THE PARISH OF BOWDEN & MELROSE

Photo by Ogilvie Dickson

December 2014,

January & February 2015

BOWDEN & MELROSE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

Church Office

Weirhill, St Mary’s Road

MelroseTD6 9LJ

Tel: 01896 823339

Email bowden.melrosepc@btinternet.com

Website www.bowdenandmelroseparish.org

Scottish Charity No SC006480

MINISTER REV A. G. BENNETT

The Manse, Tweedmount Road,

Melrose

TEL

822217

SESSION CLERK A. L. RINTOUL

Kirklea, Ashkirk, Selkirk

01750 32289

TREASURER

TREASURER FOR

F.W.O/GIFT AID

A.S. O’NEIL

4 The Stables, Buccleuch Chase

St Boswells, Melrose

01835 823037

CONVENER FOR

F.W.O./GIFT AID

I. E. PURVES

Avenel, Gattonside, Melrose

822316

FABRIC CONVENER A. J. E. MATTHEW

The Gables, Gattonside, Melrose

822678

CHURCH SECRETARY/

ROLLKEEPER

GIFT AID SECRETARY

J. BENNETT

H. CHISHOLM

OFFICE

823339

OFFICE

823339

ORGANIST &

CHOIRMASTER

J. MARSHALL

24 Tower Street, Selkirk

01750 21563

ASSISTANT ORGANIST

& CHOIRMASTER

J. G. A. LETHAM

16 Abbotsferry Road, Tweedbank

756554

CHURCH OFFICER Y. YOUNG

Tweedsyde, Tweedmount Road

Melrose

822774

November 2014

Dear Friends, At the November Celebration of Holy Communion in Melrose I commented that in years past it would not have seemed inappropriate to have placed a sign on the church door reading “Members Only”. Many of you will remember the days of a Communicants Class as a requisite before being able to receive Holy Communion, and Communion Cards which had to be handed in for attendance to be recorded. Such attendance was required in order to remain on the membership roll of the congregation and, technically, lack of attendance or support for the church’s work could result in removal from membership. Today matters are more relaxed with Holy Communion being offered to all who wish to receive. At the same time “membership” has become less popular within the church but also of many other organisations. People are happy to participate, to be involved and supportive without the need for formal membership. In a sense commitment becomes more important than membership. I also received recently a copy of a letter sent by a minister to his very lively congregation in Northern Ireland in which he described the position of adherents and members. Adherents in the Northern Ireland situation resemble being a member of a parish in the Scottish situation. By that I mean that all are welcome to worship, other church activities, and would receive the services and support of the church when requested. Nothing is required or asked of them in return. By contrast membership, while offering all the above, does require a commitment to worship and support, including financial, of the church’s work. All those receiving the letter had the opportunity to decide to which group they wished to belong. Interestingly, it resulted in an increase in membership and an even livelier church. This leads me to make two points. We have a considerable number of people who worship regularly and are involved in other church activities but who have never formally become members although they make think they are! The Kirk Session, at a recent meeting, agreed that we should have a Service of Commitment, perhaps annually, in which all can make a commitment to the worship and work of the church for the year ahead. Such an act of commitment would in itself confer membership on those who desired it and are not presently members. The second and less important point is that only members can participate in the nominating procedure for a minister in the event of a vacancy. This should not be interpreted as intimation of any imminent retirement on my part!! The season of Advent is also the beginning of the Church year and so a suitable time for such an Act of Commitment as we look ahead. I propose to give such an opportunity at the Family Service in Melrose on 7th December, at Bowden on 14th December and at Melrose on 21sDecember. As we prepare for the celebration of Christmas it gives all of us an opportunity to renew our commitment as we give thanks for the long and rich history of the Church in this parish but look also in hope to the future. Wishing you a peaceful and joyful Christmas and New Year. Yours sincerely, Alistair Bennett

