Hello everyone,
Thank you for all your kind wishes last week. Knowing there are some significant changes ahead Presbytery Council have put in place some transitionary arrangements. Reverend John Cowie is going to act as temporary Presbytery Clerk on a 2 day a week contract that will initially run for 3 months and then be extended on a monthly basis as needed. John’s email is JCowie@churchofscotland.org.uk , he will also have access to the Presbytery email.
John is a very experienced minister who in his time has been minister of Stockbridge in Edinburgh, Amsterdam in the Netherlands and was for a time Presbytery Clerk of Europe. He also acted as temporary Clerk for Forth Valley and Clyde last year when they were looking for a new Clerk. In other words, he knows what he is doing. Hopefully that will give you all some reassurance for the future. He is starting next Monday so we have some handover. John intends to come along to a variety of events such as induction/ordinations/committee meetings/Presbytery Council and Presbytery itself. Presbytery is in good hands.
Please welcome him when you see him and keep him in your prayers.
I never used a work mobile, 07787421234 was/is my personal number and I intend on keeping it. We are sourcing a new Presbytery phone number which we will let you all know as soon as we get it.
Other than all that it is business as usual.
On Thursday night [6th November] at 6.45pm, Presbytery meets for the ordination and induction of Sarah Cook to Jedburgh and Oxnam linked with Ale and Teviot United. Whilst we would love to see you all there, if you live within 10 miles there is a higher level of expectation on you to come along. Induction is a significant moment with Ordination being even more significant. It would be good to show Sarah a good Lothian and Borders welcome by being there to support her.
The following Thursday night [13th November] at 6.45pm Presbytery meets for the induction of Reverend Christopher Watt into Newbattle St Nicholas Buccleuch. Again a hugely significant occasion and one we would ask you to support by coming along.
Then the Thursday night ]20th November]nafter that we are again meeting at 6.45pm but in Fogo Parish Church for the linking of Fogo with Ayton and District linked with Berwick St Andrews Wallace Green and Lowick.
For each of these congregations these events are the conclusion of one part of their journey and the start of another.
All around us we see change yet the constant in them all is Jesus because he is the same yesterday, today and forever. We serve the same Saviour our forefathers did and our decedents will. I’m quite looking forward to meeting all the different followers of Jesus in heaven and hearing their story. It’s going to be fascinating!!!
We are asked to remember Innerleithen, Traquair & Walkerburn in prayer this week.
We remember this week the leadership and all involved in the life of this community.
Pray for our ‘Church Wednesdays’ group, which meets to explore faith and discipleship together and wisdom for our Kirk Session as we review our model of pastoral care.
Decisions under powers in the last few weeks are below:
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23/09/2025 |
Vacancy Procedure Committee |
Appoint Rev G Glover to take over from Rev V Linford as Interim Moderator at Earlston and Mr Billy Anderson to be Assistant IM |
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30/09/2025 |
Presbytery Council |
Agree to the appointment of Rev Geoff Berry as Locum in North Berwick Abbey linked with Dirleton |
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02/10/2025 |
Vacancy Procedure Committee |
Appoint Rev Jim Watson to follow Rev Gordon Stevenson as IM at Dunglass until Rev Susie Fletcher returns from being off. |
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15/10/2025 |
Presbytery Council |
Via email vote on 15th October 2025, Presbytery Council reaffirmed its support for the ongoing project in Blindwells and the resultant Seeds for Growth application. |
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29/10/2025 |
Vacancy Procedure Committee |
Appoint Rev Keith Mack as Interim Moderator at Loanhead and Bilston from 1st February 2026 on the retirement of Reverend Graham Duffin |
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30/10/2025 |
Presbytery Clerk |
Appoint Reverend Malcolm Ramsay as Mentor to Reverend Christopher Watt on his induction |
There are a lot of items we have been asked to advertise this week. They are below in the order they have come in. Please read them, share them and if something inspires you, go along. Pay particular attention to the day of prayer because we live and breathe prayer as Christians.
