March19

the
magazine
Peebles Old
Parish Church of
Scotland
with
Eddleston Parish
Church of Scotland
March 2019

Daily
Worship
in Peebles Old Parish,10am
Daily Worship Leaders Mar/Apr
Mon. 4th Haisley Moore Acts 10:9-23a
Tues. 5th Tom Fairbairn Acts 10:23b-33
Wed. 6th Alistair Robertson Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Thur. 7th Geoff Goldstraw Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16
Fri. 8th Isabelle Coghill Exodus 6:1-13
Sat. 9th Elizabeth Parker Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Mon. 11th Lily Swinney 1 John 2:1-6
Tues. 12th Calum Macdougall Zechariah 3:1-10
Wed.13th Mary Wight Job 1:1-22
Thur. 14th Charles Aitchison Philippians 3:2-12
Fri. 15th Elspeth Knowles Philippians 3:17-20
Sat. 16th Janet Macdougall Matthew 23:37-39
Mon. 18th Janette Cameron Exodus 33:1-6
Tues. 19th Donald Davidson Numbers 14:10b-24
Wed. 20th Wilma Barrett Psalm 105:1-23
Thur. 21st Marjorie Renton Psalm 105:24-45
Fri. 22nd Haisley Moore Psalm 63:1-8
Sat. 23rd Pauline Copeland Isaiah 5:1-7
Mon. 25th Frances Carrol Jeremiah 11:1-17
Tues. 26th Alistair Robertson Ezekiel 17:1-10
Wed. 27th Tom Fairbairn Numbers 13:17-27
Thur. 28th Geoff Goldstraw Joshua 4:1-13
Fri. 29th Isabelle Coghill Joshua 4:14-24
Sat. 30th Rachel Forsyth Psalm 32
Mon. 1st Lily Swinney Rev 19:1-8
Tues. 2nd Mary Wight Rev 19:9-10
Wed. 3rd Calum Macdougall Luke 9:10-17
Thur. 4th Charles Aitchison Phil 2:19-24
Frid. 5th Janette Cameron Phil 2:25-3:1
Sat. 6th Elizabeth Parker Psalm 126
From early in their history, the church has developed forms of daily worship. At the
Reformation, the people were encouraged to join in daily worship in their parish
churches, and the 1564 book of Common Order made provision for daily services.

Pastoral letter
April 2019
Technology thrills me yet baffles me at the same time. It thrills me that the mobile
phone I carry with me each day has a memory and an operating capacity that
outstrips several times over the capacity of an old mainframe computer we had in
my first place of work.
That computer filled a space about twice the size of the vestibule in the Old Parish
Church. My employers were very proud of it and many of us who worked with it,
directly or indirectly, marvelled at what it could do as it churned out screeds of
continuous stationery, carrying all sorts of data about the company payroll. Now,
almost fifty years later, even a fairly modest mobile phone, let alone a laptop or
desktop computer, has functions that the operators of that ‘70s computer could
scarcely have imagined possible.
Quite apart from speaking on the mobile phone we can speak to the phone and it
will speak back. We can ask it questions and it will provide answers. I imagine too
that there will be readers of this Magazine who will be very familiar with that
increasingly popular extra member of many a household, Alexa, who will happily
play your favourite music, provide you with the latest weather forecast, switch on
the lights, adjust the thermostat and much, much more, just because you ask ‘her’
to do it. All of that baffles me.
Like the majority of the population I use both computer and mobile phone every
single day. That has become such an accepted part of life that it no longer thrills
me. Nevertheless I am acutely aware that there are vast areas of my personal
technology’s capabilities which are never used, simply because I never take the
trouble to discover how to use them.
In a few pensive moments recently I was reflecting on what I must admit is my
indifference to the possibility of learning to make better use of the technology I
have in my pocket and on the study desk. I began to wonder if perhaps my
indifference was symptomatic of something deeper.
Every single day presents us with opportunities to do good and useful things which,
quite apart from enriching our own lives, might be a blessing to others with whom
we come in contact. Yet I know that I do not use my mind, my body, my
experience, my intelligence (I do have a little!), my compassion, my love, to
anything like full capacity and that surely is wasteful.
When Jesus declares that he has come to bring us abundant life … fullness of life, it
is incumbent upon on us to respond by living fully by giving more of ourselves to
him and to others. Only then can we begin truly to discover the abundant life he
promises.
With all my love,
Calum.

