PEEBLES May 2020 No 424STAANDREWSLECKIEMAGAZINE

We would love to be able to encour- 0203 481 5240.age, support and pray for you in any Support and Prayerway that we can. If you would like support or to have someone to talk with or to pray forSunday Services you, you can make confidential pray-If you are able, please join us online er requests from our websitefor a livestream of our Service @ standrewsleckie.co.uk or contact11am on Sundays through our web- us by email atsite standrewsleckie.co.uk . Previ- [email protected] orous sermons are also available from telephone 01721 723 121 (Mon-Friour website or YouTube Chan- 9am to 12noon).nel. If you (or someone you know)can’t access the service online, Don’t worry about anything, but inplease try to dial in using your land- all your prayers ask God for whatline phone. Simply dial 0131 460 you need, always asking him with a1196, enter the meeting id thankful heart. And God’s peace,( 452228415# ), you don’t need to which is far beyond human under-put in a participant id so then just standing, will keep your hearts andpress # again. If the number is busy minds safe in union with Christyou can also try 0203 481 5237 or Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)If you want to talk something through, in confidence, and process what ishappening or subdue some of the anxiety – do call. Or for life’s challengesand relationships.Listening Ear and Prayer Service - 01721 400 616Monday, 7pm-9pm; Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 am – 12 noon.News of the Parish Thank You Funerals As I am not likely to see you at Church for some time due to the difficult situa- March 24 tion we are all in, I felt I had to write and Robert ALEXANDER thank you all for the many, many expres- 1 South Parks, Peebles sions of Sympathy sent to me and my April 20 family since Jardine’s passing on the 4th Jardine PINCOTT, of April. Your cards, letters, phone calls, 33 Station Bank, Peebles emails, and of course your prayers have been a great comfort to us. Let us hope April 21 and pray it won’t be too long before we Alastair CULLEN, can all be back together in Church. Un-5 Whitestone Court, Peebles til then my sincere thanks and God Bless. Mima Pincott 2

A MESSAGE FROM THE MANSEHow inventive can we be?Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he whopromised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur oneanother on towards love and good deeds, not giving up meetingtogether, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging oneanother – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.(Hebrews 10:23-25)Hmm…These are good words but the bit about “not giving upmeeting together”, is a painful reminder of what is not possible forus at the moment. I hope that I never take handshakes or hugs forgranted again, or even just seeing someone’s smile and face inperson, rather than on a screen. At the heart of the gospel is Jesus -the Son of God becoming a flesh and blood, embodied man, in orderto restore our relationship with God. Physical, living, breathing,embracing, personal relationships really matter. The loss of them willbe taking its toll upon all of us. It’s a breach that no amount of‘virtual’ connection will be able to fully mend.So what are we to do with this verse? Eugene Peterson’s paraphraseis helpful:Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. Healways keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be inencouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshipingtogether as some do but spurring each other on, especially as wesee the big Day approaching. Hebrews 10:23-25, MSG)Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helpingout. I’m so thankful for all the inventiveness and creativity we’veseen in St Andrews Leckie, enabling us to keep worshipping andpraying together, caring for one another and reaching out with Hislove and gospel.Within our church family, there is such a variety of challenges and 3

blessings that we are sharing in. Just this week, two different elderlypeople who are shielding, used exactly the same phrase to me when Iasked how they are doing. “Oh, I’m just plodding along”. I havewitnessed beautiful faith in God’s faithfulness in the midst of grief andfunerals in difficult circumstances. Many of you have shared yourthankfulness for the countryside, the beauty of Spring and time withfamily and even rest. Some have articulated a sense of uselessness /uselessness or lack of worth, others their stress with responsibilities thatthey carry. And these can intersect within a single home (just thisafternoon, I passed the Murray family out for a walk and learned they arealtogether at home, with Lewis completing his degree, Caitlin deliveringbabies, whilst wrestling with PPE, Cameron working from home andSheila learning a new way of working at Haylodge). In what follows, a fewmore members of the congregation will share their experiences to helpus to pray and perhaps trigger some ideas for inventive encouraging!Finally, whatever you are experiencing at the moment; whether it’s atime of darkness or light or an oscillation between the two, rememberthat you have a Lord who has walked our human journey and reallyknows us.Earlier in the same book of Hebrews, we read:For we do not have a high priest who is unable to feel sympathy forour weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in everyway, just as we are – yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’sthrone of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy andfind grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16) Malcolm “Teachers needs prayers to make fair and right decisions for pupil grades for SQA. They are also having to adapt all their teaching to new ways remotely and for some IT is challenging and daunting. Prayers that parents are patient with teachers also during this transition. Teachers are missing their pupils and colleagues very much. We appreciate all the work parents are doing.” Michelle Sterricks, Teacher, Jedburgh High 4

