the swimming pool carpark - here.

Bus: The number 44 bus stops directly outside the school and there is a bus which arrives at 9:44 and another at 10:14, both of which would allow enough time for out 10:30 service start time. A bus departs from the school every 20 minutes after the service. The timetable for this service is found here.

Car: There are a number of parking options in Balerno, many involve a short walk similar to when we have met at Heriot-Watt University. I have compiled a list of possible options, but please always check that you are parking legally and blessing the community of Balerno as you park..For a list of possible parking options in the village click here. The school is also being used by Edinburgh Leisure and whilst we will put out blue badge parking signs, it is possible that people attending the school for Edinburgh Leisure activities may also park in these spaces. If you encounter any issues then please pass on to a host and so it can be fed back to David Lyons.
Entering the buildingThere are 4 ways to access the building: The main entrance at the front of the school, the entrance from the swimming pool car park, the far end of the concourse, near the 2G pitch which we used last term and there is an accessible door from the disabled spaces at the front of the school.

Follow the instructions  from hosts and follow signage to find groups for 0-18 and the main service.

All of these entrances are accessible for those with mobility issues, however the swimming pool car park and main reception entrance are best for wheelchair users as there is no 'lip' on the doorways.

Main Service

Please do fill up the centre section first as this blesses the worship team, service leader and preacher. As we are no longer projecting the worship leader or preacher on the screen, sitting in this section will also give you the best viewing angles of what is happening on the stage.We are not going to have a dedicated 'Socially Distanced' section as we return, however if you would prefer to have some space around where you are sitting then please do feel free to block off a seat either side of wherever you choose to sit. If you see someone who has blocked off seats next to them, then please honour and respect this and do not attempt to sit there.Wearing a face coving is no longer required, however if you wish to continue wearing one as a way of managing your own levels of risk then we are fully supportive of you doing so and want you to feel comfortable and peaceful about doing so.There are many different reasons why people may be choosing to socially distance and/or wear a face covering. Respecting each other and extending grace is a practical way we can practice being family together.

Filming and Photography in the Services

The service from Balerno will continue to be livestreamed onto our YouTube channel so please be aware that by attending you are consenting to being part of the online streamed service. We will not be focussing on individuals during the service and focus on the speaker only during any times of ministry in order to maintain a degree of confidentiality and dignity.

0-18 Groups

There are separate groups for all aged 0-18 which run parallel to the main service.  You can drop off children and young people from 10:20.

• 0-3 (Little Wonders) meets upstairs in room F10. Accessed via the staircase in the reception lobby.

• 3-4 (Climbers) meets in the space outside the LRC. Accessed from the stairwell outside the swimming pool changing rooms.

• P1-P3 (Adventurers) meets in the Drama Studio.

• P4-P7 (Xplorers) meets in the Riverside Café.

• Youth (S1-S6) meets in our church building, Ladycroft. Please head straight there this Sunday (21st August).

Please note that all children P7 and below must be collected by an adult from their group at the end of the service.
Pioneers

We run a dedicated group for young adults with additional needs, who benefit from being part of a smaller group of people and having access to a quieter environment. The group join us for worship in the concourse and then move into classroom G1 for the remainder of the service. They are not meeting this Sunday but please email helen.yewdall@stmungos.org for more information.

Accessibility

All car parks allow access to the building via ramps, but the swimming pool carpark offers the best access due to there being only a small lip in the doorway. The school has accessible toilets (see below) but if you require any further information then please email David.lyons@stmungos.org. There are several positions in the concourse which will continue to allow a clear view of the screens for those in wheelchairs when the congregation is invited to stand, please ask a host to point out the best place to sit and feel free to move any chairs in order to create a space in the middle of a row, rather than being on an end, if that is preferred.If you have any specific questions around accessibility of our services then please email David.lyons@stmungos.org directly or call on 07772002651.

Toilets

There are 2 individual toilets accessed via the main reception lobby and there are male and female toilets accessed from the concourse. There are 2 disabled access toilets in the school, one in the swimming pool changing rooms and another is accessed via a door near the tech area. One of these toilets has a hoist, should this be required. Please ask a host if you require any directions.

Leaving the building

The entire setup has to be packed down every week immediately after the service. To help us do this as safely and swiftly as possible, please move to the far end of the concourse at the end of the service.

If you are attending the service and are responsible for any children then once you have collected them head straight to the far end of the concourse if you want to socialise or head out one of the exits near the groups.

