November 2019

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

in Peebles Old Parish,10am
Daily Worship Leaders Nov./Dec.
Mon. 4th Charles Aitchison 1 Cor. 5:9-13 November
Tues. 5th Lily Swinney Hab. 3:1-16
Wed. 6th Marjorie Renton Hab. 3:17-19
Thurs. 7th David Davidson Acts 22:22-23:11
Frid. 8th Haisley Moore Acts 24:10-23
Sat. 9th Pauline Copeland Psalm 145:1-5,17-21
Mon. 11th Frances Carrol Hag. 2:10-19
Tues.12th Alistair Robertson Hag. 2:20-23
Wed. 13th Wilma Barrett Zech. 8:1-17
Thurs. 14th Tom Fairbairn Rom 1:18-25
Frid. 15th Janette Cameron 2 Thess.1:3-12
Sat. 16th Elizabeth Cameron Luke 17:20-37
Mon. 18th Geoff Goldstraw Psalm 76
Tues.19th Isabelle Coghill Isa. 66:1-13
Wed. 20th Mary Wight Isa. 66:14-24
Thurs. 21st Charles Aitchison Luke 1:68-79
Frid. 22nd Lily Swinney 1 Peter 1:3-9
Sat. 23rd Rachel Forsyth Luke 18:15-17
Mon. 25th Haisley Moore Jer. 30:1-17
Tues.26th Marjorie Renton Jer. 30:18-24
Wed. 27th Wilma Barrett Luke 1:1-4
Thurs. 28th David Donaldson Psalm 117
Frid. 29th Frances Carrol Jer. 31:1-6
Sat. 30th Pauline Copeland Isa. 60:8-16
Mon. 2nd Tom Fairbairn 2 Peter 1:1-11 December
Tues. 3rd Alistair Robertson 2 Peter 1:12-21
Wed. 4th Geoff Goldstraw 3 Peter 1-10
Thur. 5th Isabelle Coghill 3 Peter 11-18
Frid. 6th Mary Wight Jude 1-16
Sat. 7th Elizabeth Parker Jude 17-25
From early in its 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
November 2019
Dear Friends,
What a memorable evening we enjoyed together in the MacFarlane Hall on the last
Friday of October, as a huge number of members and friends gathered for the
Farewell Social. I was astonished to see the hall filled to capacity. The many hours
of hard work in careful planning and preparation that resulted in such a perfect
occasion was so typical of our (if I may still use the first person pronoun!)
congregation.
As we arrived at the church we were treated to a beautiful recital on the church
bells, including at least two renditions of my favourite Psalm tune, Ballerma. Four
of the bell-ringing team braved the cold chill of the tower to warm the hearts of us
all, notwithstanding the rather dreich night outside.
The programme for the evening had been put together with much thought and right
from Ronald’s warm and light-hearted welcome at the start, the scene was set for
a thoroughly relaxed and convivial atmosphere throughout. In that respect it was
absolutely typical of the Old Parish Church.
At the heart of the proceedings were the presentations to Janet and me. For Janet’s
fabulous bouquet, the largest, most spectacular bouquet most of us have ever seen,
she wishes me to convey her deepest gratitude. The wonderful collection of blooms
now fills not one but three vases in the manse. On Janet’s behalf, thank you so
very much.
The cheque that was then presented to me on behalf of all of you had left me utterly
speechless when its value had been revealed to me shortly before the event. Had
I not been let into that secret I feel sure I would have been dumbstruck when I
opened the envelope.
Throughout the last eighteen years I have known great generosity of spirit in the
congregation and I have been on the receiving end of so much of your generous
spiritedness, but not for a moment did I imagine that your parting gift could have
been so immense. To each and every one of you, I say thank you for kindness that
surpasses anything I have ever known.
Janet and I will miss you very much and I have shed many tears at the prospect of
leaving you. I hope we shall keep in touch with many of you and you will be very
welcome at our new home. I will give Ruth our contact details and hopefully many
of you will visit.
In the meantime I pray God’s richest blessing on you as you move to the next
chapter in the remarkable story of Peebles Old Parish Church.
With all my love,
Calum.
Calum’s sermon from the 27 th October is printed in this edition.

