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
In November we will welcome three new ministers to our Presbytery (details below). This is great news for the three congregations and for the three ministers. There is a wonderful sense of belonging at a service of induction as people gather from near and far to be part of it. Above all, services like these affirm that we belong to Christ and that our identity is in him. Shortly before the prayer of induction, the Moderator reads the Preamble which recalls the wonder and mystery of belonging within the Church:
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,
the King and Head of the Church,
who, being ascended on high,
has given gifts for the edifying of the body of Christ.
When our congregation is in a season of growth, the Church is Christ’s body and the gifts that led to growth have come from him.
When our congregation is in a season of challenge, the Church is Christ’s body and the gifts to meet the challenges will come from him.
Within the Church, we are called to encourage each other that we belong in Christ’s family. I recently came across this explanation from C.S. Lewis of what belonging means on a personal level and found it helpful:
‘It is not an abstraction called Humanity that is saved. It is you…all that you are, every fold and crease of your individuality was devised from all eternity to fit God as a glove fits a hand. All that intimate peculiarity which you can hardly grasp yourself, much less communicate to your fellow creatures, is no mystery to Him.’ (quoted in Eugene Peterson, ‘Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work’ p73)
Three Inductions dates
We are delighted to welcome Revs Scott McKenna and Bob Fowlie into the Presbytery and a certain Norman Smith back into the fold! We invite and encourage you to join in these special occasions-
At 7pm on Weds November 4th for the Induction of Scott McKenna to Haddington Parish Church.
At 7pm on Thurs Nov 12th (tbc) for the induction of Norman Smith to Dirleton linked with North Berwick: Abbey in Abbey Church, North Berwick.
at 7pm on Weds Nov 25th to the induction of Bob Fowlie to Aberlady & Gullane, in Aberlady Church.
Presbytery will meet at 6.45pm before each of these services.
Decisions taken under powers 30th September to 13th October
| 30/09/2026 | Vacancy Procedure Committee | Sustain the Call from Haddington to the Rev Dr Scott McKenna and set the date of induction for Wednesday 4th November 2026 |
| 30/09/2026 | Vacancy Procedure Committee | Sustain the Call from Aberlady and Gullane to the Rev Robert Fowlie and set the date of induction for Wednesday 25th November 2026 |
| 05/10/2026 | Property Committee | Grant permission to the congregation of Dryburgh District Churches to sell Newton Church. |
| 06/10/2026 | Property Committee | Grant permission to the congregation of Peebles: Old to carry out repairs to the heating system at the MacFarlane Hall and draw down £10,440 from its capital holding in the Consolidated Fabric Fund. |
| 06/10/2026 | Property Committee | Grant Permission to the congregation of Carrington and Cockpen to make repairs to the organ at Cockpen Church for £25,293 and to draw down £12,793.60 from its capital holding in the Consolidated Fabric Fund. |
| 09/10/2026 | Property Committee | Grant permission to the Congregation of Cheviot Churches to sell part of the Linton Glebe |
| 07/10/2026 | Presbytery Council | Grant permission to the Blindwells steering group to accept a grant of £24,000 from the Benefact Trust to be used for the Blindwells Beacon Project |
| 13/10/2026 | Property Committee | grant approval to the congregation of Stow and Heriot to sell the Manse, 20 Wedale View, Stow, TD1 2SJ |
| 13/10/2026 | Vacancy Procedure Committee | Note the resignation of Rev Dr Robin Hill as Convener of the Vacancy Advisory Panel for North Berwick: St Andrew Blackadder and appoint Rev Brian Hilsley as his successor. |
Presbytery Advent Daily Reflections
Once again under the guidance of Robin Hill a wee thought for the day is being offered throughout the season of Advent. (Nov 29 -Dec 24th) This will be posted on the Presbytery website and Facebook page but if you want it sent direct to your email inbox please let Caroline our administrator know before November 8th. Requests after this time will not be possible.
The Conversations Series is all about creating space for everyday conversations around faith, providing opportunities for everyone across church communities to contribute.
Four new Conversations resources are now available:
- Conversations In Youth Ministry (Recommended!)
- Conversations In Being Intergenerational
- Conversations In Eldership
- Conversations In Welcome
These flexible, discussion-based resources are designed to spark meaningful conversations in groups of all shapes and sizes. Whether you're gathering in a congregation, a home group, a Kirk Session, or simply friends over coffee, each resource offers a simple starting point and an easy-to-follow framework for exploring a topic together in a single session.
