October 20

magazine
Peebles Old
Parish Church of
Scotland
with
Eddleston Parish
Church of Scotland
October 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
October 2020
Dear Friends
Here we are seven months or so into our Covid situation, and sometimes
the whole thing seems like a roller coaster. Numbers down, then up
again. The threat hanging over us of a renewed period of restriction with
all the family and individual angst that brings with it. The building is not
open for Sunday Worship, but elsewhere in this magazine you will find
an article describing the things that are alive and well around church in
spite of the building being closed.
As always, I am grateful for the little stories I hear of individual care and
concern expressed for friends and neighbours - especially those who
need particular thought. Thank you for making a difference.
After a year spent as our Interim Moderator, Very Revd Finlay
Macdonald, during which he has brought the church to the brink of
important steps in the way ahead, has demitted the post. Rather in the
style of Moses, who had to hand over to Joshua for the final push across
the Jordan. (He will be reading this and laughing at his Locum’s flights
of fancy.) More to be said, but for the moment these two. Finlay’s work
in preparing the way for a stable move forward has been wonderful to
behold. His many acts of wisdom and kindness (some of them unseen)
have brought positive enhancement to the situation. Secondly, as a
colleague, I pay tribute to Finlay’s kind friendship and guidance. He has
made my time here a great and enjoyable experience.
On my own front, I continue as Locum for the meantime. I have to take
two months (unpaid) leave of absence to undergo treatment for Prostate
Cancer - and they will start on the 15th October. It may be that I will be
able to be back for Christmas. I realise that the timing could have been
more helpful. But there we are.
When a new Interim Moderator is appointed, it will be up to him or her
to determine practical steps on the way forward. But in the meantime,
Pamela and I and the Kirk Sessions will continue to serve the people of
God in the best way possible.
Grace and peace,
John R Smith

Journal of a Pandemic
Church Life goes on
John Smith
We can say that it has all been very strange. We can say that there have been
heart-breaking times, with separations from loved ones, cancelled weddings,
restrictions on funerals, even bereavements to cope with. What we can’t say is
when it will all be over. Not anytime soon we fear.
I wanted, though, to share with you something of the positivity which has come
into our church life.
The building is closed for Sunday Worship and other purposes. The Daily Morning
Worship team has been looking, with the Kirk Session, at the possibility of a limited
restart - although as I write it looks as if even that may be postponed further, but
hopefully not for long.
As far as Sunday Worship is concerned, many congregations, like ourselves, have
decided that we have to wait a little longer. Some congregations have reopened
with disappointing results. The regulations - apart from demanding thorough
cleaning each time - would also require that worshippers would book in in advance.
(First 50 only) They would have to sign in and provided telephone numbers on
arrival, be guided to their seats by a steward, and told not to move during the
service.
Face coverings would require to be worn. And there would be no singing. No
loitering after the service. It’s not clear yet whether the pipe organ could be played.
Thus our reluctance.
But there is a strap line on our website that says “The building is closed, but the
church is open”.
How? Well here are some of the ways in which the church is open.
SUNDAY SERVICE. Every week a thirty minute service is available on line in which
church members take part. That is available to be listened to each week. We have
85 regular listeners and viewers - online and on our telephone service. And every
week more casual visits occur.
DAILY PRAYERS. Another part of our digital life is a selection of prayers for
morning, afternoon or evening - provided by the ministerial team. This is due to
be added to by a sung service of night time prayers. Coming soon.