From
0ur Locum
Rev Jim Cutler
Dear Friends at Eddleston Parish Church and Peebles: Old Parish Church,
I’ve been asked to write for the Church Magazine, so I thought I should inform you
about myself and give you a kind of autobiography of myself. So here goes.
I was born in Hamilton and brought up in Motherwell where I went to school at Dalziel
High School. On leaving school I became a Structural Engineer working for Colville
Constructional and Engineering Co. Ltd and then with Lanark County Council which
became Strathclyde Regional Council. I’m still a Chartered Engineer and Member of
the Institute of Structural Engineers. (C. Eng. M. I. Struct. E.) although it’s been
some 30 years since I’ve practiced. I am, however, a General Trustee of the Church
of Scotland and I’m often asked to visit and cast my eye over Church Building all
over Scotland with the hope of offering advice.
Before I went into the Ministry and before my training, my late wife Annis, my two
children, Stewart and Jillian and I lived in Carluke. We were members of Kirkton Parish
Church where I was an elder and Annis and I were instrumental in forming a Boys’
Brigade Company (4 th Carluke Company). It was through my involvement with the
Boys’ Brigade that I realised a call to the ministry.
I studied at Glasgow University, Trinity College where I graduated with a Bachelor of
Divinity Degree. I served my Probationary time at Lanark: St. Nicholas Parish Church
with the Very Reverend John McIndoe.
My first Ministerial Change was Kilmun (St. Munn’s) linked with Strone and
Ardentinny which is about 8 miles from Dunoon. I served there for about 9 years
before moving on to Coldstream linked with Eccles where I served for another 9
years or so. We moved then to Blackmount linked with Culter linked with Libberton
and Quothquan from which I retired in October 2011. The Manse for this charge
was in Biggar and both Annis and I became quite involved also with Biggar Parish
Church.
While we lived in Coldstream and in the year 2,000 it was discovered that Annis
had Breast Cancer. She went through all the surgery and Chemo Therapy after
which she led an almost normal life for about 11 years. It was in the year that I
retired and we’d moved to live in Peebles that it was discovered that the Breast
Cancer was present in her bones (apparently the normal place to which it spreads).
That time was very painful for her. Later it was discovered in her liver and she had
further Chemo Therapy. However, she fell and broke her femur and never really
recovered her mobility and she died in March 2015 from Pneumonia. Of course I
miss her terribly.
Now I live on my own in Peebles and after about 4 years of missing my wife, I
decided that I could still work for my Saviour and his Church. And so I was Interim
Moderator and Locum for about ten Months at Carnwath and Carstairs Parish

Churches where I spent 2 days per week on Pastoral duties and conducted the
services on Sundays. The drawback, of course, was that I’ve to travel from Peebles.
It was on Calum’s announcement that he was to retire and the appointment of the
Very Rev. Dr Finlay Macdonald at Interim Moderator that I thought about offering
myself as Locum Minister at Eddleston and Peebles – an offer which, I’m glad to
say was accepted.
I’m keen to get on with the work at our Churches and again I conduct most of the
services on Sundays and spend two day per week on Funerals, Congregational
meetings and Pastoral visits etc. If you would like me to visit you please contact
me or your elder.
I know how hard it is to come back to Church when you haven’t been for a while,
but please, be assured that you are very much missed at this time especially when
we’re in a vacancy situation.
Rev. Jim Cutler
News from
Peebles & Eddleston
What we’re up to.
Worship4All Services at Eddleston
Over the winter months, to try and cut down the cost of heating the church
building, the Worship4All Services on the first Sunday of every month will take
place in the Village Hall. This will start on Sunday 3rd November at 11.45am.
Coffee will be served from 11.15am onwards.
A Bite and a Blether
A Bite and a Blether meets every Wednesday from 11.30am - 1.00pm in
Eddleston Village Hall. For a minimum donation of £2.50 come along and
enjoy a bacon roll or vegetarian alternative, home baking, tea or coffee
and some great camaraderie. The Primary 7's from Eddleston Primary
School will be joining us once a month. We offer a carry out service too.
A warm welcome awaits all age groups.
Eddleston Church Clean
The monthly church clean will take place on Monday 25th November at 9.30am at
9.30am
Craft Group at Eddleston
Over the winter months the craft group has decided to relocate to member's
houses on 7th and 21st November. For further information regarding the venue
please contact Jo Oliver on 01721 730696.