Work in social work has been very different over the last six weeks, withthe effects of social distancing. We are working seven daysin teams at home or in the office. It is very challenging forthose with young children at home. The work itself isdifferent, responding to those in need due to shieldingin vulnerable groups. I chair a daily group coordinating theresponse. PPE seems to consume my day! There has beenan amazing community response.There are really difficult decisions to make including: whetherto go and see people or not; why we’re receiving less referralswhen abusive situations still exist, moving; moving elderly tocare homes at this time; supporting family carers withincreased burdens; not to mention becoming more IT savvy,video conferencing in pyjamas!” Susan Hotchkiss, Social Work Team Leader “We have both said how fortunate we are to have a garden and beautiful countryside, when you consider families living in flats. We miss meeting with family but it’s been lovely to see them over the internet, even baking with our granddaughter! We are thankful for one another and are conscious of how difficult it is for people on their own. It has been reassuring to be able to join in with worship each week.” Pam and Jim Yuill“I’m finding things ok and not having any problems. I ammissing seeing everybody. I’m still checking the fire andsmoke alarms at the church on a Monday and regularlywalking round the church to check everything is working ok.” Vince Massie Church Officer 5

“In March I found myself being asked to work from home. This seemed like a great opportunity to me, for learning new ways to lead and work with my team, to support the Church to develop fresh approaches to deepening discipleship in this virus-affected time. Then, unexpectedly, I and my team were asked to go on furlough. I could immediately understand that the imperative was for the organisation to take up the Government scheme, in order to try and secure it's long-term viability (congregation's Sunday donations, or lack of, are a significant contribution to what our salaries are from). But being put 'on hold' raised (in my team and myself) all sorts of questions about the value placed on your contributions by others and questions of self-worth. I think it is right that we have been furloughed, but it is definitely not a straightforward situation to be journeying through. Those in top leadership positions are charting new waters and it is unclear how things will be when we come out the other end. Time to trust and pray!” Ron Clarke, Team Leader Congregational Leader, Church of Scotland“I have seen God answer prayers for wisdom for reorganising mydepartment's daily activities e.g ward rounds, meetings, clinics and theatrelists and in collaboration between hospitals across Europe withstudies into coronavirus and children with IBD.It would be great to continue to pray for: many in the community who are anxious and fearful, including those who fear for their loved ones who are keyworkers. protection of the vulnerable, including those resident in nursing homes and other institutions. many acts of kindness, co-operation, and Christian witness. Pray that many would turn to God and “re-align their lives” with Him and His will” Paul Henderson, Consultant Paediatric Gastroenterologist at the Sick Kids Hospital, Edinburgh 6

Being a mum of three boys and working from home during lock-down definitely has challenges. One of the hardest things is tomake sure everyone's needs are being met, and juggling all of thedifferent demands within our family. Our youngest son, who is 4, ismissing his friends at nursery and is bored, full of boundlessenergy, and quite rightly needing lots of attention. Our eldesthas a lot of school work to get through and is needing a lot ofsupport to help him with this, as well as quiet space tofocus. Our middle son is very sensitive to the anxieties andstresses of the current situation, is asking lots of questionsabout COVID-19, and is experiencing lots of emotional highsand lows each day, with many tears and short fuses as hetries to process things. Trying to give each of them everythingthey need is difficult, and in the midst of this I am trying towork from home, focus on work with deadlines, and takevideo conference calls daily with children in the background!Our house is small, we have little personal space, and things areconstantly noisy! Things feel intense, busy and stressful andthere is guilt at the end of the day when I tend to focus onwhere I have failed and what hasn't gone to plan. However,I am so thankful that I am locked-down with my children, andthat we are together as a family. I'm also thankful for thebeauty of the countryside in which we live, and the fact thatwe can get out on long walks each day.I would appreciate prayer for protection for all the children inour church family and beyond - prayer for them to be protectedemotionally, physically and educationally at this time. Prayerfor families to be strengthened and brought closer to eachother, for them to experience peace and fun times duringthese trials, and for children and parents to feel closer to God,who is with us all at this time and always. I keep praying thatmy own children will look back on this time not as a stressfulor pressurising time, but as one with fun and closeness as afamily unit, at one with God.” Laura Cassidy, Educational Psychologist 7

