December 2019a

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

in Peebles Old Parish,10am
Daily Worship Leaders Dec/Jan.
Mon. 2nd Charles Aitchison 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
Mon. 9th Janette Cameron Rev. 1:1-8
Tues. 10th Tom Fairbairn Rev. 1:9-16
Wed. 11th Lily Swinney Rev. 1:17-2:7
Thur. 12th David Donaldson Rev. 2:8-17
Frid. 13th Haisley Moore Rev. 2:18-29
Sat. 14th Rachel Forsyth Rev. 3:1-6
Mon. 16th Marjorie Renton Rev. 3:7-13
Tues. 17th Frances Carrol Rev. 3:14-22
Wed. 18th Wilma Barrett Rev. 4:1-8
Thur. 19th School Service
Frid. 20th Charles Aitichison Rev. 4:9-5:5
Sat. 21st Pauline Copeland Rev. 6:1-7
Mon. 23rd Alistair Robertson Gal. 3:15-22
Tues. 24th Janette Cameron Gal. 3:23-4:7
Wed. 25th Christmas Day
Thur. 26th Geoff Goldstraw Acts 7:59-8:8
Frid. 27th Isabelle Coghill 1 John 1:1-9
Sat. 28th Elizabeth Parker Mark 10:13-16
Mon. 30th Mary Wight John 4:46-54
Tues 31st Tom Fairbairn John 5:1-15
Wed. 1st Lily Swinney Mt 1:19-25 January
Thurs. 2nd Haisley Moore John 6:1-14
Fri. 3rd David Donaldson John 6:15-27
Sat. 4th Rachel Forsyth John 9:1-12,35-38
Mon 6th Marjorie Renton Mt 12:14-21
Tues. 7th Frances Carrol John 6:30-33,48-51
Wed. 8th Wilma Barrett John 7:37-52
Thur. 9th Tom Fairbairn John 8:12-19
Fri. 10th Alistair Robertson John 10:7-17
Sat.11th Pauline Copeland John 14:6-14
From early in its history, the church has developed forms of daily worship. At the

Pastoral letter
December 2019
Dear Friends,
Do you regard Advent as simply ‘waiting and preparing for Christmas’ - both
practical and spiritual preparation?
I believe I did for many years. We’re certainly more than occupied with all the
practical aspects of Christmas preparation, family and friends coming to stay,
managing children’s and grandchildren’s expectations around family traditions,
working out the logistics of who travels when and how the in-laws are fitted into
the schedule. Advent can very easily become a season of ticking boxes and
opening calendar doors.
But, in fact, Advent is a season in its own right.
It is a season of darkness and difficulty - and of reflection and awareness of spiritual
need - and of longing and praying.
Indeed, I would go further and say it really is a season in which we are called to be
utterly honest about ourselves - and about the human condition. About our ‘fallen
nature’ - our weakness and our deep vulnerability. It is a season when we take the
time to have a long, hard look at ourselves …. and perhaps are not very happy
with what we see. And then recognise our deep spiritual need.
It is indeed, a season of ‘longing and praying’ because it is a season when we spend
time reflecting on just how urgently the world needs our Saviour, the Lord Jesus.
Last month with Remembrance Sunday, we were thinking about the 8thC prophets,
Isaiah and Micah and that they recognised how badly the world needed a Saviour.
Their longing gave them a vision for a future ‘when the world would be righted’ -
when peace would reign, and men would no longer train for war. It was impossible
for them to say exactly when and how this Saviour would come - but with hindsight,
we can say 800 years after those prophets, God revealed himself to mankind in the
form of a tiny, vulnerable baby - born to a young teenage mother, in the most
unprepossessing circumstances.
And we describe that little baby and the young man into whom he grew, as ‘The
Prince of Peace’. He showed us there was a different way ‘to be human’. There
was a way that did not involve retaliation and aggression, but - on the contrary -
sought to meet human need with compassion, to befriend the stranger and care for
the widow and orphan, and he gave us a model to follow. He gave us a template,
we might say, so that in any human dilemma we can ask: ‘how might Jesus have
reacted in this situation? - what is the ‘Christ-like response’ in these circumstances?

