Dear Friends
Inviting engagement
Whilst I was standing in Cineworld waiting for my son to see the epic film ‘The Odyssey’ I spotted an invitation to church! The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) met there every Sunday for worship -screen 6! How interesting! Besides the question of buildings it made me think about invitations.
Do we invite people to church or, do we, in our worship, have space for commitment or recommitment to following Jesus or to going deeper in faith or to loving our neighbours etc. As a parish minister when we had people joining the church and/or professing faith we always offered space to everyone present to turn towards God in one way or another by doing something publicly. It was a great time and regularly I was surprised by what happened! Do you do this in worship? I ask because I believe that there are people waiting to be asked. Jesus says more than once in the gospel ‘Come to me…’
Closing date for applications is today! Apply or pray!!!
Youth Leaders Network September 12th
If you are helping work with young people fantastic! We want to invite you to gather at St.Andrew, Blackadder in North Berwick from 1000-1300 for a morning of sharing and encouragement. Lunch is provided.
Dale Puckett is coming from YouthHope (see details here), an organisation dedicated to equipping and training people in Youth Ministry.
East Lothian Street Pastors (ELSP)
Newly formed ELSP invite you to an information evening on September 10th at 19:00 in Wallyford Community Church.
In addition would you be willing to allocate them 5 mins during one of your worship services (ideally before the 10th Sept) they could do a short introductory talk about East Lothian Street Pastors.
They are keen to recruit both those willing to go out on the streets in East Lothian as well as prayer partners.
They are really keen that all churches in East Lothian are represented.
Contact the Secretary Tommy Nelson for more information secretary@elsp.org.uk
Praise, Prayer & Fellowship with Open Doors Sunday 6 September, 6 pm Dunbar Parish Church Hall Dunbar Parish Church, Belhaven & Spott, and Traprain Parish Church are coming together to host an evening of praise, prayer and fellowship, highlighting the global work of Open Doors and its support for persecuted Christians around the world. We are delighted to welcome a guest speaker who will share from his own lived experience of the persecuted Church overseas and the work of Open Doors. All welcome!
Summer Reading:
‘Into all the Parish’ by Greg Bakker & Tina Hodgett, Church House Publishing 2026
Drawing heavily on their experience of Parish ministry this little book is easy to read and full of ideas and tools for mission. It is based on the short CMS course ‘Pioneering Parishes’ that the two authors have successfully run for a number of years.
As Mission Officer I would be happy to come and lead a session from the book.
https://www.eden.co.uk/christian-books/the-church/church-life/into-all-the-parish/
PLEASE > Life & Work -Members Survey. Short survey.
An online survey seeking views on a successor to Life & Work is now live and can be found on this link here:
Church of Scotland Member’s Survey
“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.” Graeme Smith, Comms, CoS.
If there are any issues with accessing the survey please contact GSmith@churchofscotland.org.uk
Hawick South Church are looking for a locum to work with them.
This friendly congregation are on a journey. Could you come alongside for a period?
It’s Sundays and two days a week pastoral cover. If you are interested please speak with Sheila Moir the Interim Moderator SMoir@churchofscotland.org.uk
We are delighted to have Tara Curlewis, one of our Presbytery Mission Partners with us from Thursday Aug 27th until Sunday 6th September.
Hear her speak about her unique role in Rome…on Wednesday lunchtime in Melrose; Thursday afternoon café church in Carlops; Friday in Peebles Old or at Presbytery on Saturday.
The Season of Creation begins tomorrow!
Eco-congregation are offering lots of ways of engaging with the world around us in worship and mission.
https://ecocongregationscotland.org/resources/season-of-creation-2026/
Church Scotland Learning Newsletter Linked Here
Be introduced to the Learn Platform -Sept 9th
You can join our live event on 9th September at 1pm to walk through the new platform, understand why we’ve made these updates, ask questions and discover what’s still to come. (👉Click here to RSVP)
St. Kentigern Way Pilgrimage Walk Sept 19th
Innerleithen, Traquair & Walkerburn Parish Church is inviting our friends in the Presbytery to join us for a pilgrim walk along part of the St. Kentigern Way that crosses our Parish. This will be on Saturday 19th September. This section will start near Dryhope Tower (St. Mary’s Loch) and finish at Traquair Kirk. Walkers are requested to arrive/park at the car park at the Traquair Kirk graveyard by 09.15. Please bring plenty snacks and drinks and suitable footwear etc. A minibus will take walkers to the start at St. Mary’s Loch. There will be a charge and the cost will be confirmed before the day. At the end of the walk, there will be refreshments in Traquair Kirk.