News from
Peebles & Eddleston
What we’re up to.
A Bite and a Blether
Eddleston Parish Church invites you to come along to Eddleston Village
Hall on a Wednesday from 11.30am - 1.00pm and enjoy a bacon roll or
vegetarian alternative, home baking, tea and coffee - all for a minimum
donation of £2.50. Come and meet old friends and make new ones and
enjoy chatting to the P7's from Eddleston Primary School who come
down once a month to help out. A Bite and a Blether is open to all age
groups from within our community and beyond whether you have a church
connection or not. High chairs are available for young children and we also offer a
carry out service. A warm welcome awaits.
Eddleston Church Clean
The monthly church clean will take place on Monday 25th March at 9.30am
Chat in the Hat
This friendly discussion group has been well attended this session
and will meet again on Wednesday 6th March at 7.30pm in the
church. Bring along a topic to put into the hat - it can be anything at
all - and enjoy the enfolding discussion. Nibbles are provided but
BYOB. A warm welcome awaits.
Peebles Church Garden Clear-up 2019
Junior Choir and Eddleston Voices
Dig out your gardening gloves, secateurs, leaf rakes,
loppers and any other garden implements for our grand
annual church garden clear-up.
All volunteers very welcome on Saturday 23rd
March from 1015 until 1200. Come along for
whatever time you can spare. Free tea and
coffee at half time.
Eddleston Parish Church Junior Choir will be 25 years old this year. To mark this
occasion the choir are putting on a special concert in Eddleston Parish Church on
Friday 26th April at 7.00pm. An invitation is extended to any former members to
come along and join in the celebrations.
Eddleston Community Council
Eddleston Community Council will meet in the church on Wednesday 27th March at
8.00pm.

Craft Group
The craft group will meet on Thursday 7th and 21st March and 4th of April at
1.30pm in the church. Please bring along a portable craft project you are working
on. A small charge is made to cover the cost of any materials required and for the
heating and lighting of the building. New members are welcome.
Lent Study Group
A Lent Study Group will meet on Thursday mornings at 10.30 in the
Old Parish Church Song School, starting on Thursday 7th March. A
very warm welcome is extended to everyone who would like to come
to this very informal gathering. This year we shall be using Sam
Wells’ book, “Hanging by a Thread - The Questions of the Cross”.
Copies will be available to buy at £8.50.
A Date for your Diary
Saturday 27 April The Abbey Consort
Following on from two
hugely enjoyable choral
concerts, we are
delighted to welcome the
Abbey Consort to Peebles
Old on Saturday
27 th April.
The Abbey Consort is a
small choir of around 24
members based in Kelso
with members drawn
from all over the Borders
with a wide- ranging
repertoire.
Their programme for April
is an exciting one and we
look forward to their visit.
Book of Remembrance
The Book of Remembrance is due to be updated. It can be viewed in the glass case
in the North Aisle, and pages are turned every four days so that current entries can
be seen. If an anniversary falls on a date when you are unable to look at the book
please do not hesitate to ask to see your special date/dates.
The book will be sent away for updating at the beginning of June. If anyone has an
entry which they would like to be inscribed please contact Ruth Kerr in the Church
office* by 31 May. It is not necessary for the person you wish to remember to
have been a member of Peebles Old Parish church or indeed of any church or to
belong to Peebles.
There is no charge for placing an entry, but as the Book is sent and returned by
courier and we pay a calligrapher to inscribe the entries, a contribution towards the
Book of Remembrance Fund would be appreciated. In the past the fund has been
used for significant church projects.
*Contact details: Ruth Kerr, Administrator, Peebles Old Parish Church of Scotland,
High Street, Peebles EH45 8SW or email: admin@topcop.org.uk

Meet and Make update
Continuing - monthly classes in Riverside,
Dovecot, St Ronan's Care Home & the Drill
Hall.
I have asked the venues to keep to the
following numbers until I can get more
volunteers. St Ronan's to 4 participants,
Dovecot to 8 participants, Riverside to 8
participants and the Drill Hall to 8 particpants
More volunteers:
I have written a request for more volunteers
for Feb Edition Peebles Life & Peeblesshire
News.
Kailzie Gardens Crafters: Have raised £82 for Meet & Make at their Xmas Fair.
Eddleston:
Next Eddleston taster potentially Feb 20th at Eddleston Village Hall.
Thanks Mandy
Red Button Arts