Life in “Shielding”“The arrival of the “shielding” letter brought its own challenges; theharsh wake-up call that although you can live happily with a lifelimiting, degenerative illness there would be little chance oflife after corona virus if Stewart was not shielded; therealisation that the decision to go out shopping maymean running the risk of bringing home the virus.As each day passes and hopes of lockdown measures beingremoved increase there is a growing awareness that those whoare being shielded may need to continue in lockdown until avaccine is discovered.Lord, please allow those who are shielding to remain gratefulfor everything you have given us and we pray that there is nodeterioration in our current health conditions. Allow us tocontinue to enjoy our time together, our relationships, theblessing of our gardens, the contact we have with our churchfamily, our own family and friends via social media. We pray forthose who are shielding on their own or who live in parts ofthe world where there is no such protection as shielding.We thank you for providing the food on our tables and themedications we need through the government shieldinginterventions and the love and kindness of friends andneighbours.We pray for the all the scientists who are working to discover avaccine and we ask that you work through them to rid theworld of this destructive virus. We pray that you stay close tous and keep us appreciating each day as it unfurls like the newleaves on the beech hedges. Keep our minds on the presentday and not worry about what the future holds.”Amen Marion Anderson 8

PrayerWe have been using zoom.us for the Wednesday and Thursday prayer meet-ings. On Wednesday mornings you can login from 9.20am to say hello toeveryone and then from 9.30am-10am we pray for the church family andour ministry to our community. It’s a wonderful time to see one another andto bring specific prayer requests to God. There is no pressure to pray outloud – you can listen in to the prayers of others and add your Amen at theend!On Thursday mornings we meet from 7am-8am (you can login a fewminutes before) to pray particularly for God to pour out His Spirit on ourchurch and community and send revival.The zoom login details for both prayer meetings are:Meeting ID: 950 531 397Password: 191243Or use the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/950531397?pwd=SEFwRDVnQzU3aVJqakYwSUhiaW5IZz09When using zoom please remember to mute your microphone when notpraying. Thank you.If you want to ask for prayer for anything, as well as using the prayer re-quests fb page, you can email Carrie [email protected] or use the prayer request form on the homep-age. Please let us know whether you would like the request to be kept confi-dential or if you are happy for it to be made known to the wider churchfamily for prayer. 9

THY KINGDOM COME our Zoom prayer meeting to be held21—31 MAY mornings Monday - Saturday 8:30 am - 9 am starting on Thursday 21stAfter the very first Ascension Day May till Saturday 30th Maythe disciples prayed while waitingfor the outpouring of the Holy Spirit 2020. No pressure to pray out loud,at Pentecost. Through the centuries simply join in prayer time…we canChristians have gathered at that all pray and spend time with God – He is always right here ready totime to pray. ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ listen and meet us with his tenderpicks up this tradition. We invite love.you to join the global wave of pray- Login details are the same as ourer between Ascension and Pente- Wednesday and Thursday prayercost - 21st May to 31st May meetings:2020, when we will be praying for The zoom login details are:more people to come to know Jesus Meeting ID: 950 531 397Christ. Password: 191243At all times, but also now, during Or use the link: https://this time of isolation, we pray for us02web.zoom.us/j/950531397?those we love to come to know the pwd=SEFwRDVnQzU3aVJqakYwSUhiahope and love of Jesus. W5IZz09During the days of “Thy Kingdom Further details of “Thy KingdomCome” we pray that everyone willdeepen their relationship with Jesus, Come” and resources can be foundpray for friends, family, and the re- at https:// www.thykingdomcome.global/newal and revival of the Church!Please join us for prayer online atPrayer walkingDuring this time Government guidelines tell us to stay at home and weare restricted to to take exercise either alone or with other members oftheir household. This can be an ideal time not only for our physicalbenefit but also for the spiritual exercise - a time when we are stirred totake our prayers beyond the walls of our church buildings. Start withprayer - asking God which route he wants you to take, ask Him to revealthe places he wants you to go to - KEEP SAFE and remember socialdistancing rules! Pray for anyone you see walking by; pray a blessing onthem and for them to know Jesus.Pray for the safety of any other pedestrians out at this time, forprotection from this virus- for peace and for the blessing of God. Let usseek God’s mercy and power in our community in our daily walk - mayHis Kingdom Come! Thanking our Lord that he hears all our prayers. Maywe walk more closely with Him as every new day begins. 10