But we are now 2000 years on from when Jesus was living, so naturally we are
seeing new situations arise that are very different from life in first-century
Palestine.
Nevertheless, we have some pretty clear principles from the life of Jesus that are
recorded in Scripture. For all the cultural changes and the rise of technology - we
can still draw out a thread of how we relate to one another ‘as human beings but
recognising the Christ in one another, the divine essence in one another -
recognising that we are ALL children of God, created by God in his likeness’.
And so Advent is a time of recognising our need of Jesus, the world’s need of a
Saviour, the reality of our needy, flawed human nature. We can see our readiness
to be aggressive and violent and we need no reminding of what a war-like, warmongering
collection of nations we still are, even nearly 3000 years on from the
time of the ancient prophets.
So the Season of Advent which begins on Sunday 1 December, is indeed a season
of darkness and despair, of longing for light, longing for redemption, longing for a
‘turnaround’ in our lives…. recognising that we - as humans - seem incapable of
‘saving ourselves’ from our flawed nature, and our profound need of One who will
save us.
For all our best efforts, our human efforts on their own, are simply not enough. We
need our Lord and Saviour, our Lord Jesus Christ. And week by week, as we
worship together, we recognise our need and our shortcomings, praying for God’s
forgiveness and being ‘renewed in the strength of the Lord’.
We know Christmas is ahead, but each year as we approach Advent and think about
the state of the world, the state of our country, and the reality of ‘being human’ -
each year, we are reminded of how badly we need this coming Prince of Peace.
Which is why God’s supreme gift to us all is to be welcomed with such joy.
God bless us all and a Happy Christmas when it comes.
With love,
Pamela
Ps. And if you’re saying ‘well, that was a rather gloomy Advent pastoral letter’ let
me tell you about all the brilliant things that are going on in the parish and
presbytery (in spite of our flawed human nature!) -
There was a fantastic concert at Eddleston last Sunday by 5 young people.
‘An hour with…. Rowan Steele and friends’ raised over £250 for Eddleston church
funds. More concerts are planned. See p.
Our Advent study group is underway, following Isaiah through the coming weeks.
Discussion is lively and challenging with views ranging from the radical ‘we should
pull down every church building and worship like the early Christians’ to the ultraconservative
‘we should keep things just as they are because we like them like this’.

The new Presbytery Plan falls between these extremes - discussion at next
Presbytery on 3 December should be spirited. Come along to Innerleithen at 7pm
and help shape our exciting future. And come to the next Advent study group and
perhaps shape your own, with God’s help.
There are some joint services and concerts planned with both our Congregations
Eddleston & TOPCOP. Lorraine and Sarah are working closely together planning
TOPCOP concert on 14 March and a New Beginnings weekend (linking with
Breakfast Church) on 18/19 April 2020. See p.
A new Eco-Congregation co-ordinator has been found in Neil Cummings. He’s keen
to pick up our Eco-efforts which we’ll hear more about at Breakfast Church on April
19th. A closer link is being forged with Eddleston primary school and the Kirk and
a series of Eco-talks is planned for the New Year, with parents and the school
chaplain.
Perhaps by the time you’re reading this, Haisley will have delighted us all with his
‘Advent Kiss of Life’ Breakfast Church on 1 December. His wonderful book of poetry
and prayers (More Stained Glass and Humble Bricks) will be on sale at £5 (proceeds
to charities: Parkinson’s UK and Army Benevolent Fund).
Check our outside Noticeboard for the newly appended ‘Confession of Faith’.
News from
Peebles & Eddleston
What we’re up to.
A Bite and a Blether
A Bite and a Blether meets every Wednesday from 11.30am - 1.00pm in
Eddleston Village Hall and continues to be popular.
On Wednesday 11th December the children from Eddleston Primary
School will be down to help and live Christmas Music will be provided by
Gerard Dott on clarinet and Lorraine Mulholland on piano. This will be the
last session for 2019. A Bite and a Blether will resume on January 8th at
the usual time. Sincere and grateful thanks are extended to all the volunteers who
bake, cook the bacon and come along to serve each week throughout the year, also
to everyone who comes along and supports this initiative.
Eddleston Church Clean
The monthly church clean will take place on Monday 30th December at 9.30am at
9.30am
Craft Group at Eddleston
The Craft Group will meet on 5th & 19th December. For further information
regarding the venue please contact Jo Oliver on 01721 730696

