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Dear Neighbour,

I had a pre-Christmas treat this

year during a visit to a daughter in

our other capital of London.

Intrigued by a little write up in the

Guardian I suggested we pay a

visit to Kew Gardens at night to

inspect the Christmas

Illuminations. These were

wondrous to behold. It is a pity

London doesn’t get dark. There is

so much light pollution that night

time is like here on a grey day.

Nonetheless Kew had

commissioned some top lighting

display people to do their thing

and it was a joy to wander round

the park on a grey November

evening. While walking round we

found ourselves in the middle of

half a dozen Holly Bushes which

had become a choir for the event.

They were large – 4 metre -

bushes simply clad in rope lighting

which seemed a bit tame until we

realised that they lit as they

harmonised the parts to some

traditional Christmas music. The

words were not there but the

mouth music was superb. We

continued. We had already met

Princess Charlotte outside the

main Glasshouse bragging about

being the first person to decorate

a Christmas tree – presumably in

the titchy Royal Palace of Kew. Of

note on the way round was a field

of fire hosting some interesting

pagan symbolism and finishing

with an ambitious sound and light

display over the lake and onto the

glasshouse echoing again a

medley of mixed Christmas music.

Something did seem to be

missing though. In this festival of

light where was the author – the

light of the world? “Please don’t

ask where the crib is!” begged

Emma – so I didn’t. Leave it to the

Bishop of London to sort out – his

patch.

But wordless carols and a festival

of Christmas light without the light

of the world seemed a little

Magazine for the Yetholm Morebattle Hownam Lonton area

Winter 2015/16

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depressing. The whole imagery of

light coming to darkness seems

so apposite this advent. The

challenges of refugees, terrorism

and climate change are

dominating our press these

weeks. If it wasn’t for Andy Murray

we might be sucked into the

darkness of despair. Light

entering darkness is a profound

image for this season. Leave

aside the tinsel and the cute

nativities for a moment and go

into the dark and stare at the night

sky. The people who lived in

darkness have seen a great light

– this verse at Christmas fills me

with an emotional response to

what God was doing in Christ and

what God continues to do day by

day for those who will invite that

light in.

May the Christmas Angels sing for

you. Yours Robin

Reflections from the Organ

Bench

In 1926 Jean Young, postmistress

in Morebattle, began to play the

organ in St. Aidan’s Church.

Previously she had cycled to have

piano lessons from Mr. Lumsden

at Linton schoolhouse. A desire

to play the organ in church meant

visits to Kelso to learn from

organist Mr. Kidd in the Old Parish

Church. When I was old enough

to go to church I marvelled at the

use of two hands and two feet as

she played the big Rushworth and

Dreaper organ. Later Auntie Jean

gave her nieces lessons in piano

and organ. She had high

standards, occasionally shouting

through from the shop when we

made mistakes! Three of us, my

sister Jean, cousin Rita and & I,

all played the organ for the

Sunday School

while we were still

at Primary

School.

We were

encouraged to

keep records of

hymns and

voluntaries played

at each service so

we have a written

record of our years at St. Aidan’s

and St. Lawrence.My first Sunday

School notebook shows that we

had two hymns and one voluntary

– just a piece I was learning on

piano. The year was 1940. Two

years later I played for my first

congregational service. That was

a children’s service when Sunday

School children did everything

except the sermon!

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When Auntie Jean retired Jean

took over, I followed & Rita

followed me.I became organist in

1947. My time was broken by my

years at university and I played

again from 1955 to 1958. At this

time I had the support of a choir of

teenage girls adding their fresh

young voices to the singing.In the

late sixties when Linton &

Hoselaw needed an organist,

Jean & I were invited to play. We

tried to do alternate months but

Jean played most of it until I took

over in 1974.

From 1979 until the end of 1988 I

also played at Yetholm. Since the

organ in Yetholm was quite

different I found myself sourcing

alternative voluntaries. That was

a busy but fulfilling time. Yetholm

Church had a mixed choir and I

really enjoyed teaching the

harmonies that add colour and

depth to the singing. In Linton for

a time we had a group of

enthusiastic singers to lead the

singing, greatly encouraging the

congregation. Over the years –

with a widening repertoire – I have

tried to choose music appropriate

to the words of the hymns given

by the minister. I would ask

myself if the mood should be

reflective, solemn, majestic or

joyful. I tried to “set the scene” so

to speak.