Please also do not let your children and young people run around in the concourse as there is an injury risk with equipment being moved and we will also have hot drinks at the far end. There is plenty of space for running around outside within the school grounds.

Refreshments
THEY'RE BACK! WAHOO!
We believe that creating opportunities for connection as we return to church services in Balerno High School is vitally important and know that refreshments play a big part in that and so they are restarting this Sunday. To help reduce the amount of waste we are producing, please bring with you a reusable cup.
Please be aware that the refreshment team will not be able to fill your cup to the top – we just do not have the capacity to do so. Please be encouraging and gracious to the team as they restart – we are so thankful for them serving the church in this way.

Evening Services

We are rolling out a new Sunday evening services plan this term, designed around our core values starting on Sunday 4th September.  All the details will be on the website but the pattern is as follows:

1st Sunday of the month: Social Sunday
A deliberate space to create opportunities to be church family together. Invite people for lunch, head to the beach, go for a walk, eat cake, drink gin…whatever you like. Be intentional about spending time with others.

2nd Sunday of the month: Evening Service @ The Church Building, Ladycroft  
Worship, soaking mats in the lounge, Holy Spirit ministry and a talk going deeper into our morning series theme; a great way to start the week.

3rd Sunday of the month: Transform @ Balerno Parish Church

An extended time of worship. This term we'll also be creating opportunities for Holy Spirit ministry.

4th Sunday of the month: Worship & Prayer @ The Church Building, Ladycroft

We give away around 15% of our income to supporting mission around the world, but we also want to be a church that supports mission in prayer too. We'll begin in worship, with opportunities for Holy Spirit ministry, and then move into a time of corporate prayer for one of our mission partners, to encourage and support them as they usher in the Kingdom of God.

5th Sunday of the month (when applicable): Evening Service @ The Church Building, Ladycroft
An extra opportunity to gather together for worship, ministry and teaching from the word of God.

I think that is everything…if it isn't then be thankful it isn't in and you haven't had to read any more than you just have!

David Brown Gift Presentation

Last Sunday we took a moment in our 10:30 Balerno Service to honour and thank David for all that he has done to serve the family of St Mungo’s Church in his role as Pastoral Assistant. David has journeyed alongside so many of us with great wisdom, grace, patience and compassion. Here is a short except of our 10:30 service from last Sunday where we thanked David and presented him with a small gift to say thank you.

Balerno High School Return Information

We are really looking forward to welcoming you back into Balerno High School this Sunday, 1st May. This is an information email to let you know a few of the practicalities before arriving on Sunday. I appreciate that it is long, but I have written it in sections, so please skip through anything that isn’t relevant to you.

Getting Here

*There are roadworks on Bridge road, please allow plenty of time to travel in so as to avoid any issues*

Address: Balerno Community High School; Address: 5 Bridge Road, Balerno; Postcode: EH14 7AQ

Walking: We encourage anyone who can walk to do so. There are multiple entrances available, including a new one we are opening at the end of the concourse, near the 2G pitch.

Cycling: Bike racks are available. Access these by turning into the swimming pool carpark - here.

Bus: The number 44 bus stops directly outside the school and there is a bus which arrives at 9:44 and another at 10:14, both of which would allow enough time for out 10:30 service start time. A bus departs from the school every 20 minutes after the service. The timetable for this service is found here.

Car: There are a number of parking options in Balerno, many involve a short walk similar to when we have met at Herriot-Watt University. I have compiled a list of possible options, but please always check that you are parking legally and blessing the community of Balerno as you park. We strongly advise that you DO NOT park on Bridge Road at present.

For a list of possible parking options in the village click here.

If you require an accessible or disabled parking space then please let a member of the pastoral team know and they will pass on that information to the operations team.

Entering the building

There are 4 ways to access the building: The main entrance at the front of the school, the entrance from the swimming pool car park, the door opposite the 2G pitch and there is an accessible door from the disabled spaces available upon request. Follow the instructions  from hosts and follow signage to find groups for 0-18 and the main service. All of these entrances are accessible for those with mobility issues, however the swimming pool car park and main reception entrance are best for wheelchair users as there is no ‘lip’ on the doorways.

0-18 Groups

There are separate groups for all aged 0-18 which run parallel to the main service.  You can drop off children and young people from 10:20.

• 0-3 (Little Wonders) meets upstairs in room F10. Accessed via the staircase in the reception lobby.

• 3-4 (Climbers) meets in the Riverside Café. Accessed from the corridor off the reception lobby.

• Primary (P1-P7) meet in the small gym.

• Youth (S1-S6) begin in the main service and then leave to meet in our church building, Ladycroft.

