‘Neighbours’ is the theme of our Family Service on Sunday at 10.00am in Melrose Church Hall, at the start of Christian Aid Week. Family Services last half an hour and are very informal. All welcome.
Sunday worship
Rev Sara Embleton will be leading worship at 9.30am in Bowden Kirk and 11.00am in Melrose Church. Melrose services are livestreamed, and you can watch on our Facebook page or church website. A podcast based on the Family Service will be posted on Saturday evening. You can listen to it on 01896 80855.
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.
Talking Climate Justice Tour
This Christian Aid Tour will be stopping at St John’s Church, Selkirk on Sunday 14 May, 2.00-5.00pm. A place for powerful and honest conversations that stir up action for climate justice. Whilst there’s no need to book, an indication of attendance for catering purposes would be appreciated – jaynepeers@proton.me
Christian Aid Week
Christian Aid Week is from 14-20 May. Donation envelopes will be available in both churches on Sundays 14 and 21 May. You can also give online at https://www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/key-appeals/christian-aid-week Please give generously!
Christian Aid Book Sale 2023
This annual sale is Christian Aid’s biggest fund raiser and is held in St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church on George Street, Edinburgh.
Saturday 13 May, 10am-4pm
Monday 15 May – Friday 19 May – 10am-3.30pm
Thursday 18 May – late opening until 7pm
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.
Melrose Music Society
Saturday, 27th May, 19.30, Corn Exchange; Carmina Burana and More! Abbey Consort will open the evening with Schubert’s dramatic, musical re-telling of Miriam and the Israelites’ crossing of the Red Sea (Miriam’s Song of Triumph), followed by 6 lovely part-songs by Elgar – From the Bavarian Highlands. The German theme continues with Carl Orff’s powerful and well-known cantata Carmina Burana. For this exciting piece Abbey Consort will be joined by other singers (including some of our own church choir), plus two pianos and five percussionists, all under the direction of MPC organist, Jim Letham. An exhilarating musical evening in prospect, for which your support would be greatly appreciated.
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.
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!
Eco Congregation
An update on more recycling opportunities.
Unfortunately, it hasn’t been possible to find an answer to recycling pill blister packs. A recent visit to a recycling initiative in Selkirk highlighted that they are also looking for a solution.
The Sustainable Selkirk Shop in Tower Street has boxes to recycle a lot of different items.
A new initiative is the reuse of spectacles by sending them out to the Philippines. Rotary Clubs in the Borders are involved and collecting baskets have been placed in Boots Opticians in Channel Street Galashiels and at Bulldog’s Bakes and Reborn Cafe. If you bring them to the Melrose Church Building, they will be uplifted from there too.
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.