Due to government recommendations wewill not be able to have a normalCommunion Service on Sunday 31 May. Weare still thinking about how best to do thiswith a better feeling of family but the basicoutline will be as follows. Please keepchecking our website for changes or moredetail or phone Heather in the ChurchOffice.We aim to stream a normal (if slightly shorter) service overYouTube much the same as normal with the normal option tophone in if you don’t have an internet connection. This servicewill finish at approximately 11:45am. Immediately following ,everyone is invited to join together for communion on https://zoom.us (a link will appear on the website during the first partof the service).For those who phone in, you will need to hang-up at this pointand redial the normal number with a new meeting id (896 36715650#). For those watching over the internet click on thefollowing link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89636715650?pwd=QlVid29CMUFRQTZSVUNCNkhzTWpCQT09 or start zoomwith the following login details:- Meeting ID: 896 3671 5650Password: 488789 You will probably find it easier following byswitching to “Speaker view” instead of “Gallery view”.It will be nice to see as many as possible but we will muteeveryone’s microphone for the majority of this part of theservice so Malcolm can be heard without distractions. Obviouslyyou will need to provide your own bread and wine/grape juice.Although it will be different we hope you still feel the invitationto come to the Lord’s table. 11

Children’s Ministry UpdateSunday ClubDuring the first few weeks of These have been wonderful as welock-down, we provided videos for have been able to see and hearour Sunday Club children to help from the children themselves. Wekeep them engaged with worship, usually have between 16 and 20and for them to know we were allthinking of them even although we children join the Zoom call eachcouldn’t meet. week, along with many of our leaders. The Sunday Club leadersAfter the first few weeks we were have been working hard to try toable to move to using Zoom chats. find effective ways of delivering our lessons and activities over Zoom!Sunday Club Zoom chatWe have picked up the series we about a different room of a house,were working on when we last met and what this means in terms ofin person – The Father’s House, and our personal relationships with Fa-each week we have been thinking ther God. 12

If there are other Sunday Club then we will send you a log-on link.children who would like to join us on Please do let us know if you need anyZoom but haven’t yet done so, please support of any kind, or if you don’tknow they are most welcome, and have the technology at home, thenwe’d love to see as many of our let us know and we will see if we canchildren as possible. Parents will help.need to fill in a consent form, and We hope you enjoyed the story ‘Three Friends and the Miracle Man’ that many of our children brought us on Easter Sunday. It was fun trying to pull this together remotely, and thanks to all the parents for their help with the filming! Alongside this, each of our Sunday Club children received the Bible Society ‘Three Friends and the Miracle Man’ book in the post.Over the coming weeks we will continue to engage with our children, andkeep thinking of new ways we can keep in touch. If you have any ideasplease get in touch!God bless you all and keep you safe at this time, Laura CassidyThere are some helpful articles for families on pages 14-17 OUR MISSION STATEMENT‘To be a Christ-centred church based on prayer and the word of God which, relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is a welcoming, caring fellowship committed to meaningful worship, teaching and active outreach 13

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“Church Youth during Lockdown”When I found out I was going to be minutes before the service starts. Weon furlough from my job with offered a Sunday evening on EasterScripture Union Scotland, it was a Sunday with the morning being agood opportunity to be able to offer family service as well as additionalonline meetings for our church mid-week meetings but the feedbackyouth. was that just Sunday morning wasThese are obviously difficult times preferred. We’ve met via the Zoomfor everybody and in many ways video app which allows everyone towe’re all having to adapt to a way see each other at the same time so we’ve been able to enjoy some funof life we haven’t planned for. Andso with youth work, here and across activities such as “Bring Me..” where IScotland and beyond, youth workers say a household object and theyare having to try to adapt what have to run away, find that object inwould normally be done in person to their house and bring it back toan online meeting which, like show on camera. We’ve also enjoyedeverything else just now, has it’s “Mystery Object” where people choose an object in their house,own challenges. describe it for the rest of us who areOne thing that has been clear is that drawing it from the description andyoung people miss their friends and seeing who has managed to draw theseeing people at school. So much mystery object accurately. Meeting inwork is done to foster friendships, a group video call is very different tocommunity, unity and working meeting in person and we find thatrelationships that to have all that people can be so polite in notsuddenly taken away is a difficult wanting to talk at the same time astransition and we have to try and see someone else that everyone stayswhat works and keep adapting to see very quiet, so we’ve tried towhat works well in the encourage everyone to talk a bitcircumstances. about how they’re doing includingThankfully, I’ve been able to connect giving us a high point, low point,with lots of other Christian youth funny/awkward story and a prayerworkers to hear what they’re doing, request.what additional online resources are We’ve looked at some bible passagesavailable for children and young and found it works better havingpeople and other things people can shorter passages of just a verse orget involved with. two and talking about that rather7UP than having longer passages andFor our 7up meetings on Sundays discussing a whole section. We’vewe’ve met at 10:30am for the thirty continued with some materials from 18

