Church Newsletter for May 2008

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

Hello from the Manse
When I was on holiday a few weeks ago, I was able to catch up with some friends in Argyll whom I had not seen since I left the area in 2006. It was good to catch up with them, and chat about how things have been. One of my visits was to a friend who is now a Head Teacher of a local school and as we caught up with all the news we reminisced on some of the work we had done together in Church and School whilst I was on placement in the area and working alongside her, we remembered one occasion especially when a story that one of the chaplains gave at a high school assembly, had quite an impact. He spoke about a rowing boat – in Argyll, especially Kintyre boats are part of everyday life. When we sit in the rowing boat and are rowing, we only see where we have been, not where we are going, we always have to keep turning round, to make sure we are not heading into danger, that we are keeping on a straight path – in the water, and that there are no obstacles. We all reminisce and look back at where we have been, what we have done, our ups and downs, the good bits of life, as well as the painful bits, but once we have been there we cannot go back, we are always, just like in the boat – moving forward, even if we are looking at where we have just come from. Although the past says something about who we are and how we have developed, we have moved on. The cross reminds me of the boat, as it was where our past wrongs were placed, where Christ paid with his life for our sins, the sins of our ancestors and our sins past present and in the future – since our chance of reaching perfection and indeed being without sin are limited.
It is important to remember the past, but it is also important to keep an eye on where we are going for the future, otherwise we may find ourselves going off in the wrong direction, even getting lost.
Yours in Him,
Sheila

What are you doing the first week of the Summer Holidays’?
Champions Challenge
Is a five-day holiday Programme focussing on the events from Jesus’ life based in Luke’s Gospel, and is packed with lots of activities for groups and creative teaching in games, songs and crafts.
In St Boswells Church Hall we are running a holiday Club for primary age boys and girls.

Monday 30th June to Friday 4th July ~ 10am to 12.00 noon

Service of introduction to the week on Sunday 29th June with an all age participation service on Sunday 6th July in St Boswells Church at 10.30 am

More details will follow.

A plea to adults!

Are you available the first week of the school holidays and would like to be part of the ground staff for Champions Challenge?

There are many jobs: From Grandstand Presenters to Craft Teams
If your interested – even just curious as to what you could do in Champions Challenge come along to the meeting on Wednesday 14th May at 7.30 pm in the Church Hall.

Dates for further planning meetings: Tuesday 27th May, Monday 9th June, Thursday 26th June all at 7.30 pm in St Boswells Church Hall.

WHAT’S ON?
Sunday Services:

Newtown
9.30 am every Sunday, except Sunday 25th at 5.00pm ; Communion: Sunday 11th

St Boswells
10.30 am every Sunday

Maxton and Mertoun
11.45 am every Sunday
Maxton Church: 11 & 25 May Mertoun Church: 4 & 18 May and 1 June;

Worship on Wednesday
Wednesdays 14 & 28 May in St Boswells Church Hall at 9.30am

Prayer & Bible Study Group
Thursdays 8 & 22 May, 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

Joint Kirk Sessions
Tuesday 13 May, 7.30pm, St Boswells Church Hall

Newtown Hour of Praise
Thursday 15 May in Newtown Community Wing at 2.00 pm

St Boswells Kirk Session
Tuesday 20 May, 7pm, St Boswells Church Hall

Newtown Kirk Session
Tuesday 20 May, 8pm, St Boswells Vestry

Maxton & Mertoun Kirk Session
Wednesday 21 May, 7.30pm, Mertoun Kirk

Prayer
This year, Pentecost falls just before General Assembly Week (15th - 21st May) and we are asked to pray that God will send His Spirit to lead our church forward. We are also asked to remember in our prayers, the new Moderator, David Lunan, and all convenors and commissioners to Assembly during that week.
The Assembly also overlaps with Christian Aid Week (11th - 17th May).
Please pray for the work of Christian Aid.
Elvira Denoon, Prayer Promoter

Update on Stamp Appeal
I would like to thank everyone who has collected stamps for me. Last year The Church of Scotland World Mission Stamp Appeal raised over £2000 for the Scottish Churches to provide vital necessities for orphans in China.
This year's appeal, which was launched in February, is to support a school in the Eastern Himalayas of North India.
In India, many young girls drop out of school due to financial hardship, and also discrimination on the basis of gender and caste. The Scottish University Missionaries Institution in Kalimpong has helped some of these young girls get back to school and continue their education. The money raised from the sale of the stamps will go to improving the quality of life, education and development potential of more young girls. So far this year the appeal has raised nearly £500.
Please keep the stamps coming in.
Ann Smith

Real Time Play Maxton Village Hall
Saturday 10th May
7.30pm for 8pm BYOB
Tickets £8, £5 from
01835 823745 or at the door

Maxton 21 Coffee Morning and Plant Sale
Saturday 24th May in Maxton Village Hall from 10am
Stalls • Raffle • Home Baking
Adults £1.50, Children 50p

CHURCH WITHOUT WALLS 2008
The National Gathering
3-4 MAY
ROYAL HIGHLAND CENTRE
INGLISTON
The Church across Scotland is on the move.
What do we need to take with us into the future?
What do we need to leave behind?

At The National Gathering in a family friendly environment you can explore these questions
and many other themes ranging from the local church to global challenges, from personal faith to generational issues.
Look out for the ‘tent’ where the life and outreach of our congregations will be displayed with photos and other material.

Coffee Morning
St Boswells Village Hall, Saturday May 10th, 10.00am to 12.00noon
Stalls: cake, home produce, hand knitted garments, craft, books, bric-a-brac and raffle.
All monies raised will be used in the work of the branch to help those affected by MS within the central Borders with a percentage going to research.
Contributions to the stalls will be greatly appreciated.
Contact:
Anne Campbell, tel: 01835 822174 or Dorothy Heddle, tel: 01835 824058.

Advance notice for your diary
The next joint service for the three parishes will be held on Sunday 29th June in St Boswells Church at 10.30am.
After the service, there will be a "Brunch" in the church hall, along the lines of the Advent Lunch. More details in the next Newsletter.

Christian Aid Week 2008
May 11-17
Your money can help make a real difference in the countries in which we and our partners work. We aim to tackle poverty and its causes by reaching out to some of the poorest communities on earth.
Please give what you can.
Thank you.

VERDI’S REQUIEM – an event not to be missed
Saturday 10th May 2008 Springwood Hall, Kelso
The Roxburgh Singers, with the Eildon Singers, Berwick Arts Choir, Abbey Consort and youngsters from Longridge Towers will sing this powerful and beautiful work, accompanied by the Yetholm Symphony Orchestra.
Tickets for the performance cost £8.50 (available from choir members).

Material for the June Newsletter should be submitted by Monday 19th May. It should be given or sent, preferably by e-mail, to the editor, Blair Cummock: blair.cummock@uk.iofc.org