June2020

the magazine
Peebles Old
Parish Church of
Scotland
with
Eddleston Parish
Church of Scotland
June 2020

At Peebles Old
Sadly, but in keeping with the Covid-19
guidelines, our Daily Worship along with
Sunday Worship is still currently suspended.
However the texts and hymns for weekly
services are available at peeblesold.online
In these changed times it’s more important that
we keep in touch with those around us by safe
means. As this and foreseeable editions of this
magazine will only be available electronically
please share the word around that it can be
obtained online at www.topcop.org.uk
You can also keep up to date
via our Facebook page.

Pastoral letter
June 2020
Dear Friends
I need a barber! And a dentist! (Those who follow peeblesold.online will have
noticed that I have lost a crown.) And a chiropodist, and someone who can
operate on my mobile phone). Such are the ongoing frustrations of the
coronavirus. On the positive side. I’ve used hardly any petrol, and I haven’t
been to an ATM in ages.
Of course, these things are utterly trivial compared to the heartbreak,
suffering and loss that COVID-19 has wreaked on our lives. I was pondering
this morning. I was born and brought up in Dumfries, a busy traditional
Scottish county and market town. The UK death toll from the virus has now
exceeded the population of Dumfries. A whole town wiped out and more.
Some of the deaths have affected us even more closely and deeply. And when
we take into account the many who have been ill and recovered, the majority
of us will know folk who have had to fight the virus.
Add to all that the worries about jobs, unemployment, schools, the economy
generally it is a heavy burden our society is having to deal with. What surprises
most is the speed with which our ways of life have been comprehensively
changed. We all wonder, I think, will the old ways return? Perhaps not all of
them will. Perhaps some of them should not.
Which of us wholeheartedly embraces change? Very few. It’s part of the
human condition to be wary of disturbance around us. And yet our survival as
specks on the panorama of the universe depends on gradual restoration and
transformation. Our Scriptural record shows it. Jeremiah stood at the Temple
gate and said: “Look for the ancient paths”! Restoration! The same prophet
also warned the people not to think that by chanting “This is the temple of the
Lord…the temple of the Lord….the temple of the Lord” that they would be
saved. Transformation!
That’s where we are. Perhaps where we have always been. Finlay Macdonald,
elsewhere in the magazine, will be saying something about the current
thinking of the Church of Scotland - which had begun a process of deep selfexamination
when Covid-19 came along.
Here in the Old Parish and in Eddleston we are following the rules carefully.
We do not want to put anyone in any kind of danger. So many things in our
corporate life have been put on hold. In worship terms, we produce a new set

of worship resources every week. What we are doing is fairly unique. We are
not streaming a church service. But ministers, organist, and church members
(oh, not forgetting the bell ringers!) are coming together to provide tools to
bring worship into your own homes. We recognise that not everyone has
access to the internet. So now you can listen to the material, too, by dialling
0113 467 8156. Anytime, 24/7. If you have a calls package from your
telephone provider, this should be free. Otherwise you just pay your standard
rate. The call will last approximately 20 minutes.
The choir continues to meet on a Thursday evening, courtesy of Zoom. I
popped in to say hello, (online of course), and I can assure you that they are
all in exuberant mood.
Pastoral contact has to be by phone. I’ve been phoning round folk, basically
to introduce myself and to enquire how things are going for them. Thank you
for so many hearty, warm welcomes. And look forward to the day when we
can meet face to face.
Rev Pamela Strachan has been able to join the ministry team again after an
enforced overstay in New Zealand. We are delighted to see her back, and she
will be contributing to worship from time to time. She is now serving as Locum
Minister in Upper Tweeddale, where she lives, but is able to offer us a day
each week as part of the new arrangement. The ministry team has identified
the fact that after the sore loss of Lorraine Mulholland the Eddleston Kirk folk
will need support and pastoral accompaniment in particular ways, and to begin
with at least `Pamela will make that healing process the focus of her work.
This is not to say that either Finlay or I will not be available to Eddleston in
our respective roles, but we are very grateful that Pamela brings her sensitivity
and pastoral kindness to the folk there in this time of need.
Grace and peace to each one of you
John R Smith

