Sunday 10 September 2023

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. Throughout September we will be celebrating Creationtide and committing ourselves to being better stewards of creation.


Sunday 10 September – Eco Sunday. Committing ourselves to caring for God’s Creation. 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/or filling a shoebox for Blythswood Care.


Christian Aid

You can pick up a Christian Aid donation envelope at the church or you can donate online https://www.christianaid.org.uk/get-involved-locally/scotland


Blythswood Care

Shoebox leaflets are also available in both churches or online.

https://blythswood.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/ShoeBox_leaflet_2023.pdf

You have plenty time to fill your shoebox. They are to be collected from Melrose Rugby Club on Monday 23 October at 2.20pm. You can bring them to the church anytime before then. Thank you!


Harvest Thanksgiving in Bowden

Come along and help decorate Bowden Kirk for Harvest on Saturday 16th September at 10am. Thanks!


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!


Worship and Fellowship at St John’s

On Tuesday afternoon at 2.00pm there will be a short service of worship followed by afternoon tea in St John’s Care Home. Please come along and share this time with the residents.


Events hosted by the Presbytery of Lothian and Borders

Friday 22 September – Presbytery will be hosting the first of two Autumn Conferences on the subject of the Five Marks of Mission. The key speaker will be Rev. Tommy MacNeil. This will be held in Jedburgh Old and Trinity Church Hall from 10am to 3.30pm. Tea/coffee will be served from 9.30am. Please bring a packed lunch. Everybody is welcome. If possible, please e-mail your interest to fiona@glenholm.co.uk.

Sunday 24 September, 2.30pm Forest Church Taster Day. Gather at Penicuik House Estate Car Park. To sign up and for more information please contact Peter Wood, the Presbytery Mission Officer, PWood@churchofscotland.org.uk

Saturday 30 September – Presbytery will be hosting the second of its two Autumn Conferences. This one is on the subject of Music, Mission and Worship. The keynote speaker will be Richard Michael of the Heart and Soul Swing Band. This will be held in Longniddry Parish Church from 10am to 3.30pm. Tea/coffee will be served from 9.30am. Please bring a packed lunch.

Donations for the CofS HIV Programme welcome. Everybody is welcome. If possible, please e-mail your interest to fiona@glenholm.co.uk.


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!