Words of Wisdom
Turn it Over to God
‘Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you’ Psalm 55:22 NIV
Sometimes the best thing to do is – turn the situation over to God. ‘Yes, but what
about all those go-getters who rise with the sun, skip breakfast, and break records
while I’m just ‘giving it to God’? you ask.
Good question. Look at Jesus; He didn’t get started until He was thirty. What about
all those ‘wasted’ years? He left them to God. And how did He react to those who
heard His message, shrugged, and walked away? He left them to God. And what
about those nitpicking Pharisees who gave Him so much grief? He left them to God
as well.
In The Finishing Touch, Charles
Swindoll describes a time in his
ministry when he felt driven
and drained by never-ending
demands. He writes: ‘If folks
weren’t changing, I felt
responsible. If some drifted,
somehow I was at fault. If
there wasn’t continual growth,
I acted as I needed to make it
happen. If a sermon failed to
ring with clarity and power, I
struggled all of Monday and
half of Tuesday. Talk about
wasted energy! Time has
helped; so has age. Virtually all
of the things that once stole my joy and assaulted my motivation I just leave to
God. Don’t I care? Of course I care. But those cares are now place in the hands of
One who can handle them. What once bothered me, I’ve learned to give over to
Him who doesn’t mind being bothered. Whereas criticism used to cripple me for
days, I now do my best to sift, shift and sail. I learn what I can – and turn the rest
over to God.
This is reproduced with kind permission from United Christian Broadcasters (UCB)
Word for Today. Copies can be obtained from them at
UCB Operations Centre, Westport Road, Stoke on
Trent, ST6 4JF They can be reached on 0845 6040401
or at www.ucb.co.uk

High Days and Holy Days Days
we note in March
6 March - ASH WEDNESDAY: mourning our sins
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. But why 'Ash' Wednesday? The reason has to
do with getting things right between you and God, and the tradition goes right back
to the Old Testament.
In the Old Testament, the Israelites often sinned. When they finally came to their
senses, and saw their evil ways as God saw them, they could do nothing but repent
in sorrow. They mourned for the damage and evil they had done. As part of this
repentance, they covered their heads with ashes. For the Israelites, putting ashes
on your head, and even rending your clothes, was an outward sign of their heartfelt
repentance and acknowledgement of sin. (See Genesis 18:27; 2 Samuel
13:19; Job 2:8, 30:19; Isaiah 58:5; Jeremiah 6:26; Jonah 3:6)
In the very early Christian Church, the yearly 'class' of penitents had ashes
sprinkled over them at the beginning of Lent. They were turning to God for the first
time, and mourning their sins. But soon many other Christians wanted to take
part in the custom, and to do so at the very start of Lent. They heeded Joel's call
to 'rend your hearts and not your garments' (Joel 2:12-19). Ash Wednesday
became known as either the 'beginning of the fast' or ‘the day of the ashes’.
The collect for today goes back to the Prayer Book, and stresses the penitential
character of the day. It encourages us with the reminder of the readiness of God to
forgive us and to renew us.
The Bible readings for today are often Joel 2:1-2, 12 – 18, Matthew 6: 1-6,16 – 21
and Paul’s moving catalogue of suffering, "as having nothing and yet possessing
everything." (2 Corinthians 5:20b - 6:10)
The actual custom of 'ashing' was abolished at the Reformation, though the old
name for the day remained. Today, throughout the Church of England, receiving
the mark of ashes on one’s forehead is optional. Certainly the mark of ashes on
the forehead reminds people of their mortality: "Remember that you are dust and
to dust you will return..." (Genesis 3:19)
The late medieval custom was to burn the branches used on Palm Sunday in the
previous year in order to create the ashes for today.
The Collect for Ash Wednesday is:
Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing that you have made and forgive
the sins of all those who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite
hearts that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness,
may receive from you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the
unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Bell-tower Craik
More tea Vicar?
Hair-cut
A minister, known for his lengthy sermons,
noticed a man leave during the middle of his
message. The man returned as the service
concluded. Afterwards the minister asked the
man where he had gone. “I went to get a
hair-cut,” was the reply.
“But,” protested the minister, “why didn’t
you do that before the service?”
“Because,” said the man, “I didn’t need one
then.”
Board meeting
“There will be a meeting of the Board
immediately after the service,” announced
the minister one Sunday morning. So after
the service, the Church Board gathered at
the back of the church. To their surprise,
there was a stranger in their midst. “My
friend,” said the minister, “didn’t you
understand that this is a meeting of the
Board?”
“Yes indeed,” said the visitor, “but after today’s sermon, I’m just as bored as
anyone else who has come along…”
Happy
Never miss an opportunity to make others happy, even if you have to leave them alone in
order to do it.
These are actual comments made on
students' report cards by teachers in
the New York City public school system.
All teachers were reprimanded.
1. Since my last report, your child has
reached rock bottom and has started to
dig.
2. I would not allow this student to
breed.
3. Your child has delusions of
adequacy.
4. Your son is depriving a village
somewhere of an idiot.
5. Your son sets low personal standards
and then consistently fails to achieve
them.

