Dear Friends
Blindwells
Many of you will have noticed as you drive East down the A1 past Tranent big signs on your left flagging major new housing developments. Local churches have been working hard at the largest of these, Blindwells, to build relations with developers and the council as well as deliver a range of monthly activities for new residents. Having helped initiate the opening of a community portacabin the churches believe now is the time to take the project to the next level and with the help of Seeds for Growth get a worker in on the ground. The goal being the establishment of a new Christian community there. The application, which is going in this week, envisages several stages to the project but with relationships with God and with others at its heart.
This is a massive undertaking for the local churches as Blindwells is planned over time to rise to be a settlement of 6000+ houses. Please pray for the core team, the application and the local churches as they shift their mindset towards the emergence of this new place. If you want to know more or to know how pray or to support the work there do get in touch.
NOTE! > Easter Video Competition for Young People
Closing date is Sunday March 23rd
Local Mission > Storytelling & looking ahead
We look forward to meeting to hear stories of recipients of Seeds for Growth awards, from the Good Ideas Fund & from the Intern Scheme. In the second half of the evening we’ll chat about ‘what could be’ so do come with a group and with some ideas…
Come for food and chat at 6 or arrive at 7 just in time for the presentations. If coming for food do let me know. These gatherings are happening in Bonnyrigg at the Pitcairn Centre on Weds March 26th and then at St. Pauls in Gala on May 6th. Which venue suits you best?
Growing Young
> A new cohort is starting in June. Speak with the Mission Officer about your church taking part.
Presbytery Pilgrimage Mon March 31st -Saturday April 5th
We are walking the Borders Abbeys Way anti-clockwise starting and finishing at Melrose Abbey.
To book your place & for more information contact pwood@churchofscotland.org.uk
BBC Question time in Galashiels
How do I apply for FREE studio tickets?
Visit www.bbc.co.uk/debatenight and click ‘Apply to the Audience’.
“Filling out the online application takes two minutes! It's also accessible via mobile or tablet.
If you would like to attend with somebody, please ask them to apply too.
Why be part of the audience?
Debate Night is the only television programme of its kind in Scotland. It gives you the opportunity to put your questions to the country’s decision-makers and public figures.
We want people from all walks of life. You might be a parent, a carer or a student? Perhaps you run a business or are a frontline worker? Retired, self-employed, unemployed or just starting out in the workplace - we need you.”
New! Church of Scotland Apprenticeship Route into Ministry
- A two-year programme as part of a small-team of apprentices, working and learning in a hub with the support of experienced mentors
- On-the-job experience with a wide range of taste-and-see opportunities of what ministry in all its forms might look like for you
- An introduction to some biblical and theological learning
- Two years to let God shape you more and more into the person you're becoming
A tremendous opportunity, for sure, and with an annual salary of £21,000 and contract of employment such that it that might be exactly right for you.
We're looking for people who (unless in exceptional circumstances) are between the ages of 18-40
Zoominar intros
The webinar will be hosted on Zoom and you can join one of the sessions using the links below which are specific to each date and time:
Monday 17th March, 7-8pm –
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88697250288?pwd=lBGk2jsJbc0eqTCYmDVfmvck8LaCgX.1
WEBINAR 1, passcode: 317192
Thursday 20th March, 10-11pm –
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87134948495?pwd=CgRaxhNI1xqa4UpNqvufHJNKfjoERI.1
WEBINAR 2, passcode 510781
Thursday 20th March, 3-4pm –
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86132603745?pwd=o7yYcx0KSPUzQEXbGDTWkAB4Nvb0cC.1
WEBINAR 3, passcode 458047
Church of Scotland Learning launched three new modules suitable for everyone, including
-Navigating Your Way Through Change,
-Future Focus—The Way Ahead &
-Being an Intergenerational Church.
Church of Scotland Learning is a free, internet-based learning platform for Church of Scotland members. more details here - https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/resources/church-of-scotland-learning
NEW Bearing Fruit: A Finance tool to help your congregation sustain its financial viability
African Youth Choir
On Monday 7th April there is to be a concert by the Ubuntu African Christian Youth Choir in St.Andrews, Wallace Green – this promises to be a really uplifting musical event. This concert is sponsored by Churches Together in Berwick and tickets cost £5 and £1 for children. These must be bought online and cannot be acquired at the door – click here for information. The organisers of the tour are looking for a number of hosts who can put up 2 or 3 members of the choir for the 3 nights of their visit to the town and also for some helpers on the night of the concert. If you can assist, please let me know. Adam Hood
Anna Chaplaincy is about offering spiritual care in later life
Introduction on Zoom April 7th
-See attached
For anyone interested in finding out more about Anna Chaplaincy, regular ‘Introduction’ Zoom presentations are held throughout the year, the next one being on Monday 7 April. To request further information, please email annachaplaincy@brf.org.uk explaining that you are part of Lothian & Borders Presbytery.
Borderlands Men’s Christian Connections
Annual Conference Sat. Sept 20th at Ednam, Kelso.
Praise & Curry Night in Ednam on April 11th
Abuse in Religious Contexts: comparative perspectives and future implications
New College Research Seminar – Thursday 27 March, 4:10pm Martin Hall
Professor Gordon Lynch
The Abuse in Religious Contexts project is a major AHRC-funded study, led by Gordon Lynch, which has been one of the first internationally to explore personal, organisational and policy issues relating to abuse across a range of religious groups and settings. As findings from the project continue to be reported through the spring of 2025, this session will provide an overview of key findings from some of its individual studies as well as exploring overarching themes and issues that arise from the project. These will include differences between abuse in religious and non-religious settings, the value of developing comparative frameworks for understanding abuse across different religious contexts and implications for future work in this area.
Attached
- Information on Anna Chaplaincy
- Praise Night in Tranent March 23rd
Finally
It’s not easy keeping life simple, uncluttered and free.
Any stories or inspirations you have come across this Lent so far?
I’m loving Malcolm Guite’s ‘Word in the Wilderness’
A Prayer for Lent
God of all seasons
In your pattern of things
There is a time for keeping
And a time for losing
A time for building up
And a time for pulling down.
In this holy season of Lent
As we journey with our Lord to the cross
Help us to discern in our lives
What we must lay down
And what we must take up
What we must end
And what we must begin.
(From The Book of Common Order)
Presbytery Prayer Calendar
This week we continue to pray for Belhaven & Spott
Week beginning March 23rd Berwick Upon Tweed & Lowick
We remember in prayer this week the leadership and all involved in the life of this community.
Please pray for our forthcoming linkage to Ayton & District and Fogo: That discussions about the practicalities will go well and that the new arrangements will be a source of mutual strength and encouragement for all.
Have a peaceful week with space to stop and reflect and to know God alongside in all things.
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