Day 31 - Botanic Gardens

The City of Edinburgh Church
We went to Church this morning at the recently refurbished Methodist Church in the centre of Edinburgh and next to a Mosque. In many respects it is a mixture of The Beacon Centre and Central Methodist Church, (Chippenham) worship area. Talking to the Superintendent Minister who explained they spent 2 million integrating the hall next door with a new entrance complete with cafe and conservatory overlooking the rear garden. Taking out the pews and creating an open space still with the U-shaped gallery. They are promoting it as a conference centre and concert venue. As part of the vision a Credit Union has started and a new "World Shop" selling fairtrade goods will open in the autumn. This was possible because of the coming together of 4 Methodist Churches in the city moving onto one site, and the church is slowly growing as interaction with the neighbourhood increases. It was good to join the 80+ congregation of all ages and nationalities. The Superintendent and Deacon ably led the familiar words of the service of Holy Communion from the Methodist Worship Book, and it reminded me that wherever we worship, elsewhere other Methodists are also using the same words, all of which is at the heart of being a Connexional Church. Coffee was served before and after the service and the cafe was also offering lunch.
Church refurbishment and community involvement I believe has to be a priority for the church if we want to have the tools to engage with the 21st century world. This has to include the use of IT in worship and WiFi as well as the hospitality we offer. When I look at John Wesley and those early Methodists, building were not precious but designed for specific mult-use purposes, as well as centres of preaching, we need to reclaim that heritage and like this congregation be bold and step forward with confidence. Otherwise we will end up with buildings that like so many we have seen on our tour lay in ruin, or abandoned, we need to face those hard questions about how  we can be all things to all people whilst the Methodist church continues to struggle with numbers and "keeping the show on the road" - for some they have completed their purpose and mission.

The Botanic Gardens
We drove to the gardens for a delightful "birthday" lunch, and a wander round, the sun shone and this we thought is how life should be whilst touring in a "box on wheels". The pictures below give a taste.