An Invitation to Holy Communion

Last Sunday in December, January and February

9.30a.m. Bowden Kirk

Calendar of Events Sunday 7th December 9.30a.m. Morning Worship, Bowden 2nd in Advent Rev. Dr. Richard Gordon 10.00a.m. Family Service, Melrose Gift Sunday & Act of Commitment 11.00a.m. Morning Worship, Melrose Thursday 5th December Guild Christmas Lunch Friday 12th December 10.00a.m. St. Mary’s School Carol Service 7.00p.m. Darnick Carol Singing Friday 12th December 7.30p.m. Melrose Music Society Maxwell String Quartet Saturday 13th December 6.30p.m. Melrose Community Carol Singing Market Square Sunday 14th December 9.30a.m. Morning Worship, Bowden Act of Commitment 3rd in Advent 11.00a.m. Morning Worship, Melrose 7.30p.m. Eildon Singers Concert Wednesday 17th December 11.00a.m. Bowden Community Café 11.45a.m. Mid-Week Worship in the Chapel 12.15p.m. Christmas Lunch Friday 19th December 9.30a.m. Melrose PS Christmas Service Sunday 21st December 9.30a.m. Morning Worship, Bowden 4th in Advent 11.00a.m. Morning Worship, Melrose Act of Commitment 6.30p.m. Bowden Carol Singing Wednesday 24th December 6.00p.m. Christingle Service, Melrose Christmas Eve 11.15p.m. Watchnight Service, Bowden 11.15p.m. Watchnight Service, Melrose Wednesday 25th December 9.30a.m Family Worship, Bowden Christmas Day 11.00a.m. Family Worship, Melrose

Sunday 28th December 9.30a.m. Morning Worship, Bowden Sacrament of Holy Communion 11.00a.m. Morning Worship, Melrose Sacrament of Baptism Sunday 4th January 9.30a.m. Morning Worship, Bowden 11.00a.m. Morning Worship, Melrose Sunday 11th January 9.30a.m. Morning Worship, Bowden Rev. Philip Blackledge 10.00a.m. Family Service, Melrose 11.00a.m. Morning Worship, Melrose Thursday 15th January 2.30p.m. Guild: “Visit to Malawi” Nancy McNicol and Eelin McIvor Friday 16th January 7.30p.m. Melrose Music Society

Gould Piano Trio Sunday 18th January 9.30a.m. Morning Worship, Bowden 11.00a.m. Morning Worship, Melrose Wednesday 21st January 11.00a.m. Bowden Community Café Sunday 25th January 9.30a.m. Morning Worship, Bowden 11.00a.m. Morning Worship, Melrose Sacrament of Holy Communion Wednesday 28th January 11.45a.m. Mid-week Worship in the Chapel 12.15p.m. Mid-week Lunch

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Sunday 1st February 9.30a.m. Morning Worship, Bowden 11.00a.m. Morning Worship, Melrose Thursday 5th February 2.30p.m. Guild: “Chair obics” Val Steel 7.30p.m. Melrose Music Society Adams and Wright Sunday 8th February 9.30a.m. Morning Worship, Bowden Rev. Philip Blackledge 10.00a.m Family Service, Melrose 11.00a.m. Morning Worship, Melrose Sunday 15th February 9.30a.m. Morning Worship, Bowden 11.00a.m. Morning Worship, Melrose Very Rev. David Arnott Wednesday 18th February 11.00a.m. Bowden Community Café Thursday 19th February 2.30p.m. Guild: “Blythswood Care” Margaret Tooth Saturday 21st February 7.00p.m. Macmillan Cancer Support Concert Sunday 22nd February 9.30a.m. Morning Worship, Bowden 11.00a.m. Morning Worship, Melrose Rev. Marion Dodd 7.00p.m. Bach B Minor Mass Wednesday 25th February 11.45a.m. Mid-week Worship in the Chapel 12.15p.m. Mid-week Lunch Sunday 1st March 9.30a.m. Morning Worship, Bowden 11.00a.m. Morning Worship, Melrose

Mid-week Lunch Future dates: Wednesday 17th December (Christmas Lunch) Ruth/Veronica’s Team

Tickets £5 Wednesday 28th January Margaret’s Team Wednesday 25th February Kath’s Team

12. 15 – 1.30p.m. lunch £3.50

Helpers? Any new volunteers for the monthly lunches would be welcome, even if you are not available at lunchtime could you contribute a traybake or pot of soup?

There is a short Ecumenical Service at 11.45a.m. in the Chapel prior to the lunch for any who would like to attend. Veronica Bailey.

