Sunday 5 July 2026

Sunday Worship
Rev Rosie Frew will be leading worship at 9.30am in Bowden Kirk and 11am in Melrose Church. All welcome.
Melrose services are livestreamed, and you can watch on our Facebook page or church website. 
Just a reminder that we have induction loops in both buildings. Please switch hearing aids to the T setting, if appropriate.   
 
Bowden Kirk 
Refreshments are served after the Bowden Church Service on the First Sunday of the month.  The next date is this Sunday 5 July 2026.  A rota for volunteers is on display in the church. 

Bowden Kirk Flower Rota   
The flower rota for 2026 is now on display in Bowden Kirk. It would be helpful if volunteers could add their names to the list. (There are artificial flowers available if desired). 
 
Melrose Church Choir 
Come and Sing with Us!  Do you enjoy singing – even if it’s just in the car or the kitchen? Our church choir would love to welcome new members. We’re a small, friendly group who sing to support worship and bring a bit of joy to our Sunday services. 

There’s no audition, no need to read music, and no pressure to commit every week. Just come along, give it a try, and see what you think. We rehearse on Sundays at 9.45am.Whether you’ve sung in choirs before or you’re completely new, you’ll be met with encouragement, laughter, and a warm cup of coffee afterwards (plus a chocolate biscuit!). Thank you. 
 
Drop-in Café at St John’s 
The staff at St John’s Care Home, Melrose, invite you to come along and join their residents for refreshments and home baking every Tuesday, 2pm – 4pm. Dementia friendly, accessible and open to all ages. 

Bowden Community Cafe 
The Bowden Community Cafe meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 11am in Bowden Village Hall. The next Café is on Wednesday 15 July 2026. 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!  

Church Fete

Saturday 1 August in Bowden Village Hall from 2 – 4pm in aid of Church funds.  Entrance (including Homemade Teas) £4.00.  Stalls include – Teas, Cake and Candy, Raffle, Plants and Produce, Bric-a-Brac, Cards, Book and Bottle Stall.  Any donations for the above please contact Irene Armstrong on 01835 823591.

Cycling Without Age Scotland 

At Open Door we had a visit from some local volunteers from Cycling Without Age Scotland along with their electric trishaw ‘Trimonty’. CWAS provides free rides in the fresh air in its unique trishaws for the elderly and people with limited mobility, disability or isolation. Liz and Rosie went on a trip around Melrose to hear about the charity and the work they do. You can find out more about organising a trip or volunteering at www.cyclingwithoutage.scot or from their FB page CWAS Melrose. Over the summer they will be at Open Door on sunny Thursdays from 11.00am-12noon. Come along and give it a go!

Borders Cancer Peer Support Group

A welcoming relaxed and informal monthly peer support group for adults who have lived through or are living with cancer.  Meet on the last Thursday of every month from 5 – 6.15pm in The Chaplaincy at Borders General Hospital.  Free to attend and Refreshments provided.

Beer and Hymns
Beer, non-alcoholic drinks, hymns and thoughts on faith, life and anything else that comes up ….3rd Sunday of the month at 6.30pm at Trinity Centre, Holy Trinity Church, Melrose.  Contact Sarah Mozumdar on 07807 331150 for more information.

Podcast – ‘Talking Faith’
Rev Philip Blackledge, of Holy Trinity Melrose, and Rev Lesley Penny of St Peter’s Galashiels are starting a new podcast, called “Talking Faith”. It centres around the questions they get asked in ministry from those who aren’t regular church goers, and is an attempt to reach out to those who are interested in faith but have not explored it further. Please consider listening (or watching on YouTube) and sharing with those around you who might be interested. 
https://www.youtube.com/@TalkingFaithPod 
https://media.rss.com/talking-faith/feed.xml

Scottish Country Dance Class

Scottish Country Dance Class in an Afternoon – at Melrose Parish Church Hall 2 – 4 pm every Tuesday until 8th December (except 18th August to 8th September). £3 per session. All welcome – contact Eleanor 07974 745344 
 
Old Melrose Walks
The dates of the walks for 2026 are 7th July; 4th August; 1st September and 6th October.
Old Melrose has long been known as the ‘probable’ site of one of the most important early monasteries in northern Britain – possibly dating from the 7th century AD – and famously associated with St. Cuthbert as the place where he began his monastic life. Starting at 1.30 p.m from the courtyard of the tearoom on the estate the whole circuit of the walk is 1.5 miles or 2.3 Km and involves some gentle climbing. This guided walk takes us through about 2,000 years of history, entering parts of the estate not normally open to the public.
All are welcome. Adults £5. Children free. Dogs on leads at all times.
All donations go to the Old Melrose & Environs Project for the future excavation of the site.

Use it or Lose it 
Gentle Movement Class – Melrose Church Hall – Wednesdays 10:15 – 11:00  £5.  Warm and welcoming, Move at your own pace, Feel stronger and more balanced.
Hi, I’m Dorthe – Pilates teacher supporting people with aches and pains to move more easily and feel better in their bodies.
This relaxed, friendly class focuses on:
• Balance • Coordination • Flexibility • Gentle strength
• Relaxation
No judgment — just encouragement.
🎶 Music from the 50s & 60s
🪑 Seated exercises with option to stand
🚶 Walking aids very welcome
Just joy, movement, and feeling good.
Warm welcome, Dorthe. Contact details 07969570109
  
Zumba Classes with Lenore
Ready to sweat, smile and dance? Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or have two left feet, my classes are for everyone.  Join me for a fun Zumba class:
every Tuesday 10am at Melrose Parish Church Hall 
or Monday and Wednesday 6:15pm at the Pavilion Cinema. Book your space on 07826 849115
 
Musical Memories  
For people living with Dementia and their partners or carers. Fun, lively sessions of singing in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. In the Blue Room at Langlee Community Centre, Galashiels from 10.30 – 12.00 twice a month.  For dates, please contact:  Prue Pullen -pruepullen@hotmail.com or phone 07806 619989 

Eco Congregation 
We collect and recycle stamps and specs and also have collection boxes for batteries and printer cartridges. Many thanks for your support.    

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 the Co-op store in Melrose.  Money to buy perishable items can be donated at: https://www.justgiving.com/galashielsfoodbank 
Thank you!
 
Intimations 
Please contact Tracey in the Church Office with any information you would like included in the weekly Intimations by 9.00am Thursday morning. Thanks. 

Contact Details 
Rosie, our minister can be contacted on 01896 822217 or RFrew@churchofscotland.org.uk
The Church office contact details are 01896 574124 or bowden.melrosepc@btinternet.com

Website – https://bowdenandmelrosechurch.org

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/BowdenandMelroseParishChurch