We gather for worship at 9.30am in Bowden Kirk and 11.00am in Melrose Church when we’ll be looking at the final chapter of John’s gospel – the risen Jesus appearing to his disciples by the Sea of Galilee and making them breakfast. Melrose services are livestreamed, and you can watch on our Facebook page or church website. A podcast based on the service will be posted on Saturday evening. You can listen to it on 01896 80855.
Summer Newsletter
Our summer newsletter will be published on Friday 12 May. Please send any items for inclusion to Rosie or Tracey in the church office by Friday 5 May at the latest. Thank you.
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!
Bowden Community Café
This continues to meet on the third Wednesday of each month in Bowden Village Hall at 11am – the next is on 17th May 2023. All are very welcome.
Kirk Session
Just a reminder that the Session meets on Thursday 4th May at 7,00pm in Melrose Church Hall.
Messy Church
Our next Messy Church is on Sunday 28 May, 3.00-5.00pm in Melrose Church and Hall, and hopefully outside too….It’s Pentecost Sunday and we’ll be celebrating the birthday of the church with a party! All welcome. Our planning meeting is on Friday 12 May at 4pm in Melrose Church Hall. If you are interested in getting involved please come along!
Family Service
Our next Family Service is on Sunday 14 May at 10.00am in Melrose Church Hall. (Avoiding the Coronation holiday weekend!) Family Services last half an hour and are very informal. All welcome.
New clarinet stop in memory of Jim Marshall
It is felt that a fitting tribute to Jim Marshall’s 56 years as organist would be to install an additional, and much needed, solo stop to the organ. If you would like to sponsor an organ pipe in Jim’s memory, information sheets and donation envelopes are available in both churches.
Re-engage Survey
We received a request for help from the engagement officer from Re-engage Scotland. In her words…
‘We will be applying to The National Lottery to bring our successful physical activity groups (currently delivered in Wales and West Yorkshire) to parts of Scotland. We have identified the Borders as the area of focus for the application. The aim of these groups is to combine the health benefits of physical activity with the opportunity to make new friends, contributing to our aim of reducing loneliness for the ‘oldest old’ (those aged 75+). The free groups consist of 45 minutes of gentle exercise (such as chair yoga or chair tai chi) led by an experienced fitness professional, followed by 20-30 minutes for the group to socialise. An advisory group of older people help to shape the project. These groups have proven to be very beneficial for older people, and we are now seeking to replicate them in other areas. Before making our application, it is vitally important that we understand the local landscape in the area we are applying for, particularly around need and existing provision. This will inform the first stage of our funding application, and ensure that we are targeting the right areas. Part of this includes a short 5 minute survey with people aged 75+.
If this is you, and you would like to take part, you can access the survey here – https://ecv.microsoft.com/Sgk2I2qV3U Thank you. Some paper copies are available in the church.
Galashiels Foodbank
With the cost of living crisis many are 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 Co-op stores in Melrose and Earlston. Money to buy perishable items can be donated at
https://www.justgiving.com/galashielsfoodbank Thank you!
Church Choir
The choir rehearses on Sundays at 09.45am. Any additional members will be made very welcome. Thank you.
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.
