Supporting our Mission Coldingham

You should all know that the Parish of Coldingham & supports its regular ministry and mission from financial assets held in reserve. Our regular giving does not support all that we do. One of the reasons we have these reserves, however, is to meet the capital cost of our ancient Priory building. The Parish bears the responsibility for all that stonework and a large and ailing roof. The Fabric Convenor and I envisage some major expenditure on stonework and roof soon. While we will seek grant support, this work will deplete our financial reserves. So, it is important that we all review our financial giving and try to give effectively if we have the capacity to sign up to Gift Aid. There are Gift Aid forms in the Priory to complete and return to me, as Treasurer. And there are forms that you can use to give regularly by standing order, a convenient means of giving to the Church. The details of the Church bank account for setting up a standing order are: St. Abbs

Coldingham and St.Abbs Parish Church Sort Code: 09-01-55 Account No: 90475185 At Santander, Bootle, Merseyside L30 4GB Thank you for all that you do.

David Campbell

Priory Flower Rota

May 6th Wedding May 13th Mrs A Wylie May 20th Jo & Johanna Wright

th

May 27 Mrs A Aitchison After that, the Word of God came to me: “Zerubbabel June 3rd Mrs C Campbell started rebuilding this Temple and he will complete it. June 10th COMMUNION That will be your confirmation that God-of-the-Angel- June 17th Mrs M Cockburn June 24th Wedding Armies sent me to you. Does anyone dare despise this day of small beginnings? They’ll change their tune when For the above three months the Priory key will be available they see Zerubbabel setting the last stone in place!” from Mary Thomson 71259 Zechariah 4:10 The Message

Scottish Charity Numbers SC009185/SC006499 March 2018 – May 2018

Eyemouth Car Transport

Eyemouth Parish Church provides transport for those requiring

assistance to get to church. This is provided by volunteer drivers. Sundays - 9.45am Eyemouth Parish - 11.15am Linkum Court Swan Court (Any month with 5th Sunday Coldingham meets St. Abbs - 9.45am) March C.Scott 50414 D.Scott 51732 Tuesdays Prayer, Eyemouth Session Room - 9am April P.Craig 50367 I.Dorward 51732 Tuesdays Eyemouth Guild, 7pm, Oct-Mar May W.Gray 51625 E.King 51023 Wednesdays Busy Bees, Eyemouth - 1.30pm June P.Gage 01289 348985 D.Scott 51732 Fridays Busy Bees, Priory - 10.30am 1st Monday BCYT Prayer, Springbank - 8pm July C.Scott 50414 I.Dorward 51732 1st Friday Iona-based meditation, Priory - 4.00pm August P.Craig 50367 E.King 51023 3rd Friday Meditation, Priory - 4.00pm 1st Saturday Prayer, Eyemouth - 8.30am Duty drivers unable to do any duty on a Sunday please arrange an alternative driver or contact Jim Evans 750701 as soon as possible. 3rd Saturday Half-hour prayer, Priory - 8.30am Pick up will be 11.00 as follows: Linkim Court - front of building by request. Please telephone if Resurrection Day required. Swan Court - front of building. Return will be after tea following the church service. Additional transport can be arranged. Dear friends, Please contact Jim Evans 750701.

Recently I've come across a great wee song that we may try singing on a Sunday. It's entitled Resurrection Day and seems quite appropriate for this run up towards Easter. When we think about Easter and all it Needs and Appeals, Eyemouth entails we are reminded that death is not the end, that there is hope that if the grave cannot hold Jesus, then because of God's unending grace Income to the Needs and Appeals fund is from donations given at the we can take part in that resurrection hope, that there will indeed be life teas after the Sunday morning service. We respond to local needs and after death. It will not have passed many of you by that the great wider church appeals. Any church member can suggest where evangelist Billy Graham passed away at the end of February and assistance should be given by contacting the Minister or Jim Evans. although I had never had the privilege of hearing him speak I found This fund enables our Church to show its concern for local the local many people sharing this wonderful quote from him: “Some day you community and wider church needs. will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don't you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my Jim address. I will have gone into the presence of God.”

