We meet for worship on Sunday 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 service is posted on Saturday evening. Over the summer we’re visiting the churches who were recipients of Paul’s letters in the New Testament. This week we come to the end with a trip to Thessalonica.
We welcome Sarah Cook, who is training for ministry and doing a 5 week placement with Rosie. Sarah lives in St Boswell’s and is entering her final year at Highland Theological College.
Creationtide
Throughout September we will be celebrating Creationtide and committing ourselves to being better stewards of creation.
Sunday 3 September – Creation Celebration at 9.30am in Bowden Kirk, 11.00am in Melrose.
Sunday 10 September – Eco Sunday. Committing ourselves to caring for God’s Creation. Worship at 9.30am in Bowden Kirk, 11.00am in Melrose. An eco exhibition in Melrose. Messy Church at 3.00pm in Melrose Church and Hall.
Sunday 17 September – Harvest Thanksgiving. Give thanks for the harvest by donating to Christian Aid and filling a shoebox for Blythswood Care.
Old Melrose Walk. Tuesday 5th September 2023
Starting from the Old Melrose Tearoom, off the A68, at 1:30 p.m.
A guided walk through 2000 years of history, including the site of the monastery where St.Cuthbert began his religious life.
Adults £4, children free. Dogs must be kept on leads at all times.
Kirk Session
The Kirk Session meets on Thursday 7 September at 7.00pm in Melrose Church Hall.
Messy Church
Messy Church meets at 3.00pm on the second Sunday of the month in Melrose Parish Church and Hall. Stories, games, crafts, singing, food and fun… Messy Church is for families however members of the congregation are most welcome to come along and watch or join in. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Sunday 10 September – Wonderful World – caring for God’s creation
Sunday 8 October – Bowden Browse – a visit to Bowden Kirk
Sunday 12 November – Remembrance Ramble
Sunday 10 December – Christmas Celebration
Church Choir
It would be good to have a few additional singers join the choir, but you’ll have to wait just a little longer! Because Jim is covering for John at Bowden for two weeks, choir rehearsals will resume on Sunday, 17th September at 09.45 – when you will be made very welcome!
Bowden Community Cafe
The Bowden Community Cafe meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 11am in Bowden Village Hall. The next Cafe is on 20th September. All very 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!
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.
Eco Congregation
We collect and recycle stamps (World Mission project to help establish tree nurseries in Central Africa), egg boxes (for the Galashiels Food Bank), specs (for re-use in the Philippines), plastic milk bottle tops (supporting cancer and palliative care charities). We also have collection boxes for batteries and printer cartridges…. PLEASE NOTE We are no longer collecting blister packs as there is no-one prepared to recycle them.
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