WORDS OF INSPIRATION. A very helpful blog by a member of the Kirk Session,
bringing Christian wisdom into our current situations. (ALL OF THE ABOVE CAN BE
ACCESSED VIA OUR WEBSITE at www.topcop.org.uk)
BIBLE STUDY. We have just completed our first ever Bible Study online. 17
participants took part in “Meeting the Story Tellers”, a four week Zoom course
about the gospel writers. Be sure to book for our next venture - likely after the
New Year.
THE CHOIR. Choir members meet regularly on Thursday evenings by Zoom. They
have just contributed an Introit - each recording their part in their own home,
which is cleverly stitched to gather it all together.
THE BELLS. Our bells (as featured on BBC Radio 3) still ring out on schedule on
a Sunday morning, thanks to the willingness of our Bellringers to “carry on”. The
fact that they only operate one at a time makes this a Covid friendly exercise. And
in the pipeline,
SUNDAY EVENING WORSHIP. A 15 minute Zoom worship live online. Thanks to
all the good people who are making this happen. There are too many to mention
- which is good, because it shows how we love the life of our church and are keen
to see these strange times through.
Blessings on them all - and on you.
Have a look at our refreshed and revised website
Our webmaster, Willie Nicoll, has been busy through lockdown and the results can
now be seen at www.topcop.org.uk. The site has a refreshed appearance and the
content has been simplified and the navigation tidied up to bring it up to date and
relevant for the current time. Do give it a look and if you have any comments
please let Willie know at webmaster@topcop.org.uk. You can even access the
Church Magazine from there.
The improvements don’t stop there either as Willie has now updated the Virtual
Tour item on the website. You’ll find it at the top of the home page.

Vacancy matters
John R Smith
AVE ATQUE VALE….
That’s what the Romans used to say when people departed and arrived. Hail and
farewell.
So farewells first. And we do indeed wish Very Revd Dr Finlay Macdonald fare well
as he departs from the role of Interim Moderator. He brought to us a very
apposite set of skills and experience as a former Principal Clerk to the General
Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and as a former Moderator of the General
Assembly. Through the most difficult circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic, he
kept our eyes focussed on the prime task of an Interim Moderator - to prepare
ourselves to get to the point where we are able to search for and appoint a new
Minister, and thus to conclude the vacancy.
In the course of his year with us, he successfully moved us forward to the next
stage of that process. His personality, his humanity, and his friendship have been
warmly welcomed. As well as being an Interim Moderator, I have also served with
3 IMs in recent years. They have all been first rate. None more so than Finlay.
And I have thoroughly enjoyed a common basis for our theology, a common love
of music, and a common sense of what church is, and what challenges we all
face.
We started with Latin, let’s switch to French because that language offers a word
of farewell completely suited to Christians. So adieu, Finlay. To God’s gracious
care and protection we commend you and Elma, and wish you a happy return to
retirement.
And we say Hail to Revd Pamela Strachan, appointed by Presbytery to pick up the
work of Interim Moderator. As is often said, this lady needs no introduction. This
time it's true. Pamela has been close to these congregations in many roles
through the years, and has earned the affection and confidence of all she has
encountered. The tasks have not lessened in the transition, but we look forward
to being guided by her through the path of leadership to a concluded vacancy.
She will do well, and she will be supported by all her friends and colleagues in the
Kirk Sessions and congregations.
So welcome Pamela. And God go with you.
These changes have just been confirmed by Presbytery, and so this
announcement is made as an indicator of the next steps ahead.

“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
Church opening During the Covid 19 Crisis…how can you help?
At the present time with the current Scottish Government regulations in place,
the Kirk Session are agreed that it is not feasible to open the church either for
private prayer or normal services. Hopefully, however, it will be possible to return
to normality before too long.
When reopening becomes possible it will be necessary to have volunteers to
undertake cleaning of the building and to act as stewards. In preparation for reopening
we are asking for volunteers for those tasks.
Under current regulations volunteers will be required to undertake the following:
Church Cleaning
A thorough cleaning of the whole church will be necessary before the first opening
of the building.
A full clean of the areas in use, before and after each opening either for services
or private prayer, using approved disinfectant materials.
Volunteers will need to observe social distancing and wear a face covering and
wash hands on entry and before leaving.
Volunteers will be required to direct cleaning operations on each occasion.
Stewards
Will require to control access and take contact details.
Ensure that everyone entering the church hand washes with materials provided.
Ensure that face coverings are worn.
Direct worshippers to specified seating.
Ensure hand washing on departure.
Anyone willing to volunteer is asked to email admin@topcop.org.uk indicating the
amount of time they would be prepared to give to those tasks.

