WEEKLY NEWS
1. WORSHIP DURING HEATING WORKS As mentioned the other week, we still have a couple of formal approvals to secure before starting the heating project at NT- Mayfield. Nevertheless we continue to plan for our last service of worship at Mayfield being on Sunday 15 November. [The Kirk Session agreed earlier this week that the 9.30am service will continue to be held at NT- Mayfield in the Bill McDonald hall. That will also be the location for evening communion. The 10.45am service will be held at NT-Priestfield. This service will be held at that time until Sunday 20 of December when there will be a nativity service there at 10.30am. We will be issuing information about attending services at NT-Priestfield in the next week or so. More information to follow.
2. DEATH Lorn Cowie has died. A Service of Thanksgiving will take place at Newington Trinity Mayfield on Friday 13 November at 3.00pm. An obituary can be read at: https://scottishrugby.org/news-and-features/obituary-lorn-cowie/
3. OPEN TO ALL Coffee and tea will be served in Bill McDonald Hall at the close of the Sunday service. Everyone is most welcome.
4. COMMUNION ROUND THE TABLE Our evening service tonight (7.00pm) is one of hymns, prayer and the Sacrament of Holy Communion. All welcome.
5. Services of Worship Next Sunday 9.30am All-Age Service and 10.45am Traditional Service.
6. Livestreaming The 10.30am and 10.45am morning services are streamed live on YouTube and can be viewed on either our website or YouTube page.
7. REV DR MARYANN RENNIE CONTACT DETAILS MaryAnn’s email address is
8. PASTORAL CARE If you or someone you know would like a pastoral visit or phone call please contact, Pauline Robertson DCS. Her email address is
9. Next Youth Group date Sunday 1 November 5.30pm to 7.00pm: Church House at the NT-Mayfield centre. Details - Bettina
10. INDUCTION OF REVD DR SCOTT MCKENNA. Wednesday 4 November: Haddington Parish at St Mary’s Kirk at 7.00pm. Thank you to those who have signed up for the coach to attend Scott’s induction. With the roadworks etc and needing time to get to the front door of St Mary’s the important notes are:
- Be at NT- Mayfield Church Hall door for 5.30pm
- Bus departs NT- Mayfield Church sharp at 5.40pm.
- Bus leaves Haddington c. 9.15pm
- Cost estimated at £15 per person
- Phone contact on the day: William Mearns - 0780 801 1234
11. Jam and chutney sale It’s that time of year again, the fruit trees are laden and we are planning to hold our popular Christian Aid jam and chutney sale after the service on Sunday 6 December. So if your thoughts turn to pickling and preserving, please consider making a little extra for our stall – we’d really appreciate it! Details of when to hand in your contributions will follow. In the meantime, if you need extra jars please help yourself from the box in the Halls entrance. We have plenty to spare! Thank you. The Christian Aid Team
12. Festival of Books and Belief The School of Divinity's sixth New College Festival of Books and Belief will be held on 6 & 7 November 2026. Join us for another wonderful celebration of thinkers who are asking the big questions in their work. Of particular interest might be the events with Malcolm Guite, Eleanor Drage on AI, Francesca Stavrakopoulou, and the two creative writing workshops, one of which is led by Margaret Somerville of the Iona Community. And an event with Luke Kennard, the recently Booker-shortlisted author.
Full information at: https://divinity.ed.ac.uk/new-college-festival
13. THURSDAY CLUB Next meeting is this Thursday 5 November at 2.00pm: Bill McDonald Hall NT-Mayfield with Lucy Richardson on George of the Southside. All welcome. For more details contact Deirdre Eustace 07785 301 182.
14. Christmas Fairtrade StaLl on Sunday 15 November! Advent calendars, Christmas cards, Christmas decorations, in fact all things Christmasy. Lovely handbags using recycled materials, plates from Palestine, Cardigans from Peru, jewellery from India, toys & stocking fillers. For the foodies, coffee, tea, spices, cooking sauces, Kilombero rice, biscuits, and lots of chocolate!! Cash or card acceptable, and happy to take orders if you can’t be there on the 15th or there are any special requests!
15. GIFT SERVICES Sunday 29 November Two of the regular recipients of your donations are the Salvation Army and HMP Edinburgh (for the children of prisoners). Suitable items would be children's toys and games; footballs and football kit; age-appropriate toiletries; age-appropriate tee-shirts/cuddly footwear/sweatshirts and new soft toys or dressed dolls. A list of most requested presents published early this year placed Lego in the number one spot. All items should be new and alcohol cannot be placed. Wrapping paper and gift tags are welcome, too, but please do not wrap your gift.
16. AFTERNOON SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION - ALL are warmly invited to an Afternoon Service of Holy Communion on Tuesday, 17 November at 2.30pm to be held as usual in the Bill McDonald Hall. Revd Dr. MaryAnn Rennie will officiate and so it will be an opportunity to meet her over a cup of tea afterwards. This will be the last Afternoon Service for 2026 and everyone involved is thanked most sincerely for arrangements, lifts, preparing and serving teas and for welcomes. More information in the October/November issue of NT NEWS Magazine page 16.