Creative Generations at Eddleston Bite Sized Entertainment
Sheila Sapkota, founder, organiser and teacher of the internationally renowned
Riddle Fiddles Music School here in the Borders brings a great sense of fun and joy
to her playing of traditional Scottish Tunes. The Tickets - £7.00 - includes a light
lunch of Soup, Sandwiches, Cake, Coffee and Tea are available from:
eastgatearts.com Eastgate Theatre Box Office 01721 725777 or Lorraine
Mulholland on 01721 730332 or 0770 841 4467.
This promises to be a great
lunchtime performance from
12.00pm - 2.00pm with the
proceeds being shared between
the Eastgate Theatre and
Eddleston Parish Church.
Here is a letter of
congratulation from
Christine Graham to
Eddleston Parish
Church for their
fundraising efforts

Christmas Fair
7th December 2019 10 am – 12 noon –
MacFarlane Hall
We’ll have all the usual stalls including
home baking, crafts, gifts, books etc.
and so donations for any stall or offers of
help will be gratefully received.
All welcome to come along for coffee or tea
and a chat with the opportunity to buy some
Christmas gifts.
Donations and offers of help to Janette and
Evelyn will be gratefully received.
Mindfulness Group at Eddleston
The Mindfulness Group will meet on Tuesday 12th and Tuesday 26th
November at 7.00pm in the church. A small donation is invited to
cover the cost of heating and lighting the church.
An Hour with Rowan Steele and Friends
On Sunday 17th November at 2.00pm Eddleston Parish Church will resonate with
the sound of music.
The informal afternoon concert will feature Rowan Steele - fiddle, Jennifer Brown -
fiddle & piano, Eva Billett - clarinet, Lauren Billett - cello, Fin Price - voice & guitar
and Mackenzie Fraser - Highland Bagpipes.
The Kirk Session are very grateful to Rowan for organising the concert and to all
the youngsters who have so willingly agreed to play
Please come along and enjoy a relaxing hour of lovely music by our talented young
musicians.
Entry is by donation and all proceeds go to Eddleston Parish Church.
Chat in the Hat
The informal discussion group will which was well attended last
winter resumes again on Wednesday 6th November at 7.30m in the
church. There is no charge but we would invite a small donation to
help cover the costs of electricity. Bring along a topic, put it into the
hat and enjoy the enfolding discussion. Nibbles are provided but
BYOB. A warm welcome awaits.

Peebles’s Tribute to Calum
25 th October 2019
Tom Fairbairn
It is a joy and honour to be charged this evening with saying to Calum and Janet
how much the congregation has enjoyed their presence with us during the past
eighteen years.
I shall speak first of Janet. It has been said often that
behind a good man there is a good woman. Janet has
enjoyed a successful career of her own in education as
well as raising a family and, of course, being a
tremendous support to Calum. She has played a part
in the life of the congregation as a leader of Daily
Worship and Convener of The Flower Committee.
Janet’s contribution is greatly appreciated and we
thank her sincerely for it.
Turning to Calum. We were without a minister. We had
advertised in the usual way for applications and
recommendations. We had received applications but no
recommendations until, suddenly, mysteriously one appeared. The manse was
vacant. An elder went to check something at the manse and found a crumpled
scrap of paper pushed through the letter box. On it, anonymously, someone had
written – Try C. Macdougall of Portobello. We decided to investigate further and
found that this minister did exist. So it was that we found Calum.
What a lucky find Calum has turned out to be. We had discovered a gentleman
who came across as being open, friendly and courteous. The Nomination
Committee was most impressed and the congregation, in turn, readily took to him.
Calum has a good sense of humour and a love of nonsense. This is not to say that
he is perfect – he does sometimes forget things!
I remember when Calum came to see the church and the manse. It was a bright,
sunny day with snow lying on the ground. Calum was taken from the church to
the manse in Alistair Robertson’s Land Rover Discovery where he was driven to
the rear of the building and deposited in the snow at the back door.
Many events from the past eighteen years could be highlighted. I recall the
Stewardship Campaign which took place over two evenings at the large hall in
Walkershaugh. To keep food fresh we hired a refrigerated van which had to be

