The Rotary Club of Edinburgh
Bulletin 2246 - 12th February 2009
Last Week at the Apex International:
President Tim Simpson welcomed a small number of hardy members and guests who had braved snow and ice to attend. He asked Russell Barr to say grace.Secretary’s Announcements:
Attendance: 46 members, no visitors and 1 guest, total 47.We are visiting the Rotary Club of Glasgow on Tuesday 3rd March. Those wishing to attend pass their names to VP Sandra Watson by 19th February.
District 1020 Conference, York:
John Fordyce (currently on holiday) or Sandra Watson also requires names by 19th February to reserve a choice hotel. So far 16 members and partners have registered for what should be an excellent conference in a wonderful location.Centenary Committee met and will report to members at the next Business Meeting on 26th March.
The Fund Raising Committee will meet at Bob Hislop’s house on 5th March.
Get Well cards were available to sign on behalf of Bill Gatherer, Robert Murdoch and Phillip Harris. Oliver Balfour, having successfully negotiated the Alpine pistes, came a cropper in Stockbridge, hitting his head and jarring his back. Nonetheless he is delighted with the new attendance sheets but reminds members to fill in Make-ups on the Yellow Sheets.
A new Rotary Club has been formed in Melrose and we wish the twenty members well.
George Sutherland reported on JCF grants:
George announced that the Trustees of the Jubilee Charity Fund decided that, rather than wait for the annual report, members should be told of recent grants made by the Fund. Some £6,000 has been distributed. Mobility Trust £500 for a special wheel chair, The Broomhouse Centre £250, Nicola Watley Kathmandu, Nepal for children’s physio £250, Drummond Community High School £250, Vocal Carers Centre £250, Edinburgh University Altitude research Expedition 2009 £200, Douglas Osler porter’s cameras £200, RYLA £880, Rotary Polio Eradication £700 ISC Cambodia Water Project £1,000, Nemato Crèche at Fort Alfred South Africa £1,500. Members were delighted that our fund raising activities were being widely distributed and appreciated.President’s Business:
President Tim explained that George Sutherland was speaking not only to let members know where their money went but to remind everyone that the Charity Fund is really very small on a per capita basis and to appeal to members to help swell the Jubilee Charity Fund. Remember donations can be Gift Aided which increases the pot by 25%.Tim reminded members that John Havard and the Arts Committee have organised a Concert at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Parlmerston Place on 24th April at 8 pm. Tickets are £8 and available from John or Colin. Everyone is welcome and it would be great if you could bring along your friends.
Bob McIntyre has given everyone a letter calling for volunteers to help host Ambassadorial Scholars. We are trying to gather a list of people who can offer limited support – no one will be called on to do very much – but it would enable us a club to play a worthwhile part supporting the wonderful people who come to Edinburgh on Rotary Scholarships.
Guest Speaker:
The Rt Rev David Lunan, Moderator of the Church of Scotland: President Tim welcomed the Moderator by saying that abler to grant absolution for two heinous crimes – being born in London and growing up in Glasgow! David Lunan spent his early ministry in Morayshire and made his mark with Christian Aid and homeless people in Elgin. He returned to Glasgow where he had to face rebuilding the steeple of Renfield St. Stephen’s Church which had fallen through the roof. He had served on many CoS committees in the wider work of the Church at home and abroad.Rt Rev David Lunan:
A day in the Life... David Lunan extended greetings from the Church of Scotland and commented that the Rotary motto of Service above Self was as good a definition of Christianity as he had come across. He immediately curried favour by saying that his father had been a member of the RC Glasgow North and was only unable to follow suit because of the time commitment. David therefore extended greeting from the Church and Glasgow. He claimed that the only reason he was born in London was so he could be near his mother. Speaking at Rotary clubs held a considerable risk – for Rotarians – who were likely to get a précis of last Sunday’s Sermon or a summary of next Sunday’s preaching! By now the chill had left the audience but just to make sure we were on his side, in typical manner, he told us that his mother had gone to John Watson’s institution and then to Mary Erskine’s. His account was now in credit! The first time he preached in Edinburgh, a lady had come up to him afterwards and said “£Can you be more enthusiastic?” David told us of a meal Dr George Barclay had attended with Her Majesty; the Queen turned to him and said “I see you are not a man of principle.” Barclay was taken aback and asked why she should say that. The Queen replied “I understood that you never wore a dog collar but you are wearing one for me!” David told us that Lord Hume had once wanted to be a minister but his mother had said to him “You have too much left and right and not enough up and down!” On one occasion he was singing a mournful song from Lewis and noticed a woman in tears in the front row who came up to him afterwards. “Are you from Stornaway?” he asked. “No," she replied, "I am a singer!” He visited Bethlehem on an interfaith expedition and said it was like trying to get into Barlinie. In Nepal he went to a UN centre in a village meeting with the untouchables where they were taught how to improve their agriculture and community. The biggest change was that the people, the untouchables, felt able to speak to people outwith their own caste.Vote of Thanks:
Andrew Anderson: Andrew first met David Lunan 30 years ago when he was on holiday in Morayshire and was told “You must come and hear this new minister.” Andrew confessed that he had “appropriated” David’s children’s address on many occasions since. The position of moderator is important and David has maintained the tradition.