Vacancy matters
Finlay Macdonald
This year, for the first time in over three centuries, there was no meeting of
the General Assembly.
Throughout the seventeenth century the Kirk swung between presbyterian
and episcopal government and between 1652 and 1690 no General
Assemblies were held. The latter year saw the restoration of presbyterianism,
including the first Assembly in 38 years. An intriguing footnote of history
records that, in the interests of continuity, the 1690 Assembly was
constituted by the moderator of 1652, by then a very old man. One of the
Assembly’s first tasks was to appoint a new and younger moderator. Let’s
hope that Martin Fair, the present moderator, doesn’t have to wait 38 years
to introduce his successor.
A year ago the 2019 Assembly adopted radical changes for more efficient
governance through the appointment of a body of Assembly trustees charged
with delivering root and branch reorganisation and the determining of
priorities for the future. Unable to report this year in the normal way the
trustees delivered their initial findings through an on-line webinar streamed
on Friday 22 May.
Here are some of these findings:
Scale back or stop work where it is clear that there would be greater
benefit through working in partnership with charities or agencies
already working in specialist areas;
Stop areas of work where there is no clear benefit to the life of the
local church;
Stop work which does not provide some clear measure of support to
those in the ministries of the church or to those engaged in
resourcing the life of the local church;
Examine the outcomes in relation to all projects and partnership
work, and scale back or stop work which does not justify the current
resource allocation.
They continue:
As an overall yardstick the Trustees have had in mind the need to
appraise work by reference to one or other of the first three of the five
marks of mission which have gained widespread ecumenical
acceptance. The fourth and fifth marks are of great importance but,
especially in a time of crisis, only in conjunction with the first three:

1. To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom;
2. To teach, baptise and nurture new believers;
3. To respond to human need by loving service;
4. To seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge
violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation;
5. To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and
renew the life of the earth.
As if this weren’t challenge enough the Assembly Trustees state that it should
be noted that the criteria above were set out before the advent of the
pandemic; consequently, the challenges and opportunities are now of a
different magnitude. In this regard, the Trustees have given consideration to
the changing variables which are being faced as a result of lockdown. The
Trustees estimate that congregational income could be reduced by £30m in
2020, representing one-third of that income, through the absence of Sunday
services, weddings, hall lets and fundraising. This is however very much
dependent on the length of lockdown and how any phased easing of lockdown
affects Church activities and how members and others respond in support of
their local congregation. Each congregation is likely to be impacted
differently. An element of this income, as yet unknown, will be a permanent
loss, impacting on activities in 2021 and beyond.
This, then, is the context in which we find ourselves in Peebles and Eddleston
preparing for the next chapter of linkage with Stobo and Drumelzier and the
calling of a new minister. These are changing and challenging times indeed,
but already we have been trying new things and learning new ways. At time
of writing I have had three successful Zoom meetings. A few weeks ago I had
never heard of ‘Zoom’. I also acknowledge a debt of gratitude to Willie Nicoll,
whose IT skills have enabled Holy Week and Sunday services to continue online,
with kent local voices, images, music and not forgetting the sound of the
Peebles church bells and the playing of organ voluntaries. These weekly
offerings of worship are being appreciated around the world, as well as
locally.
Please then continue to support the work of our local congregations in these
uncertain times - through your prayers, your encouragement and your
offerings, celebrating and helping to deliver the five marks of mission.
Grace and peace be with you all,
Finlay Macdonald, Interim Moderator.

“If you have been able to read this edition,
telephone someone you know who does not have
internet access and ask them if they would like to
know what is in it”
Remember that you can view the content of each
Sunday service at www.peeblesold.online
We recognise that not everyone has access to the
internet. So now you can listen to the material, too,
by dialling 0113 467 8156. Anytime, 24/7. If you
have a calls package from your telephone provider,
this should be free. Otherwise you just pay your
standard rate. The call will last approximately 20
minutes.

