The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland meets from Saturday 20 – Thursday 25 May. On the Church of Scotland website you can read reports and speeches, watch live and view recordings. https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/about-us/general-assembly/2023 Rosie and our Presbytery Elder, John Pollitt, are both Commissioners to the Assembly this year. Rosie will be giving her final report of the Faith Nurture Forum on Tuesday morning.
Sunday worship
Rosie will be at the General Assembly so 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. There will be no podcast this week.
Melrose Music Society Concert
3pm this Sunday 21 May 2023 in Melrose Church Hall. Pianist is Mishka Momen. £16 per ticket, at the door and £5.00 for students/young people. All very welcome.
Christian Aid
Last week was Christian Aid Week. Donation envelopes and daily devotionals are still available.
Communion Sunday
There will be a Celebration of the Lord’s Supper in both churches on Sunday 28 May, Pentecost Sunday.
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! As we’re hoping to be outside much of the time please come prepared – something to sit on, sunscreen etc…. All welcome.
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 21st June 2023. All are very welcome.
Melrose Music Festival
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.
Eco Congregation
An update on more recycling opportunities.
We have been made aware that Superdrug can recycle blister packs. We’ll add a collect box to our collection in the church.
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.
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!
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.