Mindfulness Group
The Mindfulness Group will meet on Tuesday 10th December at 7.00pm in the
church. A small donation is invited to cover the cost of heating and lighting the
church.
An Hour with Eddleston Voices, Junior Choir and Friends
Following the hugely successful concert with Rowan Steele and Friends last month,
Eddleston Voices and the Junior Choir will be providing a programme of Christmas
Music on Thursday 19th December at 7.30pm in the church. Gerard Dott will be
performing a selection of Christmas Music on clarinet and we hope to have other
friends join us too. There will be an opportunity for Community Carol Singing
and seasonal refreshments will be served. Entry is by donation and all ages are
welcome to come along and have a good sing!
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.
Meet our new Eco-Coordinator
Neil is originally from North Wales but moved to Scotland
when he was 20 to study horticulture at the Royal
Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh. He now works for the
Horticultural Trades Association who are the voice to
both Scottish and UK Governments of the horticultural
sector. He has lived in Cardrona since 2007 with his wife
Cathie and cat Sooty. They have a daughter called
Carys. Neil and Cathie became grandparents for the first
time on the 12th November and with all that horticultural
background perhaps it's no wonder their grand-daughter is called Poppy. Neil said '
I am absolutely delighted to have been asked to take up the post of Ecocongregation
coordinator for Peebles Old Parish Church and I am looking forward to
speaking to you all at the Breakfast Church on the 19th April. I strongly believe
that each and everyone of us can make just small changes that will make such a
difference to our local environment and show that we are a church that cares for
God's creation, now and forever.
Neil's details. email - carcatnel@yahoo.co.uk or phone 01896 831 771 .

Chat in the Hat
The informal discussion group will meet on Wednesday 4th
December at 7.00pm in the church. Bring along a topic to put into
the hat and enjoy the enfolding discussion. Nibbles are provided but
BYOB. A small donation is invited to help cover heating and lighting
costs.
Good Housekeeping
Ronald Ireland
Interim Treasurer
As the financial year draws to a close at the end of December, it is time
to have a look at where our finances stand.
At the beginning of the year, the budget for the whole year indicated that
there was likely to be a deficit of just over £11,000 if our income was not
improved and expenditure kept in check. This compared to the previous
year when the final deficit was £1,430 which we were able to finance
without resorting to drawing on our long-term reserves.
We now have figures for the 9 months to 30 th September and from that
can make a reasonable estimate of the result for the full year. It does not
make good reading.
When compared to the previous year for the same period, income was
£2,536 lower and expenditure was £4,557 higher, a total of £7093 worse
and as things stand there is every prospect that the deficit for the full
year will be at least as great if not greater than the original forecast of
£11,000, all of which must be a great concern.

This year it will be possible to meet the deficit from the Current Account,
without having to draw on our long-term reserves. Although those
reserves are substantial, they do generate a significant amount of income,
currently of the order of £9,500 per annum. Drawing on those reserves
will inevitably diminish that income. We do need to address the problem
by increasing income, while at the same time controlling expenditure, if
we are not to call on reserves in the coming years.
Hopefully, in the not too distant future, we will be starting the process of
calling a new minister. It is very important that potential candidates are
not deterred by an adverse financial prospect and we will need to show
that we are taking effective steps to address the issue.
Early in the New year the Finance Committee will come forward with
proposals. This will inevitably include a plea to all members to increase
their giving where possible, but also some form of appeal, such as a Gift
Day, which is something which has proved very successful in the past, as
well as fund raising events.
In the meantime, I make no apology for bringing this to the attention of
members, in the hope that it may stimulate discussion and a realisation
that it is important to the future of the Old Parish Church of Peebles.
An Hour With:
Rowan Steele & Friends
If you were not in Eddleston Parish Church on the 17 th of November in the
afternoon, then you missed a world premier.
Rising stars, Rowan Steele and her talented group gave us an hour’s fabulous
music as the first in a new series of Sunday afternoon concerts, ‘An hour with…..’.
The brainchild of Musical Director, Mrs Lorraine Mulholland, the afternoon concert
was an opportunity to
showcase these
talented young school
performers:
Rowan Steele (fiddle),
Jennifer Brown (fiddle
and piano), Lauren
Billet (cello), Eva Billet
(clarinet) and Fin Price
(guitar and voice).

