Dear Friends
At this time of year we tend to think of younger people starting a new academic year whether at school or college or university. However, in our Presbytery at present we also have a whole range of new starts happening. New unions, new linkages between churches and new ministers -freshly minted! -beginning their ministry. At the same time we have good folks who are coming to the end of this chapter of their working life and are stepping back or changing role. We give thanks for their years of service in the kingdom. Such a cycle of stopping and new starts is a good and healthy sign of movement and change. The transition is not always easy. In John 20.17 the resurrected Jesus tells a distraught Mary who wanted consolation “Do not cling to me.” Do not hold me back! Difficult words for someone who wanted to hold on to Jesus and yet to let Jesus go ahead she had to let go. I pray that in all of our seasons of change we can let go of what we need to so that Jesus can lead us forward into a bright future.
Blindwells New Church Appeal…
The new development nearby Tranent has reached a milestone. The first primary school has just opened. As a Presbytery we are working with local churches to see a church established there for residents. We believe now is the time to put a worker on the ground to take the project to the next level. A significant Seeds for Growth application is being made. In order to make a strong case we need to show good local support. If you, or your church is interested in helping financially your support would be very welcome! Monies raised will help pay the worker’s salary and with future mission outreach.
The Mission Officer would be delighted to share more details with you or to come to your kirk session to chat more if this is of interest. Thank you!
See details attached in A4
Presbytery Youth Christmas Video Competition
After the success of the Easter video competition we are launching a new competition for Christmas.
All youth groups from secondary school aged to early twenties are invited to submit an entry.
The closing date for entries is Monday Dec 1st
The challenge is to make a 4-5 minute video suitable to show at an intergenerational cafe church
discussing the meaning of Christmas. What is Christmas all about?!
*The winning videos will receive a cash prize for developing their group*
Please let me know if you are intending to take up this challenge and I’ll send you the required permission forms.
Hoping that these videos will get a wide airing across our presbytery!
Any queries about this project do get in touch with the Mission Officer.
Building personal faith -The Alive course
Fraser Edwards, minister of Innerleithen, Traquair & Walkerburn recommends…
“Each year we have run Alpha from January to Easter. We’ve found it’s ideal to promote through showing the trailer at our Carol Services and Christmas events. When January comes people are ready to explore something new and then the Alpha course builds towards Easter. This year we discovered the ALIVE course and found it an ideal follow-on course for discipleship after Easter.
ALIVE is a five week course focussing on the resurrection encounters with Jesus and themes of love, hope, peace, freedom & purpose. It’s a similar format to Alpha with a video to watch, discussion questions on the video then a Bible passage and questions on that. We also followed the Bible readings in our Sunday services so everyone got a taste of ALIVE even if they didn’t come to the course. There is also an accompanying book that some folk bought and a youth video series too. We bought the promotional newspaper and gave everyone a copy on Easter Sunday. We would definitely recommend ALIVE if you are looking for a course which connects with current themes and provokes good discussion. One warning would be that there are too many questions in the discussion materials so you will need a little bit of thought to choose the right ones for your group.
Resources are available online https://www.hopetogether.org.uk/Groups/399115/ALIVE.aspx
World Church Partnerships
The visit of Rev. Ujwal Rai, Presbyter in charge, Tadong-Noandok, in the Diocese of Eastern Himalaya.
Pastor Ujwal had a great visit across our Presbytery which was well organised by Bill Stevenson.
If you are interested in a link with the Diocese or have new ideas to take partnership forward do get in touch with Bill. wcfs@btinternet.com
Ujwal asked that we pray for his church
-For Ghandi Birthday celebrations in October when food is shared with around 150 children
-For the Prayer Healing Outreach Ministry taking place in November & December.
Presbyteries of Edinburgh & West Lothian and Lothian & Borders:
Worship Training course, Level 3: “The Gospels and Acts”
Closing date for Applications September 30th. Contact RHill@churchofscotland.org.uk
New College -CPD Day Weds September 17th 930-5pm
Resources for Church Communities: For more information & to book
Gospel Entrepreneurs 11-3pm Friday September 19th
You are invited to gather in 121, George Street, Edinburgh
https://gospelentrepreneurs.charitysuite.com/events/5ntny3wx
‘Captivating’ > Womens conference at Gorebridge Saturday Sept 20th
Be inspired by Jo Black who is speaking.