driven to Eddleston and back every two or three hours to make sure it continued
to refrigerate. It was a great effort to which many people made a contribution.
Our guest speaker was none other than The Reverend Haisley Moore. I remember,
too, garden parties at the old manse.
As well as serving the congregation, Calum has given much to the community in
which his standing is immeasurably high. He has supported many causes. His
contribution to the Burgh was marked by his election to membership of The
We owe Calum our
heartfelt and infinite
gratitude for his
devotion to duty and
his work among us
In the church, alongside his work with the
congregation, Calum has been a diligent member of
Assembly committees and of Presbytery where he
served for a year as Moderator and for a number of
years as Convener of the Business Committee.
Calum’s time as our minister has been marked by
innovation and development, such as Share and the
introduction of Daily Worship. His most significant
contribution, however, has been in the two main tasks
of ministry – preaching the gospel and visiting the
sick.
Guildry Corporation of Peebles. He has been a
staunch supporter of the Beltane in respect of which
his contribution was
rewarded this year by
his appointment as
Warden of Neidpath.
On the pastoral side, there is probably a great deal of good work of which only
Calum and the beneficiaries know. What is known is that much care and
compassion has been offered to many in need of such support, accompanied often
by deep empathy.
To worship, Calum has brought order, seemliness and dignity, conveyed in a
friendly manner. Prayers apt and well thought out. Sermons carefully constructed,
easily understood and challenging. How appropriate it is that Calum’s last service
as our minister will be Holy Communion because Calum places great emphasis on
the importance of the sacrament.
We owe Calum our heartfelt and infinite gratitude for his devotion to duty and his
work among us.
We wish Janet and Calum a long and happy retirement in their new home at
Broughton, close to the brewery. Calum might prefer a distillery!

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
– with verses composed for the occasion
Leonard Cohen (with apologies) (1934 – 2016)
This a song, just for you, sung lovingly by your favourite crew
Have you noted how we always smile at each other?
Here is something we want you to know, your lengthy prayers, we cannot ignore
Your sermons are with us for evermore.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
The year the century began, a time for change was in your plan
An “ad” in Life and Work, it did intrigue you.
St James’ Kirk then said goodbye, the Parish call – you could not deny
That was the start of your ministry in Peebles.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
This year you’ve chosen to retire, the folks at Beltane did conspire
To nominate you as the Neidpath Warden.
You filled the post with dignity, and made your speech with clarity
Delighting all those who came to hear you.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
The time has come to say adieu, our love and prayers to Janet and you
Then we’ll come round to visit you in Broughton.
So with this song we’ll now conclude, and in one voice with gratitude
Let’s raise the roof with our final Hallelujahs!
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Calum’s Sermon
Peebles Old
Sunday 27 th October 2019
How should one prepare a final sermon at the end of full-time ministry?
Should one attempt such breath-taking erudition, learning and inspiration that
listeners will be bowled over?
Or is this a last opportunity to ride one’s hobby-horse?
Might one adopt the ploy beloved by broadcasters and present a compilation of best
bits?
I hope you will be content that such nonsense is cast aside as we remain with
today’s Lectionary readings. That said, serendipity has struck, because a theme
that is common to both readings chimes well with what I want to say.
A brief personal note on which to begin, if I may!
The last 39 years or so of my life have been spent in parish ministry. I am
passionate about parish ministry. I keep saying it, I can’t help it: I am passionate
about parish ministry. I cannot imagine a more blessed way of spending working
life.
When one is called to a charge there is a profound sense that God has given one a
people to love: a congregation to love and with whom to minister, and a parish
community to embrace and to love and serve in whatever way one can.
We are called to congregation and parish and one of the testing aspects of ministry
is to maintain a balance between those. Responsibility to the one must never be
allowed to outweigh responsibility to the other.
These last 18 years I have had the privilege of being charged with responsibility for
two congregations and two parishes … and what a fulfilling, blessed and joyous
experience it has been.
I have never got that balance right but I hope, however clumsily, I have managed
to be there for each … because each has been there for me. The beloved folk of
this congregation have taught me much about ministry. The beloved folk of this
parish community have given me vivid insights into the nature of the Kingdom of
Heaven, while both congregation and parish have supported Janet and me through
poorly-timed periods of ill-health.
This morning Joel proclaims the inclusiveness of Divine blessing.
No one is to be exempt from God’s abundant blessings, least of all those too easily
perceived as outsiders. The scope of salvation is universal: all who call upon the
name of God are to be saved.
All this comes after a plague of locusts had devastated the country, bringing the
terrifying threat of famine. Havoc has been wreaked among the fields and the
crops. Nothing, it seemed has escaped.
But now everything changes. Joel is given a message of seemingly infinite hope to
proclaim: the promise of abundant food after the devastation wrought by the
locusts together with God’s promise that his people will never again be shamed
before the nations. Both nature and nation are to be restored.