Rowan and her friend Jennifer have performed together for a number of years and
we were thrilled by their fiddle and piano solos in the Midsummer concert earlier
in the year. Foot-tapping is compulsive when listening to these two on their
fiddles and the audience joined in with enthusiasm.
Now Rowan has gathered some more talent to join her on stage as she organised
this concert. Twin sisters, Lauren and Eva delighted the audience with their cello
and clarinet numbers (Music for a while, Via Che Spate, Gadfly) and Rotary Young
Musician of the Year for the Local Area, Fin Price gave an excellent rendition of
the Beatles’ number, ‘I saw her standing there’ followed by’ Soldier on’ and then
joined the girls with some shared numbers to complete the programme.
Mrs Mulholland paid an emotional and moving tribute
to them all at the end of the concert, having
recognised this young talent when Rowan, Jennifer,
Eva and Lauren sang in her Junior Choir from the age
of about 5 or 6.
A natural performer, young Rowan clearly enjoys
delighting an audience and I am sure we are going to
have many more concerts from these talented young
musicians. The concerts are in aid of Eddleston
Parish Church and over £250 was raised on Sunday
for church funds.
Watch out for future concerts in the series. Entry by
donation.
L to R
Fin Price (guitar and voice), Jennifer Brown (fiddle and piano), Eva Billet (clarinet),
Lorraine Mulholland, Lauren Billet (cello) and leader, Rowan Steele (fiddle).

Presbytery visit to Malawi
Pamela Strachan, OLM
We’ve strengthened links with twinned congregations Thondwe and Luwatala and I
continue to receive regular reports from prison chaplain, Rev Stanley Chimesya and the
Veterinary Officer of the open/farm Mpyupyu prison, Kingston Chilenga. He reported on
the (near) completion of a cattle shed (kraal) save for a few vital sheets of corrugated
iron as the rainy season begins. We thought we had the solution with some re-usable
sheeting now available after the re-roofing of a Thondwe teacher’s house. But cultural
protocol will not allow building materials to move from one community to another
(presumably an anti-corruption measure) but nevertheless frustrating as it seemed an
obvious solution to the problem.
Update from Lois Hindley on the Thondwe Girls Project
(sanitary protection for school girls).
The October distribution in Malawi was so successful. The Biggar High School teachers,
Monica and Catriona, worked so hard to make the distribution a success. It has been great
to see the videos and Helen and Lois went to Edinburgh to meet up with Catriona and
Monica and heard directly how they got on. It was so good to hear how they showed the
girls how to look after their kits and look after themselves. The girls were certainly proud
to have these kits. Monica and Catriona spotted some of them with their kits the following
day at school.
Rabecca Pengani is planning to go into the school next year to see how the girls are
getting on with the kits. I am sure that she has learnt such a lot which will help her with
future distributions. We have heard that she has been offered/allocated a teaching post.
She says that she will still be able to help with the TGP so that is great. Mags and Lois
have looked at her work for October and agreed that she has worked 2 days over and
above her 'one day a week retainer' so will will owe her pay for that. Rabecca has been
keeping in touch and visiting the sewing group and sending back videosThe sewing group
are now making the 150 kits needed for standard 7 and standard 8 at Thondwe Primary
School. We hope that these will be ready to distribute in the new year. We are looking at
ways to improve the sewing group's business thinking so that they can handle a budget
for the required sewing. They may soon be getting orders from other areas in the Zomba
district.
Meanwhile we aim to send about 190 DFG kits to St Anthony's School to reach the rest of
the girls in the school (ie form 2 and 3). We are hoping that this distribution will happen in
the Spring 2020.
There has been so much interest shown in the project locally here in Scotland. Other
members of the October Malawi trip from Stow Church of Scotland and Eddleston/ Old
Parish, Peebles were so impressed that they have become great supporters and are
spreading the word in other areas. The stall at the BGH, as well as raising about £600,
attracted so many folks attention. Lois and Mags visited Newlands Guild this week and
found more interested ladies who generously donated £100.
So, we are in the wonderful position of having funds to support the project, and the vision
of providing the girls in Thondwe with MHM kits and the relevant education is now a
reality! We do need to do more work in ensuring that it will be ongoing and the Thondwe
Sewing group will need further support to ensure that they are equipped to achieve this
ultimate goal.