>>>> Eyemouth Guild Yet while this is an amazing part of the good news that we talk about so much within our faith, there is a sense in which resurrection is so The Guild's new three year strategy is “One Journey, Many Roads”. much more than that. Billy himself put it this way: “Heaven doesn't We will be exploring the many aspects of this in our journey to make this life less important; it makes it more important.” Jesus' understand and appreciate the many trials and tribulations we resurrection is an assurance that there is life before death, that this encounter on the journey of life. The theme for our first year is world is important. Indeed in Paul's letter to the church in Rome he “Seeking the Way” and we have great scope as the Bible is full of makes this point: “If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead journeys that did just that. We will enjoy the companionship of the is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will give life to Guild in our journey and we will discover the many whys and your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.” (Romans wherefores that we find in our own journey into faith. 8:11) We live out the message of resurrection as we resurrect our own This will be an exhilarating look at life because everyone has had their flagging life with the power of God's Holy Spirit! One poet puts it own journey and we can learn from each other. with the phrase that we are called to practice resurrection in every aspect of our life. Every time we take something lifeless and broken Carole Scott and revive it, we are practising resurrection! So even something as simple and ordinary as recycling becomes a sign of us practising In Life, How Often? resurrection, maybe we just simply need to realise that even in the mundane around us, there are opportunities for God to touch our lives How often do we think of You and the lives of others...and that every day can be a resurrection day. when we have our jobs to do? How often do we shed a tear “This is my resurrection day, nothing’s gonna hold me in the grave. but overlook You're always near? This is my resurrection day, nothing’s gonna hold me down. How often do we forget something Say goodbye to my yesterdays, ever since I met You I am changed, that once was worth remembering, This is my resurrection day, nothing’s gonna hold me down” about Your infinite joy, love, (Resurrection Day by Ed Cash and Rend Collective) Your care, Your Grace, Your presence, always there. God bless Andy How often do we pause for thought when we are feeling quite distraught? How often do we take the time Billy Graham (November 1918 – February 2018) to appreciate You when thing are fine? You give us hope, You give us joy The late Reverend Billy Graham told of a time early in his ministry and love unending which can buoy when he arrived in a small town to preach a sermon. Wanting to mail a us up to face another day. letter, he asked a young boy where the post office was. When the boy If only we learn to do things Your way. had told him, Dr. Graham thanked him and said, "If you'll come to the Church this evening, you can hear me telling everyone how to get to Heaven." "I don't think I'll be there," the boy said. "You don't even know your way to the post office!"

Local Church Review in Eyemouth

Presbytery run a regular 5 year review of the charges within its bounds and while we are not due one for a few years, part of the review process requires us to continue to evaluate and review what we said we would do and how we are getting on with it. As we are currently about half way through the 5 years of the plan we put in place, elders from both Eyemouth and Coldingham spent some time in January relooking at the reports that came out of that review process and have put in place further reviews to take place within Kirk Session meetings in the coming year.

Some of you may remember that part of this process included spending some time thinking about the way forward as a church, thinking about what kind of church is Eyemouth Parish Church. We spent time together discussing what Eyemouth Parish Church might look like in 2020. Four key themes came out of these discussions: Families & Young People, Community Work, the Church Building & Prayer. One of the themes that has seen a lot of work over the last year has been the changes to the building and in particular the sanctuary where we worship on a Sunday morning.

You may remember that as part of our thinking on this we ran a consultation where folk were asked to put sticky dots beside some of the ideas we had for developing the building. There was a strong desire to have a comfortable, welcoming and flexible building, something suited to worship in the 21st Century. Popular ideas to make this happen were replacing the pews with comfy seats, improving entry to the sanctuary and making the access all-ability.