Then, to this nation just emerging from despair, come words that must have
seemed too good to be true: “[God says] I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your
sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams and
your young men shall see visions. Even on your slaves, male and female alike, I
will pour out my spirit.”
Divine blessing will no more be limited … no more to be seen as belonging
exclusively to the self-proclaimed righteous … to the holy people. Henceforth God
is to be seen at work among all the people.
The wisdom of the elderly will be treasured, youth will be inspired, and even slaves
and servants both male or female will be given a voice worth listening to.
This is radical, radical teaching.
For all of us, the life of faith is a journey … a pilgrimage. Like any journey it has
its ups and downs, joys and heartaches, periods of doubt when we yearn for
affirmation, times of confidence when we know reassuring inner calm.
There are emotionally bright and sunny days; there are dark, dismal days. There
are special moments, with laughter and tears, and as a congregation, we journey
together, even when, at times, we may not our togetherness.
I think there is such great significance in that word “together”. Dear friends we
have travelled together, caring for and caring about each other. Without that sense
of “togetherness” we would neither be the people we have become, nor would we
have reached the points in our faith journeys where we are now. We are sustained
by our interconnectedness.
We learn together and we learn from each other. Our companions on the way,
frequently without knowing it, point us to a fuller appreciation of the journey we
are on … just as, if only we knew it, we do likewise for them.
It is not only our closest fellow-travellers who nourish us however - friends in a
congregation, folk who share our perspectives, people committed to the life of faith.
There is a chilling element to Jesus’ Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax-Collector.
It’s a story of two people at opposite ends of the social spectrum: one holy to a
fault; the other wholly at fault.
The Pharisee is so besotted by his own sense of righteousness that he cannot
conceive of a world beyond himself and his Pharisaic tradition. He can’t see the
interconnectedness of life. He can’t see that he and the other man are united by
their common humanity.
The tax collector, on the other hand, knows that he doesn’t belong. He is an outsider
and despite his financial well-being, he can never be part of mainstream society.
Over the last eighteen years we have had much to warm our hearts, much to rejoice
in together. We have had our sad times, sometimes desperately sad times, and
we have wept together.
But we have also been nourished by the wonderful community in which we live.
The Church in Peebles/Eddleston contributes much to the common well-being, but
there is more, much more.
Jesus indicates in this morning’s parable that the outsider is the one who is justified.
Elsewhere, in the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus says the outsider is one who
does the right thing,
After he heals ten lepers, it is the outsider alone who acknowledges his healing.
Holy people are not always the ones we need to look to for the best examples.
We live in a community in which a wealth of kindness and compassion and
selflessness and trust is practised every day by those who wear no Christian label,
no mark of faith, but who, in the straightforward goodness of their lives, can teach

us much about the values of Kingdom of God. They demonstrate real Kingdom
characteristics, even if they know or acknowledge nothing of the Kingdom.
Whenever we start to question whether or not other people deserve God’s favour,
we do well to remember Jesus’ parable. Whenever we are inclined to point out the
inadequacy of others, we do well to remember Jesus’ parable. As soon as the
justification of other people is too easily determined, we do well to remember Jesus’
parable.
Our sense of belonging together with those outside the Church must always be
stronger than any sense of our belonging apart from them.
Inter-dependence leads to creativity. Inter-dependence stimulates greater
understanding of ourselves. Through our interconnectedness come fresh and often
vivid insights into the nature of Kingdom living.
May God’s blessing be ever upon you and ever shine from you in the exciting times
that lie ahead. Amen.
Presbytery visit to Malawi
Pamela Strachan, OLM
Chiconda Chimagonetsa mantha
No, I haven’t mastered Chichewa during my week in Malawi but I managed
those three words as I began my sermon at Mikuyu No.2 prison for juvenile
offenders when visiting with Rev. Stanley in October.
Love Conquers Fear was my chosen theme, and the reading was from 1 Peter 3:
8-11. My translator read the lesson in Chichewa and then translated my English
for the inmates. Some 250 young boys (all under 18) sat on the ground in the
sweltering sunshine. They’d
been waiting patiently for some
time and then gave me a
tremendous welcome with their
singing, including a group of five
who rose to their feet and came
out to perform several numbers in

