Dear Friends
A good friend of mine who had worked as a mission partner abroad for a number of years went along to her local church one Sunday. She was delighted to discover that there was a World Church group. After the service she went and managed to track down the group leaders and got speaking to them. They were only too happy to tell her of all that the group does through the year and of what it had done down the years. Sadly, the conversation never ventured much beyond this. What wasn’t said was “We’d be delighted for you to come along and join us.” My friend told me she had left the church that Sunday with no knowledge of when the group next met and with no invitation to join them. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to pursue this…How often are we aware of what we are communicating? Are we good at asking questions of others? Is there a danger that what we do at church becomes ‘our thing’?
One of the greatest joys in church life is the sharing together of different gifts and experiences. Doing this encourages one another and helps us grow in faith. I give thanks for those who in this past month have inspired, challenged and encouraged me -to think again about how I express my faith and by how I can better love my local community. I pray that in my busyness I make space to listen.
Magnitude 2025
Reflections from Andy Haddow, minister of Eyemouth & Coldingham
It was with a little trepidation I signed up to help out with the Church of Scotland Village at Magnitude, Scripture Union Scotland's Youth Festival/Conference! I was to be part of the team hosting our village with around 100 teenagers from a multitude of Church of Scotland's across the country. I was also bringing some teenagers from my own area (3 to be exact) ably supported by Carrie my wife who was on the SU team looking after the wider subcamp we would be in. Frankly I wasn't sure what it would be like to camp with somewhere around 1600 teenagers on the golf course at Scripture Union's outdoor centre Lendrick Muir up near Kinross. However, what a week it was.
Each day we ate together in the Church of Scotland's marquee with the local team and numerous churches volunteering to cook for us. During the day there were teaching sessions, sport sessions, craft sessions or just an opportunity to chill out at one of the on-site cafes. Then just before lunch and after tea we would gather for worship in the Big Top, nearly 2000 folk worshipping God with enthusiasm and joy it was a truly amazing experience. You could tell the Young People were taking it all in and responding with enthusiasm, indeed they ran out of packs to hand out for those who had chosen to commit themselves to Christ!
Although the whole thing was a huge buzz of excitement there was a sense that much of the teaching time was given to equipping young people to continue and grow in their own journey of faith once they returned home and the buzz of Magnitude had left. We certainly came away inspired and motivated that God was working something amazing in this generation of teenagers and excited to see what God would do with all that had happened at Magnitude. We're certainly planning on going back next year and praying for a larger group of teenagers from our area to accompany us!
‘The Quiet revival’ -Expressing faith in extraordinary times
Loanhead Church Halls, Friday October 24th 915-1300
What’s going on?! How do we respond?
Many of us in the church have noticed signs of a surprising new receptivity to the gospel in a society low on hope. We can see something, even if small, of ‘The Quiet Revival’ in our midst. In such changing times are we as Christians ready to dialogue and make connections with those seekers? What do or can we do? How do we position ourselves and dialogue about faith in such spiritually open times?
A morning with Roy Crowne of Gospel Entrepreneurs.
Roy is currently President of HOPE together and founder of Gospel Entrepreneurs.
Promoted in our neighbouring presbyteries this is a morning open to all.
Watch out for the Eventbrite link.
Presbytery Youth Leaders Network
Saturday October 18th in Leckie Church Halls, Peebles from 1030-3pm
If you are involved with young people as a leader or helper or paid staff this is for you! We had a great time together in Gorebridge back in January. Worship, learn and swap stories. Lunch is provided.
Gospel Entrepreneurs 11-3pm Friday September 19th
You are invited to gather in 121, George Street, Edinburgh
Includes Guest speaker Tim Purves who will speak about his faith and his work. (Purves Funerals)
https://gospelentrepreneurs.charitysuite.com/events/5ntny3wx
Presbytery Pilgrimage 2026
Monday March March 23rd to Saturday March 28th
This year we are walking the ‘Forth to Farne Way’ -from North Berwick to Lindisfarne. Save the date!
Scottish Pilgrimage Routes Gathering & AGM: Saturday 27th September 2025 at Preston Kirk, E. Linton
Versicle > An e-letter from the Church Service Society.
See attached
LEARN
Encouraging cultures of discipleship and Learning.
This wee 15 minute interview is worth listening to.
Martin Full Interview.mp4
New College -CPD Day
Resources for Church Communities: Weds. September 17th 930-5pm
A Continuing Ministerial Development Day run in collaboration with CTPI and the Guntrip Trust
Open to all; come for the morning, the afternoon or the whole day.
9.30-10.30am Dr Selina Stone: Tarrying with God and One another
11-12am: Dr Peter Atkins: Texts, Sources, and Migrants: Issues in Isaiah and Exodus
12-12.30pm: The School of Divinity & Church Communities: Resources and Support
12.30-1.30pm: Lunch > Available to pre-book (£12) or bring your own.
1.30pm: Dr J-Thomas Hewitt: New Testament Epistles in Lectionary Year A
3-4pm Can Psychoanalytic Thinking be Useful in Troubled Times? Ms June Campbell
4-5pm The Life and Work of Harry Guntrip: Christian Minister and Psychotherapist
The Rev Helen Alexander
For more information & to book
Listening in Mission course
Online at Trinity College, Glasgow. Thursday evenings online from Oct 8th. 8 sessions.
This course will explore the practice and theology of listening in mission within local communities and how this may renew imagination and impact of the church in a rapidly changing society.
https://www.trinitycollegeglasgow.co.uk/listening-in-mission
Closing Date for applications September 5th
Dunblane Cathedral Lectures on Conflict and Reconciliation
The texts of five public lectures on the theme of Conflict and Reconciliation given in Dunblane Cathedral Hall have now been published on the Cathedral website. https://www.dunblanecathedral.org.uk/dunblane-cathedral-lectures
Borderlands Men’s Christian Fellowship Conference 20th September 2025
https://borderlandsmcc.co.uk/category/upcoming-event/
Vacancies
Youth Worker wanted at Barclay Viewforth Church
https://www.barclayviewforth.org.uk/news
Presbytery Prayer Calendar
We continue this week to pray for Dunglass…
Week beginning August 24st Duns & District Churches
We remember in prayer this week the leadership and all involved in the life of this community.
“We ask for guidance for the nominating committee as they prepare the call for a new minister. We pray too for a new minister who has a passion for Mission and team ministry and who will lead and inspire us.”
Wishing you much love in our partnership in the gospel and joy in service
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