Kirk Session Report
16th October 2019
The meeting was constituted by the Interim Moderator the Very Rev Finlay
Macdonald and the Session welcomed both him and our Locum Minister, Rev Jim
Cutler.
We had the happy news that owing to growing demand there is to be another
company of Girl Guides starting in Peebles. They will require extra time in the
MacFarlane hall and they propose to hold a coffee morning with the proceeds
going to the Church.
A letter has been received from Lorraine Mulholland and Jane Gillham regarding a
celebration of music and flowers in the Church at Eddleston. It is proposed for the
Church to be decorated and it is hoped that our flower committee will be able to
help. Contact will be made with the Flower Committee and a meeting will take
place to proceed with this.
Peebles Youth Trust – A letter has been received from Grace Mitchell on behalf of
PYT requesting boxes of sweet biscuits for their annual Christmas hamper appeal.
The Session agreed to this and a letter will be sent to Grace to confirm. A box will
be put in the vestibule and will be collected after the first Sunday in December –
we hope there will be the usual generous support.
Vacancy – the ministry team is the Interim Moderator (Finlay Macdonald), the
Locum minister (Jim Cutler) and Rev Pamela Strachan.
Details for Finlay and Jim will be added to the back of the magazine so that the
Congregation will know how to contact them. Jim also suggested that his details
go on the Order of Service
Finlay will take the Session Meetings and Jim will conduct most of our worship.
Jim will also provide 2 days cover per week for pastoral care.
It is important at this time of vacancy for Elders to be able to visit their districts
when appropriate to keep the congregation together.
Remembrance Sunday – Finlay will be at Innerleithen so Pamela will conduct a
shorter service to allow attendance at the Quadrangle.
Christmas Services – Christmas Day – Jim, Christmas Eve – Finlay
The Nine Lessons and Carols will be held on Dec 22nd – Readers will be arranged.
The November monthly evening service will be the last one – this will be revisited
at a later date.
The way ahead – Church of Scotland is facing a double challenge in an under
supply of Ministers and an oversupply of church buildings.

The Session was asked to a meeting and to give rankings on a series of possible
options going forward. The suggestion going forward to Presbytery is for 4
ministers:
1. -One for the parishes of Broughton linked with Skirling linked with
Tweedsmuir adding the linking with the parish of West Linton, linked with
Newlands & Kirkurd and linked with Carlops.
2. -One in St Andrews Leckie linked with Lyne & Manor
3. -One in Peebles Old linked with Eddleston and linked with Stobo
4. -One in Innerleithen, Traquair and Walkerburn
This recommendation will go to the December Presbytery meeting.
A request
from Elspeth
I have been so grateful for all my
friends and families support
after my devastating diagnosis
of MND in July.
My two sons Thomas and James
along with my nephew Gordon
are doing a bungee jump at the
end of November to raise funds
for MND Scotland.
Anyone who would like to show
their support is very welcome to do so. You can either do it via my Facebook
page or give Eddie your donation any Sunday which we can donate on your
behalf. There is no cure for MND so research is vital.
Thank you
Elspeth Knowles
There’s a Just Giving page set up by Elspeth’s nephew Gordon along with
Thomas and James at which you can donate at:
justgiving.com/fundraising/gordon-caywood

Words of Wisdom
Be Patient
‘When the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow so let it’
James 1:2-4 TLB
You’re closer than you know to becoming the person God wants you to
be. By His enabling grace, you’ll make it through this trial and come out
stronger and wiser.
Paul says, ‘If God is for us, who can be
against us?’ (Romans 8:31 NKJV). God is
for you! That means you can do the thing
you are afraid you can’t do. The prison bars
you’re beating against are in your mind.
And since you put them up, with God’s help
you can take them down. God wants to set
you free from the fearful attitudes that
have held you back for so long; to release
you to live up to your full potential.
The right attitude can overcome almost any
barrier. For example. The Bible says, ‘Love
never fails’ (1 Corinthians 13:8 NIV) Why?
Because love isn’t dependent on your
emotions or circumstances, it’s a servant of
your will. Love is a decision! Jesus said,
‘This is my commandment, that ye love one
another, as I have loved you’. (John 15:12 KJV). And if Jesus commands
it, He will enable you to do it! Beginning is usually the hard part. The
journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step; after that it gets
easier. But look out; old attitudes will try to resurface and come back
stronger than ever. Don’t let them.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-
SA
Radio commentator Paul Harvey says, ‘You can always tell when you’re
on the road to success; it’s uphill all the way’. So be patient; it will take
time to get there. But anything worthwhile is worth working for.
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)
December 1 Howard Clarke Readers will receive the readings
8 Lily Swinney
directly from Jim Cutler.
15 Tom Fairbairn
22 Janette Cameron
29 Elizabeth Parker
January 5 Ronald Ireland
DUTIES
12 Margaret Ireland
19 Frances Carrol
26 Isabelle Coghill
December Elizabeth Parker Ian Thorburn
Janette Cameron Marjorie Renton
January
Frances Carrol
Douglas Cunningham
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
December 29 Ruby Buchan Anne Derrick
THE BELL RINGERS
December 1 Anne Derrick
8 Margaret Anderson
15 Jeanette Mackison
22 Rosalie Gibson
22 Nine Lessons & Carols. Fiona Taylor
24 Watchnight. Kirsty Davidson
25 Christmas Day. Kirsty Davidson
29 Mary Hudson