‘Energize’ which we were using at page to follow our youthwork.7up anyway, and they’re now Here are some other thingsproducing material specifically for available to young people thatonline group video meetings. We’ve might be helpfulrun out of time to fit everything in SU TV Shown daily through the Easterand lots of people have found that holidays this was an hour long showthings do take a bit longer in video produced by a team of Scripturecalls than if we were just in the sameroom. One thing I highlighted last Union staff and volunteers. It’sSunday which people can use in their available on SUTV LIVE YouTubeown bible study at home is what’s channel for 9-14’s. There may be a Summer production so any feedbackknown as the Swedish Bible Study you can give them on what theywhich uses the following questions: produced would be helpful.■ What part in the passage stands outor grabs your attention? PowerPoint Lockdown Powerpoint■ Is there anything that’s difficult to streamed a recorded specialunderstand? Or do you have any ‘Lockdown PowerPoint’ on YouTubequestions? on 1st May. They had over 2000 views■ How can you apply this to your life? of a very simple format: a challengeWe’ve also tried some messy activity, worship from Ignite Music,challenges in my garden: I tried the Amy Walker spoke on the subject of disappointment and paralysed man“Coke & Mentos” challenge with who was lowered through the ceilingdisappointing results; We had a quiz to Jesus and they finished withwhere young people asked me prayer. They invited youth groups toquestions and if I got anything wrongmy kids would squirt me with my meet online afterwards to discussgarden hose; we had another quiz questions set during the recording sowhere Lucie asked the group, bible we met our 7up group in Zoom to discuss it. It was a great evening.questions and if they were correctBen and Rachel would fire (rubber) EQUIP (East) Another SU event whicharrows at targets I was holding. some of our local youth joined lastYoung people enjoy seeing their time in February. This is a fortnightlyyouth leader in jeopardy don’t they?! online zoom event for S1-S6 and youAs well as meeting in Zoom before can sign up at https://the service we’ve also been offering www.suscotland.org.uk/what-we-do/the Nua video series for them to schools/equip-events/ Dates are 8th,watch during the sermon. You may 22nd May, 5th, 19th June.remember me mentioning thesevideos from when we watched them 303030 This is a short and snappyat Impact this time last year. They will devotional for young people onbe posted, along with questions to various social media channels basedconsider, every Sunday on the church on 30 seconds of scripture, 30youth Facebook page. Please like this seconds of message based on the 19

passage, 30 seconds of prayer. with me.These are being shown daily on Prayer points for young people: TheyInstagram and Facebook stories on want to see lockdown end, peaceSU Scotland, PowerPoint, Magnitude, within families, that young peopleand Ps & Gs Youth. There’s a variety would be able to have a quiet timeof youth workers presenting from with God, to know Him in theirdifferent organisations and churches homes, to see the work of the Holy– you may have already seen me Spirit, protection from covid19,doing one! healing for physical, emotional,If anyone has any feedback or ideas spiritual ill-health.for how we engage our young people Thanks and God blessduring this time please get in touch John AllanThe Word one to one -sharing John’s Gospelwith a friendYou may remember that we were The church library may beplanning to have some sessions, closed at the moment, but if yourun by Mark Campbell, on how are looking for some extrato share the bible with friends. reading go to our churchObviously, this was put on hold,and we will re-arrange Mark’s visit website for some inspiration.once the restrictions are lifted. In Here you will find a list of books in the library together with athe meantime, The Word One to short description. The list ofOne website has a section specifi- books can be found at thecally focusing on sharing John’s church website: https://gospel virtually with friends. It standrewsleckie.co.uk/library/details the steps to take frominvitation right through to followup with some video content toexplain how to go about it. Here’sa link to the Word One to Onewebsite https://www.theword121.com/get-started Robert Wilson 20

