June 2025
Iran is much in the news, for all the wrong reasons. Only one of our members remembers what it was like in World War 2 in Britain. But thanks to television, we can all see what is going on in the Middle East (unless you are one of those who find the news so distressing that you have stopped watching it). And it’s very hard to take in. And far worse if you have parents, brothers or sisters living in Iran. Currently it is not easy to make contact, thus adding to worries. We pray for a peaceful resolution to the situation, recognising that only God can bring a lasting peace. All our brothers and sisters from Iran are in our prayers, thoughts and hearts.
The early church was a mix of different nationalities and cultures, and like them we have gained from the extra variety. Not least when it comes to our Bring and Share lunches. There has been some delicious food, sometimes with an explanation of what it is. So far at least we’ve not had any sheep’s eyes (which really are a delicacy in Iran). And this is not a subtle message that we would like to try them…
Many years ago, one of the very young children who couldn’t quite get his tongue round the word “Christadelphian” called us the ”Green Door Church”. The moniker stuck (as in our logo). The real green door has suffered a bit of wear and tear over the years, and it was past time to renovate it. Reza did a very good job, as you can see in the photos. And of course it is still green! Have a word with Reza if you would like your front door (or any other door) renovated. He does other colours as well as green!
Talking about renovation, there was an urgent need for some in the kitchen. All the heat and steam over the years had cracked some of the plastic laminate on the kitchen cabinet doors. Reza to the rescue again. He took all the doors and drawer fronts away (whether they needed work done on them or not), to be stripped and then spray-painted. When we first saw them back in the kitchen, we thought he had bought new ones instead, such was the quality of the finish. Well done, Reza! And as with front doors, he’s available to do your kitchen as well.
Click on any image to see a larger version.
Click on any image to see a larger version.
No need to despair for long, however. Cecelia, along with the band, is part of the Edinburgh Fringe. The same location as their Christmas concert, and there aren’t many Fringe shows charging just £5.
Make a note of the date – Thursday 21 August at 8.00pm (free parking, or right beside the number 8 or 9 bus stop) in Broughton St. Mary’s Parish Church, Bellevue Crescent, Edinburgh. And if you buy tickets at the door, you won’t need to pay any fee to the Fringe Box Office.
In the March issue we asked how many people were in both this old image of Edinburgh ecclesia and the recent photograph. The answer might be only four, but not everyone is very recognisable. A sobering thought:
Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Bears all its sons* away;
They fly forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.
* and daughters
Except we don’t forget those who have fallen asleep. And God never forgets them.
Our prayers and thoughts are very much with Katrina Smith, whose sister Julia is gravely ill.
If you ignore a partial knee replacement, a dislocated jaw, a post operative wound bleeding and infected, a fall causing no lasting damage, contracting norovirus, or parents in hospital (in Iran), most of us are doing all right as concerns our own health. At least all the troubles mentioned weren’t all in the one person.
The good news is there has been a number of significant birthdays.
If you ignore a partial knee replacement, a dislocated jaw, a post operative wound bleeding and infected, a fall causing no lasting damage, contracting norovirus, or parents in hospital (in Iran), most of us are doing all right as concerns our own health. At least all the troubles mentioned weren’t all in the one person.
The good news is there has been a number of significant birthdays.
Finally, as the apostle Paul said, “Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever.” But on the rambles organised by Gordon Brown we have been able to combine both, and express our thanks to Gordon for always coming up with somewhere different but interesting.
1 Timothy 4:8
The Message Bible
1 Timothy 4:8
The Message Bible