wonderful harmony. Rhythm and harmony
are second nature to Malawians.
Everywhere we went on our Presbytery
visit we were greeted with joyous choirs,
beaming their welcome and loving the
chance to perform for us.
But back to Mikuyu No.2. It was hard to
recognise this group of men as just young
lads. The harsh living conditions and
wretched diet showed in their drawn
faces. Rev. Stanley had warned me of the
overcrowded facilities but was anxious I should see for
myself. Boiled pigeon peas is the unrelenting diet - the
only variation being when there is no food at all,
sometimes for as long as two days, he reported. With
the money I
collected from
parish and
hospital
donations, we
bought and
distributed
bags of Soya
pieces to
supplement
their diet and 6 large cartons of soap,
enough for over 400 prisoners.
Despite the obvious hardships and
deprivation the young men were suffering (some serving sentences for petty
crimes of theft of food, or a debt of £5 equivalent), there was still hope and joy
expressed in a poem by one lad, as he read ‘Jesus, friend to all’ written for the
occasion and fitting beautifully with the theme for my address.
Rev.Stanley was so grateful for all the
contributions from you all: the scores of reading
glasses, writing materials and the footballs.
Everything will be well used, I could see.
Our Presbytery group divided and re-grouped as
we met our different objectives. I was delighted
to see the kits for girls being distributed at
St.Anthony’s (Thondwe Girls Project) and to view
the proposed site for the Hen House Project. We
also signed a new Memorandum of Understanding
with the Twinning Committee, to strengthen the
links with Luwatala and Thondwe. In addition,
Namadidi Parish (Rev.Lucy) was very keen to reestablish
the connection with the UT parishes
after Rev. Bob Milne’s retirement.

One year of Meet & Make!
Mandy Durkin
We began in Aug 2018 with the hope that we could help people living with dementia
by offering free crafting classes, where people could go to chat and be creative in
a safe, friendly place. 1 year on we are running 4 classes in Peebles and Innerleithen
and making a big difference to the people we work with.
In St Ronan's Care home, Mandy and Grace work with 6 ladies around 2 small
tables in the lounge area. The ladies are always very curious to see what they have
brought along and Mandy and Grace help them to try out new materials. The ladies
are always pleased to have something to take and show to their families when they
visit.
In Riverside House, Mandy, Janet and Grace hold the class around 1 big table in
the big dining room overlooking the river. They normally have 8 ladies for this class
and everyone is very vocal and there are lots of laughs about what they are doing.
The ladies are always pleased to have achieved something by the end of the class
and asking what they will be doing next time.
At Dovecot Court, Mandy, Janet, Eileen, and Jean run a class of around 8 people in
the lounge area. This is another class full of laughs as people have a go at
something new.
Our final class is at Peebles Community Centre, where Mandy, Janet and Eileen help
3 or 4 couples who are coping with the complications of living with dementia. This
is a small, quiet group who have got to know each other by sharing everyday
problems and events as the year has gone by and become good friends.
In the classes Mandy has used materials that are bright, tactile and light so they
are easier to see and handle. This is because people have a mix of health problems
with their sight, hearing, dexterity, thought processing and memory and we want
them to be able to do as much for themselves as possible. Everyone is delighted to
be able to take something home to show their families and there are lots of smiles
at the end.
Care home staff, family members and carers have all said they think the classes
make a difference to people's quality of life and that's what we were aiming for.
We believe Meet and Make's first year has been a great success and plan to continue
making a difference for as long as we can secure funding. We would like to thank
everyone involved in this project for all their support.
Could you help with this project?
If you can spare just 1 afternoon a month it would really help. You don't have to
have any arts experience to join in and its time well spent.
Do you have any old crafts equipment or materials hidden in the loft!
Please think of us before throwing out fabric, ribbon, card, paint, scissors or any
other materials.
Please contact Mandy Durkin on 07958158181 if you can help.

