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.
Sunday worship
We meet for worship on Sunday 11 December, the third Sunday of Advent, 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 based on the service will be posted on Saturday evening on our website, Facebook page and Instagram.
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! On Thursday 15 December we will be meeting in the church.
St Mary’s School Christmas Service
The school Christmas servicewill be held in Melrose Church on Friday 16 December at 10.00am.
Sunday 18 December
A service of lessons and carols for Christmas will be held at 9.30am in Bowden Church, 11.00am in Melrose Church
Abbey Consort – Sunday 11th December sees Abbey Consort performing in the Church of Our Lady and St. Andrew in a concert to mark the musical life of the choir’s founder, Colin Fox. The programme of Haydn (Te Deum), Bach (Magnificat) and Handel (Part 1 of Messiah) also involves Heriot’s School Chamber Choir. Both choirs will be singing Ode to Music, by Jim Letham, written in memoriam for Colin.
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!
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 – If you use gift bags instead of wrapping paper it means that the bags can be reused for future gifts. It saves on struggling with paper and sticky tape too
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
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.