Quiz Night On Tuesday 28th April we held our inaugural men’s fellowship virtual quiz. Twelve people joined our Zoom session eager to find out what the evening would hold, and it didn’t take long to find out thatOn Wednesday 18th March the the challenge for the eveningmen’s fellowship were all set to would not be about answering themeet for a meal at the Green Tree questions but how we would cope with the technology! We masteredhotel and hear a talk about thework of Care for the Family from the technology with the help ofGill Lyth. Like so many events that John Dimmock, and althoughweek we had to make the round 1 took half an hour todecision to cancel. In an effort to complete, we persevered and westay connected, a newsletter has could then focus on the challengebeen started which contains of answering the questions. The quiz had topics covering generalinformation on how men can stayconnected with what’s going on knowledge, film, sport,at church. The newsletter also has geography and music. Thean interview with one of our winning team who came throughgroup to find out a bit more to the front in the final round wasabout him and how he has made up of Paul Henderson, Ianadapted to the Covid-19 situation. Hamilton, Andrew Knox and Ron Clarke. A photograph to captureThere are also links to otherchurch resources together with a this momentous event is belowquiz to keep the brain stimulated. and the prize, about to be handed to the winning team (virtually), is being held by the St Andrews Leckie quiz master in the top left square. 21

As has become routine in the grateful however, that giving isMay/June edition of Psalm, a being maintained. We continuesummary, shown below, has been to receive regular donations fromextracted from the annual established standing orders andaccounts which were approved by several new standing orders havethe Session on 25th March 2020. been set up. In addition, we haveAnyone wishing to see a full copy received direct payments throughof the accounts can obtain these the bank and others have postedby contacting Heather on the their free will offering envelopesusual phone number, 723121 or through the office letterbox. At [email protected]. time when many folk are findingI would like to take this their income reduced with limitedopportunity to advise and prospects of life returning toreassure our members that we normal in the near future, I wantare regularly reviewing our to thank you most sincerely forfinancial position during the your generosity. Please continueongoing Coronavirus pandemic. to remember our local and theOur expenditure has reduced but wider church in your prayers atof course, so has our income, this time.particularly from hall lets. We are With every blessing,extremely encouraged and Yvonne ElliotThe accounts are presented in a similar way to previous years. Thisenables a direct comparison between years to be made. Details of incomeand expenditure for 2019 are shown with those for 2018.The principal source of the church’s income is through the regulardonations by the members of the congregation. An increasing proportionof the members are contributing by standing order and the number ofFWO envelopes in use continues to reduce. It is appreciated that usingstanding orders doesn’t suit everyone, but significant benefits come withtheir use, particularly in being able to maintain a more regular incomethroughout the year.The total income this year has increased by almost 40% in comparison tolast year and expenditure has increased by 8%. These are encouragingfigures, but it must be noted that much of the increased giving has beento specific areas of ministry rather than the General Fund.Overall, the church records a net income of £48,116 compared to a losslast year of £226. 22

We have introduced budgets for each of the ministries in 2019, whichdevolves the responsibility for financial management in these areas tothe ministry leaders, introduces good governance and provides the KirkSession with regular reports.While the Statement of Financial Activities shows that the church stillhas total assets of £141,080, these are largely held in designated fundsfor specific purposes. The church does not have any significantreserves in the General Fund to meet future demands and we arereliant on the regular income to meet planned and unplannedexpenditure. We continue to prayerfully encourage our members toreview their regular giving. 23

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My PRAYER Lord my heart feels heavy, and my tears are beginning to flow. My spirit is crying out to you , please lord I need to know, What is causing me so much distress? Why do i feel such a mess? Terrible thoughts invade my mind , day after day ,this is what I find I am your child, and you died to set me free I love you lord but what is wrong with me? Lord , I feel weak so here is my plea I want be what you want me to be, So I sit here quietly with a listening ear speak the words please you want me to hear. All my wrong words, thoughts and deeds I confess release me please from this terrible mess. I need you lord, I need you so muchlet me feel your arms around me and your tender touch Oh Lord I feel I’ve gone astray and wandered off the narrow way I know you hear us when we call I know you pick us up when we fall heal my troubled heart as only you can do I surrender my life and my all to you Wilma Barrett 25

