Parish of Upper Tweeddale
3 congregations working as one
 
News from the Parishes of Upper Tweeddale
Wondering about Wandering
Wanderings in Upper Tweeddale
Over the next few months Nicola Campbell is planning a series of led, reflective walks in the woods: gatherings where people can connect life and faith: wondering and wandering together. To help inform these Wanderings we would be very interested to hear what you think about the idea. You can help us by completing the short survey available on this link. You can read the full article here:

"I have recently been wondering what makes a journey a pilgrimage. The word pilgrimage can be used to refer to a journey to a significant and special destination, but it can also be used to refer to the action of journeying. Last year I took a pilgrimage across the parishes of West Tweeddale, stopping at 5 of the churches as I went. I walked 65 kilometres, (the parish covers a large and varied rural area!) The purpose of the walk was to journey across the parish, visit the
churches and listen to God’s voice as I went. I travelled from Carlops church in the north to Tweedsmuir Kirk in the south, on Roman roads, tarmacked roads, drove roads, ancient footpaths, forestry tracks, across fields and under a fair amount of rain. The parish felt steeped in history both ancient and more recent.

"There is something special about being outside in nature that is good for our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. John Muir famously said, “I'd rather be in the mountains thinking of God, than in church thinking about the mountains”. Many people find ‘head space’ and a connection with something bigger than themselves more readily in the outdoors.

"For the past three years I have led a church youth group in Broughtonknowe woods. I am grateful to the owner and the Friends of Broughtonknowe for their upkeep and our use of the woods. The young people find, in the woods, a space where they can explore faith for themselves and respond in an active and meaningful way. Gathering outdoors around a fire seems to help us connect both with each other, and the physical and spiritual world around us.

"Over the next few months, I plan to start a similar gathering for all ages called ‘Wanderings’. This will entail going for led, reflective walks in the woods. These would be gatherings where people can connect life and faith: wondering and wandering together. Working in partnership with the churches of Upper Tweeddale, plans are shaping up to make this happen. To help inform our Wanderings we would be very interested to hear what you think about the idea. We would be delighted if you could help us by completing the short survey available on this link or QR code."

https://forms.gle/7ueEQE29KXnrxDUTA
New Kirk Matters Published
Kirk Matters Autumn 2024
The Autumn 2024 edition of the Church Magazine, Kirk Matters, has been delivered to houses around Upper Tweeddale.
If you haven't seen a copy then it is also published here for you to enjoy.
For news from our linked churches in the rest of the West Tweeddale linkage you can find their newsletters here.

Films That Make You Think

Carlops, Newlands and Kirkurd, and West Linton Church Newsletters
Carlops
With the three churches in Upper Tweeddale (Skirling, Broughton and Tweedsmuir), now linked with the three churches in the West Linton group (St. Andrews West Linton, Carlops, and Kirkurd and Newlands) we are publicising activities in our linked churches through their newsletters.
Their newsletters are published monthly and copies are accessible via the Carlops newsletter page on the Carlops Church web site, the Newlands and Kirkurd news page on the Newlands and Kirkurd web site, or the West Linton news page on the St. Andrews West Linton Church web site.
News and newsletter pages for each church are also accessible through a panel to the right of the Kirk Matters page and also to the right of the News page.

Weekly Services in Upper Tweeddale
Services are currently held every Sunday in -
Tweedsmuir Kirk at 9.30 am
Broughton Kirk (held in Broughton Village Hall) at 11.00 am
Skirling Kirk at 11.30 am
Services are led by our minister, Rev. Tony Foley and members of the West Tweeddale worship team.
For the full upcoming rota of worship leaders for all six congregations in the linkage click here.

Union of Broughton, Skirling and Tweedsmuir

On Monday 1st February 2023 the three parishes that made up Upper Tweeddale were formally united into one parish, the parish of Upper Tweeddale. Here is a film of the whole service led by Rev. Mark Nicholas (on behalf of the new Presbytery of Lothian and the Borders).