Eddleston Choir
Eddleston Voices, unable to meet physically, continues on Zoom every Thursday
at 8:00pm. It doesn’t look like we will get together in the church this year, but it’s
important to keep gathering together to sing. Hopefully an hour of music cheers
us up. We are constantly told how good it is for our mental health!
We’re using some songs which the Voices have done over the years, and Ian has
arranged some new ones. We’ve covered some Scottish ones, Everly Brothers,
Carly Simon’s Let The River Run, and coming soon is an Elvis Medley. One of our
new songs says
We will meet when the danger is over
We will meet when the sad days are done
We will meet sitting closely together,
And be glad our tomorrow has come.
If anyone would like to join our virtual rehearsal, please email us on
rogerskal@btopenworld.com and we will add you to the Zoom invitation. Don’t be
scared of Zoom. There is always someone to talk you through it. We certainly
didn’t know anything about it till lockdown.
In the words of the hymn, “How can I keep from singing?” Anne & Ian Rogers
Cafe Conversations
Sadly, the tighter Covid restrictions on community gatherings have meant we will
have to postpone the proposed launch in the village hall on 1 November. But
watch this space. We are looking at imaginative ways to keep this initiative going
and have received funding to enable this to happen.
Mindfulness Group
Christine Donnelly (c.donnelly657@btinternet.com) 07545 299539 can update
any interested in taking part.
Eddleston Book Group
Started in early 2011 by Kirsty Loudon and a few friends - is fast approaching its
tenth birthday. Currently with 13 active members, we meet monthly in each
other's homes with a Christmas dinner in a local restaurant.
We all live in and around our village and meet every 4-6 weeks usually on a
Tuesday or Wednesday evening from 7.30pm. Our host for the evening, chooses
the book which we all try to read in advance – this has included a wide range of
genres - biographies, historical novels, crime, thrillers, political/current affairs to
name but a few. We don’t all like all the books but the idea is to try new things
and more importantly, to enjoy a chat among friends. Meetings are informal and
fun and start off with a glass of something nice and finish with some cheese and
nibbles...or we did until Covid-19 came our way. After missing our usual
meetings in March and April, we re-started via ZOOM in May and June. In July we
were delighted to take advantage of a sunny day and a relaxing of restrictions
and were able to hold a socially distanced meeting in the garden. We're back to
Zooming at the moment with our 89th book being reviewed at the end of
September.
It would be nice to be able to get together properly to celebrate our 90th book
but if we can't do this, maybe we can celebrate our 10th birthday in style.

A request from Peeblesshire Youth Trust
It’s that time of year and, once again, with
the support (where possible) of local
churches, local businesses and the
Foodbank, Peeblesshire Youth Trust (PYT)
is preparing to deliver Christmas hampers
to local families (with children under the
age of 16) who are likely to struggle for a
variety of different reasons as the festive
period approaches.
Last year we delivered 102 hampers to
families with young children nominated by
Social Services, Health Visitors, Schools and the Citizens Advice Bureau and based
on past trends and the challenges of Covid19 we are anticipating nominations
across the Peeblesshire Community to increase significantly this year.
As each hamper generally contains ca. £50 worth of essential food, fruit &
vegetables, treats and toiletries, we expect we will need approximately £6000 of
donations in kind or funds to meet requirements this year, and raising funds as
we have in the past is proving challenging this year.
I appreciate that the Parish Church may be supporting other good causes at this
time and may be facing challenges which mean support for local charities is
difficult and may need to be considered alongside other priorities and competing
pressures this year. However, if there is scope for the church to support our
Christmas Hamper appeal in any small way it would be very much appreciated.
As has happened previously, each year most of the local churches 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
specifically nominated item as they can. Thereafter, if required, PYT will top-up
supplies from funds raised so that at least one of each item can be included in
each of our (anticipated 120+) hampers. With this in mind if there is any chance
of the church donating TOOTHPASTE for inclusion in this year’s hampers it would
be hugely appreciated.
In order to aid with planning perhaps you could forward a return email to me
at gpm123@me.com or call me on 07872580165 to confirm if you are able to
support us or otherwise this year. As we are aiming to deliver hampers in mid-
December this year, if your congregation is able to collect nominated goods I
would aim to pick them up in mid-late November (or before if preferred).
Thank you for any consideration given to this request and thank you too for all
your generous support to date.
Grace Mitchell
Hamper Co-ordinator
Peeblesshire Youth Trust