10 - 16 May 2020UPDATE We have also set up a JustGiving page for Peebles and District Christian Aid Week and have set aSadly, this year we will not be able target of £5000. The page can beto have our normal programme of found at https://events for Christian Aid Week, but www.justgiving.com/fundraising/even in these difficult times, it is still Peebles-Christian-Aidimportant for us to support It is to be hoped that folk in PeeblesChristian Aid and their partners in and the surrounding area will be asthe work they do. This year they are generous as ever this year. Lastconcentrating on the drought year we raised a total of £8900.situation in Kenya, where people like If you use the JustGiving page, itgrandmother Rose walk for sixhours a day to collect water for her enables us to track local donations,grandchildren. A simple earth dam but other ways in which you can contribute to Christian Aid Week arecould change their lives. by phone at 08080 006 006, onlineIf you have been filling a Smartiebox with coins, please continue to at www.caweek.org, or by SMS by texting GIVE to 70040 to donate £5.do so and post the full boxes For more information, contact Nancythrough the letterbox at the Leckie Hutchinson on 720885, 07512Memorial Church – last year we 859861 or atraised almost £700 in this way. [email protected]’s ear hears the heart’s voice Augustine 26

SOUL RESTORECounsellingThe Counselling service has been Millar of The Wellness Centrepostponed for now, and yet there is for the St Mungo’s congregation.a consensus that there will be many I think it contains some excellentstruggling with their emotional advice on how we can all spendhealth , and this will likely lead to a some time adopting healthier think-greater demand for Counselling ing patterns, and behaviours, with-once the lockdown eases. Even the out denying our feelings. However-word ‘lockdown’ has connotations of don’t expect to be perfect and beimprisonment, immediately leading compassionate with yourself as youto feelings of restriction, loss of try to change habits! Do look at andcontrol, solitary confinement. try the resources at the end whichThe words we chose, and the are Apps and Websites.thinking we allow to ‘take hold’ at Praying we get to meet and launchthese times can have a direct our ‘Soul Restore Counselling’ in theimpact on our Wellbeing. The early autumn.article below has been adapted Janice Pace.from a piece written by LynnCaring for your mental health during lockdownConsider how you are FEELING, THINKING, ACTING. These are connectedand contribute towards your wellbeing.You may be FEELING overwhelmed with: Anxiety - What about my own health and loved ones’ health? Financial worries. How can I cope? How will my kids cope? What about the future? Loneliness/Isolation Disappointment - Hopes dashed, plans cancelled Grief/Loss – this may include loss of life, loved ones, health, jobs, income, plans, the ability to grieve Together / to celebrate together. We may even be grieving for losses that haven’t happened yet. Relationship stresses Frustration/Anger – this may be a general feeling towards the world / countrywide situation or with people in your physical space or people you observe, or interaction online. Boredom 27

Don’t: Ignore or deny how you’re feelingDo: Each day ask yourself: How do I feel today? Acknowledge youremotions. Tell God about them. It may help to write them down, journaling.Don’t: Worry about tomorrow.Do: Jesus said (Matthew 6:24 The Message) “Give your entire attentionto what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up aboutwhat may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you dealwith whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” Stay inthe present. Take one day at a time. Live your best way today. You can make it through today.It may feel like you have lost control of your THINKING. Perhaps youhave unwelcome visitors in your head – The Worrier, The Inner Critic, TheCatastrophizer, The Over-reactor…Don’t: Continually scroll online especially social media and News reportsDo: 1. Ask yourself What am I thinking about? What am I reading and watching? Limit your social media consumption. Access reliable news outlets once a day. 2. Choose Intentional thinking. “You’ll do your best by filling your mind and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious – the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. (Philippians 4:8 The Message) 3. Re-orient your thinking – Let peace replace anxiety Let gratitude replace grumbling and fear. Choose to think about what you can be thankful for in this season. Start a gratitude diary, with 3 things you are thankful for each day.Don’t: Compare yourself with others you see on social media managingthis crisis differently. You only see the Triumphs – not the Tears andTantrums.Do: 1. Make regular human connection with friends and loved ones using phone, message, Zoom etc. 2.Choose to be a spreader of love, joy, peace and hope to the people with whom you are in contact. As often as possible, but give yourself grace too.During this period we can be tempted to fall into patterns of ACTINGwhich are not good for us and where we are not caring for ourselves.Do: Have a routine of Healthy practices: Get washed and dressed each day. Depression and nowhere to go can encourage less grooming. 28

