We have a Family Service on Sunday at 10.00am in the Melrose Church Hall. Our theme is The Christmas Poem. Family Services last 30 minutes and are very informal. All welcome.
Sunday worship
Worship on Sunday 4 December will be conducted by Rev Sara Embleton at 9.30am in Bowden Kirk and 11.00am in Melrose Church. The Melrose service will be livestreamed, and you can watch on our church website or Facebook page or catch the recording thereafter. The order of service is attached. A worship podcast for the Second Sunday of Advent will be posted on Saturday evening on our website, Facebook page and Instagram.
Eildon Singers
We are very pleased to announce that our Winter Concert will be in Melrose Parish Church, on Sunday 4th December 2022 at 7.30pm. All are welcome to an evening of festive fare, including the Mozart Mass in C, the Zelenka Nisi Dominus and a good selection of Christmas music and Communal Carols. In addition, this year will see the return of the popular festive drinks and nibbles at interval! This will certainly be an evening of musical joy at a time when it is sorely needed!
Melrose Historical & Archaeological Association
The next meeting will be held on the 6th December at 7.30 p.m. in Marmion’@The Wynd, just off Buccleuch Street in Melrose. The guest speaker will be David McLean who will present an illustrated lecture – ‘A Runaway Slave in Duns’. All are welcome. Free to members. £4 entry for visitors.
Book Sale for The HALO Trust in Ukraine.
Seven Borders writers, including Melrose parishioners Revd. Haisley Moore and Oliver Eade, raised £451.96 for the HALO Trust in Ukraine (with gift aid added, £538.96) at a sale of their books in Melrose Parish Church Hall on Saturday 19th November. They wish to thank all who came to give their support.
Open Door
Come along to our weekly Open Door every Thursday, 10.00am-12noon, when the hall will be open for tea, coffee, company and chat. If you would like to join the rota of helpers there’s a sign-up sheet in the church kitchen. Thank you!
Darnick Carols
Come and join us as we gather round the Darnick Christmas Tree on Friday 9 December at 7.00pm
Messy Church
Christmas Messy Church is on Sunday 11 December, 3.00-5.00pm in Melrose Church and Hall. Songs, stories, crafts, games and Christmas part food! Come along, wear a Christmas jumper. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Eco congregation news
Following on from the article in the Advent newsletter collecting boxes have been set up for some new items in the Melrose Building.
A new stamp container has been added in the Gattonside Porch and a box for batteries too. If you already take your batteries elsewhere please continue to do that.
Added next to the bag for milk bottle tops in the passageway near the toilets is a container for eggboxes. These are requested to help the local Foodbank distribute from the big trays of eggs that they get. Small steps on our recycling journey and thank you.
Christmas cards.
When you are sending cards please bear in mind that glitter on cards will mean they shouldn’t go in your mixed recycling with the paper.
Galashiels Foodbank
With the cost of living crisis it is anticipated that many will seeking help from the local Foodbank. Donations of food can be left at the pickup points in Galashiels at ASDA, M&S, Poundland, and Iceland, as well as Coop stores in Melrose and Earlston. Money to but perishable items can be donated athttps://www.justgiving.com/galashielsfoodbank Thank you!
Church Choir
The choir rehearses each Sunday from 09.45 – 10.30am and would be delighted to have some additional singers join them on a regular basis, but to prepare for the Watchnight Services in the first instance. Might you be able to come along and offer vocal support, please? We are a friendly, welcoming group – rehearsals are very light-hearted (no requirement to read music), and are always rounded off with some light refreshments! There’s no need to let anyone know in advance – just turn up at 09.45 on any Sunday. It would be good to have you join us. Thank you. Jim Letham
FROM THE PRESBYTERY OF MELROSE AND PEEBLES TO ALL
CONGREGATIONS WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF THE PRESBYTERY – CITATION TO ATTEND MEETING OF PRESBYTERY ON TUESDAY 6 DECEMBER 2022
At its meeting on 16 November 2022, Presbytery approved a Presbytery Mission Plan in terms of the Presbytery Mission Plan Act of 2021. Before the Plan becomes final, it must also be approved by the Faith Nurture Forum and General Trustees of the Church of Scotland. The Faith Nurture Forum and General Trustees have indicated that they would like to discuss some aspects of the Plan before deciding whether to give final approval. Representatives from the Business Committee will meet with representatives of the Faith Nurture Forum and General Trustees on 1 December 2022.
In case further discussion is required within Presbytery, it is necessary to cite congregations to the December meeting of Presbytery. This would allow the Plan to be discussed at that meeting of Presbytery and, if necessary, for Presbytery members to vote on any amendments.
Accordingly, each congregation within the bounds of Presbytery is hereby cited to attend the meeting of Presbytery on Tuesday 6 December 2022 for its own interest. The meeting will be held in Innerleithen Church at 7 pm.
In the meantime, if the position becomes clearer about the status of the Plan and whether any amendments are to be proposed to Presbytery, we will of course provide an update.
If there are any questions, please contact the Presbytery Clerk (Rev. Victoria Linford) or Assistant Presbytery Clerk at the Presbytery email address below.
Peter Sandison, Assistant Clerk to the Presbytery of Melrose and Peebles
Email: melrosepeebles@churchofscotland.org.uk
Coffee After Church
Teas and coffees are available after the Melrose service in the Church Hall. All are welcome and if you would like to join the rota of helpers, please send a message to the office.