Peeblesshire Youth Trust
Christmas Hampers…can you help?
The Session agreed that we would support the PYT again this year.
As a result of the generous support your congregation has kindly provided
to us in recent years, you will be aware that, every year, with the support
of local churches, local businesses and the Foodbank, Peeblesshire Youth
Trust (the Trust) provides Christmas hampers to local families with
children under the age of 16 who are struggling in in a variety of different
ways.
Last year we delivered 101 hampers to families nominated by Social
Services, Health Visitors, Schools and the Foodbank and year on year the
number of nominations we receive and hampers we deliver has very sadly
increased.
Planning for this year’s Christmas hampers is now underway and based
on past trends we are anticipating requests for the delivery of more than
100 hampers to families across the Peeblesshire Community once again
this year. However as each hamper generally contains essential food,
treats and toiletries and usually contains approximately £50 worth of
goods, we need to find ca. £5000 of donations in kind or funds to meet
requirements.
I appreciate the church will very likely already be supporting all sorts of
good causes at this time of year and may have to focus on other priorities
and competing pressures at this time. However if there is scope for the
church to once again support our Christmas Hamper programme in any
small way it would be very much appreciated.
Each year most of the local churches and businesses collect specifically
selected non-perishable food items or toiletries and household items for
inclusion in our hampers and the congregation donate as many of the
nominated item as they can. Thereafter, if required, the Trust will top up
supplies from funds raised so that at least one of each item can be
included in each of our (anticipated 100+) hampers. With this in mind if
there is any chance of the church donating packets or boxes of sweet
biscuits (by way of a Christmas treat for recipients) for inclusion in this
year’s hampers it would be hugely appreciated.
If your congregation are able to collect these items I would aim to pick
them them up during week commencing 2 December (or before if
preferred).
Kind regards Grace Mitchell Hamper Co-ordinator

Words of Wisdom
That’s the Good News
‘Where sin increased, grace increased…more’ Romans 5:20 NIV
Bill Wilson and Bob Smith, co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous, once
visited a lawyer who was a hardened alcoholic. Confined to bed because
of violent behaviour, the man had no choice but to listen to their stories
of recovery. But as soon as they started talking about a ‘Higher Power’,
the lawyer shook his head and said, ‘It’s too late for me. I still believe in
God but I know He no longer believes in me’.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
How sad – and misguided! Are
you worried that God won’t
accept you because of your
sins? You don’t have to be!
Paul says, ‘Where sin
increased, grace
increased…more.’ And he
should know, because before
his Damascus Road conversion
he was ‘Public Sinner Number
One’ (1 Timothy 1:15 MSG).
Afterwards God used him to
reach the world with the gospel
(see Acts 17:2).
‘Grace’ was so central to Paul’s message that he mentions it in the very
beginning of all his epistles. That’s because he understood that by trying
to stand you your own merit before a Holy God, every time you mess up
you feel like a failure – unloved, unworthy, and unaccepted.
Psychologists say we try to conform to the image of us that’s seen by
the most important person in our lives. So can you imagine what would
happen if you started seeing yourself as God sees you? The truth is,
you’re His redeemed child and He sees you through the blood of Jesus,
which cleanses all your sins (see 1 John 1:9). There’s nothing you can
do to make God love you more, and nothing you can do to make Him
love you less! And that’s good news.
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

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 me 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!
Miss Fiona Taylor, 12 Graham Street, Peebles EH45 8JP P:724196
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”

READERS
CHURCH ORDERS (PEEBLES)
November 3 Wilma Smith Jeremiah 2:4-13
St Luke 14:1 and 7-14
10 Marjorie Renton Jeremiah 18:1-11
St Luke 14:25-33
17 Alistair Robertson Jeremiah 4:11-12 and 22-28
St Luke 15:1-10
24 Pauline Copeland Jeremiah 8:18-9:1
St Luke 16:1-13
December 1 Howard Clarke Readers will receive the readings
directly from Jim Cutler.
DUTIES
8 Tom Fairbairn
15 Janette Cameron
22 Elizabeth Parker
29 Ronald Ireland
November Fiona Fleming
Allister Jamieson
December Elizabeth Parker Ian Thorburn
Janette Cameron Marjorie Renton
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.
HOLY COMMUNION
November 24 Cathy Davidson Karen Ritchie
THE BELL RINGERS
November 3 Jeanette Mackison (am)
Anne Derrick (pm)
10 Mary Hudson
17 Fiona Taylor
24 Callum Armstrong

