On Sunday 27th April we’re holding Messy Church!
Come along for stories, food, crafts and fun!
Messy Church is for the whole family: mums, dads, brothers, sisters, grannies, grandads, aunties, second cousins, great uncle Bulgaria, next-door neighbour who’s always popping round for coffee …
To help with the catering, if you know you’ll be coming please email your name and the number of adults and children you’re planning to bring along to:
Dolly Purnell: dpurnell@churchofscotland.org.uk, or
Mo Brand: youthwork@wardie.org.uk
Or just come along on the day!
If you can’t make it this time, why not save the date for a future Messy Church? We’re planning another on:
25th May
And we’ve just announced dates for our popular Holiday Club, too – so keep the week of 7th–11th July free in your diaries!
Rt Rev Dr Shaw J Paterson, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, has written a prayer about the recent terrible events in Lebanon. Please use it in your own prayer time.
Almighty God, we bring our voices together to pray for peace, unsure of what to say or do. We see conflict, war, bombings, people fleeing to find shelter. As we witness an escalation in conflict, we pray for your peace … a peace which offers justice for the oppressed and downtrodden, a real peace in which every individual may live free from the horrors currently being experienced.
Caring God, be with those suffering in Lebanon and across the Middle East. Bring healing to those physically and emotionally wounded … and healing between individuals, groups and nations.
Comforting God, be with those who mourn the loss of loved ones and be with them in their grief and trauma, offering your grace and inner peace.
Loving God, you loved us so much you came into our world in Jesus, the Prince of Peace. We have heard the Good News; enable us to share your love … for love will overcome. Strengthen our resolve to love our neighbour, and work together for peace so that love might be shared, healing becomes a reality, and that we never lose hope.
In the Name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen.
Did you know that Wardie Parish Church runs or hosts around 20 activities? There’s something for everyone, from gardening (above) to yoga, from toddler groups to Guides and Scouts.
Take a look at our A–Z of activities to find out what’s on!
Weekly from 14th May, we have a new group running: Christ, Craft and Cakes. Bring along your own craft or join in with our prepared one; hear a thought for the week; and enjoy a cuppa and some cake! Open to all faiths and none.
Our new office hours are three mornings per week during term time:
Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9.15am to 12.15pm.
Our administrator is Rebecca Bendrey.
Email: churchoffice@wardie.org.uk
Phone: 0131 551 3847.
[Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash]
Can you help?
Our friends at Edinburgh Direct Aid have linked with RBB to respond to the desperate need in Gaza, which is facing one of the worst instances of man-made deprivation of food, water and medical aid in a century.
Together, they are hoping to send a food truck into Gaza, to distribute much-needed supplies, and for this they need to raise many thousands of pounds.
Read about it here, and donate what you can: https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/fundraising/EDAI-a-food-truck-for-gaza
You also read about it on the EDA website here: https://www.edinburghdirectaid.org/Gaza/GazaFamine.htm
Christian Aid has started a regular prayer date for Gaza, on the 24th of each month. Join prayer for a just peace if you can: https://www.christianaid.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns/pray-just-peace
Wardie Parish church, a living wage employer, is looking to recruit an administrator to work in our church office three mornings per week (9 hours) during term time.
Applicants should have a good working knowledge of office computer programmes and previous administration experience.
The job description is below, including how to apply. Informal enquiries are welcome – please contact Rev Dolly Purnell: dpurnell@churchofscotland.org.uk
Job Description: Church Administrator
Key Tasks and Responsibilities
To provide efficient and effective administrative support to the Minister, Kirk Session and other office bearers who are responsible for the organisation, management and delivery of the wide range of services that constitute the life and work of Wardie Parish Church.
These are broken down in to four areas – Office Administration, Worship & Services, Building and Facilities and Communication.
Office Administration
Tasks to allow for the smooth running of the Church Office including:
- General management of the Church Office environment – phone, mail, email
- Maintaining the office diary
- Photocopying and scanning
- Updating of membership database, ensuring all changes noted.
- Completing required returns – e.g. music copyright
- Maintenance and archive of computer files, including those on Dropbox
- Maintaining a tidy and welcoming office environment
Worship and Services
Tasks to aid the organisation and running of services:
- Add required intimations to Order of Service provided by the Minister
- Print Order of Service
- Maintain and communicate Welcome Team rotas and information
- Co-ordinate quarterly Communion invitations
- When there is a visiting Minister, produce order of service and accompanying PowerPoint
Building and Facilities
Tasks to aid the efficient running of the building and halls
- Manage all aspects of Hall Booking
- Maintain Hall Booking System
- Display weekly diary of hall use
- Issue annual contracts, which include payment details (where required)
- Issue regular contracts and undertake invoicing at regular intervals (default is monthly)
- Issue single use contracts and ensure access arranged
- Maintain the key register
- First point of contact for building issues including Entry Phone and Fire Alarm, ensuring issues dealt with promptly or escalated
- Order supplies of cleaning materials and other building items
- Check and maintain first aid kits and accident book
Communication
Tasks to aid the efficient communication across people, groups and platforms:
- Co-ordinate advertising of internal events – designing posters and tickets as requested
- Maintain all noticeboards (both internal and external) ensuring clear information is available and out of date items removed.
- Produce and issue weekly E-News via Mailchimp system and maintain email addresses within it.
- Prepare and produce paper copies of the weekly E-News for distribution
- Organise group mailings and communications to groups as directed
These lists are not exhaustive and are intended to describe the key responsibilities and tasks.
Essential to the post
A good working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Publisher and Dropbox is desirable, though training can be given.
This is an administrator’s post which requires good interpersonal skills as telephone and personal enquiries are an integral part of the church’s life.
Hours of Work
9 hours per week over three mornings during term time (40 weeks per annum)
A PDF of this job description is available here: Job Description – Church Administrator – February 2024
How to Apply
Applications in writing with an accompanying CV to Rev Dolly Purnell, email: dpurnell@churchofscotland.org.uk by 15th March 2024.
This Lent, we’re holding a series of Lent reflections based on a book by Steven James, Never the Same, that explores the stories of some of the people who encountered Jesus.
They will be on Sunday evenings from 6–7pm, starting on 25th February.
Come along, have a coffee, and, like the people featured, draw closer to God.
Programme:
25th February: Eavesdropping in the desert. Luke 4: 1–13
3rd March: The party animal. Matthew 9: 9–13; Luke 15: 11–32
10th March: Night and day. John 3: 1–21
17th March: The good life. Mark 10: 17–24
24th March: The cell. Matthew 3: 1–17; John 1: 19–34; Matthew 11: 2–11