Music can be used in imaginative

ways. I recall playing quiet music

as background for the minister’s

reading; providing

accompaniment for a professional

cellist; playing Bach chorales

between verses of a reading. All

were memorable and appreciated

by listeners at these particular

evening services. Linton Kirk has

an atmospheric and intimate

quality for evening services.

Watch-night services come to

mind with stillness and peace and

the lighting of the oil lamps and

candles creating a special

ambience.

Wedding music is usually joyful

(or majestic). Sometimes the

couple have a favourite piece of

music which I liked to play for the

signing of the register – when they

could both hear it. Modern songs

are usually written for keyboard or

guitar and need to be adapted to

be acceptable on the organ.

Requests were diverse. I

colluded once with a bride to

surprise her football-crazy

bridgegroom by playing his

Liverpool Anfield Anthem. The

melody was found on the internet

and turned out to be a traditional

Irish song. With an

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accompaniment written, it

sounded quite good on the organ.

I was glad the football-fan guests

did not break into song!

We have shared many special

services and occasions. Linton’s

year of Thanksgiving (850th

Anniversary in 1977) included a

visit by Moderator John R. Gray

who also presented Silver

Wedding crowns donated by the

Ladies’ Committee to children of

the parish. All four churches were

involved in the T.V. recording of

Coast to Coast. An extra

recording of Christmas Eve at

Linton saw us singing carols in

September! This was broadcast

on a Christmas programme. July

21st 1985 was a busy day for our

congregations. Morning Service

from Linton was recorded for BBC

World Service. A tape of this was

sent from Africa to us by a former

resident of Morebattle whose

mother had played the organ in

Linton many years ago.In Yetholm

in the evening we recorded

“Sunday Half Hour” (U.K. wide).

All congregations gathered and

the singing was enthusiastic and

joyful.The world of organ music is

extensive. Playing in our group of

churches I have had the

opportunity – and motivation - to

broaden my knowledge. I have

greatly enjoyed my years as an

organist.

Nettie Fleming

Her letter following the

presentation in Linton

Dear Robin,

Please pass on my thanks for the

very generous gift to me. I will

treasure the silver Quaich and

appreciate the inscription. The

money I found in the card will be

used for something special. The

flowers in the beautiful

arrangement are now fully out and

have such a lovely perfume.

Thank you for your Kindness. I

have enjoyed playing for you.

Nettie

What swimming swans?

There is one Christmas Carol that

has always baffled me.

What in the world do leaping

lords, French hens, swimming

swans, and especially the

partridge who won't come out of

the pear tree have to do with

Christmas?

This week, I found out.

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith

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openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember. -The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ. -Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments. -Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love. -The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John. -The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament. -The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation. -Seven swans a-swimming

represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy. -The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes. -Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.. -The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments. -The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples. -The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed. So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol. (Arthur Bates - “Life &Work” shared the same sentiments this month) (Arthur Bates)

O Come O come Emmanuel

While upon the subject of Carols

let us explore this great Advent

Hymn. I first came upon it sung

properly and beautifully by the

choir at Glasgow University at my

first Uni Christmas Carol service.

The hairs on the back of my neck

stood to attention as the great O

comes rang out. I knew I was

listening to something ancient,

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devotional and of great literary

significance. It stands out amidst a

sea of doggerel at this season. So

I have read up upon it. It is based

on 5 of what are called the ‘O’

antiphons of which there

developed 7. Missing from our 5

are Wisdom and King of the

Nations. A very early Birdbath,

Boethius, writing early 6th Century

references them as part of ancient

liturgy. Our Anglo Saxon friends

developed them. Cynewolf, poet,

narrates a gospel narrative of

Mary and Joseph with liturgical

responses that my reference sees

as an early form of what we now

sing. It is said J R R Tolkein

flavoured his Middle Earth with

names and places from this poem.

Our good friends what came to

build our monasteries developed

them into an advent practice by

using one antiphon each day

leading up to 23rd December with

the most junior taking the last

reading – the opposite of our nine

lessons and carols which begins

with the precocious infant

chorister and ends with the

ancient of days or Bishop. Its

development becomes a bit of a

soup after this. My source says

that verses, chorus and tunes

swap around like French in a bus

queue. (Hope that’s not racist!)