If you wish to register for the walk (we will need to know how many folk will be walking), or for more information, then please contact Heather Martin (email: martheather@gmail.com; mobile: 07789499382).
‘Flourishing’ A Day Women’s Conference at Gorebridge on Saturday Sept 26th
Speaker > Sue McKenzie. Tickets are £20.
To book email: flourishingconf26@gmail.com or text 07969 269795
Transform Trade: No more profit from harm campaign
The campaign is calling for a new UK law to hold businesses accountable for human rights abuses and environmental harm in their global supply chains – helping ensure that the people who produce the food we eat and clothes we wear are treated with fairness, and that our environment is protected.
It’s an issue which speaks strongly to the Church’s commitment to justice, care for our neighbours and the integrity of creation, and we’re working alongside a number of other organisations with a similar ethos including Christian Aid and the Fairtrade Foundation.
Order a free pack by Sept 10th
https://action.transform-trade.org/church-no-more-profit-harm
https://action.transform-trade.org/order-your-campaign-pack
A Reflective Morning 3rd October
Following last Advent’s event, Lammermuir Church are offering another Reflective Morning on Saturday, 3rd October, 9.30am-12.30pm, in Humbie Kirk and Stables. This time the theme will be ‘Who knows what tomorrow will bring: seeking happiness’. It will include various options, including guided reflections on biblical characters, walks, drawing and writing, and space for personal reflection in the church.
Feedback for last year’s event included ‘How wonderful it was – thoughtful, mind provoking, intimate’ and ‘A lovely way to take time away from the outside world. An ideal location to take time out.‘ Our lovely catering team will be involved again, too.
Warm drinks and baking provided throughout the morning. Suggested donation £10.
Please book your place with Aniko at anikosb@churchofscotland.org.uk.
Presbytery Messy Church Gathering > Thursday October 22nd
We gather at 630-9pm in Duns Church to share stories, learn together and worship.
New College Ministerial Development Day for Ministers and Worship Leaders
23rd September 1230-1700
The link to book through Eventbrite is here.
Green investment show for churches
Multi-agency presence
October 2nd St. Augustine’s, Church, Edinburgh.
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/operationnoah/2246078
Bible Society Regional Gathering in Edinburgh Weds Oct 28th
A National Church of Scotland Day of Prayer Saturday October 31st
“On Saturday 31 October, we’re inviting as many people in the Church of Scotland as possible to join in with praying for our Church and praying for our communities. We’d love to see congregations, presbyteries and small groups get together for one hour that day to pray – and for individuals who can’t connect to something in their area to join in with some things offered nationally online.
It could be a led service of prayer and reflection. It could be a group prayer gathering. It could be a time with interactive prayer stations. In the coming weeks, we’ll be producing resources for churches and presbyteries for all these different ways to pray. We’ll also share details of how people can connect online with a national coming together for prayer for those who want to do that instead or as well. It may be that you don’t need or want any of that, and you’d rather just pray your way as a church. Great! Please though, do join in with praying together on that date.”
Scott McRoberts FAPLT
A Day for Worship Leaders in Perth on 26th September 1015-1600
Organised by the Church Service Society
Morning symposium the shape, the history, the language of worship
Principal Alison Jack, New College, University of Edinburgh
Professor Susan Hardman Moore, formerly New College
Rev Dr Liam Fraser, former Convener Theological Forum
See link
New College Festival of Books & Belief Nov 6-7th
https://divinity.ed.ac.uk/new-college-festival/programme?utm_campaign=
Finally in the Presbytery Prayer Calendar
We continue to pray for young people in our churches and schools.
Then from Sunday we pray for our friends at Dirleton and at North Berwick:Abbey
“Please pray for the Nominating Committee as they seek the right person to lead the two congregations forward. And may church members and adherents grow in a gentle passion for Christ and his rule in our community and far beyond.”
May God’s Spirit fill you with boldness and grace as you live the good news of Jesus!
Love and prayers
Peter
Rev. Peter J. Wood
Mission Officer for Lothian & Borders Presbytery