CTC says cheerio to Chaplain Rosemary

We're just updating our blog with the sad news that as from 30th June 2011 our Chaplain Rosemary Davidson is having to resign due to ill health.  We're sorry to see her go and hope that her health continues to to improve.  We want to thank her for all she's done for the Chaplaincy since joining us in July 2009.

This means that after the summer Cameron Toll Chaplaincy will be on the look out for someone to step into Rosemary's shoes.  So if you know of someone who might be interested in becoming a voluntary Chaplain please ask them to contact

camerontollchaplaincy@gmail.com

We will be advertising the post in mid August and interviews will take place in October.  The person who takes over will be introduced to everyone interested in CTC and supporting churches in SEECAT & NCT at our AGM in November.

Please continue to pray for the Chaplaincy as we seek a replacement for Rosemary.

A Big Thank You

A big thank you to everyone who donated an Easter egg, and to everyone involved in organising, the Cameron Toll Shopping Centre Easter egg appeal.

As you can see they were very much enjoyed! 

Our charity partners: Edinburgh City Mission, Barnardos and the Conan Doyle Medical Centre were delighted to receive so many eggs. 

Well done. 

Easter Egg Collection Under Way

Here is the Cameron Toll Easter egg collection point beneath the stairs to the mezzanine level. All donations of Easter eggs will be greatly appreciated by our partner organisations: Barnardos, Edinburgh City Mission and the Conan Doyle Medical Centre.

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