How
can you be part of this Magazine?
This is your magazine!
We’re looking out for travel stories, life stories, recipes, jokes and articles that
would brighten up our magazine pages. Don’t just leave it to the small band who
contribute regularly…get involved yourself.
Just think you could see your own thoughts and
words in print and be able to share the things that
inspire you about life, worship, travel, cooking, or
even The Old Parish Church itself.
We can even help you with the scanning of
photographs if you don’t have them electronically
and if you ask nicely we can arrange for articles to
be typed up from your own notes or ideas.
So why not get in touch with either of us as
detailed below or simply e-mail
magazine@topcop.org.uk
To:
Would you like your own copy each month?
Well help is at hand… just fill in and post this form!
Ms Fiona Taylor, The Old Parish Church, High Street Peebles, EH45 8AQ
Your name ……………………………………………………………………
Your address……………………………………………………………………………………..
I’m happy to enclose a donation of £….... towards the cost of the
Magazine.
Please make cheques payable to “Peebles Old Parish Church of Scotland”

CHURCH ORDERS (PEEBLES)
READERS
March 3 Marjorie Renton Exodus 34:29-35
St Luke 9:28-36
10 Monica Aikman Deuteronomy 26:1-11
St Luke 4:1-13
17 Tom Fairbairn Genesis 15:1-12 and 17-18
St Luke 13:31-35
24 Janette Cameron Isaiah 55:1-9
St Luke 13:1-9
31 Ronald Ireland Joshua 5:9-12
St Luke 15:1-3 and 11b-32
April 7 Margaret Ireland Isaiah 43:16-21
St John 12:1-8
14 Frances Carrol St Luke 23:1-25
St Luke 23:32-49
21 Elizabeth Parker Psalm 118:1-2 and 14-24
St Luke 24:1-12
28 Isabell Coghill Revelation 1:4-8
St John 20:19-31
DUTIES
March Elizabeth Fairless Fiona Fleming
April Frances Carrol Howard Clarke
Jean Donaldson Ann Gordon
Please note: Elders unable to undertake any of the above duties are asked to
arrange for a substitute and let the Session Clerk or Ruth Kerr know. Duty
elders should be in place by 9.30am. On the first Sunday of the month, when
there is an evening service, one of the duty elders should be in place for
5.30pm.
SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
March 31 Geoff Goldstraw Anne Derrick
THE BELL RINGERS
March 3 Fiona Taylor (am)
Mary Hudson (pm)
10 Malcolm Lumsden
17 TBA
24 Anne Derrick
31 Mary Hudson

FORTHCOMING SERVICES EDDLESTON
March
Sunday 3rd 11.45am Worship4All – Last Sunday after Epiphany
Sunday 10th 11.45am Morning Worship – First Sunday in Lent
Sunday 17th 11.45am Morning Worship – Second Sunday in Lent
with the Sacrament of Holy Communion
Sunday 24th 10 am Morning Worship – Third Sunday in Lent
Sunday 31st 10 am Morning Worship – Fourth Sunday in Lent
April
Sunday 7th 11.45am Worship4All – Fifth Sunday in Lent
FORTHCOMING SERVICES PEEBLES
March
Sunday 3rd 10am
6pm
Morning Worship - Last Sunday after Epiphany
Service conducted by The Very Rev David Arnott
Monthly Evening Service
Sunday 10th 10am Morning Worship – First Sunday in Lent
Sunday 17th 10am Morning Worship – Second Sunday in Lent
Sunday 24th 10am Morning Worship – Third Sunday in Lent
Sunday 31st 10am Morning Worship – Fourth Sunday in Lent
followed by Short Order of Holy Communion
April
Sunday 7th 10am Morning Worship – Fifth Sunday in Lent
OFFERINGS
Eddleston
Total Offerings for February 2019 £
Total Offerings for February 2018 £
Decrease in giving over 2018 £
CONGREGATIONAL REGISTERS
EDDLESTON
DEATH
13th February
Mrs Helen Nicholson, 20 Riverside House, Peebles