As always, God bless you all in what you are doing. May you know a close presence with God in the coming days and may you be inspired to speak to others about Jesus and his Church.
Share these emails widely, they are meant for everyone and if you really don’t like it just press DELETE. If you have any ideas on how we can be a better Presbytery, please let us know.
God Bless
Norman Smith
Presbytery Clerk
Emailed to: those with a Church of Scotland email address, Session Clerks and members of the Nomination Committee – please forward this information and discuss with others
Dear fellow members of the Church of Scotland,
The Church is going through a time of significant change, locally, regionally and nationally.
The people who make the decisions about the Church nationally include staff, those who attend the General Assembly, and those who, between times, make time to participate in a national group or committee. The Nomination Committee now needs your active support to find the right people to serve on these groups and committees.
Maybe you, or someone you know, have the potential to rise to the occasion. We are looking for people with vision and determination, who are willing to help our Church in the years ahead as we work our way through the challenges and the necessary restructuring to make the Church of Scotland fit for the future. A short video, accessible here, explains the process in further detail.
Those who wish to serve are invited to complete an online nomination form, accessible here on the Church of Scotland website, with someone – from their local congregation or Presbytery – saying they support the nomination. We ask you to complete the form because the more relevant information we have, the better we can do our job of placing people on the various groups and committees. If you encounter any difficulties in completing the form, you may wish to seek assistance from a trusted individual, such as your Minister.
Serving nationally is a good way of getting to know the Church better and engaging with others from across the country and beyond. While it needs commitment and can be demanding, it is a real opportunity to extend one’s Christian service and witness.
It should be noted that, due to the high expectations placed on Candidates in Training, Probationers and Ministers in their first year following ordination, they are not normally invited to serve on committees.
Nominations must reach us by Sunday 18 January 2026. We will treat the forms confidentially and consider them carefully. We meet on Thursday 5 and Friday 6 February 2026 and those selected will then be contacted. This is to seek permission from the individual for their name to go to the General Assembly in May 2026 for approval. Appointments commence after the General Assembly.
Not everyone will be asked to serve, or sometimes they may be asked if they are willing to serve on a committee or group other than those they have mentioned on their form.
We are keen to receive nominations from a broad representation across the church and depend on you and others spreading the word and actively encouraging involvement.
Any queries on the nomination process should be emailed to nominations@churchofscotland.org.uk
Many thanks,
Rev Dr Andrew Gardner
Convener of the Nomination Committee
07411989344
Dear friends,
Stewart and Carol Henderson, along with Yvonne Lyon, will be premiering their new album/book in a rich tapestry of poetry and song called “The Last Brightness of Everything”. Diane and I witnessed the first performance at Keswick last year and finally the album is ready for release. I would be so grateful if you would share the details of this event with friends and church family. Come along and be transported into the wonder of creation, of the universe around us and the God who made it all.
I have linked two PowerPoint slides that cover the details.
Here is the Eventbrite link if people wish to buy tickets in advance though tickets (suggested donation £10/£5) can be made on the night at the door:
Facebook promo is available to share here:
https://www.facebook.com/gorepc
Website information is available here:
https://www.gorepc.com/about-5-3
Many thanks in advance,
Yours in Jesus,
Mark.
This email is sent to those with a Church of Scotland email address – the circulation list used here is a combination of existing church email distribution groups. Please do discuss with others.
Dear Friends and Colleagues
I hope this message finds you well and encouraged in your ministry. As you might be aware, Seeds for Growth, the grant funding mechanism put in place by the Assembly Trustees to support fresh expressions of ministry and mission has undergone some changes over recent months. Whilst the funding situation of the Church has resulted in a decrease in the available budget, the Committee is delighted to announce that Seeds for Growth is open to new applications for funding in 2026.