Broughton Services in the Village Hall
Starting on Sunday 8th January 2023, and continuing through the Winter months, church services scheduled to take place in Broughton Church will be held in Broughton Village Hall. Timings will be the same as normal (11.00am). As always everyone is very welcome to join us.
Services are preceded by coffee or tea and biscuits or cakes.

Music in the Sunday Service - 24th July
The full versions of the four pre-recorded pieces of music included in the Sunday Service for the 24th July are available through YouTube. They are listed here. Click on the titles to listen to them on YouTube.
You can also buy pieces 1, 3 and 4 on Apple iTunes.
    by Maranatha! Hymns
    from the album Celtic Hymns
    from the YouTube channel: IAM - ideasaboutmusic from Christopher Dawes
    by Cambridge Singers - Conductor: John Rutter
    from the album Sing, Ye Heavens - Hymns for All Time
    by The Path
    from the album The Path

Music in the Sunday Service - 22nd May
The full versions of all three pieces of music included in the Sunday Service for the 22nd May are available through YouTube. They are listed here and you can click on the titles to listen to them on YouTube.
You can also buy pieces 1 and 3 on Apple iTunes.
    by Saint Paul’s Parish Choir, Washington D.C.
    from the album Praise to the Holiest
    by the Alleluia, Choristers, FP Youth Singers, Te Deum, and Plymouth Choirs
    from the YouTube channel First-Plymouth Church Lincoln Nebraska
    by the Choir of Jesus College Cambridge
    from the album: Praise My Soul: Favourite Hymns from Jesus College Cambridge

Skirling Green Car Boot Sale for Christian Aid

Scrumptious cakes in Skirling Village Hall 2022
Sunday 15th May saw the Skirling Green Car Boot sale held on Skirling Green for the first time in three years. Despite a few spits and spots of rain at the start, the afternoon improved and we were even blessed with some sunshine. And thanks to the dry weather there were many visitors who contributed to the fantastic total of over £1200 (stil being counted!) which will all go to Christian Aid.
Many thanks go to the organisers who put the event together, to the many willing volunteers who gave up their afternoon to help to everyone who contributed to the amazing spread of refreshments served in Skirling Village Hall, and of course to all who came along and made the event such a successful afternoon.
If you missed out there is another opportunity to support Christian Aid this coming Saturday (21st May) when there will be a coffee morning at Carlops Church from 10.30 until 12 noon. Everyone is welcome once again.



Job Opportunity
The Church of Scotland in West Tweeddale is looking for a part time assistant for their new Minister partly based in a central office in West Linton and partly working from home.
The main purpose of the job is to act as a focal point for acquiring, reviewing, and disseminating information throughout the linking of six congregations based in Broughton, Carlops, Kirkurd and Newlands, Skirling, Tweedsmuir and West Linton.
The job holder will be the main point of contact with the National Offices in Edinburgh, other external bodies, and the 6 Kirk Sessions, and will be responsible for maintaining a common directory and central resource hub for the group.
IT and administrative experience, communication skills, and a driving licence with access to a car are essential skills. Experience of Church of Scotland structures would be useful.
This is a new post and it is currently envisaged that it will involve 12 hours a week at the rate of £11 an hour with 72 hours paid holiday per annum.  It will initially be a one year fixed term contract.
Please apply to the Rev Dr Tony Foley by the 30th May.  Please provide an up to date CV and briefly explain why you are interested in the post. TFoley@churchofscotland.org.uk

Music in the Sunday Service - 1st May
The full versions of all four pieces of music included in the Sunday Service for the 1st May are available through YouTube. They are listed here and you can click on the titles to listen to them on YouTube.
You can also but all four pieces on Apple iTunes.
    by Divine Worship (from their YouTube Channel)
    from the album The Worship Collection ( Vol-05)
    by St Michael's Singers
    from the album The Hymn Makers: There Is a Green Hill Far Away (A Selection of Easter Hymns)
    by Martin Ball, Integrity's Hosanna! Music
    from the album Come To The Throne
    by CN Productions
    from the album Beautiful Saviour (12 Instrumental Songs of Stuart Townend)