Everyone has had a go and the

attribution in hymnbooks to Neale

is a little lazy as they are not really

his words and lots of folk had a

hand in what we now see

including Newman although Neale

did fit the 15th century tune we try

to sing to it – a tune rediscovered

in the sixties by Dr Mary Barry in

the National Biblioteque in Paris.

As we sing it this year let us sense

that these words would be familiar

to the earliest of church folk in the

first centuries of our faith. They

would lift up these names and

titles of Christ with the great

advent hope of what he brings to

our world and to us personally.

Come Emmanuel – God with us!

Robin

Musicians Make a

Difference This article was previously published in Different Voices magazine. Douglas Galbraith on the sounds the world overhears.

Have you ever considered how the work of church musicians’ within the walls

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could influence, even change the outside world? Take the sheer commitment of those who week by week gather to rehearse, who seek ways of improving their skills, who give up other pleasures to follow a path that can disrupt their lives and timetables and sometimes peace of mind! This is the action of those who know that their gifts are from God and are to be returned to God twofold, tenfold, and with thanksgiving. It is a strong statement in a society where what I have is mine by rights. What a transformation could occur if people were enabled to become humble and thankful before what they have, the openings and opportunities that cluster in their path, developing not burying what they are given. To stand before life in thanksgiving is nothing less than transformative, for oneself and for others. Or take our music’s special alliance with the liturgy of the church. Even though singers may sometimes concentrate so much on the music that they overlook the ‘bits in between’, our music has the function of taking words and actions and moving them into a dimension where they ‘behave differently’, where their rhythms become God’s rhythms, where they breathe with the Holy Spirit. Not just the words set to music but the whole of the act of worship is helped by music to translate into an act of mutual

encounter between God and people. So maybe our music-making is saying to society in general, What if you were to see all your words and your acts as potentially shared with God? What if the ordinary things of life were porous with the divine? What if all we said or did was seen as potentially God-bearing? This political promise, this fashionable opinion, that put-down, that primed detonator: what difference would it make to acknowledge a divine dimension? What changes would we have to make? What if – as we are reminded by all these wonderful Celtic blessings for milking, turning the soil, travelling, the household lying down to sleep – our living of life were recognised as surrounded by the Three-in-One? Then finally, the togetherness musicians have to find. To go behind the sound is to hear a very strong statement about the importance of a community whose members relate healthily and creatively together. The parts in the anthem blending together, the antiphonal setting where people have to listen before they sing, the hymn tune which unites a whole congregation in praise, the accompanist tempering the weight to the strength of the singing and the meaning of the song, even the soloist whose single notes throw the ensemble into relief. And not just the music

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but the relationships within it and across the whole act of worship: the different roles from director to choir member, from singer to player, from worship planner to welcomer at the door, there is a harmony here too, or needs to be for the music to be at its most eloquent. For a world where there is so much breakdown, the message of community is desperately to be grasped, the need for people to listen to each other not casually but deeply, the recognition that different people have different roles to play, the acceptance (as Dr Alison Elliot put it) that ‘sometimes it’s variety that is important, not consensus’. When Paul exhorted his readers to ‘speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and songs’, he was not addressing a choir practice but a group of people who were struggling with a new concept, what it meant to be a new community in Christ. Rev Dr Douglas Galbraith worked in the Church of Scotland Offices between 1995 and 2006 running the former Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters. He was founder-editor of the earlier print version of Different Voices. He is former Precentor of the General Assembly, Secretary of Church Service Society (link is external) and Editor of the Church of Scotland Year Book See more at: https://www.resourcingmission.org.uk/

music/general/musicians-make-difference#sthash.ZEfgvVud.dpuf

BIRDBATH & THE INFLATABLE SANTA One of the many things Rev. Birdbath used to relish about India, when he lived there, was the gusto with which people enjoyed each-others’ religious festivals. Holi, Id, Diwali, Christmas: everyone joined in. He remembers one Christmas when in Calcutta’s Park Street a wealthy Mawari merchant erected a huge inflatable rubber Santa outside his shop. When prodded, it roared “Ho! Ho! Ho!” and even Calcutta’s ubiquitous cows were impressed. A little old villager, in from the sticks, wandered past and stopped to stare at it, open-mouthed. ‘O learned one’, he said, addressing a policeman (Bengalis love a bit of irony), ‘tell me, what is that strange thing?’ ‘O foolish and ignorant peasant’, replied the majestic officer, in boots, helmet, revolver and moustache, ‘do you not know that is the CHRISTIAN GOD?’ The old man got down on his knees on the filthy pavement and made three deep pranams. ‘And when’, he asked, ‘will the Christians throw their God into the Ganges?’ (Hindu Gods and Goddesses are immersed in the Ganga after every Puja, and float away to the sea.) The bewhiskered policeman glared at him, fingering his holster, aware

