Church Newsletter for April 2008

Church Newsletter for Maxton & Mertoun with Newtown with St Boswells April 2008

Hello from the Manse
One of the amazing things about the Church is how people come together to help, to comfort, to rise to occasions. At the Passover, Jesus sent his disciples to follow a man, who would lead them to the place where they would be able to share the Passover meal. In the recent BBC television drama, The Passion, this was portrayed well and we saw people working together to ensure that the meal happened. A lot of our Easter account and our practice within the Church is based on that meal. The meal that Jesus shared.

During Holy week, we shared each day, reflections and prayers about that journey from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. On the Tuesday night the pilgrims from Northern Cross shared with us after they had all had hot showers or baths – and a meal which they said was excellent, brought together by people from the congregation. As we shared the evening in fellowship it was a good reminder of the example set by Jesus.

This was my first Easter being involved with the pilgrims from Northern Cross, and on the Wednesday morning after they had led us in our time of prayer and reflection, I walked with them for the couple of hours, getting a small glimpse of their journey, their pilgrimage, the reverence with which they carried the cross, the cross on which Christ took all the sins of the world, made the ultimate sacrifice for us. It is much more than a physical pilgrimage. I got a sense of the spiritual journey they were undertaking, walking behind, sometimes in quietness, at other times chatting and sharing with the pilgrims. When we stopped, there was singing a prayer and someone sharing a ‘station’.

We may not all walk along the road carrying a physical cross, but there are times in our lives we do so in a spiritual sense. The one assurance that we have from the sacrifice that Jesus made was that we are forgiven. It us up to us to seek that forgiveness, and journey closer to Him who keeps us safe.

Easter Blessings to you

Sheila

WHAT'S ON
Church Services
Newtown
9.30 am every Sunday, except Sunday 27th at 5.00pm

St Boswells
10.30 am every Sunday; Communion on 27 April

Maxton and Mertoun
11.45 am every Sunday
Maxton Church: 13 & 27 April Mertoun Church: 6 & 20 April and 4 May
Worship on Wednesday
Wednesdays 9 & 23 April in St Boswells Church Hall at 9.30am

Prayer & Bible Study Group
Thursdays 10 & 24 April, 7.30pm at 5 John Younger Gardens, unless otherwise notified

Lunch Club
St Boswells Church Hall every Friday from noon till 1.30 pm

Craft Group
Every Wednesday, 1.30 – 3.30pm in St Boswells Church Hall

St Boswells Congregational Board
Tuesday 1 April at 7.30pm in the Church Hall

Newtown Hour of Praise
Thursday 17 April in Newtown Community Wing at 2.00 pm

St Boswells Church Coffee Morning
Our next coffee morning will be on Saturday 12th April from 9.30 -11.30 am. There will be the usual cake stall and another with everything else — a few plants, flowers, books etc. All contributions appreciated.
Mary Sargent

St Boswells Guild
Although this year's Guild Session has finished, there will be an opportunity to meet and keep in touch with members at a monthly Tea Evening. These will be held from May to September on the first Thursday of each month in the Church Hall at 7.30pm.
Marlyn Renton

Maxton & Mertoun Church Coffee Morning
On Saturday 5th April 2008 in Maxton Village Hall at 10.00am.
Stalls: Cake, home produce, craft, books, raffle
Contributions to the stalls will be greatly appreciated and they can be given to Anne Campbell, Vanda Smith or Helen Hill.

Words only Hymn Books
Anyone wishing to buy a copy of the words only version of CH4 can do so by placing an order with Fiona Lynn before April 26th. Copies cost £10.80 each.

CHURCH WITHOUT WALLS 2008
The National Gathering,
3-4 MAY, ROYAL HIGHLAND CENTRE, INGLISTON
The Church without Walls 2008 National Gathering is open to all who share and celebrate the life and work of the church in Scotland. Enter the dates now in your diary and look out for more information in the next newsletter.

Our parishes will be taking a ‘tent’ where the life and outreach of our congregations will be displayed with photos and other material.

Walkit
Walkit is the Paths to Health Project sponsored by Scottish Borders Council and NHS Borders which aims to encourage people to take up walking as part of a healthier lifestyle. Regular walks are arranged in various localities around the Borders, led by qualified walk leaders. The walks are of fairly short duration, normally about one to one and a half hours, and at an easy pace.
In St Boswells the walks usually tale place on the second Wednesday of each month, starting at 9.30 am from the bus station. (Confirmation of the date appears on the Village Notice Board.)
Everyone is welcome including well trained dogs/children so why not come along and make some new friends?
Ian Skinner

Prayer
This month, representatives from Melrose and Peebles Presbytery are visiting Zomba Presbytery in Malawi, with whom we have a link, between the 17th April and the 6th May. Our Presbytery Prayer letter asks us to remember both them and the new officials in Zomba Presbytery in our prayers.
Elvira Denoon, Prayer Promoter

VERDI’S REQUIEM
Saturday 10th May 2008 Springwood Hall, – Kelso
For the first time in the Borders, there will be a unique opportunity to take part in, or listen to Verdi’s Requiem. This powerful and beautiful work is being promoted by the Roxburgh Singers, who will be joined by Eildon Singers, Berwick Arts Choir, Abbey Consort, youngsters from Longridge Towers, and other interested singers. The Yetholm Sinfonia, founded by Geoffrey Emerson, will be expanded to the Yetholm Symphony Orchestra, and the offstage Trumpet fanfare for the exciting ‘Dies Irae’ will be provided by the Jedforest Instrumental Band. The whole work will be conducted by Rev Marion Dodd. An occasion not to be missed. Tickets for the performance cost £8.50 (available from choir members).

HOMELESS COLLECTION
A huge thank you to all who contributed, and helped in any way with our collection this year. The bags have been delivered and sincere gratitude expressed, which I pass on to you.
Fiona Lynn

Material for the May Newsletter should be submitted by Monday 21st April. It should be given or sent, preferably by e-mail, to the editor, Blair Cummock (blair.cummock@uk.iofc.org)