Music in the Sunday Service - 24th April
The full versions of one of the three pieces of music included in the Sunday Service for the 24th April is available through YouTube. It is listed here. Click on the title to listen to it on YouTube.
1. Be Still for the Presence of the Lord
    played and sung by Anne Dawson
2. The Church is Wherever God's People are Praising
    played and sung by Anne Dawson
    by Jonathan Teopilus
    from the YouTube channel: Jonathan Teopilus

West Tweeddale Parish Churches Open YouTube Channel
There is now a YouTube channel for "West Tweeddale Parish Churches". At present there are just a couple of videos on it but we will post pre-recorded version of each of the Holy Week services on this channel each night at about 6:30 PM.
If you search for "West Tweeddale" then the first couple of titles should be ours. You can also use Filters to select Channel under Type but you can also click here to go straight to the channel. If you have a Google account then you can also subscribe to the channel and this should mean that you will be notified when new videos are posted.

Music in the Sunday Service (10th April)
The full versions of two of the three pieces of music included in the Sunday Service for the 10th April are available through YouTube. They are listed here. Click on the titles to listen to them on YouTube.
You can also buy pieces 1 and 2 on Apple iTunes.
    by Wells Cathedral Choir, Wells Cathedral School Brass Ensemble
    and Malcolm Archer, Rupert Gough
    from the album Favourite Hymns From Wells Cathedral
    by Choir of Jesus College Cambridge - director: Richard Pinel
    from the album Praise My Soul: Favourite Hymns from Jesus College Cambridge
3. Let Us Build a House
    recorded in Broughton Kirk
    September 2019

Music in the Sunday Service (3rd April)
The full versions of two of the three pieces of music included in the Sunday Service for the 3rd April are available through YouTube. They are listed here. Click on the titles to listen to them on YouTube.
You can also buy them on Apple iTunes.
    by Fron Male Voice Choir
    from the album Voices Of The Valley: The Ultimate Collection
2. Amazing Grace
    played and sung by Anne Dawson
    by The London Fox Choir
    from the album: Pam Rhodes: Love So Amazing

Music in the Sunday Service (27th March)
The full versions of all three of the three pieces of music included in the Sunday Service for the 27th March are available through YouTube. They are listed here. Click on the titles to listen to them on YouTube.
You can also buy pieces 2 and 3 on Apple iTunes.
    by the Choir and Congregation of First Plymouth Church accompanied by Organist Tom Trenney and the Plymouth Brass. Jeremy Bankson, Conductor.
    from the YouTube channel: First-Plymouth Church Lincoln Nebraska
    by Huddersfield Choral Society & Joseph Cullen
    from the album The Hymns Album
    by Graham Kendrick
    from the album: Very Best of Graham Kendrick

Music in the Sunday Service (20th March)
The full versions of all three of the three pieces of music included in the Sunday Service for the 20th March are available through YouTube. They are listed here. Click on the titles to listen to them on YouTube.
You can also buy all three pieces on Apple iTunes.
    by Bernadette Farrell
    from the album Christ Be Our Light
    by Robin Mark
    from the album Living the Adventure - Mandate 2007
    by the Cambridge Singers and the City of London Sinfonia
    conducted by John Rutter

Music in the Sunday Service (13th March)
The full versions of two of the three pieces of music included in the Sunday Service for the 13th March are available through YouTube. They are listed here. Click on the titles to listen to them on YouTube.
You can also buy piece 3 on Apple iTunes.
1. Be Still for the Presence of the Lord
    played and sung by Ann Dawson
    by Graham Kendrick
    from the YouTube Channel: Divine Hymns
    from the album: The Worship Collection (Vol-09)
    by St Michael's Singers
    from the album: The Hymn Makers: Charles Wesley (Love Divine)

