Parishes of Upper Tweed
4 congregations working as one
 
Community Carol Singing at Skirling Village Hall
The Guild and Skirling Village are jointly co-ordinating this year's evening of Carols and Mince Pies held in Skirling Village Hall from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM on Thursday 20th December.There will be lots of carol singing, home made mince pies and mulled wine or apple joice. Everyone welcome.

Click here to download the poster.
Margaret Ellis
It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of Mrs Margaret Ellis on Wednesday 5th December. Margaret was an elder at Tweedsmuir for many years.

A private service and internment in Tweedsmuir cemetery will be held on Friday 14th December followed by a service of thanksgiving in Broughton church at 11:30 to which all are invited.
 
 
 
Mary Midgley
Mary Midgley's family is sad to announce that she died peacefully on 23 November 2018.  A service of thanksgiving is being held at Ettington Parish Church, Warwickshire on Wednesday 12 December 2018.  Mary was the last surviving child of Professor Thomas and Martha Elliott who built Broughton Place.
Our Locum Minister
With Rev Tony Foley's departure to be attached to the Old Parish Church in Peebles and with Rev Ann Purdie unfortunately unable to take up the position of locum in our parishes for family reasons, a decision has been taken to allow the Worship Workshop to cover all services through the busy Christmas period into January. A decision will be taken then whether to appoint a locum or to continue relying upon the Worship Workshop occasionally supplemented with pulpit supply assistance as we continue to seek a new Minister.
The services up to and over the Christmas period will be lead as follows:
16th December 10:00 & 11:30 PM Broughton and Skirling Dr. Fiona Burnett
16th December 10:00 & 11:30 PM Tweedsmuir and Stobo Mrs. Isobel Hunter
23rd December 10:00 & 11:30 PM Broughton and Skirling Mrs. Isobel Hunter
23rd December 10:00 & 11:30 PM Broughton and Skirling Dr. Fiona Burnett
23rd December 6:30 PM Drumelzier Mr Julian Birchall
24th December 6:30 PM Tweedsmuir Carols by Candlelight Dr. Fiona Burnett
25th December 11:00 AM Stobo Rev Nancy Norman
30th December 10:00 & 11:30 AM Broughton & Skirling Mrs. Isobel Hunter
30th December 10:00 & 11:30 AM Tweedsmuir & Stobo Dr. Peter Worthington

 
 
Church notices for Sunday 9th December 2018
It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of Mrs Margaret Ellis on Wednesday 5th December. Margaret was an elder at Tweedsmuir for many years. A private service and internment in Tweedsmuir cemetery will be held on Friday 14th December followed by a service of thanksgiving in Broughton church at 11:30 to which all are invited.  
 
Due to family issues, Rev Ann Purdie has had to step down from the locumship in Upper Tweeeddale in the meantime. Please keep Ann and her family in your prayers during this difficult period. Whilst we have no locum, anyone requiring the services of a minster should contact our Interim Moderator, Rev Calum Macdougall on 01721 720568.
 
The advent discussion group will meet again on Thursday13th December at 7:30 in Skirling Village Hall. Copies of the book are available in each of the churches or by phoning John Burnett on 830303. This week we'll be looking at days1-4 of week 2, a time for patience  and welcome everyone interested to join us as we prepare for the Christmas season.
  
Christmas Craft Fair  Thank you to all who supported the evening and in particular supported the Guild raffle. We managed to raise £245 for Guild funds.
 
As reported earlier in the year, Upper Tweeddale Guild won 2nd prize in a national competition, thanks to the exceptional needlework of Janet Hunter. The picture has now been turned into notelets which are on sale in packs of 6, priced £5. Please contact Fiona (830408) if you wish to purchase some. All proceeds are for Guild funds
 
Gift Services are being held  today in each of our churches. This year we are again supporting two charities. Warm clothing and toys will go to Edinburgh The Old Kirk and Muirhouse to be distributed in the West Pilton area of Edinburgh. Gift vouchers are particularly appreciated for young people supported by the Borders Young Carers Trust which enable the young carers to choose their own gift.
 
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New Kirk Matters Published
Kirk Matters 2018
The Christmas 2018 edition of the Church Magazine, Kirk Matters, has been published and by now should be in all households in the parish.

This edition looks back to the Harvest Supper and the activities in the parish to recognise the armistice centenary while looking ahead to a full programme of Christmas activities.
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Parish Profile
STOP PRESS! We're now looking for a new Minister. For more information and our parish profile click More
A Lifetime of Service

Miss Betty Eastland

As of the end of September Betty and Jessie Eastland are retiring as active elders in Skirling Kirk. They have however assured us that they still intend to be involved in the life of the Kirk and are keen to stay in touch with what is going on in the Parishes. The congregation in Skirling would expect and accept nothing less. Here are some of their recollections of their long involvement with Skirling and its church.

The sisters were both born in the village and attended Sunday school along with all the rest of the children, even those whose parents were not in church. Then when they were older it was Bible Class in the Church or in the Manse. Bible Class involved homework on that week’s text in a pink exercise book marked up each week by the Minister. Then they joined the church in their mid-teens again along with majority of the local children; they remember twelve teenagers joining one Sunday. Betty has seen ten ministers come and go in Skirling, initially Skirling Ministers, then linked with Broughton then in the 1970’s, as we are today, linked with Broughton, Stobo and Drumelzier and Tweedsmuir. Nine of those Ministers went into retirement from the charge.
 
 
Harvest Supper

John at the Harvest Supper
The Harvest Supper held on 29th September was a huge success. Musical entertainment was provided by John (accordion) and Rebecca (violin) from Biggar, playing together for the first time, and by Strumash, the excellent ukulele band from Peebles.
Janet Hunter Comes 2nd in National Guild Convenor Challenge
Janet Hunter comes 2nd in guild convenor's challenge
On 1st September Janet Hunter was in Dundee to attend the Guild Annual Gathering where it was announced that her embroidered cushion came second in this year's national Guild Convenor's Challenge. The challenge was to embroider a cushion.on the theme of "One Journey Many Roads", that being the Guild's theme for the next three years.
 
  Broughton Kirk at 10am
Tweedsmuir Kirk at 10am
Skirling Kirk at 11.30am
Stobo Kirk at 11.30am 		Coming Soon...
Advent Discussion Group
Wednesday  19 December 2018 		Weekly Listening Hour
Tuesdays 10:30
Laurel Bank
Broughton 		 

Coming Soon...
Advent Discussion Group
Wednesday 19 December 2018