Dear Friends
As we continue to pray for peace in the Middle East and for our Christian sisters & brothers in Gaza, the West Bank & Israel so we recognise that although we share one Lord & saviour we express our faith in different ways and in different languages. It was at Pentecost with the coming of the Holy Spirit that people started praising God in different languages. An overflowing joy that was for everyone. The power of the gospel is that it is for everyone whatever their background, their culture or education or language. When people hear the gospel in their own language they -like the folks in Jerusalem in Acts 2 -are amazed and are moved and are often prompted to ask questions.
Pentecost is a great occasion to celebrate the different ways that together we can praise our Lord as we celebrate the birthday of the church. Some people celebrate with dancing; baptising; anointing; praying together; wearing bright coloured clothes; birthday cakes; goose; picnic; BBQ…
In Italy, in some places it is a tradition to scatter rose leaves from the ceiling of churches to recall the miracle of the fiery tongues. In France, trumpets are blown during the Mass to recall the sound "as of a driving wind,"
May the Spirit of Jesus animate and inhabit your worship wherever you are!
Pentecost Resources & ideas…
- All Age talk
https://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/2016/05/pentecost-pass-parcel-all-age-talk.html
- All age service from the Bible Society
https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/content/resources/easter/2022_general/pop_up_pentecost_script_03.pdf
- Prayer Stations
https://buildfaith.org/intergenerational-prayer-stations-for-pentecost/
Preparing for Pentecost > https://www.thykingdomcome.global/
- Flying Kites
-give out kites to families to be flown. Talk about the wind of the Spirit
https://davidssales.co.uk/p1.asp?cat=254005049
- Trails > Muddy Church
https://www.muddychurch.co.uk/pentecost-trail-and-resources & https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/472666923372803942/
- Lego story https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjA_rB3eYes
- https://www.brf.org.uk/product/pentecost-seven-signs-of-the-spirit-a-reflective-story/
- Download a paper Pentecost Candle with multiple languages
https://www.sunhatsandwellieboots.com/2021/05/paper-pentecost-candle-celebrating-with.html
- Celebrating the church’s birthday
https://thebillabong.info/lectionary/ideas-for-pentecost/pentecost-birthday-party/
- Brief article on how Pentecost is celebrated in the Middle East by Christians there.
https://embraceme.org/blog/pentecost-in-the-middle-east
- Video: What happened at Pentecost & why its important > 6 minute video from the Bible Project
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQhkWmFJKnA&t=42s
- Prayer from the PCUSA for Pentecost. Attached.
- Consider an ecumenical joint activity?
Christian Aid week is May 11th to 17th
Founded by British and Irish churches to help refugees following the Second World War Christian Aid has been going now for 80 years.
https://www.christianaid.org.uk/get-involved-locally/scotland
Christian Aid kilt Walk Edinburgh is September 14th
Be part of the Christian Aid Edinburgh Kiltwalk.
Leslie Milton is the leader and is doing the Mighty Stride (20 miles) starting 9am.
I am walking the Big Stroll (11 miles) which starts at 1000am. We meet at St.Andrew’s, High, Mussselburgh before walking for a short act of worship.
Sign up at https://thekiltwalk.co.uk/events/edinburgh
Contact AMilton@churchofscotland.org.uk for more information about being part of the group.
General Assembly 2025
Reports can now be found at https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/about-us/general-assembly/general-assembly-2025/reports-and-additional-documents
Pray for Rosie Frew as she starts her year as Moderator and for Norman Smith selected to be one of her chaplains. Rosie recently reflected upon her life and ministry through the years in this article for Ascend
Know your community
A free seminar led by Priority Areas
Wednesday June 11th 1000-1500 at Coldstream
See attached
‘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
Magnitude Festival for Young People
CofS village at Magnitude 2025
Held at Lendrick Muir in Kinross from Sat 19 to Wed 23 July
Magnitude is for 11 to 18 year olds. Youth groups are invited to come along and join others from across the Church of Scotland. Bring leaders, young people and some tents and we will provide a marquee, catering (breakfasts, lunch and evening meals) and a hoodie. In addition to the festival cost, there will be an extra £40 charge for the CofS village which will be invoiced after the event.
Contact Andy Haddow who is going from our Presbytery. AHaddow@churchofscotland.org.uk
Flyer attached
Stage n Slam at Gorebridge
A great week of fun, learning & activities for young people. It is running this year on July 14-18th
Watch the wee video as Joel shares the vision and background to the festival. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkDNpAFU7nE
Or contact joel@gorepc.com
Prospects across Scotland: Autism in the Church Family May 26th an online seminar
https://ascend.churchofscotland.org.uk/events/prospects-across-scotland-autism-in-the-church-family/
Presbytery Prayer Calendar
We continue through this week to pray for Channelkirk and Lauder
Then Week beginning May 11th we pray for Cheviot Churches
We remember in prayer this week the leadership and all involved in the life of this community.
We especially remember and ask prayer for the proposed linkage of Cheviot & Kelso Old/ Sprouston Churches.
May you know God’s indwelling love and power in all you do in his name this week
Love & prayers
Peter
Prayer for Pentecost
Exuberant spirit of God
Bursting with the brightness of flame
Into the coldness of our lives
To warm us with a passion for justice and beauty
We praise you!
Exuberant Spirit of God
Sweeping us out of the dusty corners of our apathy
To breathe vitality into our struggles for change
We praise you!
Exuberant Spirit of God
Speaking words that leap over barriers of mistrust
To convey messages of truth and new understanding
We praise you!
Exuberant Spirit of God
Flame
Wind
Speech
Burn
Breathe
Speak
In us
Fill your world with justice and joy.
From Jan Berry, United Reformed Church
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
