Happy New Year!
As we pack away our Christmas decorations and emerge into the bracing challenge of January so we find a new year opening out before us. I’m not convinced that given the weariness & cynicism so prevalent these days that too many folks in 2025 make New Year resolutions. It is however a good time to get a grip of the year and to pop dates in the diary for holidays, for training, for retreats and for other helpful inputs. I myself am looking into further training and more regular spiritual input. I am hoping to set aside time each week to listen to a podcast -something I haven’t managed up until now but have of late become aware of just how much good material there is out there to listen to. I wonder what one thing you are hoping to do as you look at the year ahead?
Special collections for the work of NESSL in Syria.
Grateful thanks to all those congregations who took up special collections for the work of NESSL in war torn Syria. The country is enjoying being free from the previous Assad regime but it is not all together clear what place in a new Syria for Christians. Pray for Rev Joseph, President of the community and for Rev. Rola ministering in Tripoli.
Young people in Traprain exploring prayer and spirituality
This week I share a link to an interview I did with Isabel Lindsay before Christmas about what has been going on in East Linton with the Young people there. I strongly recommend that you take the 15mins to hear the story of young people open to searching for something more in their lives. It is an encouraging story with many insightful comments. Isabel does a great job in describing the journey so far.
Teaser https://youtu.be/m9nQOKG7VZk
& full interview https://youtu.be/t4Yrb8yqkOM
Easter Youth Video Competition > First prize £500
Youth groups from across the Presbytery are invited to make a short video (3-5mins) MP4 which explores the meaning of Easter. It is intended that this video could be played at a café church or another similar mission occasion where there are people who know nothing about Easter. The winning videos will be uploaded to the Presbytery’s Youtube channel.
Those creating, producing & editing the video need to be under the age of 30.
The prize money is given on the condition that it be used for strengthening & promoting the Youth Group. The first prize is £500, second prize is £300 and third prize £200. Three prizes because we want as many entries as possible!
Entries need to be received by Sunday March 23rd. Please send entries to pwood@churchofscotland.org.uk
Presbytery Youth leaders Network Gathering
It was great to meet up on Saturday Jan 11th at Gorebridge with folks from across our presbytery who are engaged in youth ministry. Special thanks to Joel Nicholas & Andrew Duncan for organising the time together. If you weren’t able to make this one please get in touch so you don’t miss the next one.
Zoominar January 28th 7-8pm Net zero Pathway
Join us online to hear from the CoS Zero Carbon & Eco-Congregation teams on what measures to take to reduce emissions from our church buildings.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81898256287?pwd=0rlhRWsE05dkbK3FynRX1ESnBaAgWQ.1
Meeting ID: 818 9825 6287 Passcode: 882815
Zoominar March 25th 7-8pm Support offered by Rural Ministries
Messy Church Presbytery Gathering
February 18th from 6pm in the West church, Haddington. All involved with Messy Church welcome.
Congratulations!
David Menzies, a long-serving member of Lothian & Borders Presbytery and its predecessors, was presented on Sunday with a long-service certificate by the Rev. John Mitchell to commemorate him having served as a ruling Elder at Tranent Parish Church for 50 years. Well done David and grateful thanks.
Gospel Entrepreneurs
Next gathering at 121 George Street on the 23rd of January, 12 noon to 3:30 pm.
https://www.gospelentrepreneurs.org/
We will be joined by our guest speaker, Ian Hartley, owner of “Out of Eden”.
The Railway Man at Leckie, Peebles January 19th
My Journey with God and The Railway Man – Charmaine McMeekin
Sunday 19th January 2025 at 7pm. St Andrews Leckie Church, Peebles
Donations for Soul Restore Counselling
Charmaine McMeekin is the youngest daughter of Eric Lomax also known as the The Railway Man.
The book ‘The Railway Man’ won many awards after its release in 1995, and eventually was turned into a film. Eric was the first Japanese Prisoner of War (POW) to write about what had actually happened in camp, as he was brutally tortured while building the Burma Siam Railway for 4 years of his life. It was 50 years before he felt able to talk about his experiences.
The book was turned into a film in 2010 with Colin Firth, Jeremy Irvine and Nicole Kidman starring.
His daughter Charmaine was born in Edinburgh and had a 40 year career in Nursing and Midwifery. She then went on to be a Christian Counsellor. She now has a private Counselling practice in Edinburgh. Charmaine will talk about her family, her faith journey, and her relationship with her father, and the importance of Counselling and Forgiveness in today’s world. Poster attached.
Selkirk Church
Open Space for Prayer, meditation…
Friday 17th January 2025 from 10.00am – 8.00pm
We welcome people of all faiths or none to this quiet warm space to pray, reflect in silence, meditate or light a candle for peace. Poster attached
Just Asking
Tyne Valley Youth Group are projector-less!
Does anyone have a spare projector they are not using?
To a good home!
Organ available -contact Adam Hood -see attached for more details
Take time to reflect on Ministry > Do a Doctor of Ministry (DMin) through New College
Information about the programme is here:
https://divinity.ed.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-study/programmes/doctor-ministry
Rev Dr MaryAnn Rennie shares something of her experience on the programme here https://youtu.be/VEkUcn9PEKE?si=OxKnAvKXvHLEPVh4
Graeme Glover reflects on the value of the experience https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufXf-QSsXYs&t=1s
Closing date is the end of January. Info attached.
Hope Together course on wellbeing https://wellbeingjourney.org/
8 week video series from Hope Together fronted by Simon Thomas & Joanna Adeyinka-Burford
The Wellbeing Journey is a new series to help churches and communities address key challenges in these times. Local churches are in a unique place to lead communities on this holistic journey to improved physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing.
Whitchester Christian Retreat Centre, Hawick
Guided retreat Monday 24 – Friday 28 February 2025
https://www.whitchester.org.uk/retreats-and-quiet-days
…and beyond our Presbytery in the national church
Legacy of Slavery -Your voice matters
As convener of the Church’s Racial Justice Programme group, I’m reaching out to share a short video inviting you on a journey of learning and reflection about the Church of Scotland’s legacy of slavery.
Following the 2023 General Assembly report, the Church committed to acknowledging past has committed to acknowledging past sins and their enduring impacts of racism and inequality. We seek to engage every presbytery and congregation through prayer, dialogue, and shared learning, including reflections from an ecumenical pilgrimage to Jamaica.
Your voice matters. Please join one of our open sessions:
- 22nd January 2025, 7pm - 9pm
- 5th February 2025, 1pm - 3pm
Scan the QR code in the video or register here: Registration Link.
Nominations -Opportunities to be involved in the Church nationally
Thank you to those who have completed a nomination form and to those who have supported a nomination. We have been pleased and encouraged by the quality of the forms submitted so far and are extending the deadline to Friday 24 January in order to give the opportunity for more people to put themselves forward for nomination.
A short video explaining the work of the Nomination Committee and encouraging you to get involved is available here.
See attached for more details of positions saught and the process
Finally, in the Presbytery Prayer Calendar
Week starting January 19th Roslin
We remember in prayer this week the leadership and all involved in the life of this community.
Pray for the congregation as they look at and begin to discuss more the Presbytery plan for their future.
I look forward to supporting you as share Christ’s love and compassion in your neighbourhood.
-got thoughts on a mission project?
-need pulpit supply?
May you know God’s leading in all your prayers & plans for 2025.
Peter
Rev. Peter J. Wood
Mission Officer for Lothian & Borders Presbytery
