This week’s, and previous weeks’ news, can be found on the front page of the Presbytery website
https://lothianandborderspresbytery.org.uk/home/news-events/
Dear Friends
Decorations!
Do you decorate your house for Christmas?! Well, maybe I should ask rather how much do you decorate your house for Christmas? And can I ask that contentious question -when do you put up the Christmas tree?! In our family we go and get a real tree from the Leadburn community woodland who sell charity Christmas trees.
What about sending Christmas cards to friends? It seems that some people are less enthusiastic about doing this than in years past. Or what about Advent wreaths? (Here’s a quick guide to make your own
https://www.christchurchtilehurst.org.uk/explore/christmas-2025/make-an-advent-wreath/ )
Maybe you have a Christmas box from which you pull out some well-loved special stars or angels and pop them on the mantlepiece?! Or do you light up your whole house with electric lights?! In a weary and cynical world it’s good to recall that all of these small actions are done with the aim of making the world -well our small part of it! -look temporarily bright and full of promise.
In Advent we often read Genesis 1 and discover God as an enthusiastic decorator working from a bare expanse…to create something amazing and vibrant by decorating the world layer by layer with colour and diversity, with light, vegetation, animals etc. ‘And God looked and thought -Yes, excellent!’
We also read of Isaiah imagining how God will decorate the world when he recreates it.
Isaiah 35.1-2 “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing.”
In whatever way we add colour or creativity to our houses and churches to help celebrate the coming of Jesus this year may we know God’s extravagant love and share in that holy joy.
New Advent & Christmas stories from Robin Hill –‘A Mission of Peace’
Go to www.longniddrychurch.org.uk
The third volume since 2023, this nine-part collection covers:
- the four Sundays of Advent;
- Christmas Eve (all-age and watchnight services);
- Christmas Day;
- the Sunday after Christmas; and
- Epiphany. (Altogether from Sunday 30th November to Sunday 4th January.)
“Each of the stories can be used either to fill a sermon slot in church or could, for longer services, lead on to an address by the preacher. They might prove helpful for churches in vacancy where congregational Worship Teams find themselves struggling at a particularly busy time of year.
Each story comes with four questions for pondering, for use in a mid-week discussion group or private devotions.
This year's characters include a talking Christmas tree angel, a daughter coming to terms with the death of her aged father at the winter solstice, a kirk session struggling with the challenge of change, and a young ministry candidate who is intrigued by Nativity sets and the mystery they carry with them.
A second free download is offered in the form of a Powerpoint file containing pictures which can be projected in church, service by service. Congregations who use the materials are encouraged to make a Christmas offering to benefit the work of Christian Aid Scotland.”
National Day of Prayer > Saturday November 30th
https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/worship/prayers/national-day-of-prayer#139662-1
Presbytery Christmas Youth Video Competition deadline > December 1st
Wanted!
Recruiting for a Church Administrator role at Belhaven & Spott
We are seeking a part-time administrator to support the work of the church. Applications are invited from individuals with experience of administrative support to small but active organisations.
- Length of contract: Open ended
- Hours of work: 8 hours per week
- Salary: This post attracts the Real Living Wage, currently £12.60 per hour
- Holiday entitlement: 5 weeks per annum pro-rata
- Closing date: Friday 28 November
- Skills required: Administrative experience, MS Office, flexibility, working with others – see full job description in the PDF (at right)
- How to apply: See the PDF file attached for more information
Wanted!
Recruiting for an Administration Assistant (Part-Time) at Loanhead & Bilston Church
3 hours per week | Hybrid & flexible
About the Role > “You’ll be responsible for a range of weekly, monthly and quarterly administrative tasks.
Some tasks must be completed on-site at Loanhead Church each Friday or Saturday, but otherwise the role offers flexible hours and some home working.
We’re looking for someone who is:
- Highly organised with excellent time-management.
- A good communicator with strong attention to detail.
- Able to anticipate issues and take initiative.
- Confident using Canva, Microsoft Word/Excel/PowerPoint, and experienced with website content management (e.g. WordPress or Wix).
Salary £14.33/hour
How to Apply > To request an application form or more info please contact Catriona Anderson canderson.lpc@gmail.com Closing date 1st December 2025.
Wanted!
An Assistant Minister at Hawick South
This post is part time – 20 hours a week and will involve working closely with the minister
Candidates must be in sympathy with the current law and practice of the Church of Scotland
This post is regulated work and the successful applicant will require a PVG or to undertake a PVG update check
For further information contact Gael Nuttall on clerk@south.hawick.church
Attached
In the Presbytery Prayer Calendar
We continue this week to pray for Kelso North & Country Churches
And then from Sunday November 30th Fifth Sunday > We pray for our Shared Ministry
We give thanks this week for local Worship leaders, Lay Pastors, OLMs, MDS workers, Deacons, Readers, Funeral Celebrants, for Presbytery Chaplains, Interns, Youth & Children’s Workers and for those who serve on Presbytery committees & on the Presbytery Council.
Norman Smith finishes as our Presbytery Clerk in early December. We are grateful for the Rev. John Cowie stepping in to act as Interim Clerk until Norman’s replacement is found. Please continue to pray for Norman as he moves on to the new role at 121 George Street and for John as he gets to grips with Lothian & Borders. jcowie@churchofscotland.org.uk
Finally in the craziness of our world may we affirm this Advent Credo by Allan Boesack (2004)
It is not true that creation and the human family are doomed to destruction and loss—
This is true: For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life;
It is not true that we must accept inhumanity and discrimination, hunger and poverty, death and destruction—
This is true: Jesus said ‘I have come that they may have life, and that abundantly’.
It is not true that violence and hatred should have the last word, and that war and destruction rule forever—
This is true: Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, his name shall be called wonderful councillor, mighty God, the Everlasting, the Prince of peace.
It is not true that we are simply victims of the powers of evil who seek to rule the world—
This is true: Jesus said ‘To me is given authority in heaven and on earth, and lo I am with you, even until the end of the world’.
It is not true that we have to wait for those who are specially gifted, who are the prophets of the Church before we can be peacemakers—
This is true: The prophet says -I will pour out my spirit on all flesh and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions and your old men shall have dreams.
It is not true that our hopes for liberation of humankind, of justice, of human dignity of peace are not meant for this earth and for this history—
This is true: The hour comes, and it is now, that the true worshipers shall worship God in spirit and in truth.
So, let us enter Advent in hope, even hope against hope. Let us see visions of love and peace and justice. Let us affirm with humility, with joy, with faith, with courage: Jesus Christ—the life of the world.
Rev. Peter J. Wood
Mission Officer for Lothian & Borders Presbytery
Website: www.lothianandborderspresbytery.org.uk/
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