Updates from around the World
Pamela Strachan OLM
From Lebanon
Our friends in Lebanon continue to be in need of
prayer and practical support as the
reconstruction work continues and the country
struggles with the additional burden of rising
Covid numbers.
Marina Altounian, our Armenian friend from
Tripoli in the north has sent the following brief
update:
‘We are staying home mostly… the government
might close the schools, restaurants, shops….
for two weeks because of Corona virus (no more
place in the hospitals). Everything will be very
expensive soon and it’s no longer safe to stay in
Lebanon.
Bangladesh, France, Canada, Cyprus, Germany,
Finland, Iran, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar, UK,
US…. So far, these are the countries that are
helping Lebanon recover from the blast. They
donated blood for our brothers and sisters… as
well as water, food, shelter and health care.
They’ve also sent medical supplies,
humanitarian aid and emergency teams.
In Beirut, they are reconstructing buildings, windows, doors…. Helping each other
as much as we can. Thank you for your prayers and support. Stay safe….
Marina.’
From Malawi
Prison chaplain, Rev Stanley
Chimesya sent a report from
Mikuyu prison, which I visited with
him last year. Inmates and staff
continue to work hard to complete
the building of a church on site in
the prison grounds. All has been
completed except the final work to
add a roof and Rev. Stanley has
appealed for extra funds to help.
All this with the added challenge of rising outbreaks of both Covid and malaria
within the prison. The picture shows Mikuyu inmates and staff in the unfinished
prison church.

Elsewhere in Malawi - we have news from the two ‘twinned parishes’ of Luwatala
(Stow and Heriot) and Thondwe (Innerleithen, Traquair and Walkerburn).
Eve Hartswood from Stow and Heriot writes: ‘Our latest project has been to try
to assist with Luwatala building a manse so they might have a minister.’ Rev.
Picklin has been instrumental in forging links between these two parishes in
Malawi, just as this project has also strengthened links between our two parishes
at home here in our Presbytery of Melrose & Peebles.
Lois Hindley (ITW) continues, together with others from the Thondwe Girls
Project, to maintain links with the group of enthusiasts who met together to make
Menstrual Hygiene Kits in Innerleithen Church and also the Thondwe Sewing
Group, Malawi, thus enabling the distribution of the hygiene kits for girls in
Thondwe, both St Anthony's Secondary School and Thondwe Primary School.
‘The Thondwe sewing group in Malawi have been busy sewing kits ready for
distribution. They have made 200 mini-kits
over the last 3 months. These will be used
for the Form 2 and 3 girls at St Anthony's
as soon as the school reopens. We also
hope to give more kits to the girls at the
primary school.’
‘’During the Covid crisis we have been
unable to distribute kits to the girls as the
schools have been closed, but there are
plans for reopening in October and
Rabecca Pengani is ready to coordinate
the distribution and education as
soon as is possible.
We were however able to distribute kits to
24 girls from the Luwatala community.
This has been a wonderful developing
relationship between communities. Stow
and Heriot Churches are linked with
Luwatala in Malawi. (Eve has been a
developer of this connection). However through this link Luwatala and Thondwe
have been brought together and also ITW and Stow/Heriot. There has been a
sharing of knowledge and skills.
24 kits were distributed to the girls of Luwatala in September 2020. The girls
helped bring water to the building site of Luwatala's first manse, a community
project to be able to have a local pastor for the parish.
After the girls received their kits the Thondwe sewing group shared their
knowledge with the tailors at Luwatala so that they may start to make the kits for
their own community.’
See, the newsletter from the Thondwe Girls’ Project and a fuller report and photos
from Lois. In spite of the current Covid restrictions, Lois and her team continue
to sustain this vital provision of personal hygiene kits which enable girls to remain
in education. Anyone interested in being involved by sewing kits or making links
with the Thondwe Sewing group and the girls in Malawi: please contact Lois
(lois.hindley@gmail.com)