Bowden and Melrose News Remembrance Sunday A well attended parade and large congregation observed Remembrance Sunday in Melrose in addition to the services and acts of remembrance which took place in Gattonside, Bowden, Newstead and Darnick. The offering at Melrose was for the work of the Earl Haig Fund and amounted to £1024.40. Traidcraft Christmas Sale A very successful sale held on the14th and 15th November raised over £1600. Traidcraft products continue to be on sale on the first Sunday of the month following worship at Melrose. Project Fund As well as our traditional support for Christian Aid and the Earl Haig Fund (above) numerous organisations and charities have benefited from support from the Guild and our monthly Lunch Club. As previously reported the Project Fund has supported the Al-Sharooq School in Bethlehem and locally, the Aberlour Children’s Trust. Grants will also be made this month to our partner church in Chiamwali, Malawi, the “Street Kids Project” in Zomba and rural health clinic in Chuluchosoma. A very successful Flower Festival was held in September to coincide with Harvest Thanksgiving and was greatly appreciated by all, from the playgroup children to members and visitors. Thanks to all who contributed and especially our church officer Yvonne Young who organised the event.

Some of the lovely flower displays

Priorwood Court The monthly coffee mornings organised by our Pastoral Care Group are being much appreciated and at the November event a brief Act of Remembrance was also conducted. These are open to non-residents and take place at 10.30 on the second Tuesday of each month. Bowden Community Café

December 17th, January 21st, February 18th (always the third Wednesday in the month).

World Day of Prayer The World Day of Prayer will be held in High Cross Church on Friday 6th March, 2015 at 2.30p.m. There are three preparatory meetings held, to which everyone is invited, to all or as many as they feel they can attend. These meetings are on Tuesdays at 10.00a.m. the first one being at Melrose Parish Church on 16th December, the second one at Holy Trinity Church Hall on 20th January, and the final one in the High Cross Church Hall on 17th February 2015. Carol Singing There will be opportunities for carol singing in Darnick on Friday 12th December at 7.00p.m. with the Salvation Army Band, in Melrose Square on Saturday 13th December at 6.30p.m. and in Bowden Village Hall on Sunday December 21st at 6.30p.m. with the St. Boswells Silver band (followed by mince pies and mulled wine in the Village Hall). A collection will be taken in aid of Friends of BGH following the Bowden Carol Singing. Church Coffee Morning The Annual Church Coffee Morning will be held on Saturday 7th February 2015 in Bowden Village Hall from 10 – 12 noon. Any help or donations would be greatly appreciated. Proceeds will go to our Special Projects Fund.

Guild News BOWDEN AND MELROSE GUILD NEWS – DECEMBER 2014.

Our Guild season is now well underway. Our Dedication Service in October was conducted by Rev. Alistair Bennett, and this year we all very much enjoyed sharing in an informal Communion Service at this time.

By the time this goes to print, we will have held our first of two fundraisers for our chosen charity this year, “Julius Project” which seeks practical ways of assisting those who are unfortunate enough to be without a home. Many people are homeless because of a wide set of circumstances, many through no fault of their own. Offering guidance and help to people in this situation can have the result of getting them into housing, followed by a more stable way of life, into work, children into steady schooling, and many gaining the confidence from finding a permanent roof over their head. We will be holding a further fundraiser for this cause in next March, and would welcome input from all the congregation and friends of the Guild.

On 4th December we are looking forward to our Christmas lunchtime get-together at Burt’s Hotel with a festive theme to the meal.

The Melrose and Peebles Presbyterial Council Guild are holding their annual Christmas Carol Service on 8th December at 2.15 pm in Innerleithen Church. Anyone wishing to come, please telephone 01896 752375, on or before 23rd November, and we will arrange transport.

Into the New Year, on 15th January at 2.30 pm, we welcome Nancy McNicol and Eelin McIvor to tell us of their visit to Malawi.

5th February we hope to be limbering up with “Chair obics” which should be a fun afternoon for all.

Margaret Tooth from Blythswood Care, on 19th February, will be telling us of the work they do, including letting us know what happens to our Shoe Boxes for the Christmas Appeal. Many thanks to all those who kindly donated Shoe Boxes this year – they will be much appreciated by the recipients.

On 5th March we are looking forward to learning about “Alpacas” from Judith Ramsay and family.

The following day, 6th March, is the World Day of Prayer, this year being held in the Catholic Church in Melrose at 2.30 pm.

Our syllabus continues during March and April – including our fundraiser on 19th March. To those reading this article, please do feel welcome to come to any or all of our meetings as we are always delighted to have visitors in our midst.