FORTHCOMING SERVICES EDDLESTON
December
Sunday 1st 11.45am Advent Sunday. Rev Pamela Strachan.
In EDDLESTON VILLAGE HALL.
Sunday 8th 11.45 am Second Sunday in Advent. Rev Jim Cutler.
Sunday 15th 11.45am Third Sunday in Advent. The Junior Choir will be
presenting 'Light's Camel, Action!' by Antony
Copus. Very Rev David Arnott.
Thursday 19th 9.30am Eddleston Primary School Christmas Service
Rev Pamela Strachan.
Sunday 22nd 11.45 am Fourth Sunday in Advent. Rev Nancy Norman.
Tuesday 24th 6 pm Christmas Eve Service with Eddleston Voices
Rev Jim Cutler.
Sunday 29th 10 am First Sunday after Christmas. Rev Jim Cutler.
January
Sunday 5th 11.45am Second Sunday after Christmas. Rev Jim Cutler.
In EDDLESTON VILLAGE HALL.
FORTHCOMING SERVICES PEEBLES
December
Sunday 1st 9.30am Advent Sunday
Breakfast Church. 9.30am Breakfast;
10am Morning Worship. Rev Haisley Moore.
Sunday 8th 10am Second Sunday in Advent. Rev Jim Cutler.
Sunday 15th 10am Third Sunday in Advent.
Very Rev David Arnott.
Sunday 22nd
Tuesday 24th
10am
6pm
Fourth Sunday in Advent. Rev Jim Cutler.
Service of Nine Lessons and Carols.
Rev Pamela Strachan
11.30pm Christmas Eve Watchnight Service.
Very Rev Dr Finlay Macdonald.
Wednesday 25th 10am Christmas Morning Service. Rev Jim Cutler
Sunday 29th 10am First Sunday after Christmas.
Rev Pamela Strachan
January
Sunday 5th 10am Second Sunday after Christmas.
Very Revd Dr Finlay Macdonald

OFFERINGS
Eddleston
Total Offerings for November 2019 £889.04
Total Offerings for November 2018 £709.96
Total offerings for the first 11 months of 2019 £9,095.20
Total offerings for the first 11 months of 2018 £7,338.18
Increase in offerings over 2018 £1,757.02
CONGREGATIONAL REGISTERS
Peebles
Deaths
Mr Robert Forsyth, Clerwood, 6 March Street, Peebles. on 28 September
Mrs Joyce Douglas 6 Dukehaugh died on 2nd October
Mrs Jean Johnstone, 65 Edderston Road on 28 October.
Miss Anne Frame, Peebles Nursing Home on 7 November.
Mrs Theresa Finlayson Hyndlee, Venlaw High Road on 17 November.
Flower Calendar
Convenor: Rachael Forsyth 01721 724693
rachael50forsyth@gmail.com
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
5 Donor Christmas Flowers
12 Donor
Arranger
Mrs Margaret Ireland & Mrs Shirley Richards
Stephanie Porter
19 Donors
Arranger
Mrs Doreen Thomson & Mr Forrest
Fiona Hamilton
26 Donors
Arranger
Mrs Anne Goodburn & Mrs Betty Peat
Rachael Forsyth

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:
Neil Cummings
01896 831 771
carcatnel@yahoo.co.uk
Eddleston Session Clerk,
Organist & Choir
Director: Lorraine
Mulholland
Millbank, Eddleston.
01721 730332
Lorajazz@aol.com
Registered charities (Peebles) SC013316 (Eddleston) SC010081