How the Covid-19 Virus will
affect our church life
Church of Scotland Briefing
Church of Scotland - Covid-19 Briefing 17th March 2020 – Cancellation of
Services and other information.
The Church’s Covid-19 Task Group met this morning, and considered the most
recent advice from the Scottish Government, issued on the evening of Monday
16 th March.
The Scottish Government advised that people should minimise social contact by
avoiding crowded areas and large gatherings, including religious congregations,
and smaller gatherings, listing areas which were of concern.
Worship – Cancellation of Worship Services
In the light of the above, the Church of Scotland Task Group has agreed to ask,
in the strongest terms, that all gatherings for worship should cease until further
notice, with effect from Wednesday 17 th March 2020, or earlier if possible. Other
Scottish Churches are taking similar actions. This obviously includes Easter
services. Some Presbyteries have already instructed this action. This will
include, but not be restricted to, house groups, meetings for youth work, and
church cafes. It will still be possible for an individual to offer a livestreaming of a
sermon and prayers. Further information on livestreaming, including information
on copyright, can be found in the circular on the Law Department’s
webpages. Sunday broadcasts of a weekly service take place on Radio 4, and
also on Radio Scotland; other radio stations are available.
Church buildings can be kept open as a place for people to come and pray.
Notices should be clearly displayed asking that visitors observe robust hand
hygiene, including washing their hands on entry to the church.
Prayer
The Moderator, the Right Reverend Colin Sinclair, has along with the Archbishop
of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and other church leaders, issued a call for a
National Day of Prayer.
Offerings
The Task Group is aware that closing down worship services will impact on
congregational income, and we want to encourage people to continue
contributing financially as far as possible, and to encourage the increased use of
standing orders as an expression of ongoing stewardship.
Funerals
The key phrase here is to minimise social contact. Sensitive conversations will
need to take place with families and mourners ahead of funeral ceremonies, and
to consider the size of groups gathering for funerals. It may be necessary in the
future to consider whether funerals should be restricted exclusively to minister,

immediate family, and funeral directors. In addition, local guidance from funeral
directors and crematorium staff will be critical here. It should be noted that
many crematoria have the facility to livestream services and to host a recording
of services for a period of time after the cremation service.
Weddings
For weddings, the advice offered in the briefing note of 12 th March 2020 remains
unchanged; certain venues will be restricting attendance, and it may be that
couples have to work through what changes have to made, including in some
cases rearranging. Travel restrictions on travel into the UK will also have an
effect on guests at weddings. Again, sensitive conversations will be the order of
the day.
Pastoral Care Networks
Please find attached a guidance note from the Church’s Safeguarding
Department with some useful guidance about setting up small pastoral care
networks with a practical outcome. This guidance note contains a postcard which
may be useful. There are some good ideas here about small groups; such groups
can mitigate social isolation, and help people to continue to feel that they are
part of the wider community of faith. Previous advice about using tools such as
Skype, email, letters, greetings cards, Facetime, and Whatsapp groups are all
useful approaches and some of these are particularly helpful where people don’t
use technology.
Covid-19
We are living in strange times and the thought that church services should be
suspended until further notice would never have occurred to any of us. Going
forward we plan to provide worship resources to be placed on the Old Parish Church
website and on the Eddleston Church facebook page. We hope that this will offer
some compensation for the loss of public worship. Meantime, all members and
friends are urged to continue their support of the congregations through your
prayers, service and giving and, where possible, to offer practical support to those
particularly affected by the Covid-19 virus. If visiting is not advised a phone, skype
or facetime call may offer some comfort and reassurance.