Eco Congregation
Harvest 2020
Neil Cummings
HARVEST - and the Health & Healing Plant Exchange
October brings welcome fruits and
produce for our annual Harvest
Thanksgiving. Our Eco Congregation
co-ordinator, Neil Cummings has also
worked hard to pot up dozens of little
aloe vera and spider plants
(Chlorophytum) and we plan to
distribute these during the weekend
of 24 and 25 October to those of you
who have volunteered to raise and
pass on new plants. [See page 18].
We can leave the sanitised pots on
your doorstep for collection and so
minimise the risk of any Covid
transmission.
Our friends in Stobo Kirk will be
holding their Harvest Thanksgiving
service on Sunday 25 October and
have invited Neil to come to speak
about his Health & Healing project as
part of the service. A planned
Thanksgiving Picnic will then be held
in the Stobo churchyard after the
service when the congregation is
invited to bring their own individual
picnic lunches and we will, of course, be observing all the Covid guidelines issued
by the Church of Scotland for
outside gatherings. Neil’s Health &
Healing plants can be shared then
with the Stobo congregation too.
Stobo and Skirling have permission
to open their churches for public
worship. Being small churches, it is
easier to manage the cleaning and
regulation of distanced worship.

Any queries, please contact:
(jane_gillham@hotmail.com)
Jane Gillham, Session Clerk
Similarly, Eddleston Primary School is holding its Harvest Service on Thursday 8
October and all will be recorded and shared with the pupils on a digital platform.
Online services for so many of us are the 'new normal’ these days and therefore
we rejoice that at least two of our local churches have been able to re-open,
enabling the congregations to greet one another - albeit distanced and masked.
Another ‘new normal’.
Despite these restrictions, let us rejoice in the
bounty of another harvest as we give thanks for
God’s creation.
Revd Pamela Strachan, OL
The picture shows Pamela’s Granddaughter,
Beatrice Tennant, with her harvest in September
If anyone would like a Health & Healing plant
(aloe vera or spider plant) contact either
Neil (carcatnel@yahoo.co.uk) or Pamela
(pamelastrachan19@gmail.com)

Health & Healing through House Plants
As I write to you all it has been the most wonderful September day in the Scottish Borders, feeling so
mild with sunshine all day long. It’s sad to think though that as our climate continues to change, warm
days like this will be commonplace in the depths of winter too.
As I have been babysitting my ( nearly ) 10 month old
Granddaughter Poppy today it really has made me wonder
what kind of planet we are leaving for the ‘Poppies’ of this
world in the future and will they enjoy the delights of the
changing seasons?
As Eco Congregation Co-Ordinator for Peebles and
Eddleston Parishes I do believe that we can work together to
make a difference on a local scale and together with other
Eco-Congregations make a difference nationally. I thought it
would be lovely to have symbols that represent health and
healing for both ourselves and also the planet. I also thought
of something that could be passed throughout our
congregation as a token of hope and fellowship.
As someone who enjoys House Plants and particularly
propagating more for free, I have decided that Aloe Vera
would be a wonderful plant to represent Healing whilst
Chlorophytum ( Spider Plant ) symbolises Health as it has
amazing powers to take toxins out of the home atmosphere
whilst producing lots of healthy oxygen. I am looking for
volunteers who would be happy to take one of these plants
and then pass on the 'babies' to other members of the
congregation. In this small way before too long we will all
have an Aloe Vera or Spider Plant to represent our efforts to
have a passionate and active Eco-Congregation.
Both plants are so easy to grow and I will write up some simple care instructions to go with each one. If
you would like to volunteer to grow on one of these plants please drop me an email to
carcatnel@yahoo.co.uk
Neil Cummings