The Congregational Board have appointed an architect to begin to draw up plans and give us a budget for the cost of any alterations. So far the draft sketches have given the board much food for thought, and A fun day for friends and family to visit our village - Monk’s we hope to be able to share some of the thinking behind the changes tours, refreshments, games for kids, a treasure hunt and lots with the wider congregation soon. There is a real feeling amongst more. It’s also an opportunity show off the Priory and Hall as those involved that this is very much a key part of moving forward as a congregation and fulfilling our role in serving the local community a ‘one-stop’ wedding venue. Please circulate the date to with a more accessible and flexible space that will be for the benefit of anyone you know in the /Galashiels/Newcastle all the users of the building. Please keep your eyes and ears open for triangle as soon as possible! more information and pray that as we seek funding for this work that we would be able to find support for this major project. Foodbank Move More Borders

As we go into the New Year we thank everyone for their sustained A unique programme to help cancer patients become more active has generosity and commitment to the Foodbank. In November we had 11 been introduced in the Borders. Macmillan Cancer Support and Live referrals which for the second month was on the low side. However Borders are working together to deliver Move More Borders – a the number of referrals in December was up to 24 which is more than programme of physical activity designed specifically for people twice as many needed in November.. During January there were 18 affected by cancer. Traditionally cancer patients have been told to rest referrals which is about average for this time of year. but research by Macmillan Cancer Support has shown that being active during and after treatment can improve physical and emotional The Foodbank stocks remain very healthy. Much of this was due to the health and help to minimise the side effects of treatment. The Move Housing Association who volunteered to collect for the More programme is free of charge and is available to anyone who is Foodbank as their chosen charity. They delivered an astonishing affected by cancer. If you would like more information about being amount of food to the Foodbank in December and to them go our more active, please call Charlotte or Callie the Move More grateful thanks for their impressive effort! Development Officers on 01896 661166 ext 311 or email [email protected]. There is no question that the delivered food parcels provide a great source of help, encouragement and support. In one case, we know that the food parcel was literally a 'life saver', as it helped this person get Film Night Dates in Eyemouth Church Hall back on their feet. They are most grateful for the care shown to them th and that somebody somewhere is thinking about them and their needs. 16 March 2018 – Family Film Night – Paddington 2 20th April 2018 – Family Film Night – Raiders of the Lost Ark (TBC) Our stocks continue to be in a healthy state. th 18 May 2018 – Family Film Night – Jumanji (TBC) We continue to collect food on a Sunday for the foodbank. If you would be interested in helping out with food parcel deliveries, Easter Services or taking collected food to the Foodbank store then please contact Andy. Every Wednesday in Lent, 11am-12noon – Lent Meditation in Eyemouth Session Room. A chance to just read a short passage from The Food List the Bible together and discuss how it speaks to us. Turn up early for a Tins or packets of Soup coffee or tea. Tins of mince, stew, meat balls, curry pies in tins Corned beef, spam, ham, tuna, sardines, pilchards, baked beans Palm Sunday (25th March) – Family Service Eyemouth & Coldingham Tinned veg, potatoes Friday (30th March) – Good Friday Prayer Walk and Outdoor Service Pasta, Pasta sauce (meeting in Victoria Road Car Park 10.45am & service at Bantry Tea, Coffee 12noon) Breakfast cereal, Dried or UHT milk , Tinned fruit Friday (30th March) – Good Friday Reflection & Communion – 6.30pm – Coldingham Priory The following items are added when the parcel is made up and Easter Sunday (1st April) – Sunrise Service – 6.30am – Beside the delivered, so donations of money are always accepted: bread, Commemorative Wall behind Gunsgreen House. margarine, fresh milk, fresh potatoes (nappies and baby food, if Easter Sunday (1st April) – Egg Rolling beside Gunsgreen House – required) 10am, followed by rolls in Parish Church Hall Easter Sunday (1st April) – Family Service Eyemouth & Coldingham Priory Live! – Getting Involved Christian Aid Week 13th to 19th May