News from
Peebles & Eddleston
What we’re up to.
Church Office contact arrangements
Whilst closed to visitors you can still contact the church office. By telephone
on 01721 723986 (number has been diverted to my mobile phone) mobile 07845
122356. You can also email me on admin@topcop.org.uk or via the 'contact us' box
on the website www.topcop.org.uk
Best wishes and keep well.
Ruth Kerr
Church Administrator
Eddleston Parish Church and news of what we’re (still) up to!
Because of Covid restrictions, all our group meetings and activities are curtailed.
Services of worship are online.
Local resident, Jo Oliver, describes how Resilient Eddleston continues to meet the
needs of those in the village and that The Horseshoe Inn plays a pivotal role:We
are blessed - community spirit has always been very strong in Eddleston.
However, the current Covid-19 situation has necessitated giving a little more
structure to the help and support available. Resilient Eddleston was established at
the beginning of lockdown, with online Facebook support group, and ‘EddlePhone’
(07444 438732) offering 24-hour telephone support for anything from needing a
prescription collected, walking a dog, or just a friendly chat - with a growing band
of helpers on hand to do whatever is needed, we intend this support to endure long
after the current crisis is behind us.
The Horseshoe Inn is also playing a vital role, with essential provisions available,
and take-away and freezer meals on offer. In addition, funding was secured via
Peebles Community Trust to provide extra support, including up to 50 free meals
twice a week, to those in need within the community.

An update on the Peeblesshire Foodbank
Fr Tony Lappin
Move to new premises - thank you, St. Joseph’s !
One of the hard consequences of the continuing lockdown damage to our economy
is the impact this is having on the weekly budgets of many local households. As
you may have read in the Peeblesshire News (22 May), there has been a great
surge in uptake of our Peeblesshire Foodbank. Increased demand, coupled with
Covid restrictions and other knock-on effects of the lockdown, have meant the
Foodbank has outgrown its former premises in Cavalry Park.
Fr Tony Lappin from our neighbouring St. Joseph’s parish, Chairman of the
Peeblesshire Foodbank, gives an update:
It has been a challenging time all round since the Covid-19 crisis began and the
lockdown measures were put in place. Overnight, we lost a significant percentage
of our volunteers, given that many are over 70 years of age and others have
underlying health conditions. And, of course, demand for food parcels increased
sharply, with an increase in demand of 85%. This has been due mainly to some
people losing their employment and Universal Credit taking five weeks to be
processed, children not receiving the usual daily meal at school, and in-work
poverty continuing.
Thankfully, we were able to recruit some new volunteers and our existing team
leaders stepped up to the mark by bringing in family members, with whom they
were isolating, to keep the service operating. However, as the weeks progressed,
it became increasing difficult to continue to operate safely and effectively from the
unit in Cavalry Park. Tesco have been most helpful in donating large pallets of
food each week. This, together with the continued donations from the good people
of Peeblesshire, made storage of stock difficult. The limited space also posed
challenges for volunteers to maintain social distancing.
So, along with our Neighbourhood Centre committee, I offered the Centre to the
Foodbank on a temporary basis so that the difficulties could be addressed. With
the help of the Peebles Covid-19 Resilience Group and Traquair House, the
Foodbank moved to our Neighbourhood Centre on 10 May. This move went very
well and having the extra space is proving to be very helpful. At the start of the
lockdown, volunteers from the Peebles Rugby Club came forward to help with
deliveries of food parcels and this has been a great help. The trustees and
volunteers of the Foodbank are now considering the developments necessary for
future sustainability as all the predictions are, sadly, that we will need the
Foodbank for many years to come. We are so grateful for the continued food and
financial donations that people make on a regular basis; the kindness and
generosity of so many is amazing.

