Easter Egg Collection

We here at the chaplaincy are delighted to announce that we are going to be involved with an exciting initiative that is running at the Cameron Toll Shopping Centre this week.
The plan is to collect chocolate easter eggs from shoppers in the centre. These eggs will then be distributed to children from disadvantaged backgrounds in the area.
The chaplaincy are co-ordinating the organisations that will distribute the eggs and we are delighted to be working with Barnardos, Edinburgh City Mission and the Conan Doyle Medical Centre. Very worthy recipients we hope you will agree.
The drop off point for the eggs is located under the stairs to the mezzanine level, just outside Sainsburys.
So why not take the opportunity to make your Easter even more special by donating an egg and putting a smile on a child's face.

Commissioning Service

Our new chaplain Colin Campbell's commissioning service is being held this Sunday 20th March at 3pm at Liberton Kirk. EVERYONE is very welcome. Refreshments after the service in the church.

Allow me to introduce myself...

Hi, my name is Colin and I am the new Cameron Toll Chaplain. I took over from Nicola in November and will be working alongside my fellow chaplain, Rosemary.
I have worked in retail for most of my professional life, working as a member of management for HMV for 5 years and eventually owning my own fair trade clothing and craft store in Edinburgh.
I attend Barclay Viewforth, Church of Scotland in Tollcross and play right-back for the football team in the East of Scotland Churches Football League. My other main hobby is playing guitar and I am currently taking lessons in folk guitar.

With my retail experience I am very familiar with the stresses and strains of retail. The long hours, the list of tasks ‘as long as your arm’, and the challenging financial targets that must be met, all the while keeping a smile on your face to ensure your shop is a welcoming place for customers. It’s not an easy job. I hope that during my time as chaplain I can be of some help to the people who face these challenges day to day. It’s also been wonderful to meet the customers that use the shopping centre and I’m looking forward to getting to know lots of you on my weekly visits.

Don’t forget that the chaplaincy is for everyone that works in or uses the shopping centre. Rosemary and I can be reached by phone on 0795 221 0185 just leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

All the best,

Colin

Operation Christmas:

Over the next few weeks we will all hear the words “Peace on earth, and good will to all men”. It is written on Christmas cards, on banners in our high streets and shopping centres and in the lyrics of our favourite carols.

For many people peace in our own lives, let alone across the whole earth can seem like an impossibility. The words can ring hollow in the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations, in the noisy coming together of family, and even in a quiet moment of reflection on the loss of a loved one. At these times, “Peace on earth” can seem a vain hope.

Deep in the Colombian jungle government forces have been fighting Farc rebels since 1964. Over the years there has been much bloodshed and bitterness between the two sides. But this month the Colombian government has begun a very unusual tactic. They call it ‘Operation Christmas’.

Using elite forces, nine Christmas trees have been put up in rebel held territory. Each tree has 2,000 lights that light up when sensors pick up someone moving past.
Imagine being a member of Farc on patrol through the dark, humid jungle only to come across a giant Christmas tree, covered in lights and topped with a star!

The tree comes with a simple message, ‘If Christmas can come to the jungle, you can come home’. What a great message of hope and reconciliation. Old wounds can heal, old hurts can be forgiven, what seems impossible can be achieved.

“Peace on earth, and goodwill to all men.”

Have a peaceful Christmas,

From,
Rosemary and Colin

Read the full story about the Colombian ‘Operation Christmas’ here: BBC News - Colombia army gives Farc rebels early Christmas gift

New Chaplain Appointed

We have some great news here at CTC, as hard a job as it was we have appointed our replacement chaplain for Nico. Colin Campbell from Barclay Viewforth Church of Scotland has been appointed as our newest Chaplain.

His first 'appointment' will be - to be introduced to the people attending the AGM on 18th Nov - so please come along and meet him then. More info about Colin will be added to our Chaplain section soon.

Cameron Toll Chaplaincy AGM

Hey Folks
It's our AGM, if you would like to join us, detials are below or contact us for more info.
Thursday 18th Nov
Venue - Faith Mission in Gilmerton
Time - 7 for 7.30pm
Speaker - Howard Espie minister with St Cuthberts Church of Scotland

Cameron Toll Chaplaincy Prayer Requests

Rosemary Davidson

Rosemary is an ordained minister

in the Church of the Nazarene

& is part of a group starting

a new fresh expression of Church

She became a Chaplain at Cameron Toll in July 2009

Please pray:

For wisdom for the steering group as they seek a replacement chaplain for Nicola Hilmy Jones

For the chaplains that whenever we go into Cameron Toll we will take the fragrance of Christ with us.

For the management & employees of the centre, that there will be an openness to the chaplaincy as a service. Pray for wisdom for the chaplains as we continue to build relationships with them.

For the direction of the Holy Spirit as we visit each unit and seek opportunities to listen and care for those we meet with the love and compassion of Jesus.

For the Christians who work and visit Cameron Toll that God will use them to be ‘a light to the nations.’ Also that they may be able to meet together for encouragement and support

For staff in the retail units facing redundancy because of shop closures, that they may find employment elsewhere.

For the management of the centre, may they find success in securing new tenants for the units which will bring employment to the area.

For wisdom for the Cameron Toll Steering Group as they seek ways of improving the profile of the Chaplaincy and guide and advise the chaplains in their work at the centre.

That the new website will be used to make new contacts within the centre http://camerontollchaplaincy.blogspot.com

We thank God for everyone who prays for us. We appreciate and need your prayers!