FORTHCOMING SERVICES EDDLESTON
November
Sunday 3rd 11.45am Rev Jim Cutler. Twenty-first after Pentecost
Worship4All in EDDLESTON VILLAGE HALL coffee
will be served from 11.15am
Sunday 10th 10.50 am Service of Remembrance Rev Jim Cutler
Sunday 17th
11.45am Service of Holy Communion.
Very Revd. Dr. Finlay Macdonald
Sunday 24th 10 am Service of Worship
Rev Jim Cutler
December
Sunday 1st 11.45am Rev Pamela Strachan. Advent Sunday
In EDDLESTON VILLAGE HALL.
Coffee served from 11.45am
FORTHCOMING SERVICES PEEBLES
November
Sunday 3rd
10am
6pm
Rev Jim Cutler. Twenty-first after Pentecost
Monthly Evening Service Rev Pamela Strachan
Sunday 10th 10am Rev Pamela Strachan Remembrance Sunday
Twenty-Second after Pentecost
Sunday 17th 10am Rev Jim Cutler. Twenty-third after Pentecost
Sunday 24th 10am Rev Jim Cutler. Next before Advent
Christ the King
November
Sunday 1st 9.30a
m
Rev Haisley Moore. Advent Sunday
Breakfast CHurch
CONGREGATIONAL REGISTERS
OFFERINGS
Eddleston
Total Offerings for October 2019 £901.34
Total Offerings for October 2018 £599.20
Total offerings for the first 10 months of 2019 £7,379.16
Total offerings for the first 10 months of 2018 £6,947.07
Increase in offerings over 2018 £435.09

Flower Calendar
Convenor: Rachael Forsyth 01721 724693
rachael50forsyth@gmail.com
3 Donor
Arranger
10 Donor
Arranger
17 Donors
Arranger
24 Donors
Arranger
Karen Ritchie
Stephanie Porter
Remembrance
Rachael Forsyth
Mrs Cathy Davidson
Mrs Elaine Diggans
Fiona Hamilton
Mr John Fairless & Ms Elizabeth Fairless
Gill Arnott
1 Donor Mrs Nancy Forsyth
Arranger Ruth Forsyth
8 Donors Flower Committee Christmas Flowers
15 Donors Christmas Flowers
22 Donors Christmas Flowers
29 Donors Christmas Flowers
Distributors required
If you can help distribute flowers, please let one of the flower
committee know or phone Rachael Forsyth on 724693
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.
And this month there are some photographs of Calum and Janet’s
Farewell Social Evening in case you missed it.

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
Choir
SHARE
Flower
Committee
Bellringers’
Group
Guild of
Friendship
Traidcraft
‘Green Team’
Toddlers’ Group
Bacon Rolls
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 purposebuilt
cupboard selling Fairtrade goods
after morning worship each Sunday
Help to provide ideas for each of us to
better care for God’s creation.
MacFarlane Hall
Tuesdays in school terms. 9.30-
11.00am
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
Rachael Forsyth
01721 724693
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
Interim Moderator:
Very Rev Dr Finlay A J Macdonald
8 St Ronan’s Way
Innerleithen
EH44 6RG
01896 831631 07770 587501
Locum : Rev Jim Cutler
12 Kittlegairy Place
EH45 9LW
01721723950
07540497577
revjimc@outlook.com
Session Clerk:
Vivien Aitchison
sessionclerk@topcop.org.uk
Ordained Local Minister:
Rev. Pamela Strachan
Glenhighton, Broughton
ML12 6JF
01899 830423
PStrachan@churchofscotland.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
Eddleston Treasurer:
Archie Smellie
Hattonknowe, Eddleston.
01721 730282
Bellringers’ Team
Leader:
Anne Derrick
Edderston Road, Peebles
01721 721075
Beadle:
Edward Knowles
56 Eliot’s Park, Peebles.
01721 722860
Eco Church Co-ordinator
Peebles:
Could this be you?
Eddleston Session Clerk,
Organist & Choir
Director: Lorraine
Mulholland
Millbank, Eddleston.
01721 730332
Lorajazz@aol.com
Registered charities (Peebles) SC013316 (Eddleston) SC010081