Parish outreach
Foodbank donations have been an important part of our parish outreach for the
past five years and the need for financial donations is now even greater.
In the past, activities such as Eddleston’s Bite and Blether, and the Stobo
Community coffee mornings have generated sizeable and regular donations to the
Foodbank along with other fundraising efforts throughout the county.
Stobo Community Coffee mornings
It was suggested about 18 months ago
at a Kirk Session Meeting that we
should be doing more to support our
local community. We decided to hold a
coffee morning in Stobo Village Hall on
20th April 2019 to ask people in the
Stobo and Drumelzier Parish what kind
of support the church could offer them.
People came up with a number of
suggestions but there seemed to be
overwhelming support for a regular
coffee morning and local people were
keen that the village hall should be used on a regular basis. The Kirk Session
decided that we would organise a monthly coffee morning on the second Saturday
of the month in Stobo village hall. The aim would be to charge just a small
amount, £2.50 for coffee and cakes. We wanted to provide a social occasion for all
local people but also to welcome people from nearby villages and Peebles and
anyone who just happened to be passing - cyclists or people on holiday. We
decided that if we all sat at one table everyone would feel included in the
conversation so they would feel comfortable if they happened to come on their own
or if they did not know anyone who was there. Volunteers provide home baking
and coffee is provided by the village hall committee. We also wanted to provide
financial support to a local initiative that was making a difference in the lives of
local people and we decided that we would like to commit ourselves to providing a
regular sum of money to help fund the Peeblesshire Foodbank. Our Treasurer
suggested that the church should donate money from existing church funds. The
Kirk Session agreed that we should provide £50 every month and we would also
donate the funds raised
through the coffee morning.
Attendance at the coffee
mornings varies enormously;
sometimes there is just a
handful of people but at other
times we have had nearly 30
people.
In 2019 £719 was donated to
the Peeblesshire Foodbank and
so far in 2020, £356 from
Stobo Kirk.

But donations from such gatherings have ‘dried up in lockdown’ with the ban on
such social get-togethers and we’ve had to think of other ways of raising money.
Last week, Stobo & Drumelzier organised an online Zoom quiz - a brilliant way to
keep us in touch with friends throughout the parishes and to raise funds for the
Foodbank at the same time. We raised £165 from a lively evening and another
such evening has been proposed in a few weeks’ time as lockdown continues.
Fundraising and volunteering
efforts continue throughout the
parishes of Peeblesshire as Stobo’s
recent Zoom quiz demonstrates.
But revenue from Eddleston’s Bite
and a Blether, from coffee
mornings and from innumerable
other gatherings have all dried up
during lockdown.
So there’s a two-fold impact on the
Peeblesshire Foodbank: increased
demand and decreased revenue
stream. All the more important we
keep the needs of the vulnerable in
our community in the forefront of
our minds and efforts.
Session Clerk, Jane Gilham
Memories of Lorraine
From Eddleston and beyond
Gathering to remember Lorraine at Eddleston Kirk.
Because of the Covid restrictions, the funeral for our much-loved friend, musician
and Session Clerk, Lorraine Mulholland, was necessarily private and limited in
numbers. Only ten mourners are now permitted at the Borders crematorium
during lockdown, and yet there were so many who wanted to attend her funeral on
11 May. The Eddleston community responded to the growing call for some way to
mark the occasion. In consultation with the Kirk Session, an email was circulated:
A private funeral for Lorraine will take place on Monday 11 May at 12 o’clock in
Melrose. We have been contacted by many people asking how they can mark the
occasion so have arranged for Elaine Steele from the village (whose children were
both taught by Lorraine) to play the bagpipes at the Church gates in Eddleston at

this time. The tribute will enable friends to unite in their thoughts, prayers and
happy memories of Lorraine and come together at the Church, listen from their
doorsteps or just sit in quiet reflection at home.
If you do come to the Church, we ask that you please respect the Social Distancing
rules and stay 2 metres apart.
(Eddleston Kirk Session)
The word spread, and on Monday
morning over 50 folk gathered at
Eddleston church with many more in
their own gardens and in front of
houses, while some sat quietly at
home at 12 noon to think about
Lorraine and unite in spirit with the
funeral party.
(Eddleston Voices), former pupils, members
of the Junior Choir and their families, of
Nomad Beat and residents of Eddleston
village all quietly assembled amongst the
gravestones of the Kirk, keeping their
distance from one another in line with the
Covid protocols. Those from further afield,
unable to travel because of restrictions,
were with us in spirit. There was a keen
wind, but a beautiful sunny day and many
could hear the pipes from a distance.
People slowly positioned themselves
in the ancient graveyard - first in
silence, and then to the haunting
strains of the pipes at midday. There
were members of Lorraine’s choir,
Meanwhile, at the Borders Crematorium our
small funeral party was assembling.
From Eddleston Voices:
Several of us from the choir paid our
respects to the funeral group leaving
Edinburgh Road….while others were at the
roundabout in Peebles..
And importantly, at midday - those who
could not attend the graveyard in Eddleston stood in their doorways and listened to
the pipes if they could hear them and paid their respects. Some of the choir live
outside Eddleston but all knew when the funeral was and because of social
distancing and non essential travel everyone joined in wherever they were... even
a choir member on hospital visit!
Fiona and her daughter Shona Sinclair share their thoughts:
As friends and villagers gathered around the churchyard overlooking Peter &
Lorraine’s house, silence fell and the sun shone throughout the Scottish Borders. A