Music in the Sunday Service (6th March)
The full versions of all four pieces of music included in the Sunday Service for the 6th March are available through YouTube. They are listed here. Click on the titles to listen to them on YouTube.
You can also buy pieces 2,3 and 4 on Apple iTunes.
    by Cape Town Massed Choir and Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra
    directed by Colin Peckham
    from Cape Town City Hall on 15 Sept 2019
    by Graham Kendrick
    from the album: The Very Best of Graham Kendrick: Knowing You Jesus
    by The London Fox Choir
    from the album: Pam Rhodes: Love So Amazing
    by iSingWorship
    from the album Hymns One

World Day of Prayer 2022
This year's world day of prayer service will be held in Broughton Village Hall on Friday 4th March at 2:30 PM. Every year the service is prepared by a single country. This year however there are three countries involved: Northern Ireland, Wales and England. Refreshments will be served after the service and everyone is welcome.
Support for Ukraine
Ukraine Flag and Map
The prayer vigil for Ukraine in West Linton attracted over 100 people two weeks ago. Following on from the vigil a number of iniatives have occurred to help support refugees who are fleeing from the invasion and the countries where they are seeking refuge. The current focus is on sending money to the countries in Eastern Europe who are supporting the millions of refugees who have left Ukraine. But in addition the Government intends to establish a new ‘humanitarian support pathway’ which will enable Ukrainians who do not have family connections in the UK to be sponsored to come to the UK by local communities, charities, and businesses in the UK.
The UK Government will be announcing further details soon, but we know that the scheme is uncapped, that those who come under this scheme will be granted leave for an initial period of 12 months, and they will be able to work and access public services.
In Upper Tweeddale we are already exploring ways that the community can work together to support Ukrainian families escaping to the UK and have registered with Citizens UK to be informed when more information about the scheme is available. You can also register using the link below

But you can also help by sending money to a number of charitable appeals such as the Red Cross Ukraine Appeal. The UK Government has committed to matching any DEC (Disasters Emergency Committee) associated appeal, such as that of Red Cross, up to a maximum of £20 million.
The Church of Scotland is also working through its partner churches in the region and to find out just one of the ways that you can help, please read this letter from Susan Brown, comvenor of the  Faith Impact Forum.

Music in the Sunday Service (27th February)
The full versions of the first three pieces of music included in the Sunday Service for the 27th February are available through YouTube. They are listed here. Click on the titles to listen to them on YouTube.
You can also buy all three pieces on Apple iTunes.
    by Divine Worship (from their YouTube Channel)
    from the album The Worship Collection ( Vol-05)
    The Orchestra Choir and Congregation of All Souls Church
    from the album: The Hymn Makers: Timothy Dudley-Smith
    by HeartCry Worship
    from the album HeartCry, Vol. 3: Here I Am to Worship

Music in the Sunday Service (20th February)
The full versions of the first three pieces of music included in the Sunday Service for the 20th February are available through YouTube. They are listed here. Click on the titles to listen to them on YouTube.
You can also buy pieces 1 and 3 on Apple iTunes.
    by Wells Cathedral Choir, Wells Cathedral School Brass Ensemble
    and Malcolm Archer, Rupert Gough
    from the album Favourite Hymns From Wells Cathedral
    by the The Westminster Choir
    Garrett F. Martin, Organist and Director of Music
    from the YouTube Channel: Westminster Presbyterian Church • Buffalo
    by The Daily Service Singers
    from the album The Hymn Makers: Hymns of Discipleship
4. Let Us Build a House
    recorded in Broughton Kirk
    September 2019