Food for Thought
Living in a Christ-soaked world
Fr Richard Rohr
An Interspiritual Awakening
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Today, I introduce you to my friend Adam Bucko, who is a devoted
Christian contemplative, Episcopal priest, activist, and friend to the
poor. He collaborates with spiritual leaders across religious traditions
and mentors young people, helping them discover a spiritual life for the
21st century and live in the service of compassion and justice. Here he
reflects on what he sees as a spiritual awakening in younger
generations.
For younger people, many of us, it’s very clear we see God as present in
all of the traditions. Not only do they believe that there is one
underlying reality at the foundation of all major world religions but they
are also convinced that different traditions and their unique approaches
to God complement each other.
But it’s also important to say, a lot of young people don’t actually
identify with a tradition any more. . . . Many of our churches,
synagogues and mosques are freaking out when they hear this, thinking
that young people are no longer interested in the sacred. But to me it is
clear that young people are not necessarily rejecting God, they simply
feel that many religious organizations lost touch with reality and are too
concerned with money, power, self-preservation, maintaining the status

quo, and ‘having right beliefs’. As a result, they tend to view them . . .
as organizations that are spiritually bankrupt, that are no longer able to
speak to and address some of the big questions of our time. And it takes
deep insight and spiritual courage to see that. It is for this reason and
many others that I don’t think of the rise of the ‘spiritual but not
religious’ among our youth as a sign of spiritual decline but rather a new
kind of spiritual awakening.
We have to acknowledge that when people hear about spiritual and not
religious people, they often immediately think that these are people who
are just shopping around and not really that committed. But when we
look at some of the people who come from that group, we realize that
actually many of them spend more time [in spiritual practices] than
regular churchgoers.
Richard: I can honestly say that I have observed many of these same
things in my work with young people at the CAC. I do not see a lack of
spirituality and good faith in many seekers of the next generation, but
an abundance of it and a deep desire to live with integrity and in
alignment with their values. Such people are not satisfied with a faith
simply handed to them by an institution or the previous generation.
They insist on investigating what is truly important for transformation
and a more just and compassionate world.
Gateway to Action & Contemplation:
What word or phrase resonates with or challenges me? What sensations
do I notice in my body? What is mine to do?
Prayer for Our Community:
O Great Love, thank you for living and loving in us and through us. May
all that we do flow from our deep connection with you and all beings.
Help us become a community that vulnerably shares each other’s
burdens and the weight of glory. Listen to our hearts’ longings for the
healing of our world. [Please add your own intentions.] . . . Knowing you
are hearing us better than we are speaking, we offer these prayers in all
the holy names of God, amen.
Adam Bucko, “Follow Your Heartbreak,” in Generation Y, Spirituality and
Social Change, ed. Justine Afra Huxley (Jessica Kingsley Publishers:
2019), 67‒68.
Image credit: Spärlich Belaubt (detail), Paul Klee, 1934.