beautiful rendition of ‘Highland Cathedral ‘and ‘Rowan Tree’ were played by Ellie
Steele, which brought a tide of tears as we all gathered in silent reflection in
remembering our dearest Lorraine. Although we were not able to attend the
funeral, we felt equally, that we were paying our respects to a great friend in
Lorraine who held magnificent musical talent and always had a smile, chat and
time for everyone she met.
Shona remembers Lorraine as a brilliant piano teacher, who always gave a warm
welcome to her (and us all).
“Lorraine would always help me in areas of music if I needed help. She would
always make it easy for me to learn music/piano. My lessons with Lorraine were
always enjoyable. One lesson in particular,
Lorraine asked her son Patrick to come &
listen to my playing, this made me feel
special, she wanted to show me off.
Lorraine always believed in everybody’s
playing and singing ability. I was in the
junior choir when I was at Eddleston
Primary School & enjoyed the singing, so
much so that when I was old enough, I
joined Eddleston Voices too. My mum is in
the choir, so that was an additional bonus.
I hadn’t been in the Voices group too long,
but again Lorraine made this fun & we
even had ‘social evenings’ which were good.
We all miss Lorraine very much, don’t
know what will happen with choir, she
will never be forgotten, she brought so
much energy & love to everyone’s lives
that she touched. Thank you Lorraine
for all the music friendship & love you
gave us. Shona.
Singer and fellow-musician, Kathy Kennedy and
her husband Ken were there:
“ It was so quiet, not a sound before the piper
played, the fiddlers… - and then Kirsty Loudon led
the African song, Forget Me Not - and the choir
quietly sang along - social distancing among the
grave stones…..x. there was a swallow weaving
amongst the stones as well - reminding us of the
spirit of Lorraine in her higher realm.”

From Kirsty Loudon:
“Others joined in the singing and we
were very much with you in spirit and
voice that Monday. We are all so glad
Lorraine led a non-audition choir
encouraging every single one of us to
join together and sing. I was …. looking
over the village and Lorraine and Peter’s
home. Thinking of Lorraine.”
Some of Lorraine’s former pupils
brought their instruments. Rowan
Steele and Jennifer Brown played ‘Hills
of Lorne’ on their fiddles …. playing
together just as they had last November
in one of Lorraine’s memorable ‘An hour
with….’ concerts. Her lasting legacy will be the countless numbers who have gained
confidence and pleasure in making music from her patient teaching. Lorraine
inspired and encouraged all ages and abilities and central to her Christian faith was
her dedication to community outreach.
On Monday 11 May 2020 at 12 noon, her much-loved Eddleston community
reached out to her in their shared grief - and reached out to Peter and Patrick and
the family, in supportive love and prayer.
Revd Pamela Strachan, OLM.
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of
services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same
God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the
Spirit for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12: 4-7)
If anyone would like a copy of Lorraine’s funeral, please email:
pamelastrachan19@gmail.com

