Dear Friends
From Jesus ‘setting his face to go to Jerusalem’ (Luke 9.51) to leading his most chosen disciples up the Mount of Transfiguration (Luke 9.28) to entering Jerusalem on a donkey (Luke 19.28) to the Emmaus Road (Luke 24.13) walking plays an important part in the Easter story. Some of our churches are having Easter egg hunts; or a Good Friday walk of witness and or an Easter labyrinth. Last week we had the Presbytery pilgrimage when over 20 of us in total walked and prayed our way round the Borders Abbeys way. Pilgrimage is a physical journey made with spiritual intention. Significant conversations were had about life stages that wouldn’t have happened otherwise; new friendships were made; prayers were given for local churches & thanks for hospitality; bells were rung; banana bread was left out for pilgrims; some people came for a day or two, some persevered doggedly and did the whole thing but all were blessed by the experience (I never lost anyone!) …and the sun never stopped shining. Much to be thankful for.
Easter Youth Video Competition
The Mission committee was delighted to receive five entries for our Easter Youth Video Competition. The brief was to design a video explaining the meaning of Easter to folks at a Messy Church or a Café Church. It was incredibly difficult to decide on winners. In the end we decided that the Tyne Valley video was the winner for Messy Church & the St. Andrews, Leckie Peebles video for Cafe church. All five videos were winners and can be found on the Presbytery Youtube channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzLYiOnBYAeXZmh9TammhDg The entries from the younger groups were classified as ‘Shorts’.
The Quiet Revival
Did you catch news of this report from the Bible Society of England & Wales? Well worth a read after Easter. Download the report for free.
This is but the latest in a series of articles & reports that suggest that the latest generation -Gen Z -are more open than previous generations to questions of faith. More than this this research suggests that there has been a rise in those who are younger in attending church. I am still curious to know the response of the Scottish Bible Society to these findings from their colleagues.
Final call to sign up for Growing Young which starts with a seminar in June.
What us your church doing to plan for the future. Are you facing it alone or do you fancy having space to reflect and to journey with other churches? If you are interested in being part of this learning community do get in touch. I’m happy to visit your kirk session.
Mission Storytelling event
On May 6th we will have a variety of speakers briefly sharing news and lessons learnt from their recent mission project. This time we are in the south of our Presbytery and are meeting in St.Paul’s, Galashiels.
You are for food at 615pm and the meeting starts proper at 7pm. Contact Peter to let him know you are coming.
Know your community > Coldstream Church Hall
10am-3pm Wednesday June 11th
Exploring the power of Community Research, Community Profiling, and Asset-Based Community Development. Place-Based Approaches; Partnership Working; Asset Mapping and much more.
The session will be led by Catriona Milligan, Community Development Worker at Gorbals Parish Church & Andy Whittet, Inform Research. Please register with the Mission Officer
Thanksgiving for Faithful Service in Malawi
Reverend Stanley Chimesya, a dedicated servant of God and Prison Chaplain of CCAP Blantyre Synod, bid farewell on 06 April,2025 at Balaka CCAP Church as he was retiring from a soul-winning work in the Malawi Prisons Service.
During his tenure, Rev. Chimesya transformed the lives of countless inmates through his unwavering commitment to spiritual guidance, rehabilitation, and support.
Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner General of Prisons, Mr Austin Nyoni, DCP, who is also the Officer In-Charge of Zomba Central Prison, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Rev. Chimesya for his invaluable contributions to the prison ministry. He highlighted the significant impact of Rev. Chimesya's rehabilitation programs and projects, which have positively influenced the lives of many inmates.
"Rev. Chimesya's dedication to the spiritual and physical well-being of prisoners has been truly remarkable. His efforts have led to a reduction in misconducts, escapes, and conflicts within the prisons. We're grateful for his selfless service and commitment to our institution," Mr. Nyoni said.
Online survey request -can you help?
Research into Burnout of Christian Leaders from the daughter of Catherine Buchan a former Presbytery Clerk of Abernethy. See attached
New Modules on the CoS LEARN website
#Unpacking the Bible - Information Space
#Conversations in Discipleship
#Knowing You, Knowing Me, Theological Reflection for Everyone
You need to have a LEARN account to see these but that simply requires a password to set up.
The LEARN team are always available to help you connect with our materials, and we love to hear stories of how you’re using them. Get in touch on learning@churchofscotland.org.uk.
In the Presbytery Prayer Calendar…
We continue this week to pray for Rosie Frew and the team at Bowden & Melrose
Week beginning Sunday April 20th Caddonfoot linked with Stow & Heriot
We remember in prayer this week the leadership and all involved in the life of this community.
Pray for us as we continue to explore new ways of reaching out with love to the small communities within our Parish and for the linked Church in Luwatala, Malawi that they may have a good harvest this year.
Entering into Holy Week…
I pray that as you invite folks to join in and walk with you from Palm Sunday to Calvary to Emmaus you may know God’s grace and power at work in new and wonderful ways.
A quiet reflective piece for Friday
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaJ-moIjATU
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