Words of Wisdom
Don’t Look Back
‘His wife looked back…and…became a pillar of salt’ Genesis 19:26 NKJV
Before destroying Sodom and Gomorrah, angels of the Lord rescued Lot and his
family. ‘When they had brought them outside…he said, “Escape for your life! Do
not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest
you be destroyed” (v17 NKJV). But the record reads: ‘His wife looked back…and
…became a pillar of salt’.
There’s an important lesson here
for each of us: resist the
temptation to linger in the
quicksand of past mistakes – either
your own or other people’s. It can
be hard to see ahead when
horrendous things have happened
to you in the past. But when you
get bogged down in the past, you
miss what God has for you in the
present and fail to see its
connection to your future.
The good news is that it’s not too late to allow God to use you and move you
forward on your journey. He can heal the wounds others have inflicted on you. He
can make you wiser as a result of the poor decisions you made in the past. It’s
not too late to become who you might have been.
God delights in transforming our weakness into strength. He can create treasure
from what you’ve discarded as rubbish. Even if you’ve backslidden and detoured
from the path you know He wants you to follow, now is the time to return to His
road. ‘”I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good
and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope”’ (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT).
So move forward – and don’t look back.
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?
Scottish wedding
At the Scottish wedding reception the
D.J. yelled…
"Would all married men please stand
next to the one
person who has made your life worth
living.”
The bartender was almost crushed to
death.
Drive By
A guy broke into my apartment last
week. He didn’t take my TV, just the
remote. Now he drives by and
changes the channels.
An elderly farmer received a letter
from the Department for Work & Pensions stating that they suspected he was not
paying his employees the statutory minimum wage and they would send an
inspector to interview them. On the appointed day, the inspector turned up.
"Tell me about your staff," he asked the farmer. "Well," said the farmer "there's
the farm hand, I pay him £240 a week and he has a free cottage. Then there's the
housekeeper. She gets £190 a week, along with free board and lodging.
There's also the half-wit. He works a 16 hour
day, does 90% of the work, earns about £25 a
week along with a bottle of whisky as a special
treat.” "That's disgraceful" said the inspector, "I
need to interview the half-wit.”
"That'll be me then," said the farmer.
Moses revisited
Nine-year-old Joseph was asked by his mother
what he had learned in Sunday school.
“Well, Mum, our teacher told us how God sent
Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission
to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. When he got
to the Red Sea, he had his engineers build a
pontoon bridge and all the people walked across safely. Then he radioed
headquarters for reinforcements. They sent bombers to blow up the bridge and all
the Israelites were saved.”
“Now, Joseph, is that really what your teacher taught you?” his mother asked,
somewhat alarmed.
“Well, no, Mum. But if I told it the way the teacher did, you’d never believe it!”

How
can you be part of this
Magazine?
This is your magazine!
We’re looking out for travel (it’ll not be too far in these restricted times but how
about a local walk?) 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 continues to cheer us up by ringing on Sunday
mornings as you’ll see below.
THE BELL RINGERS
October 4 Anne Derrick
11 Margaret Anderson
18 Mary Hudson
25 Jeanette Mackison
Our bell ringers (as heard on BBC
Radio 3 no less…) 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
2nd September
9th September
Miss Janet D Brown, Clark Place, Peebles
Mr Graham Collier, Glen Crescent, Peebles
28 th September Mrs Elspeth Knowles, Dukehaugh, Peebles

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:
Rev. Pamela Strachan
Glenhighton, Broughton
ML12 6JF
01899 830423
07837 873688
pamelastrachan19@gmail.com
Locum :
Rev John R. Smith MA BD
25 Whitehaugh Park
Peebles
EH45 9DB
07710 530193
Session Clerk:
Vivien Aitchison
sessionclerk@topcop.org.uk
Organist & Choir Leader:
Sarah Brown
41 March Street, Peebles
07597 394059
music@topcop.org.uk
Church Administrator:
Ruth Kerr
07845 122356
Office: 01721 723986
admin@topcop.org.uk
Roll Keeper/Data Officer:
Alison Duncan
01721 721033
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

Thanks to Pamela Strachan for
this super Autumnal image.