We would like to take this opportunity to remind you about a new This year Christian Aid Week’s focus is to raise funds to help initiative we launched last year and that is being run again after a very displaced people. A staggering 40 million people globally are successful first year. Priory LIVE! is run by the congregation in internally displaced – they’ve had to flee their homes, but have partnership with Berwickshire Christian Youth Trust, and along with remained in their own countries. Internally displaced people make up members of other congregations in the area we work together to put on around two thirds of those forced from their homes, but unlike an activity day for all the Primary 6 pupils from the local schools to refugees, we rarely hear about them in the media. What’s more, come and find out about the history of Christianity in this part of the international policy means they are often ignored or forgotten, even world, focusing mainly on the life of monks in the Priory in medieval though they are incredibly vulnerable. In Haiti, for example, eight times and what Christianity is about. During the day youngsters have years on from the devastating earthquake in Port-au-Prince in 2010, an the opportunity to take part in activities such as drama, story telling, estimated 38,000 people are still displaced. Christian Aid’s partner bread making, pottery work, hand spinning, a prayer journey and there, KORAL, is working to train local builders to build homes to be creating their own illuminated scripts while being led by “pilgrim safe, stable and strong enough to stand up to natural disasters. It costs guides” dressed as monks to create a realistic atmosphere of life at the about £210 to train each builder but this practical support has real Priory long ago. results. Please look out for further notices. In Coldingham and St Abbs, there will be a house collection again thanks to the willingness We've already approached quite a few folks to help out with some of of faithful individuals who have undertaken to do this - so please put the activities, but we do hope many of you would consider helping out what you can into the envelope or collection tin when it comes. whether as “pilgrim guides” or in the background as it will require a lot of hands-on to ensure that everyone who comes has a really Saturday 12th May valuable learning experience as well as a memorable day. The event will take place on Tuesday the 5th of June from 9am till about There will be a sponsored walk from Berwick to St Abbs along the 2.30pm. There will be a training and briefing morning at Coldingham coastal path. This is not an organised walk so that each person will Priory for all those who are interested in getting involved on 1st May require to bring their own food and drink. There will however be a from 10am-12noon with a light lunch afterwards. If you would like backup car waiting at points along the route so that people who do not more information or are able to help, please speak to Andy, Marianne wish to complete the entire walk can be given a lift home. Sponsor or Audrey. forms and further information from Audrey or Ishbel.

Sunday 13th May Lent as a New Beginning 12.15 - 1.30pm there will be Lunch in Eyemouth church hall. Let us remember that through the Holy Spirit we hold within ourselves and within our community the space and power of change. Tuesday 15th May We remember how Jesus offered himself as a vessel of transformation and invites us to do the same. As we go forward into Lent let us There will be a coffee evening with a sales table in the Priory from allow our fears and resentments to be released and to be open to the 6.30pm. Audrey Robertson would be delighted to hear from anyone transformation that will come. who is willing to help in any way.

Noreen 71429

Away Day on Holy Island Help While You Shop

The next day on Holy Island is Saturday 24th March. In the morning Did you know that whenever you buy anything online – from your we will spend some time thinking about Psalm 23. During the weekly shop to your annual holiday – you could be collecting free afternoon there will be time for walking on the island (weather donations for the Church? permitting) before closing with a short communion service. If you There are over 3,000 shops and sites on board ready to make a haven’t been before, consider putting the date in your diary and join- donation, including Amazon, John Lewis, Aviva, thetrainline and ing what is always a very enjoyable day. To enable planning for travel Sainsbury’s – and it doesn’t cost you a penny extra! and catering please give your name to Audrey or Ishbel if you would like to go. 1. Head to https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/ coldinghamstabbs/ or https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/ Unwanted or broken jewellery causes/eyemouthparishchurch/ and join for free.

You will probably be familiar with the regular stall of fairly traded 2. Every time you shop online, go to easyfundraising first to find food items available each Sunday after the service. Another way that the site you want and start shopping, or download the easyfund- Traidcraft raises money to help support producers wishing to trade raising donation reminder for your web browser. their way out of poverty is to collect unwanted or broken jewellery and sell it. If you have an odd earring or a broken necklace please gives it 3. After you’ve checked out, that retailer will make a donation to to Mairead or Ishbel and we will send it on to Tradecraft. your good cause for no extra cost whatsoever!

