Dear Friends,
As a Presbytery, we share together in Christ’s work in this part of Scotland. Being part of something bigger draws us to give thanks for and encourage others– as we prepare for our next local church meeting or event, perhaps we take a moment to pray for a congregation in a different part of the Presbytery.
Together, we commit our work within the Church to our Lord and lean on his strength:
And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us,
And establish the work of our hands for us;
Yes, establish the work of our hands. (Psalm 90:17)
‘Life & Work’ – What next?
An online survey seeking views on a successor to Life & Work is now live and can be found on this link here:
“We’re looking for as many responses as possible from ministers and congregations.
At this stage we are asking for it not to be shared on public channels such as Church websites and social media as this is primarily seeking the views of our membership. Including it in printed Church newsletters would be helpful though, of course, the full URL would have to be included.
If there are any issues with accessing the survey please contact GSmith@churchofscotland.org.uk
Continuing Ministerial Development Day – New College, Edinburgh 23rd September (see link)
Another Continuing Ministerial Development Day for ministers and worship leaders at New College will take place on 23rd September from 12.30-5pm.
At the event, academics from Edinburgh’s School of Divinity and beyond will offer new thinking on the Gospels of Mark and John, the role of the Church in our digital age, how sport and religion might fruitfully interact, and what pastoral care for bilingual people might look like. It’s a rich array of topics relevant to ministry today.
The link to book through Eventbrite is here.
Women’s Conference, Gorebridge Parish Church, 26th September (see link)
‘Flourishing’ Women’s Conference will take place at Gorebridge Parish Church on 26th September from 9.30am to 4pm. Sue McKenzie will be the speaker and the day will include worship, seminars and much more. Tickets are £20. To book email: flourishingconf26@gmail.com or text 07969 269795
Hawick Joint Worship Celebration
Town wide open air service in the Volunteer Park Stand, Hawick on Sunday 30th August at 11.15am.
Seating is a hard bench so folk are encouraged to “bring a cushion”. This is a wonderful opportunity to come together to praise God as a community
Say You Served: Help Us Spread the Word- information from Veterans Scotland
With only 13,000 of Scotland’s 172,000 veterans currently recorded as veterans on their GP records, it is clear many former members of the Armed Forces may be missing opportunities to access the support and services available to them.
As part of a wider project aimed at improving GP sign-up to the Veterans Recognition Scheme, Veterans Scotland is launching our ‘Say You Served’ social media campaign, on Sunday 9 August, with the aim of encouraging veterans across Scotland to ensure they are registered as a veteran (Read Code 13Ji) with their local GP practice. We are not asking veterans to make a special trip to their surgery. Instead, we simply encourage them to let the reception team know about their Armed Forces service during their next visit, so their records can be updated accurately.
It only takes a moment, costs nothing, and could help veterans access the support and services available to them now, or in the future. Veterans served their country. Now we need to ensure their GP practice knows they served, so it can better support them.
We are asking all members, partners, and supporters to help amplify this important message. From 9 August onwards, please look out for the campaign on social media and share it widely through your own networks, organisations, colleagues, friends, family, and communities. Every share helps raise awareness, reach more veterans, and encourage them to take a simple step that could make a real difference to their future healthcare and wellbeing. Together, we can help ensure that those who have served are recognised within primary care and can access the support they have earned.
Please share the message: “Say You Served – It only takes a moment, costs nothing, and could help you access bespoke support and services. ” This will help us ensure no veteran misses out simply because their service has not been recorded.
Approvals given under delegated powers
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04/08/2026
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Presbytery Council
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Appoint Rev Dan Carmichael as Interim Moderator at Ettrick and Yarrow l/w Selkirk and Ashkirk until 30th September 2026 during the absence of Rev Dr Kwame Ahaligah
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04/08/2026
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Presbytery Council
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Appoint Mrs Fan Heafield as Interim Moderator at Hawick: Burnfoot until 30th September 2026 during the absence of Rev Dr Kwame Ahaligah
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04/08/2026
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Vacancy Procedure Committee
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Appoint Rev Graham Duffin to serve on the Vacancy Advisory Panel for Dryburgh District Churches, replacing Rev Alistair Cook
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02/08/2026
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Property Committee
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Grant approval to the congregation of Musselburgh: St Andrew’s High to draw down £4,626.00 from its capital holding in the Consolidated Fabric Fund for wind and watertight work at the Church.
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Presbytery Prayer Calendar
This week we continue to pray for our friends at Coldstream and District Churches linked with Eccles and Leitholm.
From Sunday 23rd August we pray for our friends at Dalkeith St John’s and Newton.
With many thanks for all you do and best wishes
Dan