Borderlands Mens Conference at Ednam Saturday Sept 20th from 1000
https://borderlandsmcc.co.uk/category/upcoming-event/
Scottish Pilgrim Routes Annual Day & AGM > Saturday Sept 27th Preston Kirk (ELinton) at 1000-1600
“As usual, we will be planning a ‘walk and talk’ programme on the day to encourage networking and sharing of information on current Scottish outdoor pilgrimage developments.”
Disability Awareness Sunday is 28 September
Use the free service resource, and commit to journey towards including disabled people fully in church.
For courses on dementia support & hope explore please see the website
https://throughtheroof.org/2025/09/09/pray-for-disability-awareness-sunday/
Church of Scotland Digital Learn site
-See latest newsletter attached
‘Journeying with CS Lewis’ a retreat Weekend 3-5th October
at Whitchester, just outside Hawick.
We will explore some of these journeys, and consider what light they might shed for our own personal journeys of life and faith, and for those we journey with. Details can be found at https://www.whitchester.org.uk/retreats-and-quiet-days
Presbytery Youth Leaders Network Gathering -Peebles, Leckie
Saturday Oct 18th from 1030
If you help lead young people’s work do join us and share stories & best practice etc.
‘The Quiet revival’ -Exploring & expressing faith in extraordinary times
Loanhead Church Halls, Friday October 24th 915-1300
New College -Festival of Books & Belief Nov 7-8th
Tickets for the New College Festival of Books and Belief are now available! The programme is here: https://divinity.ed.ac.uk/new-college-festival/programme
Note that Liz MacWhirter from Skirling is taking part.
An Introduction to Pioneer Ministry and Church Planting
An eight session course open to all, led by Rev. Dr Sandy Forsyth & Rev. Peter Wood
Application deadline: Wednesday 14 January 2026
Start date: Saturday 24 January 2026
Have you ever dreamed of a church which enables the Gospel to live and breathe directly within the rhythms of what is around you in everyday life? Where a new worshipping community forms itself with people and in places where the good news of Jesus Christ now seems entirely silent?
The purpose of the course is to equip you with a grounding in the knowledge and understanding, both in knowledge and practical application, that might be needed to begin new worshipping communities or ‘fresh expressions of church’, through pioneer ministry and church planting.
This course has proved to be a road map for folks who are currently engaged in new work
It is led by Rev. Dr Sandy Forsyth, Senior Teaching Fellow at New College and by Rev. Peter Wood, Mission Officer for the Presbytery of Lothian & Borders. Individual sessions will feature experienced teachers and practitioners. The course is open to all within the church, with or without prior theological training.
https://divinity.ed.ac.uk/news-events/short-courses-for-church-people
See flyer attached
Speak to the Mission Officer for more
From the CoS Public life & Social Justice team…
Carbon Literacy Course for Christian Congregations.
When: Thursday 25 September, 11am-12:30pm
Where: Via Zoom. Register using this link:
https://churchofengland-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/r8QE8AnDRuWiY_56LXfKAQ
Please join us to find out how the course has been created especially for a small group setting across a variety of Christian denominations. Members of the Carbon Literacy team will be on hand to explain how churches can access the course and the requirements for course leaders. And there will be an opportunity for questions and answers.
In the Presbytery Prayer Calendar
Please remember to pray for one another!
We continue this week to pray for folks at Fogo
Week starting Sunday 21st of September > Galashiels
We remember in prayer this week the leadership and all involved in the life of this community.
“We ask for guidance as we discern God’s vision for this church, for blessing upon the Christianity Explored course, Sunday Club, and Messy Church…and to find the activities that reach more teenagers.”
There’s a lot going on as this is a busy time of year. So, let me finish with a prayer for Autumn
God of the harvest
Giver of life providing the corn with ripeness
Producing a hundred seeds from one
Give abundance to my life
Give my heart a great harvest
God in the falling leaves
Taking away that which once brought life but now needs to go
Give me the heart to let go of all that is over
When the season of its life has come to an end.
God who gives
God who takes away
Always for the benefit of the ongoing cycle of life
Physical & spiritual
I give myself to you
I set myself in the divine flow of life.
Be still & know that I am God
Be still and know that I am
Be still and know
Be still
Be.
Love & prayers
Peter
Rev. Peter J. Wood
Mission Officer for Lothian & Borders Presbytery