January 2021

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At Peebles OldSadly, but in keeping with the Covid-19guidelines, our Daily Worship along withSunday Worship is still currently suspended.However the texts and hymns for weeklyservices are available at peeblesold.onlineIn these changed times it’s more important thatwe keep in touch with those around us by safemeans. As this and foreseeable editions of thismagazine will only be available electronicallyplease share the word around that it can beobtained online at www.topcop.org.ukYou can also keep up to datevia our Facebook page.
Pastoral letterJanuary 2021Rev. John SmithDear FriendsChange is not a state that is necessarily embraced with joy in our human condition.And yet we live surrounded by it, especially as we move into another year. Thereis much to feel cautious over. To think of just a few.Climate change. Even the most reactionary climate change deniers are beginningto sense that the concerns that threaten our world are gaining traction, and a newsense of reality amidst us. Pray that we Christians may further strive to graspwhat it means to be stewards of God’s creation.As I write this, there are last ditch attempts underway to try to rescue some kindof structured deal out of the Brexit transitional phase discussions. By the time youread this, you will know more. But there are many changes there that we canperceive, but not yet know how to handle. Pray that those changes may becomeopportunities for us to work towards a world of justice and generosity.The change of administration in the US has to be lived through - not an easyprocess, but one that affects us all globally. Pray for common sense, and a senseof decency to prevail through these weeks.It’s clear that - even with the fantastic work done by researchers to bring aCoronavirus vaccine to the table - we shall have to be prepared to live with Covidmoving forward. More manageable, certainly, but causing changes in our way ofliving. Pray that we may be able to move away from the days of masshospitalisations and sad fatalities, and learn to return to a changed normal for thebenefit of our whole society.A change for me is to get back to work after eight weeks of medical treatment.It’s a joy to be back among friends old and new. Pamela and David have beenstalwarts - creative and encouraging as they have provided such quality leadershipthrough these weeks. We owe them our admiration and our thanks. They havecertainly made it easy for me to slip back into harness.2021 will be guaranteed to provide challenges and change. I’m glad that we areset to share both together. The writer of Hebrews talks of Jesus Christ being thesame, yesterday, today and forever. Lots of words have been written about whatthat may mean or not mean. I think we can be assured it’s a phrase full ofconfident promise. Never to suggest that we, his followers, should live in a stateof stasis. Nor shall we. But there is no cause for us to fear change that is basedon the unchangeable love of God.Glory be to God - who creates, and saves, and sustains us.Kind regardsJohn
Page 1: ThemagazinePeebles OldParish Church
Page 5 and 6: Eddleston KirkThe search for a repl
Page 7: How the Covid-19 Virus willaffect o
Page 10 and 11: News fromPeebles & EddlestonWhat we
Page 12 and 13: Eco CongregationResolutions for 202
Page 14 and 15: Updates from around the WorldPamela
Page 16 and 17: Food for ThoughtLiving in a Christ-
Page 18: Words of WisdomOld VoicesThis Photo
Page 22 and 23: Bell-tower CraikMore tea Vicar?The
Page 24 and 25: Church NoticesWithout any services
Page 26: Who’s Who at Peebles & EddlestonI

January 2021

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