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,
Ah, the joys of Advent! I’ve been warmed by consommé & sherry soup after a lovely retreat morning in Humbie Church, I’ve chatted with a schoolboy organist about his favourite carols and psalms in Ayton…and I’ve learnt that there sprouts on the loose somewhere in Bonnyrigg Church. Be warned!
Advent activities around the world can take many different forms. We now know of the German Christmas markets and of the Mexican nine-day celebration Las Posadas -searching for hospitality for the holy family - but did you know that in certain regions of Italy there are pipe-playing ‘Shepherds’ zampognari, who come down from the hills or in Sweden that on December 13th they celebrate St. Lucia Day (St Lucia of Syracuse, a martyr who died in 304.) This features girls in white gowns bedecked with candles. In China and in the Philippines there are celebrations with lanterns and in Venezuela the streets are closed to enable people to rollerskate to early morning mass!?
Advent emerged in the seventh century as a period of preparation for celebrating Jesus coming to this world -in the incarnation and with his second coming -through fasting (40-50 days) and praying with a focus on repentance and self-denial so that that when the Christ child comes hearts are bursting in anticipation that he may meet the deepest spiritual needs.
“Father in heaven,
Increase our longing for Christ our Saviour,
And give us strength to grow in love
That the dawn of his coming may find us rejoicing in his presence
And welcoming the light of his truth”
Presbytery Christmas Youth Video Competition.
All three winning offerings have been recorded in order to be shown in our churches over the festive period -at an all age Christmas service, at a café church or as part of Messy church.
Bonnyrigg youth took first place with their humorous look at making a nativity and what Christmas is all about https://youtu.be/S1hvhHH0tPU
Peebles-Leckie ask -What a baby has to do with Christmas? Complete with out-takes!
The young people at Tyne Valley ask questions a number of questions in order to get to the heart of the matter. https://youtu.be/-OA187AJGZU
Other recommended all age video resources for Christmas include…
Watch episodes of the Christmas story with the cheeky Pandas!
https://cheekypandas.com/cheeky-pandas-series/#specials
Cheeky panda activity packs
https://cheekypandas.com/resources/
Or try Go Chatter for a variety of different Advent & Christmas video resources.
https://gochattervideos.com/christmas/
Good reads from 2025 -as recommended by colleagues
Earlier in the year our new Interim Presbytery Clerk John Cowie spent a month as locum at St. Magnus cathedral. John recommends ‘Reflections on St Magnus Cathedral: Community, Memory, and Meaning’ -a collection of voices which together affirm the cathedral as a spiritual home. See attached for more of John’s review.
Other recommendations from colleagues
‘Clear’ by Carys Davies is a prize-winning novel
‘Don't forget we're here forever’ by Lamorna Ash
‘Searching for Sundays’ by Rachel Held Evans
‘Oh, all right then’ by Marjory MacLean
& ‘Confessions of a justified sinner’ by James Hogg -“a rip-roaring yarn”
Conversations in Prayer
Phil Mellstrom, the Church’s National Worship Lead, has offered to lead a special morning in Lent on prayer -“For some, praying can feel natural, relaxed or energising – for others, praying can feel like a struggle, a duty or a puzzling activity. Have you ever wondered how other people pray and how they have experienced or heard God through their praying? How might our stories shape our practices of personal and corporate prayer? Conversations in Prayer helps us to share more openly and talk more deeply about God, prayer and our journeys of faith. Come and share stories of meeting God in prayer and get some insight into what other ways of praying might do for us in discerning God’s intention and heart.”
Get in touch with the Mission Officer to chat more. Maybe do this as a cluster of churches?
Magnitude - Early bird tickets 18-22 July 2026 at Lendrick Muir
Please note super early bird tickets (by the 28th February) are limited in number to 1000 tickets this year – with 400 already sold , so you will need to register early to guarantee a place at this price. You will only qualify for the discounted price by paying in full by the deadline.
Bookings can be made here: MAGNITUDE FESTIVAL — Magnitude
Magnitude: Join the Church of Scotland Village – Fill in form
Crossreach Latest News
https://flipbooks.crossreach.org.uk/PresbyteryUpdateNovember
Design a project working with refugees & Assylum seekers -The Paristamen Blue Sky Award
“We are currently inviting bids for a new, one-off "Blue Sky" grant of up to £25,000.
Applications invited on the theme Christian Engagement with Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Scotland. For more details see attached. For other grants https://www.paristamen.org.uk/
Preaching course
The Aberdeen University Preaching course starts in April led by Rev Ken Jeffrey. It lasts six weeks is on Mondays for an hour. There is now a webpage with more information about the courses. Leading Worship & Preaching Courses | What's On | The University of Aberdeen
Thinking about starting something new? Mission into new areas?
The Introduction to Pioneering course starts at New College on January 24th
This 8 week hybrid course provides a road map and includes sessions from a range of experienced mission practitioners. Seeds for Growth can pay fees. Speak to the Mission Officer.
https://divinity.ed.ac.uk/news-events/short-courses-for-church-people
In the Presbytery Prayer Calendar
We continue this week to pray for Lammermuir Parish
Week beginning December 14th
Lasswade & Rosewell l/w Cockpen and Carrington
We remember this week the leadership and all involved in the life of this community.
We give thanks for the outreach work of Josh Keay, our Community Youth Worker, and also for Jenny Fepuleai who has now begun as our Children and Family Worker.
Please continue to pray for our next Presbytery Clerk. The Advert is now out.
Rev. Peter J. Wood
Mission Officer for Lothian & Borders Presbytery