Lockdown Food for Thought
Living in a Christ-soaked world
Fr Richard Rohr
The Possibility of Restraint
Friday, May 22, 2020
Francis rejoices in all the works of
the Lord’s hands, and through their
delightful display he gazes on their
life-giving reason and cause. In
beautiful things he discerns Beauty
itself; all good things cry out to him:
“The One who made us is the
Best.” —Thomas of Celano
Goodness is a first principle of the
universe. God declares it on the first
page of the story of creation. —
Barbara Holmes
Creation is the first Bible, as I (and
others) like to say [1], and it existed
for 13.7 billion years before the
second Bible was written. Natural
things like animals, plants, rocks,
and clouds give glory to God just by
being themselves, just what God
created them to be. It is only we
humans who have been given the
free will to choose not to be what God created us to be. Surprisingly, the
environmentalist and author Bill McKibben finds hope in this unique freedom. He
writes:
The most curious of all . . . lives are the human ones, because we can destroy, but
also because we can decide not to destroy. The turtle does what she does, and
magnificently. She can’t not do it, though, any more than the beaver can decide to
take a break from building dams or the bee from making honey. But if the bird’s
special gift is flight, ours is the possibility of restraint. We’re the only creature who
can decide not to do something we’re capable of doing. That’s our superpower,
even if we exercise it too rarely.
So, yes, we can wreck the Earth as we’ve known it, killing vast numbers of
ourselves and wiping out entire swaths of other life—in fact . . . we’re doing that
right now. But we can also not do that. . . .

We have the tools (nonviolence chief among them) to allow us to stand up to the
powerful and the reckless, and we have the fundamental idea of human solidarity
that we could take as our guide. . . .
Another name for human solidarity is love, and when I think about our world in its
present form, that is what overwhelms me. The human love that works to feed the
hungry and clothe the naked, the love that comes together in defence of sea
turtles and sea ice and of all else around us that is good. The love that lets each of
us see we’re not the most important thing on earth, and makes us okay with that. .
. . [2]
Over these past several months I have witnessed many examples of this
restraint, which Bill McKibben calls love. While the lives of our elders, our
vulnerable, and essential workers are at stake during the COVID-19 pandemic,
tens of millions of us across the globe have been restraining ourselves at home,
choosing not to do many things for many weeks in order to protect those we love
(and those others love as well). Surely the earth is breathing a sigh of relief for our
reduction in pollution and fossil fuel use. This “Great Pause,” as some are calling it,
gives me hope that we will soon find it within ourselves to protect our shared
home, not only for our own sake, but for our neighbors across the globe, and
future generations.
References:
[1] Some brief examples describing the book of creation:
Anthony of Egypt: “My book is the nature of created things; any time I want to
read the words of God, the book is before me.” Thomas Merton, The Wisdom of the
Desert, 62.
Augustine: “It is the divine page that you must listen to; it is the book of the
universe that you must observe.” Expositions on the Psalms, 45.7
Ilia Delio: “Because the world expresses the Word . . . every creature is itself a
“little word.” The universe, therefore, appears as a book representing and
describing its Maker.” A Franciscan View of Creation (2003)
[2] Bill McKibben, Falter: Has the Human Game Begun to Play Itself Out? (Wildfire:
2019), 255, 256.
Epigraphs: The Remembrance of the Desire of a Soul, ch. 124. See Francis of
Assisi: Early Documents, vol. 2 (New City Press: 2000), 353; and
Holmes, Race and the Cosmos: An Invitation to View the World Differently, 2 nd ed.
(CAC Publishing: 2020), 216.
Image credit: Legend of St. Francis: 15. Sermon to the Birds (fresco detail), artist
unknown, formerly attributed to Giotto di Bondone, c. 1297–1299, Upper Basilica
of San Francesco d′Assisi, Assisi, Italy.

