Adventures in Faith

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Adventures in Faith December 2024

Welcome to Adventures in Faith, where everyone in the Diocese of Edinburgh can explore, learn and grow in fullness of life.

Finding Adventures in Faith Online

Homepage - Outlines what Adventures in Faith is, with links to other landing pages.

Newsletter - Links to all previous newsletters and to sign-up for emails.

Calendar - Events happening across the Diocese, in congregations and partner organisations.

Courses - A list of courses and events happening all over the UK.

Awareness - Awareness days that link in with our faith and Marks of Mission.

Christmas Services

If you are in another part of the Diocese over the Christmas week, fear not! You can find a list of the services happening across the Diocese for Advent 4, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day on the website. And we pray that all those involved are blessed with stamina!

Youth & Children Christmas Newsletter

We have just published our Youth and Children's Newsletter for Christmas 2024. If you have yet to see it, please do take some time over a mince pie to read about just some of the amazing work of, by, with, and for children and young people across the Diocese. Access it by clicking here or on the image.

For Young Adults

Edinburgh Diocese is looking to plan a trip to Taize in 2025, likely late June or early July. It would be good to get notes of interest now to aid with planning. So, if you are aged 18-35 and would like to join a trip to Taize, please complete this form. (Likely cost c.£350 per person). This will not commit you, but will help with initial plans.

Prophetic Activist Bootcamp (18-30yo): Edinburgh Saturday 1 February. Intrigued by what it means to be a prophetic activist? Maybe you’re a seasoned campaigner or completely new to politics or activism. Either way, this bootcamp is for you! Join Christian Aid and friends from Just Love, the Student Christian Movement and local church groups for a day of worship, connection, theology of justice, and getting to grips with the tools to put faith into action. Tickets are free. Register online here.

In the Diocese in 2025

FREE First Aid Courses. St Peter’s, Lutton Place, and retired GP Dr Janice Allister (NUCO certified First Aid Instructor) are offering this two-session hands-on course in January and March. All equipment is provided, but participants must be able to kneel on a floor for a period of time and should wear suitable clothing for that.

▶ Session One: Resuscitation (including cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, defibrillation, and treatment for anaphylactic shock and for choking)

▶ Session Two: Basic First Aid (bleeds, breaks, burns, falls and faints)

Each session runs at St Peter's from 9am to 12noon, with a short break mid-session (please bring your own refreshments).

▶ Saturday 11 January Resuscitation & Saturday 18 January Basic First Aid

▶ Saturday 8 March Resuscitation & Saturday 15 March Basic First Aid

Advanced booking is essential, as classes are limited to eight people at a time. To book, or for further information, email [email protected].

The Knitted Bible is coming to Scotland in February, for the very first time! It will be on display in St Anne’s, Dunbar, over the weekend 15/17 February. There are over 30 biblical scenes presented, including 2 new scenes created by Dunbar's Christian knitters, with stories either printed or read to explain each one.

▶ Sat 15 Feb - the church is open 10am-4pm, for anyone to visit and look around. Refreshments, knitters, and stewards available.

▶ Sun 16 Feb - 2:30-4pm there is a guided tour for all visitors, focusing mainly on NT stories (refreshments available).

▶ Sun 16 Feb - 4:30pm informal “Sing and Celebrate" service based on the scenes displayed.

▶ Mon 17 Feb - Children's Day (all children must be accompanied by an adult). There will be knitting demos, a quiz about the bible stories on display, and story telling sessions at 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, and 2:30. Refreshments available.

St Anne's invites everyone in the Diocese is invited to attend one or more of the sessions. Find out a bit more about the Knitted Bible by clicking this link.

Hebrews 4:16: "So let us come boldly to the very throne of God and staythere to receive his mercy and to find grace to help us in our times of need." (TLB)

Taking the above as the text for the retreat, Whitchester invite you to come, stay, receive, and find over the week of 24-28 February.

Following an introductory session on the first evening, the retreat will move into silence. There will be one to one sessions with trained spiritual directors on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday. The Art Room will be resourced with creative media, and other resources made available (but not compulsory!) On Thursday evening we will gather together for a voluntary time of sharing and will come out of silence after this. Friday morning prayers after breakfast will draw the retreat to a close.

Full board plus spiritual direction = £395. Email for more information and to book.

Trustee Training is for every member of vestry, for they are charity trustees. The training will be updated in 2025, so if you last attended a couple of years ago, please feel free to join us again. If you have never been, or are new to vestry, now is your chance! Click here to register.

Visit Old Saint Paul's for their Radiant Heating Open Church on Friday 21 March. The church will be open from 12noon. Eucharist will be celebrated at 12:20pm (so you can experience the heaters during worship!), and then there will be an open-church demonstration.

Email Jack Niven for more information or to register: [email protected].

January Highlights from Other Organisations

There is still time to register for the Scottish Church Theology Society's Annual Conference in Stirling, 6-9 January, entitled "Looking Back to Look Forward: the Role of History in Theology and Ministry". Tickets are available for the whole event, in person or online, or for individual days.

The Aberdeen Academy of Theology is hosting a series of workshops, led by Dr Sara Mannen, on the theme of God’s power. These will be held on three Saturdays, from 9:30am until 12:30pm, at Fountainhall Church Centre in Aberdeen. Dates and topics are:

▶ 18 January - Divine Power: Can God Do Anything?

▶ 15 February - Christ and the Power of God

▶ 15 March - The Spirit's Power

An RSVP to Dr Joel Pierce ([email protected]) would be appreciated for catering purposes.

Cost: £10 (conc) / £15 for each day.

This online course from the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity promises to help you "share your faith more authentically, start richer conversations, and grow deeper relationships". Join them for 6 Monday evening sessions (5:15pm-6:30pm) from 20 January. For more details and to register (cost by donation), head to the Eventbrite page here.

Sarum College's rolling 2-year programme of theological learning entitled Exploring Theology, is now available to book for the Winter '25 module, Exploring Christian Belief: modern developments in theological conversations and issues. This 10-week module begins on 21 January 2025 and you can register right up until that day.

Denis Duncan Lecture by the Rev Prof John Swinton: 30 January, 7-9pm

"'Restorative presence' is a way of being that seeks to create spaces where people experience deep belonging and holistic healing. Drawing on the lived experiences of individuals navigating mental health struggles, this lecture will examine the essential practices of presence, belonging, and healing as modelled by Jesus."

This event is free and on Zoom. Register here and joining instructions will be sent to you. You need to join GoHealth's mailing list to register.

Have You Tried?

In this section, we share a resource that might help you explore, learn, or grow in your faith: it could be a book, a podcast, an email subscription, or something else!

A new, temporary exhibition has opened in the Museum of Edinburgh entitled "Four Seasons in Faith: Worship in Edinburgh Throughout the Year". You are invited to dive into the traditions, celebrations, and stories that shape Edinburgh’s spiritual landscape throughout the changing seasons. Created in collaboration with members of Edinburgh’s faith communities, the collection authentically reflects their unique practices and traditions, bringing to life a series of objects and artefacts that share the stories of Edinburgh’s vibrant faith communities. The exhibition is open now, until Monday 21st April 2025, and is free to visit (donations welcome).

And Finally...

😃 We hope you have enjoyed exploring this Adventures in Faith newsletter.

🔼 Check out the dedicated AiF webpages via the menu options above.

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Rev Fiona (Fee) Reynolds, Advisor for Christian Life
0131 346 9089, [email protected]

Joanna Appleby, Administrative Assistant (M&M)
0131 346 9085, [email protected]

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