17. Christian Aid collection Thank you to everyone who contributed to last Sunday’s collection in support of Christian Aid. If you’d still like to make a donation, please place it on the collection plate in the main entrance, or hand it to a member of the Christian Aid team. If you’re able to gift aid, please make use of the special red envelopes and fill in your details on the back of the envelope. Alternatively, you can donate online at www.newingtontrinity.org/ca2026 using Harvest as your payment reference (but please note, this option does not allow gift aid). Thank you! The Christian Aid Team
18. CALLING ALL KNITTERS! This is a plea for knitted hats or beanies for the homeless who find themselves out on the streets. The Street Pastors or helpers on the Bethany Care Van offer beanies, gloves and socks to those they meet but unfortunately we have none in stock and the weather has turned chilly. If you are able to help please use dark coloured wool, preferably navy, black, or grey and resist the temptation to add pom-poms! The majority of our rough sleepers and beggars are men. Many thanks, Jean
19. VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT
i) The Welcome Team would very much appreciate a few extra volunteers both to keep the team up to strength and to help as we move out for the heating project and they look to increase their numbers. If you can help please contact Honey Ballantine.
ii) Likewise, the Sunday Refreshment Rota would appreciate some new hands. If you can help please contact Susan Wooding
20. PRAISE AND PRAYER (12 November) This small group meets every two weeks at Newington Trinity - Priestfield. Anyone is welcome to join others for this time of prayer from 7.30pm until about 9.00pm. Do check the Newington Trinity website calendar for any changes.
21. MORNING PRAYERS ON TUESDAYS We meet for prayers every Tuesday at 10.00am in the Salisbury Room opposite the Office.
22. POPPIES White Peace Poppies and Red Poppies An opportunity to donate - available again in Church at Remembrance Time. Boxes will be in the Sanctuary on Sunday 1st November and again on Remembrance.
Sunday 8 November. Please give generously. No Cash ? You could make a contactless poppy donation by phone – just be ready to scan the QR code (on the Red Poppy box) or donate via websites www.poppyscotland.org.uk - or (white poppies) to the Peace Pledge Union www.ppu.org Thank you !
23. FLOWERS IN CHURCH The rota from 18 October to Easter 2027 is now available if folks would like to donate/ arrange or distribute flowers. To donate, arrange or help distribute flowers, please contact Carole Stiff or Pauline Robertson DCS. The flower diary covers the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month.
24. LADIES BADMINTON We meet every Tuesday afternoon from 2.00pm to 4.00pm at Newington Trinity Mayfield. This activity has been going for over 40 years. We need new members. If interested contact Anne Aithie
25. A SAFE LISTENING SPACE A discussion at Greenbank Church on breaking the silence on domestic abuse. Saturday 7 November 9.30am to 12.30pm.
26. ECO tip For everybody who has children or grandchildren who are keen on LEGO (it's plastic but not single use!) in the run up to Christmas it is helpful to know that webuybricks.co.uk purchases old preloved Lego, sorts, cleans and resells at a fraction of the price of new. It's early to be talking about Christmas but many like to plan ahead.
27. ANNUAL LEAVE
- Boyd is away 12 to 16 November inclusive.
- MaryAnn is on leave 16 to 23 November inclusive but is conducting the afternoon worship on 17 November.
- Pauline Robertson will be on leave 23 to 29 November inclusive
28. ST GILES AT SIX: Sangstream Scots Folk Choir are delighted to be performing on Sunday evening 22 November a selection of (mainly seasonal) folk songs from Scotland , England and beyond . Sangstream is led by acclaimed musical director Corrina Dawn . St Giles recommends that places can be booked on Eventbrite www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/st-giles-at-six- sangstream-scots-folk-choir-tickets- 2003310523704 Entrance is free
29. Invitation: Uniting for Peace and Friendship Service In a world often marked by conflict and division, the annual Uniting for Peace and Friendship service stands as a beacon of light, hope, and community strength.
On behalf of the Edinburgh Interfaith Association and St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, we cordially invite you to join us for this inspiring gathering, bringing together Scotland’s diverse faith and cultural communities to celebrate unity, stand against hate, and promote peace.
Wednesday 11 November 7.00pm to 8.30pm at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Palmerston Place, Edinburgh.
30. OFFERINGS Thank you to those who have responded so far to the stewardship season in relation to regular giving. It would help considerably with the administration if you were able to complete the relevant form online that The link is available on our website at: www.newingtontrinity.org/give
This will record your current giving, any changes you intend to make or if you are giving for the first time. You will still need to instruct your bank as necessary but will help Sean McKenna considerably with overseeing contributions and, where appropriate gift aid. Many thanks.
Regular Donations To set up or alter your regular donations please visit the link on the church website: www.newingtontrinity.org/give Alternatively, please contact our Freewill Offerings Treasurer, Sean McKenna, for more information:
One-Off Donations One-off donations are still possible online at this link:
www.give.net/20311853 Alternatively, please contact our Treasurer, Charles Garland, for more information:
31. NEWMAN ASSOCIATON On Thursday evening, 5 November, the Edinburgh Newman Association welcome the eminent Irish Jesuit scholar and former Provincial of Jesuits in Ireland, Fr.Gerry O'Hanlon coming over from Dublin to give us an update on the progress of Synodality and how it may influence the role of women in the church. Gerry has been very influential in the Irish Church in promoting the synodal process and has been a major voice in highlighting the need to rethink our attitude towards women in our Catholic Church.
All the meetings will be in our usual venue at Mayfield Salisbury Church of Scotland ( now retitled Newington Trinity), 18 West Mayfield, Edinburgh EH9 1TQ.
The meetings will all begin at 7.30 pm end at 9,30pm at the latest.
All are welcome. We hope you can come and please convey this invitation to any and all who may be interested. There is a suggested donation of £5 to help cover the cost of the meeting. With very best wishes and thank you for your support. Paddy Ferry (Chair)
Bible Readings
New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide
Forthcoming Deadlines
Order of Service: Thursday at 10.00am
Parish Magazine: Friday 27 November at 6.00pm
www.newingtontrinity.org CCLI 857881 Scottish Charity SC000785