Elizabeth Fraser, President Fabric Report

Some will remember that back in February it was reported that water damage, including dry rot, had been caused by water escaping from the shower control in the first floor bathroom in the manse. Unfortunately there was no way of knowing this was happening until part of the ground floor bathroom ceiling fell in. Work began in April and continues!! Further problems were discovered subsequently in the roof and in an attic window. However it is hoped that all work will be completed within the next two weeks. As was reported to the Kirk Session this has resulted in expenditure of over £50,000 although it is hoped that around £30,000 can be reclaimed through insurance. In addition our insurance company, following a visit to all properties, required an electrical installation check to be carried out which resulted in further expenditure of around £10,000. We were also required to have a Fire Risk Assessment conducted, the result of which has been a lengthy report which we have passed to the Church of Scotland Insurance Company for comment. It may be that future services of worship will begin with a safety briefing regarding emergency exits etc such as you would receive when flying!! The annual steeplejack inspection has been carried out and the report is being considered at present by the Fabric Committee. While the task of looking after the fabric of Bowden Kirk, Melrose Church and the manse is always going to be demanding this has been a particularly busy and difficult year.

India Again!

In the last magazine you heard of a holiday in India by the McCullochs. We went this year too but to the south west, which is quite different. We had a conducted tour around Kerala which is known as God’s Own Country. This is an area of mountains, tea plantations, vast waterways and jungle. It has a population of 32 million with Hindus in the majority then Muslims and about 20% Christians. These were originally Syrian Christians who had come over in the 4th century A.D. We were surprised by the Christian churches which were huge and ornate, yet in a poor country. Kerala also has a very high literacy rate, higher than the rest of India. Also all the women wear saris and the men longis (like a sarong) which they double up when they get hot. We had our own driver who took us to our various hotels and also explained a little of the local culture. Drivers in India are not allowed to drink at all and sometimes there were police out on the roads testing them. Also he told us that most marriages including his own are arranged by

advertising in the paper. They are also very expensive with lavish ceremonies, and the groom has to buy the bride a special sari costing thousands of pounds. Our first stop was Fort Cochin which was built on the spice trade: mainly cardamom, chillies, turmeric and ginger. There were huge warehouses just for these spices. It is also famous for its Chinese fishing nets - large nets about three times the size of a person that were set up around the waterfront on poles, that were then dipped into the sea and pulled out with their catch.

Fishing Nets

We were there two nights then moved on to the tea plantations which were cultivated on the Western Ghats. These are up to 2500m high and divide Kerala from Tamil Nadu, where my father had been stationed during WW2. On one of our days there we went on a 5 hour walk with our guide. We passed among the tea plantations seeing the women at work picking the tips of the bushes for tea, then climbed a hill to get a great view and picnicked above a precipice. Later we were shown around a tea processing plant and informed about the various grades of tea and how to make it. I am afraid our tea bags were rather looked down upon! We also went to a factory that employed and sold the produce of children and adults who were born with disabilities because of the pesticides that used to be used and had affected pregnant women workers . Then on to the jungle! But it was really just like our forests. Actually we saw more monkeys in our hotel grounds because they came over from the jungle to play on the tree in the central compound. We had to keep all our windows shut as they would break in and steal. There they had a strike about land ownership, where everything stopped from 7.00am to 7.00pm. Nothing moved; all shops were closed and all traffic was stopped but it was very peaceful. We went on an elephant ride and watched a Kathakali performance where the actors tell the story through facial expressions – really interesting!

Next, an overnight stay on a converted rice boat, where we sailed along seeing the people who lived along the canals that lined the vast lake, working in paddy fields and fishing. We also saw beautiful sunset - the sky was all reds and purples! Lastly to the beach, where we had a lovely hotel set in a butterfly garden. Each night we had entertainers ranging from Indian dancers to musicians playing the sitar.

And finally home, but with great memories of a lovely place full of friendly people! C. & I. Armstrong. PARISH REGISTER Baptisms 27th September Elisa May Beavon, 23 Redpath Crescent, Galashiels 27th September Ellie Jean Thomson, Yarrow, Abbotsford Terrace, Darnick Weddings 6th September Anna McCluskey and Jamie McLaren, 47 Dundee Street, Carnoustie 20th September Kate MacVicar and Barclay Smart, Castlewood Cottage, Galahill, Jedburgh 11th October Annabel Lee, Sandystones, Ancrum, Jedburgh and

