Dear Friends
I do hope that you had a good Easter and have also found time for some days off after the festival.
This year we celebrated Easter with my son on a farm in Aberdeenshire. They currently have around 600 sheep and 50 cows on the farm. Lambing happens a little later up North than it does down here and so Easter weekend was for us a full-on experience of being around sheep and lambs! On their farm they try, as far as possible, to support the ewes to give birth outdoors in the fields. This involves regular and careful oversight of pregnant sheep -from first light until late evening -and of knowing when, and if, to intervene in order to help the birth. It was a fascinating experience. Some ewes didn’t appear to care much about their offspring whilst other ewes had triplets and were dedicated mothers. Caring for young ones and keeping families together was a large part of the work that weekend. My knowledge of the model of pastoral care as a shepherd was advanced and brought up to date!
I do hope that you caught sight of the excellent Easter videos produced by young people in our Presbytery. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzLYiOnBYAeXZmh9TammhDg
It would be great to know if you used them.
Lent Reflections
Robin Hill and the Mission Committee would like to hear from you concerning the Lent reflections that were produced from within the Presbytery. Deadline is this Sunday, May 4th Grateful thanks once again to the range of participants.
Find the short survey attached.
In Conversation with Andy & Carrie Haddow about ‘Thy Kingdom Come’
Mission is God’s work. The link between prayer and mission is vital to ensure we are helping build God’s kingdom.
In this short interview Andy & Carrie share some of their experience of participating in the prayer initiative ‘Thy Kingdom Come.’ It runs in the ten days from Ascension to Pentecost -this year from May 29th to June 8th.
https://www.thykingdomcome.global/
What is the pattern of prayer in your church? Sometimes these can get stuck. Interested in refreshing that pattern or trying something for simply one week? I would be delighted to come and chat with you about patterns for prayer or help run something.
See attached a file with ideas about a pattern of weekly prayer beyond Sundays and some prayer and mission resources.
In conversation with Duncan Cameron, Co-ordinator of Border Street Pastors
Listen to this interview with Duncan and be inspired by the vision and work of Street Pastors who offer help and support to people wherever they are. If you are interested in helping Street Pastors set up in East Lothian please contact nelson.tom@btinternet.com
‘Faith in the Outdoors’ -Zoominar Tuesday June 17th 715-830pm
Are you interested in expressing faith in the outdoors? Got plans for this summer? Want ideas?
Fancy doing something outdoors or are already involved with Eco-Congregation * Pilgrimage * Environmental Concerns * Forest Church etc. All welcome to come and join the conversation. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82933104999?pwd=HzULCLrzzg7si1MbfOwaWs2KcH8y5K.1
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 your place with the Mission Officer.
The next Presbytery Messy Church Gathering is scheduled for August 26th and will be held in Duns.
The Ubuntu Choir
We were delighted to have this African choir perform in our region. They performed in Kelso and also in Berwick Upon Tweed. Adam Hood, Minister at Berwick, delighted with their experience, comments, “On 7th April we hosted the Ubuntu Choir, made up of young people from Kenya and Uganda, in SAWG. The concert was under the auspices of Churches Together in Berwick and organised mainly by Waypoint Church. The members of the Choir were hosted by folks from around the town, including from our church. The Choir held workshops during the day for six schools, with around 600 children attending and there was an evening concert attended by over 200 folks from across our area. Over £2000 was raised for educational and welfare work in Africa. A short video of some of the exciting music and dance of the Choir can be seen by clicking here”.
Alpha Connect Day – Innerleithen – 27th May 2025
Alpha Scotland are hosting a Connect day in Innerleithen Church of Scotland with the opportunity to attend either at lunchtime or in the evening.
Alpha Connects’ are run across Scotland for church and Alpha leaders to come together and spur one another on in mission. Churches don’t need to be running Alpha to come along and it’s not always about Alpha. It’s for anyone wanting to help their communities explore faith and encounter Jesus.
Lunchtime booking - Connect: Borders, Lunchtime Tickets, Tue, May 27, 2025 at 12:30 PM | Eventbrite
Evening booking - Connect: Borders, Evening Tickets, Tue, May 27, 2025 at 7:00 PM | Eventbrite
Gospel Entrepreneurs Scotland
Explore with Roy Crowne what it means to be a gospel entrepreneur.
June 20th 1100-1500 in 121 George Street, Edinburgh. https://www.gospelentrepreneurs.org/
The Presbytery Prayer Calendar
We continue to pray this week for Cavers & Kirkton
Week beginning Sunday April 28th Channelkirk & Lauder
We remember in prayer this week the leadership and all involved in the life of this community.
I pray that the springtime brings you fresh hope and joy in all that you do and the responsibilities that you carry.
Whatever changes you are facing or making I pray that above all you know that you are loved and precious in God’s eyes. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10.27-28)
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