Please note that all children P7 and below must be collected by an adult from their group at the end of the service.

Pioneers
We run a dedicated group for young adults with additional needs, who benefit from being part of a smaller group of people and having access to a quieter environment. The group join us for worship in the concourse and then move into classroom G1 for the remainder of the service. For more information please email helen.yewdall@stmungos.org

Main Service

We have redesigned the layout in the concourse. You can see a scaled drawing of the seating arrangement for this week here. Please do fill up the centre section first. We are limited to the number of chairs which we have access to now due to it being exam season, so this a way you can really bless the setup team. This is also the best place to sit if you require access to the hearing loop system.

If you still wish to sit in a socially distanced seat, then there are benches available on the side section of the concourse which can be used. They are labelled as such and so please only sit here if you wish to sit socially distanced.

The other important change is that the preacher and worship leader will no longer be displayed on the screens, only the slides for talks and the words will appear – as happens currently in HWU.

The service from Balerno will continue to be livestreamed onto our YouTube channel.

Toilets

There are 2 individual toilets accessed via the main reception lobby and there are male and female toilets accessed from the concourse. There are 2 disabled access toilets in the school, one in the swimming pool changing rooms and another is accessed via a door near the tech area. Please ask a host if you require any directions.

Leaving the building

We do not presently have access to the building after 1pm and so the entire setup has to be packed down every week after the service. To help us do this as safely and swiftly as possible, please move to the far end of the concourse at the end of the service. If you are attending the service and are responsible for any children then once you have collected them head straight to the far end of the concourse if you want to socialise or head out one of the exits near the groups. We need to keep the central section clear of people in order to safely pack equipment away in the cupboards in the lobby and move 100 chairs back to the gym.

Refreshments

We believe that creating opportunities for connection as we return to church services in Balerno High School is vitally important and that refreshments play a big part in that. However, there are no refreshments being served at the end of the service at this moment in time, in part due to the fact we have to clear the entire setup at the end of the morning service.

The other main reason is that we require a minimum of 2 volunteers to oversee leading this ministry as Wendy Brown has stepped down from this volunteer role. If you are interested in potentially taking this volunteer refreshments co-ordinator role on, please email wendy.brown@stmungos.org to find out what is involved.

There are 3 picnic benches at the far end of the concourse along with a number of benches so please do stay and chat - it is so important to connect. 

Evening Services in BHS

There are no evening services happening in Balerno High School this term as we are unable to get a janitor willing to take on the extra hours. This is a council issue and nothing to do with the High School janitorial staff who have continued to be incredibly helpful, generous and willing to help us in any way that they can. This particular job is one that the council uses a team of 'roaming' janitors to cover rather than using the onsite janitorial team.

There are 4 evening services planned between now and the summer in alternative venues, see the summer plan received this Sunday for details or check out the ‘What’s On’ section of the website here.

I think that is everything for the moment!!

Any questions or clarifications then please email and I will respond as soon as possible.

Thanks and looking forward to seeing you all on Sunday at Balerno High School :)

David Lyons

Assistant Minister

Holy Week & Easter

The Stations of the Cross Devotional

For Holy Week this year we have produced a 5 day ‘Stations of the Cross’ devotional to use through the week. Each devotion has an accompanying image and a short reflection written by a member of the St Mungo’s Church family. The 5 stations allow you to journey through the passion narrative and take time each day to cease, gaze and contemplate as we remember what Christ has gone through on our behalf.

You can download the devotional below:

Maundy Thursday

This year we will hold 2 communion services on Maundy Thursday in our church building, Ladycroft in Balerno. This will be a short liturgical service with communion. Seats are limited so please book in using the Churchsuite email or contact penny.moise@stmungos.org.

The services will be held at 7pm and 8pm.

Good Friday

The church will be open on Good Friday between 12 noon and 2pm and again between 5 pm and 9.30pm for a self-led time of Easter reflection and contemplation using the images taken from The Stations of the Cross devotional. Access to the church will be through the small porch, moving through the sanctuary and then exiting through the lounge. The porch is narrow with a small step but a staff member will e on site to offer access through the main door for anyone requiring a more accessible entry into this space. There is no need to book.

Easter Sunday

The services on Easter Sunday will be as follows (no pre-booking is required):

8:45am - Communion Service in our church building, Ladycroft

10:30am - Whole church family services at Heriot-Watt University and concurrently at St Margret’s Academy. This service is suitable for all ages and along with content suitable for people of all ages

6:30pm - 1 hour Worship celebration at Heriot-Watt University

Staff News

 I want to take a moment to let you know that Andrew Quinn is going to be stepping down from his staff role as Operations Co-Ordinator at Easter.

