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Commemoration of All Souls
This year things will of course be very different as we move into the season of Remembrance and then Advent/Christmas. At our All Souls service, we read out the names of those we seek to remember. As all our services are online, I thought it would be good to have some pictures of those we seek to remember instead. If you are able to send pictures to me (Pip) via email of those you wish to remember, that would be lovely. If you are not able to do this, please get in contact and we can find a way to scan them in. This can be easily done, either with a phone at your home or by using the photocopier, and it would be a lovely way of honouring those who have gone.
God’s invitation to relationship
A four-week, short prayer course to support people into a deeper prayer life through tutors’ input, guided prayer experience and sharing. Outline • General introduction to prayer, stilling and Examen • Lectio Divina • Imaginative prayer • Praying with art There is no cost for this course.
Blythswood Shoe Boxes
Unbelievably, it’s that time of year again. The 2020 instructions and a checklist of suggested contents can be found at https://blythswood.org/shoeboxappeal/ The instructions have to be precise because of Customs requirements. Please have boxes ready by 25th October. Melrose pick-up point to be arranged.
Creationtide – Week Three
As we enter the final week of this year’s Season of Creation we recall Pope Francis’ powerful words – “This is the season for letting our prayer be inspired anew by closeness to nature, to reflect on our lifestyles … directing the planet towards life, not death.” We have known for decades that this time will come. Glaciers are retreating, rainforests vanishing and deserts are expanding. We have been made aware of the rapid extinction of beautiful and unique creatures. Thanks to the honest and disciplined work of climate scientists, we know right now that our lifestyle is unsustainable, and our dominant philosophy of “permanent growth at all cost” carries the seeds of destruction of the life that God called good. Here we are so fortunate to be surrounded by our beautiful Border countryside and must give thanks for the bountiful gifts that come from it. But we need to act to keep this for future generations.
“Let’s Talk About Climate Emergency – September 2020
In the run-up to next year’s COP26 in Glasgow EcoCongregation Scotland has published a series of monthly resource packs covering a variety of relevant topics. Originally designed to be used by congregational discussion groups, the current restrictions make this difficult. However, until such gatherings can take place some of the material has been adapted to feature in Weekly Notices. The topic for September is “HARVEST OF THE LAND”. All our food comes from God. As the seasons slowly change crops ripen and are gathered in. Fruits swell on trees and bushes ready for picking. We rely on sunshine and rain to ripen and water the crops. Yet the weather also has the power to destroy crops, high winds flatten wheat, plants in parched soils wither and flooding may wash away crops, all leading to shortages, famines and humanitarian crises. Meanwhile, in Scotland, the average household throws away about £460 worth of food each year, much of it still edible. QUESTIONS: Have you tried to grow your own favourite food? What effect has the weather had on your crops? How can we improve access to good wholesome food for everyone? Do you look for Fair Trade food? What steps can we take to avoid food waste? EcoCongregation plans to run a zoom session at the end of the month and, meantime, spend a few moments talking about these ideas in your own household. Some flyers are in the porch. Ian.
The Prayer Circle
Our prayer circle is still happening. If you would like prayers for yourselves, family or friends please continue to let myself (Liz Brims) or Pip know and the request will be passed to all those members in the pastoral group who confidentially pray for those in need. This is a particularly difficult time for many of us and it is important to let God in as much as possible. Love and Peace, Liz
Diocesan Youth & Children Newsletter
The latest Youth and Children Newsletter is out now, featuring a full report on the first ever Provincial Youth Week Online, plus great ideas and resources for connecting with children, families and young people as we slowly venture out of lockdown. You can read it here: https://edinburgh.anglican.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Summer-20-Youth-and-Children-News.pdf
Diocesan Online Services for Younger Children
From David Lyons and the team at St Mungo's Balerno St Mungo's has been developing this during lockdown. It's called ‘Mighty Mungo’s’ (apparently some species of mongoose are called mungos - small but powerful!) and is available for anyone to share and use on the St Mungo's website, YouTube or Vimeo. It's full of life, energy and bright ideas, and features great contributions from children themselves. Check out the trailer here and from there a link to the services: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtXEsQLiS2g&feature=youtu.be
Food Bank Update
The Foodbank continues to do wonderful work at a much-needed time. We have had quite a turnover of volunteers and, if anyone is able and well and feels secure enough to do so, we would welcome a few new volunteers. The requirements are not onerous - normally one hour a week to pack bags at a time of your choice on a Tuesday, and a few different hour-slots on a Wednesday, including some shopping of fresh goods occasionally, and being on a rota of folk to deliver to those who can't come to the church. There are very robust protocols for both of these jobs which ensure that we are all safe and secure. If you feel you may be able to donate some of your time to this cause it would be most welcome. Please contact me for details. Pip.