 Eat healthily Pray/Write/journal how you are feeling and then put it away, let it go, leave it at Jesus’ feet. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) Ask how can you bring yourself calm/joy today? (listen to music, read, walk, paint, colour in, knit…) Find peace. Breathing techniques/meditate on a Psalm. Try out some Find ways to relax/be creative Show love to others Sing/shout out praise to God Bring hope to others, a Word, a chat, an act of kindness Aim to stick to a daily/weekly rhythm or routine which includes some of the aboveDon’t: Ignore the people sharing your physical space.Do: Seek to understand them. They will be experiencing many confusingemotions too. Speak to them gently and with consideration. Allow them toexperience the losses of this season in their own way.Don’t: Try to fix/control everything and everyone around youDo: 1. Relinquish control There is a freedom in accepting that we cannotcontrol everything. Fully Rely On God2.Find ways to help others (remember to ask them what they need – don’tforce help on them!); Connect with someone you think may need a call;deliver food to someone in need; donate to a food bankDon’t: Feel pressure to be perfect/achieve a lot in this season.Don’t: Compare yourself to others; someone may paint their whole houseand learn to speak Mandarin, good for them, that’s their way of coping.Do: Choose some achievable things that you CAN and WANT to do, and dothose.Some useful Apps: Some useful Websites:Headspace mind.org.ukCalm verywellmind.comWhat’s up helpguide.orgLectio 365 youngminds.org.ukAdapted by Janice Pace, written by Lynn Millar, Director of Counselling, TheWellness Centre, EdinburghIn the meantime please remember the Listening Ear and Prayer service(details page 2) and pray that the Lord uses it as a way of sharing Hislove, peace and hope. 29

Pastoral CareOur town, nation and the world haschanged its habits over the past fewmonths but what has become moreapparent is the kindness of others.Being unable to go out, having tostay at home, our own “four walls”have become much more familiar,and whilst there is comfort in know-ing that we are safe there, it doesoccasionally lead to discontent and at one of the groups - the telephonea feeling of being “cut off” and de- is such a useful tool especially justpressed about the situation. Many now and it is encouraging to all toof us may have felt a bit “down” at know that we are not alone.some point. Despite everything church is stillI have felt “lifted up” during times open and available. Heather can beof Bible reading and prayer, confi- contacted on the usual number anddent in knowing that God is always there are many things going onthere listening - despite all my over the internet.moans and groans and occasional The Peebleshire Food bank is verytears, I know that he is the busy at present with many more“constant” in our different way of requests for emergency foodlife at present - HE never changes supplies. I know that many of youalthough we may have our ‘ups and would usually donate items whilstdowns’ HIS voice is a constant doing your weekly food shop butsource of comfort and now find this not possible. If youencouragement. We have an would like to offer help to the foodamazing God! bank then cheques made out toAlthough we are unable to meet PEEBLESHIRE FOOD BANK can bein a physical sense, we can meet sent to the church office andand encourage each other over the Heather will forward to the foodtelephone. Keeping in touch is so bank treasurer. She also has a sortimportant and an easily achieved code number if you would prefer tosource of encouragement. You do an electronic transaction.should have all received some In these unfamiliar times I pray thatform of communication about we can keep contact with each otherhow you can keep in touch with the and help each other in which everchurch during these times of no way we can.physical contact. I do hope that youcan keep in touch with those that God Blessyou would usually meet in church or Pam 30

Romans 15: 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit News International Version N.B. There will be no issue of PSALM for June/July. The next issue (425) will be August/September The deadline for items will be Sunday 26 July All items for inclusion should be submitted to the church office by that date. It is expected that in the coming months we may be able to allow limited numbers to attend Sunday services again. This will be based on the latest advice from Church of Scotland & Government so please check the website or phone the Church Office regularly for up to date information. CONTACTING THE CHURCH OFFICE email: [email protected] Tel: 01721 723121All correspondence relating to church matters should be sent to the Church, Eastgate, Peebles EH45 8AD 31

The Minister Rev Malcolm Jefferson [email protected] 725148 Session Clerk Alasdair Sutherland [email protected] 07919327206 Treasurer Yvonne Elliot [email protected] 721984 Offerings and Gift Aid Co-ordinator Bob Marshall - [email protected] 722806 Church Administrator Heather Collin [email protected] 723121 (Office) Data Administrator John Dimmock [email protected] 723121 (Office) Prayer Promoter Carrie Duthie - [email protected] 724847 Safeguarding Co-ordinatorMalcolm Lumsden - [email protected] 723185 Church Officer Vince Massie 721660 32