Sunday Worship
We meet for worship at 9.30am in Bowden Kirk, and 11.00am 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.
Tea and Coffee
Refreshments are served in the Church Hall after the Melrose service each week, and in the vestry after the Bowden service on the first Sunday of the month. All welcome!
Melrose Church Choir
The Church Choir made an impassioned plea for new members a couple of weeks ago!
We lead you in the hymns
To praise the Lord we strive
Please join us as we harmonise
To keep your choir alive!
No auditions, no pressure, and no need to read music. Come along the following week and try? – 40 minutes – 09.50 – 10.30am. We promise a warm welcome and a cheerful start to your day – and the biscuits and coffee are usually good too. If it’s not for you, we’ll still be friends! Thank you. Jim Letham
Shoeboxes
If you are filling a shoebox for Blythswood Care please bring it to the church by Sunday 25 October. Thank you! The Blythswood Care van will be in the Rugby Club car park on Monday 26 October, 2.20-2.50pm.
Yvonne’s Retirement
After many years of service Yvonne is retiring as Beadle at the end of November. The Elders and Congregation would like to mark their gratitude for her (and Alan’s) service with a Presentation. If you would like to contribute to this Presentation, please place in an Envelope marked with Yvonne’s name and put in the Collection or give to the Elder on duty (or to William Windram or the Church Office). Thank you.
Volunteers Needed
With Yvonne and Alan moving on there are many gaps to fill and we are looking for volunteers to fill some of these. A ‘caretaker team’ to help keep an eye on the fabric of the building and to assist any groups using our buildings for the first time. A ‘decorating group’ to prepare the church for Christmas and other festivals, to arrange flowers etc. Names to William, Rosie or Tracey. Thanks!
Messy Church
Messy Church meets on the second Sunday of the month, 3.00-5.00pm, in Melrose Church and Hall. Messy Church is for all ages, though children must be accompanied by an adult. Messy Church is church but in a different way. It’s music, stories, crafts, games, food, indoors, outdoors, fun, sometimes a bit of mess… Come along and see for yourself. Our next Messy Church is on Sunday 8 November 2026.
Open Door
Come along to our weekly Open Door every Thursday, 10.00am – 12noon, when the hall is open for tea, coffee, company and chat. Over the summer months we will be joined by Melrose volunteers from Cycling Without Age Scotland along with their electric trishaw ‘Trimonty’. CWAS provides free rides in the fresh mobility or disability. Come along and give it a go!
Worship and Fellowship at St John’s
We meet for worship in St John’s Care Home on the second Tuesday of the month at 2.00pm – followed by afternoon tea. You are warmly invited to come along and share this time with the residents. Our next service is on Tuesday 10 November 2026.
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 21 October 2026. All very welcome.
Bowden Kirk Flower Rota
The flower rota for 2026 is 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).
Podcast – ‘Talking Faith’
Rev Philip Blackledge, of Holy Trinity Melrose, and Rev Lesley Penny of St Peter’s Galashiels have a podcast, called “Talking Faith”. Have a listen!
https://media.rss.com/talking-faith/feed.xml
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!
Community intimations
Borders Chamber Orchestra
Saturday 31 October at 7pm at Melrose Church – Concert in aid of Crohn’s & Colitis UK. Conductor – Tim Espin, Soloist – Nikita Lukinov – Rachmaninoff – Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Amy Beach – Symphony in E Minor ‘Gaelic’. Tickets £15 includes programme and interval refreshments – Under 18s Free. Purchase on the door or via website – https://www.borderschamberorchestra.org.uk/dbpage.php?pg=view&dbase=events&id=196181
Scottish Country Dance Class
Scottish Country Dance Class in an Afternoon – at Melrose Parish Church Hall 2 – 4 pm every Tuesday until 8th December. £3 per session. All welcome – contact Eleanor 07974 745344.
Drop-in Cafe 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.
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.
Use It or Lose It
Gentle Movement Class – Melrose Church Hall – Wednesdays 10:15 – 11:00am, £5. Warm and welcoming, move at your own pace, feel stronger and more balanced. For more information contact – Dorthe 07969 570109.
Zumba Classes with Lenore
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
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