Flower Calendar
Convenor: Janet Macdougall 720568
Mar
3 Donor
Arranger
10 Donor
Arranger
17 Donors
Arranger
24 Donors
Arranger
31 Donors
Arranger
Mr & Mrs T McAndrew
Ruth Forsyth
Mr & Mrs W Nicoll
Janet Macdougall
Mrs Valerie Morton
Ruth Forsyth
Mrs Jill McBain
Elizabeth Douglas
Mrs L McAllister
Rachael Forsyth
April
7 Donors
Arranger
14 Donors
Arranger
21 Donors
Arranger
28 Donors
Arranger
Mrs I Arthur
Gill Arnott
Mrs B Charteris
Ruth Forsyth
Easter Flowers
Whole Committee
Mrs A Cruikshanks
Janet MacDougall
Distributors required
If you can help distribute flowers, please let one of the flower
committee know or phone Janet Macdougall on 720568
Remember that we have our very own Facebook page.
One of the most frequent updates on there are our wonderful
flower arrangements that are displayed in the church each
week. It’s worth a look in to see the marvellous work of our
flower arrangers

A very warm welcome to
Our Organisations
You’ll receive a warm welcome at any of our groups, whose details are given
below. For further information about each organisation, please see our website
www.topcop.org.uk
Group Where and when we meet Contact
All children welcome.
Monica Aikman
MacFarlane Hall Sundays in term time 01721 729041
at 10.00am
The Ten o’
Clock Club
Choir
SHARE
Flower
Committee
Bellringers’
Group
Guild of
Friendship
Traidcraft
Song School
Thursdays 7.30-9.00pm (not July and
August)
We meet in the MacFarlane Hall, once a
month at 2pm on a Sunday afternoon.
Dates will be announced.
Meets once a year as a whole group,
Members take their turn at arranging the
flowers in church each week and at major
religious festivals.
Members take their turn on the Sunday
Bell ringing rota and ring on other
community occasions if they wish.
Members meet together twice a year. The
Guild visits housebound members of the
congregation. The number of homes and
frequency of visits is flexible and can
easily be arranged to suit the availability
of the Visitor
Members take turns at the purpose-built
cupboard selling Fairtrade goods after
morning worship each Sunday
‘Green Team’ Help to provide ideas for each of us to
better care for God’s creation.
Toddlers’ MacFarlane Hall
Group Tuesdays in school terms. 9.30-11.00am
Bacon Rolls
TEA LADIES REQUIRED
Friday mornings. Join a team taking your
turn preparing and serving Bacon Rolls.
Each team is ‘on’ once every 6 weeks.
Great fun!
Sarah Brown
(Director of Music)
07597 394059
Cathy Davidson
01896 830419
Janet Macdougall
01721 720568
Anne Derrick
01721 721075
Elizabeth Fairless
01721 720344
Dorothy Russel
01721 720583
Please speak to the
Minister or Session
Clerk
Janette Cameron
01721 722528

Who’s Who at Peebles & Eddleston
Minister:
Rev. Calum Macdougall
The Manse, 7 Clement Gunn Square
Peebles EH45 8LW
01721 720568
calum@topcop.org.uk
Ordained Local Minister:
Rev. Pamela Strachan
Glenhighton, Broughton
ML12 6JF
01899 830423
pamelastrachan@btinternet.com
Session Clerk:
Vivien Aitchison
sessionclerk@topcop.org.uk
Organist & Choir
Leader:
Sarah Brown
41 March Street, Peebles
07597 394059
music@topcop.org.uk
Church Administrator:
Ruth Kerr
07845 122356
Office: 01721 723986
admin@topcop.org.uk
Roll Keeper Data Officer:
Alison Duncan
House: 721033
Mobile: 07707 001795
Beadle:
Edward Knowles
56 Eliot’s Park, Peebles.
01721 722860
Eco Church Co-ordinator
Peebles:
Could this be you?
Eddleston Treasurer:
Archie Smellie
Hattonknowe, Eddleston.
01721 730282
Bellringers’ Team
Leader:
Anne Derrick
Edderston Road, Peebles
01721 721075
Eddleston Session Clerk,
Organist & Choir
Director: Lorraine
Mulholland
Millbank, Eddleston.
01721 730332
Lorajazz@aol.com
Registered charities (Peebles) SC013316 (Eddleston) SC010081