Words of Wisdom
Perfect Peace
‘Whose thoughts are fixed on you’ Isaiah 26:3 NLT
The secret to ‘perfect peace’ lies in this Scripture: ‘You will keep in
perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!’
It’s not your circumstances, but how you think about them that robs
you of peace. Focusing on your circumstances just causes more anxiety,
because circumstances constantly change and often spin out of your
control.
However, God never changes, and
nothing ever spins out of His control.
Peace and worry are mutually exclusive.
Worry throttles your confidence, chokes
your perspective, and suffocates your
spirit. It robs you of the peace that
comes from knowing the God who can
handle anything, and through whom all
things are possible. The reason we worry
so much is because we engage in exactly the opposite behaviour to that
which brings peace. Worry is like a ‘no-confidence’ vote in God. You may
not intend it that way, but every time you give in to worry, in essence,
you’re saying ‘I don’t believe God can or will handle this for me. I’m not
sure I can trust Him in this matter, so I’ll just have to carry this burden
and take care of the problem myself.’ God is either the object of your
trust or just a part-time helper you call on when you cannot handle
things on your own.
It is reminiscent of the elephant and the mouse that walked over a
bridge. When they got to the other side, the mouse said, ‘Man, we really
shook that bridge!’ When you begin to see God as playing the major role
and you the minor one, you will begin to find the peace which has
eluded you for so long.
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

Bell-tower Craik
More tea Vicar?
Thoughts on the lockdown.
The world has turned upside down. Old folks are sneaking out of the house, and
their kids are yelling at them to stay indoors!
This virus has done what no woman had been able to do…cancel all sports, shut
down all bars, and keep men at home!
Do not call the police on suspicious people in your neighbourhood! Those are your
neighbours without makeup and hair extensions!
I never thought the comment “I wouldn’t touch him/her with a 6 foot pole” would
become a national policy, but here we are!
Quarantine has turned us into dogs. We roam the house all day looking for food.
We are told “no” if we get too close to strangers. And we get really excited about
car rides.
Since we can’t eat out, now’s the perfect time to eat better, get fit, and stay
healthy. We’re quarantined! Who are we trying to impress? We have snacks, we
have sweatpants – I say we use them!
Does anyone know if we can take showers yet or should we just keep washing our
hands???
Me: Alexa what’s the weather this weekend?
Alexa: It doesn’t matter – you’re not going anywhere.
I swear my fridge just said “what the hell do you want now?”
When this is over…what meeting do I attend first…Weight Watchers or AA?
Is this the first Social Distancing Baptism?
Thanks to Oddstuff Magazine for the image

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. People are at home just now with some
extra time to read so now’s your chance for literary recognition!
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 Tel. 01721 724196
Your name ……………………………………………………………………
Your address……………………………………………………………………………………..
Although we’re only on-line for the moment your donation would still be
gratefully received. 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 Notices
Without any services in the church there will be no rotas required. However, our
intrepid bell ringing team continue to cheer us up by ringing on Sunday mornings
as you’ll see below.
THE BELL RINGERS
June 7 Jeanette Mackison
14 Kirsty Davidson
21 Mary Hudson
28 Margaret Anderson
Our brave bell ringers are to carry on
raising our spirits by ringing out from
the tower on Sunday Mornings.
Keeping safe but spreading some
cheer.
Deaths
Congregational Register
25 th April Mrs Diana McCulloch of The Orchard Care Home, Tullibody.
13 th May Mrs Valerie Morton of Peebles Nursing Home.

A very warm welcome to
Our Organisations
You’ll receive a warm welcome at any of our groups, whose details are given and
whose activities will recommence when we are finally out of full lockdown. 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 but currently by Zoom!
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
Janette Cameron
01721 722528
Neil Cummings
01896 831771
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 John R. Smith MA BD
25 Whitehaugh Park
Peebles
EH45 9DB
07710 530 193
Session Clerk:
Vivien Aitchison
sessionclerk@topcop.org.uk
Ordained Local Minister:
Rev. Pamela Strachan
Glenhighton, Broughton
ML12 6JF
01899 830423
pamelastrachan19@gmail.com
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
01721 721033
Mobile: 07707 001795
alisonduncan291@gmail.com
Beadle:
Edward Knowles
41 Dukehaugh, Peebles.
01721 722860
Eco Church Co-ordinator
Peebles:
Neil Cummings
01896 831771
carcatnel@yahoo.co.uk
Eddleston Treasurer:
Archie Smellie
Hattonknowe, Eddleston.
01721 730282
Bellringers’ Team
Leader:
Anne Derrick
Edderston Road, Peebles
01721 721075
Registered charities (Peebles) SC013316 (Eddleston) SC010081