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Robert Davidson Poetry Competition

Morebattle Primary School

Winner: Kym Cessford

Farming in Scotland

The highlands the Lowlands Orkney and the Borders

There’s farms all over From corner to corner

Although there’s a lot of rain Scotland is great for farming

Even though the weather Can be quite alarming

But a farmer’s life can be fun Especially when there’s lots of

sun As the lambs skp and play

It’s beautiful in so many ways

We are grateful for all they provide

Lamb, pork, beef? You decide North, South Big and small

We are lucky to have them all.

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(Cont from page 8) that he had been wound up; and the old man, who was a great deal more shrewd than he appeared, gave Birdbath a broad wink and hastily went on his way. There were many things Birdbath would have been happy to share, about a Baby and all that. He still thinks there is a lesson for us. The old man was right: Christmas is not about an inflatable rubber Santa, though that seems to be what we have often led people to think? Just look around, even quite near home? Copies of Birdbath's Year (£3, all profits go to the Church) may be obtained from Ian Clark on 420323, or from 4 Yewtree Lane, Yetholm (copies in the porch, where a receptacle for money will be found).

Morebattle Flower Show Held in conjunction this year was a Tattie in a bucket challenge. There were 53 entries turning up at the Industrial site for the weigh in. First was Linda Fox at 5lb 15 7/8 oz, Jane Fox with 5lb 14 1/8 and sister Sheila at 4 13 5/8. The BIG Six in its 25th year was taken by Hugh Thomson with 102 pounds of potatoes followed by George Watson and Dr Nigel Walters. The 2005 record of 156 lb still stands.

Stewardship The congregations Stewardship

Group was delighted with the

response to the Gatherings held

at the Manse in October. There

were five sessions and 70

participants. There was a

threefold theme to the challenge –

What Can I Give Him? Poor as I

am. Goals – to affirm and offer our

gifts and skills: To consider where

they might contribute to present

church activity: To gather these

gifts and skills and consider if they

are leading to a new agenda.

After some blether we tackled the

questions and robust and creative

suggestions flowed. One of the

approaches in our focus group

was to pick a decade and share

what we were doing and what

skills we used. This was a most

enjoyable activity and we were

surprised at what we learned

about ourselves never mind our

fellow participants.

The results of this exercise will

help inform the 5 year plan for the

congregation. The Session has

committed to look at Coffee/Craft/

Community events and Café

Church in 2016. Thank you to all

who responded and made the

evenings so successful.

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Linda Fleming (Convener)

Summary;-

Themes suggested by participants

Review lifts to church Computer guidance Young classes in home crafts Community gatherings to do crafts Sending of Christmas cards where addresses in visitor’s book Community coffee and knotting of squares or similar Yarn bombing Visiting hospital discharges Meet and greet Capitalise on work at Yetholm Banner making Offers of gifts/skills with big count grouped Hospitality including cooking baking and transport dishwashing Activities including gardening flower arranging walking music singing computing crafts knitting sewing sports history art drawing Practical including fabric, DIY, law, typing admin, record keeping public speaking, money Pastoral including transport listening health education law reading to others hospital visiting dog sitting.

Session Notes

At our Harvest Services £300 was

raised for MeryCorps, this

included the proceeds from the

lunch held in Yetholm church.

This was a marvellous service

and lunch and was an example of

the hospitality and fellowship we

can enjoy. We will be holding a

‘Souper Sunday’ for HIV/Aids

project on 10th January in Yetholm

church and if anyone would like to

offer help with soup/sandwiches/

serving etc. please contact me.

At a recent conference the

Session spent some time

reviewing the 5 year plan and

setting an agenda for the years

ahead. Some of this is practical

but following the stewardship

campaign we will also look at

missional opportunities.

Jimmy Fleming has resigned as

an elder and Bill Thomson has

retired. Thanks has been

expressed to them for their

contribution over the years to the

leadership of the congregation.