Join the Lent conversation on Zoom

The Things He Did
The Zoom-based lent studies for West Tweeddale are continuing on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Our studies are intended to be grace spaces where you get an opportunity to explore not only the story of the crucifixion but also to talk your own understanding of the Christian faith in an unfiltered open context.
We are discussing The Things He Did on Tuesdays led by Yvonne Foley starting on 1st March and The Nail on Thursdays led by Tony Foley starting on 3rd March.
A third group which meets from 7PM to 8PM on Sunday evenings is using bible studies from the book "God With Us - Worship resources on the theme of refugees, migration and sanctuary" discussing refugees. This book is available from the Church of Scotland web site.
If you are interested, please get in touch with Tony or Yvonne Foley, or your Session Clerk and we will answer all of your questions and queries about times etc. and provide the Zoom links

The two Lent study books are The Nail - & The Things He Did. They are both by author Stephen Cottrell. Each book includes 6 stories told in the first person from the perspective of those who were there that week. You can check them out on Amazon. We will be hosting the studies / conversations on separate nights. Each study is built around one of the chapters of a book and lasts approximately 45mins. If you wish you are welcome to join us for one session just to sample what they are like. You can also drop in and out as your schedule allows or you can stick around for the ‘whole 9 yards’. These studies are designed with the hope that they will be of use to you. So why not give it a try.
The Things He Did -
The Nail –

Music in the Sunday Service (6th February)
The full versions of two of the pieces of music included in the Sunday Service for the 7th February are available through YouTube. They are listed here. Click on the titles to listen to them on YouTube.
You can also buy pieces 1 and 2 on Apple iTunes.
    by The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square
    from the album America's Choir
    by St. Michael's Singers
    from the album The Best Hymns Album In The World… Ever!
3. Morning Has Broken
    played and sung by Anne Dawson

Music in the Sunday Service (30th January)
The full versions of all four pieces of the music included in the Sunday Service for the 30th January are available through YouTube. They are listed here. Click on the titles to listen to them on YouTube.
You can also buy piece 1 on Apple iTunes.
    by Gloucester Cathedral Choir, Hereford Cathedral Choir and Worcester Cathedral Choir
    from the album: Blessed City: Hymns from Worcester
    by The Choir of St. Paul's Bloor Street, Toronto
    from the YouTube channel: StPaulsBloor
    by Huddersfield Choral Society · Joseph Cullen
    from the album The Hymns Album
    by Graham Kendrick
    from the album The Very Best of Graham Kendrick

Music in the Sunday Service (23rd January)
The full versions of all four pieces of the music included in the Sunday Service for the 23rd January are available through YouTube. They are listed here. Click on the titles to listen to them on YouTube.
You can also buy piece 1 on Apple iTunes.
    by York Minster Choir
    organ, vocals: John Scott Whiteley
    conductor, vocals: Philip Moore
    author: George Herbert
    from the album Best-Loved Hymns from York Minster
    by Choir of St Saviour's Cathedral Goulburn and the Choir of Trinity College Melbourne
    organist Tom Baldwin
    director Chris Watson
    author: William Brian Foley
    from the YouTube channel: Barbara Griffin
    from the NAK concert in Cape Town
    author: Frances Haverga
    from the YouTube channel: Nivaldo Grulha
    by Matt Gooch, Craig Muirhead and Ellie N.
    author: Leith Fisher
    from the YouTube channel: Strathallan School

Music in the Sunday Service (16th January)
The full versions of all pieces of the music included in the Sunday Service for the 16th January are available through YouTube. They are listed here. Click on the titles to listen to them on YouTube.
You can also buy versions of pieces 1 and 2 on Apple iTunes.
    by Bernadette Farrell
    from the album Christ Be Our Light
    by Robin Mark
    from the album Living the Adventure - Mandate 2007
    from the YouTube channel: OpenmyeyesLord333