This Sunday, Christians across Scotland will once again join together in prayer at 7pm in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Once again, this Sunday (27th September), Christians across Scotland will join in prayer at 7pm in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are not where we wanted to be on the journey and we cannot go back to where we started. At this time, the question we might well ask is this: ‘Is the Lord among us or not?’ As we go forward together, we ask that the Lord will lead us to the place of renewed provision, so that we can say, humbly and with thanksgiving: ‘Yes, the Lord is among us!’” We pray: Living God, We journey in hard places today And in the company of many who are weary and fearful. We journey in hard places And we confess that we are weary and fearful ourselves. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. Living God, As you have heard our cry in times past, Hear our cry renewed. As you have provided for your people in times past, Renew your provision today. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. Living God, You have watched over us And brought us safe thus far. You watch over us now And we trust that you shall lead us to the place of safety renewed. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. Living God, In our remembering of the journey past, We do not forget those who are no longer with us. In our remembering of the journey past, We do not forget the depth of the challenges we have faced. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. Living God, Go before us we ask And lead us to the place of your presence. Go before us And bring us to the place where your presence is renewed. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. Lord God, In our journey onwards, May we know that you are among us. At journey’s end, May we know that you have always been with us. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Other options for worship
As part of the ongoing response to the Coronavirus pandemic the Scottish Episcopal Church (SEC) will be broadcasting video coverage of Eucharistic services via its website, social media channels and YouTube channel. The web page for the broadcast is located at www.scotland.anglican.org/broadcast-sunday-worship. For those who are not online the Archbishop of Canterbury has set up a Freephone Daily Hope service of hymns, prayers and readings. It is available 24 hours a day on 0800 8048044. Other options for worship are New Every Sunday at 7.30am on Radio Scotland and Sunday Worship at 8.10am on Radio 4. Both are available thereafter on BBC Sounds. Songs of Praise is on BBC1 at 1.15pm.
Church Open for Private Prayer
The church is open for private prayer on Monday, Friday and Sunday between 12.00pm and 2.00pm. A leaflet will inform you of the requisite guidelines. When you pick up this leaflet, please do not put it back - either take it with you or place it in the recycling bin by the rear exit. There is a video on the website which talks you through the process.
Let us see you
One of the most touching things for me when watching the services is to see your faces sharing the peace. If you can possibly send one of these videos in, please do, it's lovely to see you. If it is just a short video saying "peace be with you" you can send it over email, or via WhatsApp if you know how to do that - if you don't, please just give me a ring and we will work out how. Please also send us either a wee video or an email telling us how you are - and we can share it either in the notices or in a special video on youtube.
Communion wafers
These are still available in the church porch. If you need more just pick up a little pot and, if possible, leave your empty one near the box for re-use once sanitised.
DVDs and CDs
DVDs and CDs of the services are available for anyone who has no internet access. Just let us know.
