Dear Friends
I know that Lent is just round the corner but…
whoever had the audacity to call these items pictured above 'Prawn cocktail' was in my mind a genius. Not a prawn or sauce or chilli or lettuce in sight!
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have some more of that imagination employed in the church...!!!
Twenty years ago I, as a young Scot ministering in a parish in southern England, remember trying to persuade my leadership team that we as a church should run a crisp festival -a celebration and thanksgiving for all things potato & fried!!! I can still remember the look on their faces of ‘unimpressed-ness’!
You are invited to gather and imagine what sharing God’s love could look like in your context as we explore prayerfully the question “Wouldn’t it be great if…”
We look to God to lead us in our imagining of his kingdom in all its colour and vibrancy where we are.
Mission storytelling & dreaming…Tues March 11th or Weds March 26th
Before we consider that question we will enjoy listening to a few short stories of what others got up to last year in mission.
The gatherings will take place at St.Pauls in Gala on March 11th and then in the Pitcairn Centre, Bonnyrigg on March 26th. You are invited to come and eat together at 6pm with the meetings starting at 7pm. Please confirm with the Mission Officer if you plan on coming for 6pm.
Presbytery Interns
Our Presbytery has once again been given by Seeds of Growth 10 potential intern places of up to £1000 each. Do you know of someone who would benefit from helping with a particular wee mission project? This is a brilliant wee scheme. Could an intern
-help with community audit? / set up and run social media for your villages?! / Support a holiday club for juniors or seniors! / Run an allotment project…Etc. Have a chat with Peter.
Application attached.
Messy Church Gathering Tues Feb 18th 6-9pm at Haddington West
We are thrilled with all the Messy churches that we have in our presbytery. We gather twice a year to learn from one another and to give thanks as we eat and share our experiences
Please let the Mission Officer know who in your team is coming.
Growing Young Webinars > 7-8pm introductory evenings on February 20th or February 26th
A new cohort will start later in the year. We have churches that have already expressed an interest in participating in this dynamic learning community that helps churches engage with younger generations. If you want to find out more what it’s all about join us at the two seminars with congregations from around Scotland. To get the most from the webinar, we suggest that at least two or three people from interested churches can join us on the same evening.
Feb 20th & Feb 26th from 7-8pm online
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87501923734?pwd=Dfwbb6oq1UOWTJGlfSIt7ApBrEfk3e.1
Meeting ID: 875 0192 3734 & Passcode: 525536
Lent
Presbytery Lent reflections
-Have you signed up yet with Caroline to receive a short daily reflection straight into your mail box?
Robin Hill has collected some 47 local reflections that we look forward reading in due course. They will also appear on the website and facebook page.
Lent Pilgrimage March 31st -April 5th
We are walking the Borders Abbey Way over six days starting from Melrose and walking anti-clockwise.
The Saturday is a shorter day for those enthusiastic but less fit than in days gone by!
Contact the Mission Officer for more details.
Flyer attached.
Easter Video Competition for young people
Poster attached
‘The Upper Room’ event in Selkirk at 630pm on March 14th
Listen as John 14-17 is brought to life by Christian Stejskal in word, song & music.
Info Attached
Praise night at Tranent Sunday Evening March 23rd
Flyer attached
The National Scene
Positions Needing Filled
Our Presbytery is being asked to find people to fulfil these roles.
Army Forces Champion
This role is to be a point of contact with the Chaplains Committee and to advocate for forces chaplains. Any person doing this role must be sympathetic to the role of Forces Chaplains.
Local Authority Education Rep
Each Local Authority is required by law to have church representation. Any person doing this would sit on the education committee of the local council, have the authority to speak on matters where there is a church connection but not to vote. You legally must live in the local authority area where you serve. We require someone for both Midlothian and East Lothian.
Please contact Norman for more information or to explore any interest.
Trinity college module in Church change
Leading in church change -online masters level course.
Highly recommended! Costs £499 for an ordained church leader.
Beginning 9am May 1st for 8 weeks. 8 two hour classes and 4 one hour seminars with Mark Johnston & Andy Brookes.
Prospects
“We aim to equip churches to be more effective in how they welcome people with learning disabilities and share the good news about Jesus in a way that can be understood – find out how!”
| www.prospectsacrossscotland.org.uk |
Autism in the church family training
| Are you interested in knowing more about autism and faith?
Are you looking to welcome, support and include autistic people in your church? |
See training info attached
LIFT
An Invitation from The Guild for a young person from each Presbytery to gather for a weekend’s national conference. Interested?
See Attached
Presbytery Prayer Calendar
Week beginning February 9th Tyne Valley Parish
We remember in prayer this week the leadership and all involved in the life of this community.
Pray for the new Impact Plus Project running youth groups in the villages of Pathhead and North Middleton and soon in Cousland, and particularly for the youth leaders' Fellowship evenings, which now include the young leaders.
Finally are you spotting the snowdrops?
I read this…
The snowdrop silently announces spring is on its way.
No bright colours like the daffodil.
It has pushed its way through the soil and withstood the cold winter. There is hope and joy in the air.
The wind blows but it stands erect, confident in itself, unlike the daffodil which is knocked around by the wind. The snowdrop hangs its head down in humility.
It appears fragile and vulnerable.
It is small.
The beautiful white flowers remind us of God’s purity.
I pray that you experience God’s Spirit at work in your community beyond your imagining!
May God bless you in all you do.
Peter
Rev. Peter J. Wood
Mission Officer for Lothian & Borders Presbytery