Over the last six years Andrew Quinn has served St Mungo’s Church with his great skill and care as our Operations Co-ordinator.  Andrew’s attention to detail, technical knowledge, and ability to train up our volunteer teams has been a huge blessing to us as a church family both in Balerno and Livingston.  We have also been blessed by Andrew’s ministry gift of teaching and many of us have also benefitted from his Life Language coaching.

During the lockdown Andrew helped us to transition to online services and then continued leading multiple teams to make these service better and better each week, with the carol service being a particular highlight. During this time, he also led the worship team and his relational leadership helped to keep the team connected, included and encouraged through this time.  

As a church we are indebted to all Andrew has done and continues to do but he believes that the time is right for him to step down from his paid role and step back into being part of the congregation and, after a significant and well deserved rest, a volunteer on the teams he has cared for so well. 

We are so grateful for all Andrew has done, and are excited to see all God has for Andrew in the future.

Andrew, thank you.  

The senior team and myself have been looking strategically at what we need as an organisation as we transition into the next season and would appreciate your prayers as we think all of that through. As always, we’ll keep you as up to date as we can. 

Update on Balerno High School and Covid-19

I want to take a little bit of time to give you an update on a couple of things – the first is venues and the second is, of course, covid!

Balerno High School

As you know we were hoping to have been back in at Balerno High School for our services from last week and we let you know that unfortunately a last-minute Edinburgh Council decision meant that this was no longer possible.

I’ve had a few meetings with the school now and we now have a clearer picture of the overall situation at the school. The headteacher, the business manager and myself submitted a scenario to the council to try and explain why our let there was extraordinary and therefore required further consideration and am pleased to say that we have heard back that the council have changed their position and said that the let can go ahead.

There are, however, some other challenges which we need some time to work through – the main one being that there are still some significant ongoing building works happening at the school. These works include replacing the roof, refurbishing and recarpeting the majority of the classrooms, including all the science labs and HFT rooms off the concourse, and most significantly for us - a complete re-wire of the school.

In 2008 we worked with the school and the council to install some electrical equipment, including all the lights, the projectors, screens etc. and unfortunately reconnecting power to these circuits has not been included in the rewire plans. The school and myself are working with the site manager to see why this is the case and to try and resolve this.

During the Easter holidays the plan is that the main circuit boards will be ripped out of the concourse and replaced, along with the refurb of the HFT classrooms off the concourse. This means that were we to have access back in before the school break at Easter, we would have to vacate again for 3 weeks.

Therefore, as a senior team, we have taken the decision that we will remain here at Heriot-Watt until after the Easter school holidays, with the potential first date back at the school being Sunday 1st May.

Whilst this may be an unsettled period time, I was reminded this week of a picture which someone shared with me several months ago – it was of St Mungos Church being lifted up in the hand of the Father ready to be placed down again. Whilst it may feel that we are ‘homeless’ still at present there is great comfort and trust in knowing that we are in the hand of the Father, we are able to meet each week, we have got great relationships with both BHS and HWU and most importantly God remains significant in our services.

We will keep you informed as things move along and do be praying for us as a senior team as we continue to make the best decisions we can with the information we have available.

Covid-19

The second thing I wanted to give you an update on is covid, but more specifically what we are anticipating in terms of changes after 21st March, the date when the regulations are due to change here in Scotland.

Right throughout the pandemic we have aimed to give you the information that you need to make decisions that help manage your personal levels of risk. We also know that we are living in a distinctly polarised society when it comes to all things covid, and our own church family is not immune from that polarisation of opinion.

As we move from legal restrictions to guidance then need for grace, compassion, and love to one another becomes more important than it has been at any other stage of the pandemic. The church has an opportunity here to be a beacon in society in how it approaches difference of opinion.

We know from conversations that the views on wearing face coverings tend to be at extreme opposites; those who can’t wait for the day they can be removed and those who see them as an important part of life as we move forward.

They are the marmite of covid restrictions. 

Our plan, dependent upon guidance from the SEC, is to move towards a gradual removal of face coverings in our services. The rationale being that we want people to continue to feel safe and included in our physical services. The removal of face coverings in other areas of society, such as shops, cafes, etc. is likely to create heightened levels of anxiety for a number of people and we want to be sensitive towards that.