About Seeds for Growth
Seeds for Growth is a Church of Scotland fund designed to support the numerical and spiritual growth of our Church through:
(i) Developing mission through new worshipping communities
(ii) Developing and nurturing faith in those under the age of 40, and
(iii) Fostering discipleship and revitalisation within established congregations, with the aim of growing an existing congregation or developing a new worshipping community.
Funding Levels Available
We are currently offering three levels of funding to support your missional vision:
Level 1: Up to £1,000 We support one off missional events, and also particularly want to support applications for training on exploring what it means to be contextually and practically missional in contemporary Scotland. This level of grant is also ideal for conducting a community audit to assess the assets and challenges in your local area, helping you shape ministry that genuinely engages with your community’s needs and opportunities.
Level 2: Up to £10,000 These applications provide an opportunity to implement a missional project based on the training, listening, and missional thinking that has already taken place in your congregation. This is where ideas become action as you find new ways to engage meaningfully with your community.
Level 3: Up to £40,000 per year (maximum three years) Applications are invited for longer-term mission opportunities that are expected to be self-sustaining at the end of Seeds for Growth funding. If you are considering a Level 3 application, we encourage you to complete an initial proposal form, available from grants@churchofscotland.org.uk.
An Invitation to Mission
We are passionate about encouraging mission and long to see congregations and new worshipping communities engaging actively with their parishes and flourishing. Whether you’re taking first steps in missional thinking or ready to launch a significant new initiative, Seeds for Growth is here to support you.
For more information and to apply, please visit: https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/resources/grants-and-funding/seeds-for-growth or contact grants@churchofscotland.org.uk
We look forward to hearing about the creative and Spirit-led ways God is calling you to reach out in mission.
With every blessing,
Jamie Milliken
Convener, Seeds for Growth
Church of Scotland Day of Prayer
Saturday 29 November has been set aside as a special day for us to gather—in different places, at different times, and in different ways—to pray for our church.
More information is available here.
Our hope is that churches and people across our nation and nations will use this opportunity to come together in prayer. The day will run from 11am to 8pm, and we encourage every congregation to find an hour that works for them.
There’s something powerful about people gathering in their local place of worship, but if that’s not possible, we’ll be livestreaming the first and hopefully the last hour so everyone can take part wherever they are.
We pray God’s richest blessing on this significant day.
Vivid Vision
The Vivid Vision resource was created to engage hearts and spark conversation—helping individuals and congregations reflect on this question: “What does it mean for us to be the Church, the people of God, in the places He has called us?”
It’s not the answer to all our challenges, but an invitation to dream together about what our church and nation could begin to look like by 2027 as God works through us in our communities.
If you haven’t yet explored the materials with your Kirk Session or congregation, may I encourage you to plan to do so early in 2026. An encouraging way to start the New Year.
You can find the full resources here.
Hi there,
Would you be willing to include the following in an upcoming Presbytery newsletter or similar, please? A good friend of mine who is a pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA) is hoping to do a pulpit swap with a minister in Scotland next summer, which could be in an urban or rural location. I’ve linked some words from myself and linked his own short description, both with contact details. Feel free to edit if needs be, and if any further info is needed, let me know.
Many thanks,
Sandy
Rev Dr Alexander Forsyth | Director of Studies for Ministry | Faith Action (People & Training), The Church of Scotland
Moderator of the Presbytery of Edinburgh & West Lothian 2025-6
Dear Norm,
Greetings from the Orkneys. I trust you are well and still coping with the changes that will be coming your way.
I am writing to ask you to circulate the attached leaflet within your presbytery. It concerns the upcoming Conference of the Scottish Church Theological Society, of which I am the secretary (in what remains of my free time), scheduled for January 2026.
This year’s theme, “Theology and Music,” promises to be of wide interest, not just to ministers. We have an excellent lineup of speakers, and the hotel at Stirling University always takes great care of us.
Best regards,
John
Rev Dr John Cowie