From the Church of Scotland Learning Team
Lothian & Borders Messy Church Network
We had a great wee gathering last week in Duns.
We were encouraged to hear of the forthcoming baptism at Messy Church at North Middleton; from Sarah Cook having started new Messy Churches in the Jedburgh area and of the significance of Messy Church in Gala for many families. We meet every six months. Do come and join with us!
Messy Church > A national (UK wide) conversation -launching regional teams
November 3rd afternoon or November 5th evening…
https://www.messychurch.brf.org.uk/regional-teams/
National Day of Prayer -Light in the darkness Saturday 31st October
Join the live-streamed Day of Prayer service from West Kilbride Parish Church at 11am on Saturday 31 October. Churches and groups are welcome to join the service online as part of their Day of Prayer.
https://wkpc.church/dayofprayer/
Join us online at 4pm on Saturday 31 October for a shared time of prayer, led by Rev Scott McRoberts, Convener of the Church of Scotland’s Mission Support Programme Group, and Rt Rev Gordon Kennedy, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
The gathering will take place online using Microsoft Teams. Hosting or joining the online prayer gathering? Download the Day of Prayer Teams background below to use during the event. Registration is free and open to anyone who would like to take part.
If you are doing something on the day is your church on the map?
Gifts for Remembrance Sunday?
https://www.hopetogether.org.uk/Shop/Products/504029/Shop/Cards_and_Handouts/In_Silence_We.aspx
Legacy of Slavery Working Group -Nominations open
Following the General Assembly's adoption of the Church of Scotland's Apology for its historic involvement in transatlantic chattel slavery, nominations are now open for a new Legacies of Slavery Working Group. The Group has been established to help the Church discern what it means to bear the "fruits worthy of repentance" identified in the apology. Over the next two years, it will explore how the Church can respond faithfully to its historic involvement in slavery through theological reflection, listening, justice, repair and transformed relationships. Find out more: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=f4cZu3Ni40etmAGdjzlP7wjsBDph4uxCm9IYMnWGMwFUM1RXMzFZMFJDR0VLUzI5U0sxUERaQjNHMy4u&route=shorturl
New Scottish Rural Mission Network October 27th
Meet online on the last Tuesday of the month 1030-1200
Connecting people from all denominations who are passionate about Jesus & rural mission across Scotland
Share ideas, ask questions & pray.
Dunbar & East Lothian Debt Advice service
A free confidential and impartial advice service across East Lothian
We support individuals and families with a wide range of issues including credit cards, loans, overdrafts, council tax arrears, rent arrears, utility debts and other unsecured borrowing.
The service is faith based, ecumenical and missional in its approach. Established through a partnership between local churches and The Salvation Army, we seek to demonstrate God's love through practical action by supporting people experiencing financial hardship. While our Christian faith motivates our work, our service is open to everyone regardless of faith, background or circumstance, and all advice is provided free of charge, impartially and without judgement.
Alongside supporting clients, we are keen to build stronger connections with churches across East Lothian. We already have volunteers from Belhaven and Spott churches and support a weekly wellbeing group within Traprain Parish. We are always pleased to speak with churches that would like to know more about the service, explore partnership opportunities, or help raise awareness of the support available within their communities.
As the service continues to grow, we are also interested in hearing from people who would like to put their Christian faith into action through volunteering. There are a range of roles available and full training and support is provided.
A partnership between St. Anne’s Church, Dunbar & the Salvation Army.
Thriving Church Lab: The second episode is now available
Curious about what God is doing through churches in Scotland?
This is a brand new filmed podcast series from the Church of Scotland exploring what God is doing in congregations and projects that are seeing signs of creativity, growth and renewal in their local context, and discovering how they got there...
Berwickshire Christian Youth Trust Job
Part time Administrator/schools worker. 20 hours per week. Based out of Duns Parish Church.
For any questions related to the role or to request an application pack, please contact trustees@bcytborders.org.uk
Finally in the Presbytery Prayer Calendar
We continue this week to pray for our friends at Galashiels
Then in the week beginning Sunday November 1st we pray for Gorebridge Parish Church
Please pray for the leadership and all involved in the life of this community.
“We pray for the Lord to make a way for our Hilltop redevelopment project, for an outpouring of financial resource and fresh momentum as we progress towards a start date.”
With love and prayers,
Dan and Peter.
Rev Dan Carmichael, Presbytery Clerk
Rev Peter Wood, Presbytery Mission Officer