Berwickshire Christian Youth Trust (BCYT) There are no catches or hidden charges and the Church will be really grateful for your donations. You can even download a handy app that I’m delighted to report that the immediate funding crisis has been reminds you to activate your donation when shopping on participating averted thanks to the generosity of people responding to the appeal for webpages. more regular donors and several significant one off donations. There is still a monthly shortfall of £200 between income and expenditure. To secure the longer term financial viability of the Trust it is hoped that there will be a few more people able to give a small amount Saturday 19th May monthly. If you are in a position to do this there are standing order forms available at the back of the church. There will be a coffee morning in the Mason’s Hall, Eyemouth from 9.30 – 11.30. There will be the usual stalls. Donations would be Heart for God greatly appreciated. Although there is no longer a house to house collection in Eyemouth, envelopes for giving to Christian Aid will be Taking place again at Paxton House on Saturday 10th March 2018. available in church. We are aware that some people who do not attend The theme is “Living a Life of Love”. Rachel Sloan from Edinburgh church would still like to make a donation and it would be good if you will be the main speaker. In the afternoon several other people will be could take some envelopes to give to friends or neighbours. These can talking about groups or charities in which they are involved. There be brought to church or given to any member of the Christian Aid will be plenty of time to enjoy walking in the grounds of Paxton Committee by Sunday 20th May. House. Booking forms are available from Marianne or Ishbel.

Josh Littlejohn 13/12/2017:

Hi Els, Would those in our congregations who are able please stand at the start of hymn/song introductions. These are usually short and This is just an email to say THANK YOU for creating a movement to it’s a chance to get the lungs filled with air, ready to praise! end homelessness in . THANK YOU for sleeping out! and THANK YOU for raising so much money! Thanks Margaret & David In terms of money raised: • The amazing people sleeping out and their supporters raised an incredible £2.7m • Clydesdale Bank committed an additional £0.5m We also received an anonymous donation of a further £0.5m That brings the total raised so far to £3.7m! Your friends, family and colleagues can still add to your total on your Rebirth Virgin Money giving page.

Sealed in a dark tomb, no warmth In terms of housing: as when you were in your mother's womb • EdIndex which includes The City of Edinburgh Council and a yet number of housing associations including Dunedin Canmore, Castle the umbilical cord still connected. Rock Edinvar and Port of Leith Housing Association have collectively How offered an amazing 275 homes for homeless people in Edinburgh were you reborn? • Wheatley Group has pledged an additional 200 homes for people in a blinding flash the light streamed through the opened tomb in Glasgow and the central belt. you leapt up tearing apart the grave clothes that bound you? or • If you include the Social Bite Village, that's 495 homes across the did you gently waken and lie watching the dawn breaking central belt! through the place where the stone had been? We will now be working to find partnerships for similar commitments We don't know how in other cities in Scotland We don't know exactly when The money you have raised will help fund the support structure for the but people moving into these tenancies. This will include addiction we do know why. support, getting a bank account in their name, support with mental It was to show God's love for all humanity health, helping them into employment and more - removing them from and for each one of us personally the cycle of homelessness and finally including them IN our society. that we may know death is not the end Together we have taken a massive step toward ending homelessness in but a new beginning. Scotland. With your support, we will continue to strive to take further steps across all of Scotland.

Heather Once again from the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Josh Littlejohn & Alice Thompson, Co-Founders, Social Bite Thank you – Sleep in the Park Busy Bees Toddlers

We would like to say a ‘huge’ thankyou to all our donors and Busy Bees toddlers continues to go from strength to strength with a supporters for our Sleep in the Park event on 9 December last year. good number of regulars at both the Eyemouth and Coldingham We raised an unbelievable total of £625.10. Thank you all so much! groups. Each group has children from babies right up to children who will be heading to school after the Summer. It's also been great seeing We completed our challenge during what must have been the coldest lots of different folk getting involved with the toddler groups as it's a night of the year: Minus 7! It was a very tough challenge to do, and a great way of building relationships between the congregation and local humbling experience of what it might be like to be sleeping rough in families, so if you think you could help out, setting out snack, cleaning the city. Of course, it was only a poor imitation of the real life of a dishes and clearing away toys, then please speak to Ishbel in homeless person, as we were safe and secure, but nevertheless it was a Eyemouth or Kath in Coldingham. very profound experience.

