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
We had stopped and were looking intently out to sea when it happened. We were having a discussion about the identity of certain white birds that were sitting on the water tightly grouped together and we were struggling to get to an answer. The conversation was taking place above Burnmouth on day four of the Forth to Farne pilgrimage. It was a bright and sunny if somewhat windy morning. As we focussed on identifying the birds surrounded by white crests of waves so we fell into silence.
This silence was however quickly shattered when a brightly coloured Intercity train wooshed round the corner on the main East coastline, rattled past us and disappeared into the horizon. The railway line draws close to the path for a period on this section of the way. As we looked round at the speeding train so it made what we were doing feel slow, uncertain, even for a moment foolish. But our journey was not about speed or efficiency. It was about a deepening awareness of all the gifts that our generous God has given in that place for us to discover in the company of fellow travellers.
It is exciting to hear and see plans being prepared in churches across the Presbytery for this Holy Week. I pray that we would each be able to focus on that which God has helped us notice in the passion story for this year. That it would be a week for discovering and gathering particular insights and treasures that speak afresh of the gospel of Jesus. So that on Sunday we would truly be a community overflowing with joy in the resurrection.
Easter Youth Videos
Are you engaging visually with those who come to church this week?
Last year we asked our young people > ‘What’s the meaning of Easter?’ See
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y7xZlh1JWXhDs4RQr0lTVtXPSsvx1n29/view
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RS_6F4A_GVw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQAxviBSE68
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXI1YzJjlzs
Presbytery Intern Scheme
We still have 5 unclaimed internships for this year.
What young person, or someone between things, could be further drawn into church by way of a small mission project? Contact the Mission Officer.
Messy Church > Next Presbytery Gathering is on Tuesday May 19th
All welcome! Tyne Valley have kindly offered to host in North Middleton Village Hall (just off the A7)
Come at 630pm for food. With a guest speaker.
Scottish Elections May 7th
Could your church provide space for a hustings?
Hustings guidance is here: https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/get-involved/scottish-churches-parliamentary-office/hustings-guidance
Care for the family event on May 20th 730pm
‘Left to their own devices!’
Helping children navigate the digital world.
Presbytery Decisions taken under Powers.
From the acting Clerk John Cowie.
| 03/03/2026 | Property Committee | Approve the request of Hawick South to release funds for fabric repairs |
| 04/03/2026 | Property Committee | Approve works at Selkirk and Ashkirk to subject to submission of full funding details before commencement of work. |
| 09/03/2026 | Presbytery Council | Approve request of Reverend Malcolm Lyon to demit his charge and retire. |
| 16/03/2026 | Property Committee | Approve application to General Trustees from Duns and District Churches to release funds for replacement boiler in their Church Hall. |
| 16/03/2026 | Presbytery Clerk | Appoint Graham Duffin as Interim Moderator at North Berwick St Andrew Blackadder. |
| 26/03/2026 | Property Commitee | Approval of application to General Trustees from Traprain Parish Church for release of funds for their Glebe Project |
Also to note is that the Reverend Malcolm Lyon demitted his charge and retired on 12 March 2026. We wish Malcolm and his wife well in their retirement.
Tara Curlewis visiting from Rome
Tara, our Presbytery Mission Partner is the minister of St. Andrews, Presbyterian Church of Scotland in Rome and represents the World Council of Reformed Churches in that city. She will be back in Scotland in early summer. Tara had a good time the first time she was in our Presbytery.
If you want to see if you can have get her to your church do get in touch with the Mission Officer.
Saturday 25th April – Creativity in Mission
"Creativity in Mission" is a Spirit-filled gathering organised by Cairn and dedicated to inspiration, renewal, and empowerment each person in their God-given creativity.
10-4pm Hillington Park Church, Glasgow. The main speaker Chris Duffett is great!
Daniel Robinson will lead a workshop focusing on music in mission.
Ruth Weller will explore how creativity can be used for mission in the digital space.
Jen Whytock’s workshop will explore how dance can be used in mission.
Julie Jackson, who will lead a Poetry Writing & Prophecy / Prophetic Vision workshop.
https://cairnmovement.charitysuite.com/events/rhne4a9h?mc_cid=5773a3db92&mc_eid=7e02cf62d8
USA Pulpit Exchange Opportunity Summer 2027
“The Rev. Graeme Glover, who is currently serving at the Galashiels Church, and I had been planning a fourth exchange for me. However, his circumstances have changed, and he needed to withdraw. We had intended to look at five or so Sundays in the summer of 2027 and would be delighted to get to know you or someone you might know who shares his interest. We could meet via Zoom and discuss any possibilities.
As for me, I’m married to my wife, Martha Ann, for 30 years, and we have three children. One of them is still at home and a freshman in college. We met at Clemson University, and I earned my Master of Divinity from Princeton Seminary. The First (Scots) Presbyterian Church is relatively young by your standards, but we will be celebrating our 300th anniversary in 2031.
Take care and God bless” Holton.
The Rev. Dr. L. Holton Siegling, Jr.
Pastor/Head of Staff, First (Scots) Presbyterian Church
53 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC, 29401
Office: (843) 722-8882 Mobile: (865) 456-2235
www.first-scots.org
Boys Brigade in the Lothians
The Boys Brigade Secretary for the Lothians writes,
“The main reason for reaching out is that we are keen to grow and address the decline in our numbers at a local level. The Boys’ Brigade (with potential Girls’ Association) offers a relevant and attractive mission opportunity for all congregations to connect with young people and families.
As the Boys’ Brigade is a Christian youth organisation and every company must be affiliated to a Church, we are keen to explore how we can work with others to establish new partnerships.
Please feel free to forward on any contact who may be able to help in any way.”
Kind Regards
Ian Montgomery
Edinburgh Leith and District Boys Brigade
Mobile No: 07786442645
In the Presbytery Prayer Calendar
We continue this week to pray for Ruberslaw Country Parishes.
From the week beginning Sunday March 29th
We remember in prayer our world links
With Revd. Rola in Lebanon; Revd Tara Curlewis, minister at St Andrew's Church of Scotland in Rome & Reformed Ecumenical Liaison Officer for the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) in Rome; our friends and partners in Malawi & in North India.
Finally a classic poem noting the lambs that are born at this time of year…
The Lamb
Little Lamb who made thee
Dost thou know who made thee
Gave thee life & bid thee feed.
By the stream & o'er the mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight,
Softest clothing wooly bright;
Gave thee such a tender voice,
Making all the vales rejoice!
Little Lamb who made thee
Dost thou know who made thee
Little Lamb I'll tell thee,
Little Lamb I'll tell thee!
He is called by thy name,
For he calls himself a Lamb:
He is meek & he is mild,
He became a little child:
I a child & thou a lamb,
We are called by his name.
Little Lamb God bless thee.
Little Lamb God bless thee.
Love & prayers
Peter
Rev. Peter J. Wood
Mission Officer for Lothian & Borders Presbytery
Website: www.lothianandborderspresbytery.org.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552394798223
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LothianandBordersPresbytery/videos
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