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Dear congregations,

I am taking the opportunity to write Nanda's letter from the manse this month.

She gave me a choice: unpack the boxes or do some admin for me! Not hard to guess which I chose!!

But actually, I wanted to write to all of you to express my sincere thanks for all your support, all your cards and gifts to us as a family during our move to Balerno. It was so heart-warming to see so many of you at my induction - from which I am still recovering. It was a memorable induction service which was made special by the fact that so many of you shared in it with me and my family.

We have now moved into the Manse at Balerno and I am sorry that you will have to memorise our new telephone numbers. But do please come and visit us.

The sermon at my induction was indeed moving and challenging. "Who do you say I am?" Jesus asked.

It is a timely question for us too. We need to ponder and rethink this question in everything we do as followers of Jesus. In fact, our answer needs to be reflected in the way we talk, think and act in the world.

It is here where the real challenge lies, a challenge that we need to take on board. We are missionaries sent by God on a mission to reflect to all people that Jesus is the Redeemer.

May we all become and remain witnesses of His grace, love and endless mercy in our new journey together.

All my best wishes,

Andre

Dear Congregations,

We had a very special, yet really busy summer.

First, South Africa, where it was nice and warm and sunny through the day, and you only knew it was winter once the sun set; and then we came back to lovely Scotland where we enjoyed a few trips to the Edinburgh International Arts Festival regardless of the weather(!!); and then it was time for the Holiday Club where we cooked up a storm at Rocky's Plaice!

While in South Africa, we one day went to an old railway station, that not too long ago was starting to fall into complete disrepair. Most people drove by and thought that it was a shame that a once busy and loved station was becoming a ruin. But one day someone drove by and saw potential in that old building. So that person bought it, built it up again and changed it into a museum and coffee shop. and once again it is heaving with people there!

And you know, that made me think... I often hear that people think that the church as an institution is past it's best days, coming closer to it's "expiry date", so to speak - just like that train station. But we should never look at the church like that. We should always look for the potential, for what the church has to offer in our society. And we might just be surprised!

On one of the walls at the train station people are allowed to write down "words of wisdom". And I read a quote there that said: "I aspire to inspire before I expire." If we make that our motto as a church this year, we'll no doubt go from strength to strength - for a long time to come!

May God bless you all,

Nanda

Dear congregations,

Here we are at the beginning of the summer holidays again!

It was a full and busy year in both congregations, with lots of exciting things happening. we welcomed new people to our fellowship, and sadly we lost some well-loved congregation members as well. but looking back over the year, I can clearly see God's hand in everything that happened in and around our congregations, and I feel so blessed to be part of this very special church family.

My two boys really enjoyed their visits to Sunday Club and JAM Club this year, and we have good banter in the manse about whether it is more fun at mummy's church or daddy's church!

We are going to South Africa for most of July, and we are all looking forward to spending time with family and friends. Somebody asked me recently whether I was looking forward to going home for the summer, and you know, with all honesty, I could reply that "Yes, I am looking forward to go to South Africa, but home is here in Scotland now." After attending four Gala Days (Parkhead, East Calder, Kirknewton and Polbeth!), I feel more and more Scottish by the day! And in their kilts, my boys even look the part......

So although I can't wait to see my dad and brother and the rest of our extended family, I know that I'll be excited to come home again at the end of July!
 Thank you all so much for making me and my family feel that we truly belong here.

This summer, my wish for you is that "the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace" (Numbers 5: 24-26)

Kind regards

Nanda

How many recipe searches are being made?

How much kitchen practice is going on?

On Friday 24th June, we are inviting selected (lucky) guests to the West Kirk hall at 6pm for an entertaining meal, devised and prepared by our own fair hands! Don't panic, guests - Nik will no doubt be supervising us closely.