Light a candle
And, here's a lovely idea from Liz. Would you like to join in with lighting a candle every day at 7. 30 pm and pray for the world and all our friends and families as we share this difficult and life-changing time together. We do this out of love for all
Keeping in touch
Keeping in touch It's important to 'keep in touch' with each other when actual touch becomes difficult and precious. These notices will continue to go out weekly and, if you have anything you'd like to pass on to your fellow parishioners, please feel free to email me and I'll pop it in. Perhaps you took a photo of lovely spring flowers. Perhaps a sentence or phrase from one of the readings or hymns really 'spoke' to you. Please keep it short and sweet and send it to me, patblackledge1@btinternet.com . Christian names only will go on the notices though anonymity is an option if preferred. Just get in touch. People have been putting up rainbow pictures to help raise a smile as others go past on their rare outings.
From the Rector
My Dear people,
It seems likely that, with the rise in Covid cases, restrictions will become tighter as things progress. I will keep you aware of any developments concerning any changes affecting worship or the opening of the church.
The Galashiels Foodbank continues to do wonderful work at a much-needed time. We have had quite a turnover of volunteers and, if anyone is able and well and feels secure enough to do so, we would welcome a few new volunteers. The requirements are not onerous - normally one hour a week to pack bags at a time of your choice on a Tuesday, and a few different hour-slots on a Wednesday, including some shopping of fresh goods occasionally and being on a rota of folk to deliver to those who can't come to the church. There are very robust protocols for both of these jobs which ensure that we are all safe and secure. If you feel you may be able to donate some of your time to this cause it would be most welcome. Please contact me for details.
Vestry will meet online on Monday 28th September. One of the real issues we face as a Vestry is how an AGM might work. Although we are all able to stretch a point the reality is that we are unlikely to be in a position to hold an in-person meeting for some time. We will work on this at our Vestry along with other issues but it is vital that ANY ideas or suggestions you have are passed on. The church is nothing without them! Please email me or Jan the Secretary on or speak with John Woods, the People's Warden.
Thanks once again to you all. Have a blessed week.
Pip
PRAYER (from Hildegaard)
The soul is like a wind that waves over herbs,
Is like the dew that moistens the grass
Is like the rain-soaked air that lets things grow.
In the same way you should radiate kindness
To all who are filled with longing.
Be a wind, helping those in need.
Be a dew, consoling the abandoned.
Be the rain-soaked air, giving heart to the weary.
Filling their hunger with life.
Let us dedicate our days to vividness,
the energy of love singing through creation.
May our eyes awaken to the beauty of all life.
May our ears hear the harmony of nature.
May our minds be enlightened.
May our hearts soften knowing we are held in Love’s embrace.
May our voices speak boldly of our unity.
For we are feathers on the breath of God.
New protocol for public worship in the church
1) On the notices each Saturday there will be a doodle poll published. This is simply a link which you can click on to put your name down for reserving your place. The link changes each week so please ensure you click on the latest one from that week’s notices. If there is more than one of you in the household that wishes to attend, please simply put both names in the same box. If you are in any way uncomfortable with doing this, simply email or telephone 01896 822732 and Jane will add your name to the list. If you are on the church roll you do not need to give any more information than this. If you are not on the church roll, you will be asked to provide contact details when you come to church, so that testing and tracking can take place in the event of a Covid diagnosis.
2) We will have to fill up the nearest available seats, from the front - no waiting for our favourite seats to become available! Please take a liturgy booklet with you and keep it as your own for subsequent services. This prevents us from having to print new ones each week. Please sit in the middle of the pew rather than just next to the aisle, so that we are appropriately distanced from each other.
3) We are only permitted to sit one household per pew - observing which pews are for use and which aren't. There are a total of twenty two places (individuals or households) available. The remaining place goes to the rector.
4) There will only be one person leading the service, and possibly one reader.
5) When it comes to communion, I will be required to don a mask, and to give communion in one kind only. I will come to you, moving down the pulpit side of the church, then back the other. This enables us to keep social distancing.
6) When the service is over, please leave from the front, via the side door. We can speak to one another at appropriate distances outside, but obviously we need to be sensible about this - this would be helped if we made sure we were not congregating around the doors but taking a few steps into the garden.