Presbytery News Eva wrote on her Facebook page: ‘What a tough thing to do; we were truly sad to experience what homeless people go through on a daily I would like to say a big thank-you to members of the presbytery for basis. If that’s what it is like, then please let’s change things for them their support following Janice’s death. Presbytery is not without its and put an end to people sleeping rough in Scotland. It is a cruel and problems so pray on. We are losing two ministers although others have inhumane situation to be in. Stop it now and continue to support retired into the area. We congratulate Marianne who will take on the them!’ role of Moderator in June and thank Bruce for his excellent leadership

thus far. (We expect a fully built and running model railway by the end Many people asked us if we would consider doing this again, but at of July! Ed) this moment in time I am not sure. We were lucky (?) that we only had to deal with cold weather, what if it had rained all night? But one thing my daughter and I did agree upon was the sense of having done David Walker (Pres. Elder) something worthwhile, something that will make a difference and something that has sent a message to those living on the streets (=we Communion Services do care, we do want to help). EYEMOUTH Next time you see a homeless person, go across and have a wee natter. 25th March @ 11.15am They are not invisible, unnoticed, unimportant or ignored, we are only 24th June @ 11.15am just learning to respond to their needs. They are our brothers and sisters. “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and COLDINGHAM & ST. ABBS sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matt.24:40 11th March @ 9.45am in Coldingham Priory 10th June @ 9.45 am in Coldingham Priory Thanks again to all, your support and belief in us meant a lot!

Els and Eva Nicol Evening Service

March 11th, 6.30pm East Berwickshire Churches Together service @ Eyemouth Parish Church Thanks From St. Ebba’s We can build on these existing ventures by making sure they are well publicised and known about and one of the best ways for this is Members of St Ebba's congregation would like to thank all at the personal contact and communication, by talking to any young families Priory for the incredible welcome we have received since joining you and children that we know particularly if they are new to the area, in January. We are quite overwhelmed with the warmth received. We making them aware of these activities and inviting them along. We can hope to welcome anyone who would like to join in our short try to think of new ways and means for getting to know our young communion services after your refreshments on 25th February, 1st people - of all ages. I am conscious that we do not have any provision April, 22nd April, 27th May 24th June and 22nd July. for our older young people from top Primary through to High School.

Frankie Taylor 51123 Any bright ideas for this? We need to think not just of young people but of young families. How can we make Church appeal to them? We in the Priory have been given a huge responsibility - that of passing on the torch of Christianity handed to from Aidan and so on The Year of Young People down through all the faithful people who have kept worship alive here in Coldingham Priory. Yes, Church is more than the building and we 2018 has been designated by the Church of Scotland as The Year of are the church, but the fact remains that because of the listed status of Young People. Andy has already introduced this in a Sunday morning the Priory we as a Church of Scotland cannot walk away to worship worship and has plans for things to do during the year. But, what does elsewhere because we would have some responsibility for maintaining this mean for us in Coldingham? How can we reach out to our young the building. So lets get our thinking caps on and work together to people? make our Priory a living vital part of our Community where we spread the love of Christ to those around us. If you have any ideas please talk Let's start by thinking of the positive things that are happening here. A to Andy, Kath Easton or myself. group of us on a rota make sure that there is provision on a Sunday for any young people that come to worship, Jasper and Hugo are regulars More info about Year of Young People can be found at here, it's lovely to have this family worshipping with us and then we www.churchofscotland.org.uk/yoyp. have the occasional visiting families or grandchildren of members of our congregation. Heather

Busy Bees meet on Friday mornings between 10am and 12pm. Messy Church meets four times a year and at the Christmas session we had about twenty children plus Mums, Dads and Grandparents, less at other sessions. B.C.Y.T and Andy are now going into the Coldingham Pray! Primary and on June 5th we are holding the second 'Priory Live' day for P6 children from Coldingham, Eyemouth, Ayton, Reston and For our friend Joan Sanderson. She has asked us all to pray for her as schools. This day was a huge success last year, not just she spends six months in Namibia working with Serving in Mission because of the children who came along but the involvement of all the (formerly Soudan Inland Mission) at the Namibia Evangelical helpers, some of whom were not members of our congregation, but it Theological Seminary in Windhoek. She is from Duns, and has been was a real village/church co-operative event, using local talent in so "adopted" as our local missionary partner by Duns and District many different ways. So, where do we go from here? Churches and by the Presbytery of Duns. >>> Marianne