With this in mind, we are planning that on Sunday 27th March and Sunday 3rd April we will ask people to wear a face covering when moving about and when singing, but during the notices and times when we are seated then people are free, if they wish, to remove them.

From Sunday 10th April, provided that the Scottish Government and the Scottish Episcopal Church are allowing churches to make their own decisions on managing risk, face coverings will no longer be required in our services. However, if you wish to continue wearing a face covering then you are more than welcome to do so.

We will be continuing to make available the socially distanced seating for the foreseeable future and so people will be more than welcome to continue using this area as a way of managing their personal levels of risk.

If you wish to chat through any of the above, then please do get in touch and I’m happy to chat with you about it.

Important Update: Balerno High School

UPDATE: 12th MARCH

As you know we were hoping to have been back in at Balerno High School for our services from last week and we let you know that unfortunately a last-minute Edinburgh Council decision meant that this was no longer possible.

I’ve had a few meetings with the school now and we now have a clearer picture of the overall situation at the school. The headteacher, the business manager and myself submitted a scenario to the council to try and explain why our let there was extraordinary and therefore required further consideration and am pleased to say that we have heard back that the council have changed their position and said that the let can go ahead.

There are, however, some other challenges which we need some time to work through – the main one being that there are still some significant ongoing building works happening at the school. These works include replacing the roof, refurbishing and recarpeting the majority of the classrooms, including all the science labs and HFT rooms off the concourse, and most significantly for us - a complete re-wire of the school.

In 2008 we worked with the school and the council to install some electrical equipment, including all the lights, the projectors, screens etc. and unfortunately reconnecting power to these circuits has not been included in the rewire plans. The school and myself are working with the site manager to see why this is the case and to try and resolve this.

During the Easter holidays the plan is that the main circuit boards will be ripped out of the concourse and replaced, along with the refurb of the HFT classrooms off the concourse. This means that were we to have access back in before the school break at Easter, we would have to vacate again for 3 weeks.

Therefore, as a senior team, we have taken the decision that we will remain here at Heriot-Watt until after the Easter school holidays, with the potential first date back at the school being Sunday 1st May.

Whilst this may be an unsettled period time, I was reminded this week of a picture which someone shared with me several months ago – it was of St Mungos Church being lifted up in the hand of the Father ready to be placed down again. Whilst it may feel that we are ‘homeless’ still at present there is great comfort and trust in knowing that we are in the hand of the Father, we are able to meet each week, we have got great relationships with both BHS and HWU and most importantly God remains significant in our services.

We will keep you informed as things move along and do be praying for us as a senior team as we continue to make the best decisions we can with the information we have available.

UPDATE: 22nd FEBRUARY

I had a meeting this morning with Balerno High School’s Head Teacher, Business Manager, and, the site manager, to discuss our return to using the school on Sunday mornings and evenings and I am sorry to inform you that Edinburgh City Council have once again moved the goalposts, making our return this Sunday no longer possible. 

The business manager was at a meeting last night and the council are stipulating that all users of the building, including any external lets, must adhere to the ‘establishment’ risk assessment. This means that we are required to follow the covid guidelines for schools, rather than the more accommodating covid guidelines for places of worship. The school guidance states that until Monday 28th February no large gatherings are permitted on premises and from Monday 28th the maximum size of grouping allowed is 50 and that all adults must maintain a 2m physical distance at all times. We are seeking clarification of this and hope for an update next week.

At the moment, therefore, it makes more sense to continue to meet at Heriot-Watt University where we can meet in larger numbers and with more flexibility around physical distancing.

 Whilst this is incredibly disappointing, I am pleased to say that Heriot-Watt is still available and so the Balerno congregation will continue to meet on Sunday mornings at Heriot-Watt University.  Our 0-18 groups will also continue to meet alongside our adult service, in the same rooms that we’ve been using each week.

This Sunday, 27th February, we will also be holding our evening service at Heriot-Watt University where we are planning to have a time of prayer for this situation and also to have our first time of personal prayer ministry. 

It is easy to feel discouraged at the news that we still are unable to return to Balerno, but this is a time to once again thank God for His provision of Heriot-Watt and the fact that we are still able to meet together weekly. Accessing Balerno High School is a situation entirely out of our control and so we choose to be thankful for God’s continued faithfulness and goodness to us. 

If you have not yet joined us at Heriot-Watt and are waiting until we are back in Balerno, can I encourage you to consider coming out to Heriot-Watt and seeing what it is like. If there are any practical reasons that are preventing you from attending in person then please let me know and I’m happy to see whether there is anything we can do to help.