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.

Autumn Term

We recently released our Autumn Term flyer with dates for the various events happening over the next couple of months. Please do check the What’s On page of the website for full details of each event and how to get involved.

September

1 September: Company of Men (Balerno) walk and pub

4 September: Envision (Youth) // Social Sunday

8 September: Isaac Knight's Induction Service @ St Mary's Cathedral

9 - 11th September: P5-P7 Camp @ Scoughall

10 September: Balerno Farmers Market

11 September: Evening Service @ The Church Building, Ladycroft

13 September: GOLD

18 September: Transform @ Balerno Parish Church

18 September: S4-S6 Leadership training (monthly)

25 September: Worship & Prayer @ The Church Building, Ladycroft

29 September: Communion & Soaking @ The Church Building, Ladycroft

29 September: Company of Men Gathering (Balerno)

October

2 October: Envision (Youth) // Social Sunday

2 October: Welcome lunch for new members

3 October: LAM (Love After Marriage) Begins @ HT Wester Hailes

6 October: Alpha Livingston Launch [TBC]

7 October: Encounter (Youth) // Big Night In (Adults Only)

8 October: Balerno Farmer's Market

8 October: Laser Tag (P5-P7) // Movie Night (P1-P4)

9 October: Evening Service @ The Church Building, Ladycroft

11 October: GOLD // Parenting Matters

16 October: Transform @ Balerno Parish Church

23 October: Worship & Prayer @ The Church Building, Ladycroft

26 October: Tech Team Training Night

27 October: Communion & Soaking @ The Church Building, Ladycroft

27 October: Youth Trip to Joseph @ Edinburgh Playhouse

27 October: CAP Money Course Part 1

29 October: Life Seasons

30 October: Evening Service @ The Church Building, Ladycroft

November

3 November: CAP Money Course Part 2

6 November: Envision (Youth) // Social Sunday

8 November: GOLD

8 November: Parenting Matters

12 November: Balerno Farmers Market

12 November: Games Night (P1-P4) // Quiz Night (P5-P7)

13 November: Evening Service @ The Church Building, Ladycroft

19 November: Tearfund Quiz

20 November: Transform @ Balerno Parish Church

24 November: Communion & Soaking @ The Church Building, Ladycroft

27 November: Worship & Prayer @ The Church Building, Ladycroft

30 November: Re:Fresh Night for House Group Leaders

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!

Primary Autumn Fun

Items marked with * must be pre booked and an email will be sent.

Friends are welcome at all events.

Sunday 21st August

Sunday morning groups resume

Saturday 27th August

P1-4 Art Session 3:30-5pm, Ministry Centre

P5-7 Beetle Drive and hotdogs 5:30-7pm, Ministry Centre, £2

Friday 9th-Sunday 11th September

P5-7 Weekend away @ Scoughall*

Saturday 8th October

P5-7 Laser Tag 11:45-1:45, Xtreme Combat, Newbridge – an email with booking link will be sent and spaces are strictly limited.

P1-4 Movie Night 5:30-7:30, Ladycroft, Balerno

Saturday 12th November

P1-P4 Games 4-5:30, Church Building, Ladycroft

P5-7 Quiz Night 6-7:30, Church Building, Ladycroft

Sunday 11th December

Carol Service (Balerno)

PLUS! NEW!

Monthly Breakfast Club starting in October – look out for details