Music in the Sunday Service (9th January)
The full versions of all pieces of the music included in the Sunday Service for the 9th January are available through YouTube. They are listed here. Click on the titles to listen to them on YouTube.
You can also buy versions of all of the pieces on Apple iTunes.
    by the The Orchestra Choir and Congregation of All Souls Church
    from the album The Hymn Makers: Timothy Dudley-Smith (Tell Out, My Soul)
    by Quire Cleveland, conducted by Ross W. Duffin
    from the YouTube Channel: QuireCleveland
    by A.D. Miller and Commotio Chamber Choir
    from the album The Oxford Book of Easy Flexible Anthems
    by Chapel Royal Choir
    from the album: Make We Joy

Music in the Sunday Service (2nd January)
The full versions of all pieces of the music included in the Sunday Service for the 2nd January are available through YouTube. They are listed here. Click on the titles to listen to them on YouTube.
You can also buy versions of pieces 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 on Apple iTunes.
    by the George Fox University music department
    from the YouTube channel George Fox University
    by Quire Cleveland, conducted by Ross W. Duffin
    from the YouTube Channel: QuireCleveland
    by The Mormon Tabernacle Choir
    from the YouTube channel The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
    by Órla Fallon
    from the album: Winter, Fire and Snow
    by Bing Crosby & David Bowie
    from the YouTube channel HolidayFavorites
    by The Suntrees Sky
    from the album Favorite Irish Christmas Carols (Instrumental Celtic Christmas Songs)

Music in the Sunday Service (26th December)
The full versions of all pieces of the music included in the Sunday Service for the 26th December are available through YouTube. They are listed here. Click on the titles to listen to them on YouTube.
You can also buy pieces 2, 3, 4 and 5 on Apple iTunes.
    from the YouTube Channel: Emmaus Music
    by Maranatha! Hymns
    from the album Celtic Hymns
    by The Saint Michael's Singers and the Coventry Singers
    from the album The Best Christmas Carols Album In The World... Ever!
    by Wallingford Parish Church Choir
    from the album: The Hymns Album
    by Graham Kendrick
    from the album The Very Best of Graham Kendrick

Music in the Sunday Service (19th December)
The full versions of pieces 1, 3 and 4 of the music included in the Sunday Service for the 19th December are available through YouTube. They are listed here. Click on the titles to listen to them on YouTube. Piece 2 was taken from the Church of Scotland's online music resource.
You can also buy piece 4 on Apple iTunes.
    by Susan White and Nick Springthorpe
    from the YouTube Channel: Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church
    by Scottish Festival Singers, Ian McCrorie (Conductor), John Langdon (Organ)
    from the Church of Scotland online music resource
    by 2 or More
    from the YouTube Channel Risen Music
    by Graham Kendrick
    from the album The Worship Library: Volume 2

Music in the Sunday Service - 12th December
The full versions of all of the four pieces of music included in the Sunday Service for the 12th December are available through YouTube. They are listed here. Click on the titles to listen to them on YouTube.
You can also buy pieces 2 and 3 on Apple iTunes.
    by Susan White and Nick Springthorpe
    from the YouTube Channel: Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church
    by the Choir of Chichester Cathedral
    from the album: 50 Classic Christmas Carols
    by Casey McKinley
    arranged Scot Crandal
    from the YouTube Channel Casey McKinley
    by Christian Aid Scotland Scratch Choir
    from the YouTube Channel: thisischristianaid

Music in the Sunday Service (5th December)
The full versions of three of the four pieces of music included in the Sunday Service for the 5th December are available through YouTube. They are listed here. Click on the titles to listen to them on YouTube.
You can also buy piece 1 on Apple iTunes.
    by Susan White and Nick Springthorpe
    from the YouTube Channel: Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church
2. O Come, O Come Emmanuel
    played and sung by Anne Dawson
    The Orchestra Choir and Congregation of All Souls Church
    from the album: The Hymn Makers: Timothy Dudley-Smith
    by Graham Kendrick
    from the album: Very Best of Graham Kendrick

 
Coming Soon...
Carols and Mince Pies
Thursday  19 December 2024