Max Schiff, 93b Spring Valley Road, Nairobi, Kenya Funerals 8th September Major Trevor Mills, 3 Heiton Park, Darnick 26th September Miss Margaret Paterson, Setter, Aldie Crescent, Darnick

2nd October Mrs. Kay Cruden, West Heatherlie, Ormiston Terrace, Melrose 21st October Mrs. Maureen Cooper, 2 North Riggs, Bowden 31st October Mrs. Muriel Dun, Luckenknowe, Eildon 14th November Mrs. Jenny Pearson, Birchdale, Boleside, Galashiels 20th November Mrs. Moira Croft, 4 Heiton Park, Darnick 28th November Mrs. Jean Rae, 10 Ladymoss, Tweedbank

Elders on duty – Melrose Dec 7th 11.00a.m. John Henderson Alex Arbuckle 14th 11.00a.m. Veronica Bailey Ogilvie Mathieson 21st 11.00a.m. Mac Brown Jim Thom 24th 6.00p.m. Robbie Brown John Maguire 11.15p.m. Donald Gordon Pat Mackenzie Robin Sloan Gilmour Forrest 25th 11.00a.m. John Butcher Jack Crichton 28th 11.00a.m. Murray Thom Elsa Barker Jan 4th 11.00a.m. Owen Rowlands Jim Letham 11th 11.00a.m. Richard Gordon Ishbel Gordon 18th 11.00a.m. Richard Hill Ian Purves 25th 11.00a.m. Roger Wardman Robert Fraser Feb 1st 11.00a.m. Alastair O’Neil Malcolm Morrison

8th 11.00a.m. Walter Riddell-Carre Ewan Rintoul 15th 11.00a.m. John Renton Greta Leitch 22nd 11.00a.m. John Crawford Martin Baird

Mar 1st 11.00a.m. Helen Chisholm Ian Wilson 8th 11.00a.m. Irene Armstrong Ian Forsyth Elders on Duty – Bowden Dec 7th 9.30a.m. Owen Rowlands Alison Bacon 14th 9.30a.m. Russell Sanderson Jack Crichton 21st 9.30a.m. Allan Cumming Ian Purves 24th 11.15p.m. John Gaddie Malcolm Morrsion 25th 9.30a.m. Laing Speirs Walter Riddell-Carre

28th 9.30a.m. Irene Armstrong David Peters Communion Grant Rennie Alastair Matthew Jan 4th 9.30a.m. John Henderson James McCulloch 11th 9.30a.m. William Windram Anne Cochrane

18th 9.30a.m. John Pollitt Esther Crawford 25th 9.30a.m. Irene Armstrong John Gaddie Communion Richard Cochrane Robin Cochrane

Feb 1st 9.30a.m. Gilmour Forrest Pat Mackenzie

8th 9.30a.m. Ian Wilson John Renton 15th 9.30a.m. Laing Speirs Pat Schmidt 22nd 9.30a.m. Irene Armstrong Walter Riddell-Carre Communion Ishbel Gordon Malcolm Morrison

Mar 1st 9.30a.m. Jim Thom Alex Arbuckle 8th 9.30a.m. Moreen Gordon Martin Baird

Beadle Duty – Bowden Dec Liz Sanderson Jan Bill Wilkie Feb Hans Schmidt Mar Jim Noble

Elders unable to undertake duty on the date allocated are personally Responsible for arranging a substitute under advice to the office.

DOOR DUTY ROTA

Dec 7th

Kathleen Henderson Gail Creamer

14th

Kath McLaren John McLaren

21st Lorna Masson Edith Scott

28th

Christine Yuill Gillian Arbuckle

Jan 4th

Pam Rowlands Wilma Graham

11th

Meg Robbie Lyn Bryce

18th

Liz Mitchell Eleanor Connachie

25th

Yvonne Eade Oliver Eade

Feb 1st Barbara Wright Alistair Wright

8th

Ruth MacDonnell Eleanor Palmer

15th

Sarah Craig Wendy Scott

22nd

Val Miller John Miller

Mar 1st Tommy Wilson Tony Taylor

8th

Margaret Lang Sheila Millar

15th

Jean Watson Kerry Clark

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If you are unable to undertake your allocated duty could you please try to arrange for another rota member to cover - failing which let us know at the office, 823339.

The copyright of each article in this magazine is vested in the author. Permission to reproduce must

be sought from the Editor. Thanks to Ogilvie Dickson for permission to reproduce the photograph

of Melrose Parish Church on the front cover.