Dear Friends,

Dear Friends,
Celebrating 900 years of our building’s history has
brought with it some memorable occasions. Having Father Jock Dalrymple from St John’s & St Mary Magdalene was certainly an historic moment for Duddingston. Father Jock became the first Catholic Priest to preach in Duddingston since the Reformation in the 16th century. And what a wonderful occasion this turned out to be with Chris Jones, a member of St John’s, writing a hymn for the occasion which we sang for the very first time.
I was invited to preach the following week at St John’s & St Mary Magdalene. This involved preaching at three services. I was overwhelmed by the welcome at each service and the warmth and encouragement we received at what was being done. In my 35 years of ministry this was the first time I had been invited to preach at a Catholic Church and I found it very moving. Quite a number of Duddingston members came to these services and I thank them for their support. I was particularly taken by those members of St John’s & St Mary Magdalene’s who went out of their way to tell me that their neighbour was a member of Duddingston. And Father Jock and I worked out that Duddingston has four members whose husbands are members of St John’s!
The next event we had that was truly amazing was our flower festival. For one whole week we hosted the festival in the Kirk and in the Churchyard with amazing displays of flowers that celebrated the lives of those associated with the congregation. From Water Scott to Jenny Enterkin from Lois Cauvin to the Doctors Neil. A team of twelve flower arrangers took part; with 28 stewards throughout the week. All of this was co-ordinated by Anne McCrossan who worked par excellence. We also managed to staff the Garden Room with fourteen additional volunteers helping out and co-ordinated by Carol Baird. A BIG thank-you to every one of you! One of the features of the Flower Festival was a tree growing in the pulpit! The tree is a cercis canadensis called eternal flame. This tree will be planted in the manse garden by the Moderator of Presbytery who will be our guest preacher on 29th September at our Harvest Thanksgiving service. All are welcome in this place!

Enter our Kirk, not as a stranger, because you belong here. Discover its history in every stone.
Rest a while and enjoy the peace of this place of prayer and worship.

Rev Dr Jim Jack