Following the success of the

Yetholm Project Appeal and other

fundraising we have been able to

proceed with installing a toilet in

the Upper Room and it hoped the

room will be available for use

soon.

Thank you to all who have

returned your Data Protection

response. This has been a long

arduous task for us, and one we

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would rather not have felt

necessary. As an organisation

that holds personal information

and as a charity there is more

and more legislation we must

comply with or put the trustees at

risk of prosecution. Elders will be

reminding those who have not

responded asking them to make a

return as soon as possible. We

will be reviewing the

congregational roll at the

beginning of the year and we will

take a ‘nil’ response as a wish to

be removed from the roll.

With Christmas fast approaching the Session have agreed to support ‘Let’s Build a House’ project. Finally I would like to wish you all a very happy, peaceful Christmas.

Let’s Build a House “Following the earthquake in Nepal and on hearing directly from our Partner organisation, United Mission to Nepal (UMN), our Mission Partners Malcolm & Cati Ramsay and Joel Githinji, and first hand from Rev Ram Kumar Budhathoki at this year’s General Assembly, the World Mission Council were given the following deliverance: ‘Instruct the Council to develop resources that will encourage congregations to commit their

support to a three year initiative for the long term rebuilding of communities.’” We have agreed to join other congregations in Presbytery of Jedburgh and offer advent contributions to the building of homes for those still in makeshift shelters. A little collection box template is available in the churches if you wish to collect at home.

Baptisms Flynn Livingstone Builder Jayden Andrew Simpson Logan O’Mara Archie O’Mara Emma Beth Dixon Rose Alexandra Davidson Rowan Alexander Wilson

Deaths Bobby Flannigan Andy Gray Edna Paton Barbara Smith Chrissie Dixon Fiona Elliot Ray Tait Don Bilcliffe Francis Playfair Hannay Jock Minto

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True or false On Sunday 20th December we hope to be entertained by angels in various stages of their wings. 11.15 MOREBATTLE—be there! In anticipation here is a little true or false quiz;- 1. Angels dress in white have

wings and wear a halotrue/false

2. Angels are humans who have died and gone to heaven.

True/false 3. Angels deliver messages

form God True/False 4. We can pray to angels for protection. True/False 5. Angels are always male True/False 6. Everyone has there own

guardian angel True/False 7. Angels are constantly worshipping God in Heaven True/False 8. Angels sit on clouds playing harps True/False 9. Angels are spiritual beings created by God True/False 10. Only 2 angels ar named in the bible True /False

1. Not sure– some wear

white (John 20;12 and

Seraphim have wings in

Isaiah 6;2.

2. False—both were

created by God but are

different.

3. True (Luke 1;19)

4. Not Sure—some

traditions pray to angels

but I would rather go

straight to the boss for

protection.

5. Not sure—I wonder if

male/female relevant.

6. Not sure. Some

traditions believe in

guardian angels –be

wonderful though

7. True (Rev 7:1,12

8. False= they might blow

trumpets or carry

swords though

9. True

10. True and they are

Gabriel and Micheal

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Christmas and New Year Arrangements

Quiet Service Sunday 13th December 6.30 Morebattle A service of Carols readings and

quiet reflection

Sunday 20th December 11.15am Morebattle A united service of Carols and Lessons led

by the combined church choirs and the Cool Club Angels (Only Service)

Thursday 24th December Hownam 7.00pm with Instrumental Group and Watchnight

Communion at 11.30 in Linton Kirk

Christmas Day at Morebattle 11.00am

Sunday 27th December one service only at Yetholm 10.00am

Sunday 3rd January one service only at

Linton 11.15am with hospitality

Sunday 10th January Souper Sunday at Yetholm 11.00am – only service note time

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Diary

Sunday 13th December Quiet Service, Morebattle 6.30pm

Tuesday 15th December Yetholm Guild

Sunday 20th December Carol Service, Morebattle 11.15am one service

only

Tuesday 22nd December Carols round tree Town Yetholm 7.00pm

Thursday 24th December Hownam 7pm

Watchnight Communion, Linton 11.30pm

Friday 25th December Christmas Day Service, Morebattle 11am

Sunday 27th December Morning Worship Yetholm 10am one service only

2016

Sunday 3rd January Linton 11.15am One Service only

Sunday 10th January Souper Sunday Yetholm Church 11am One

service only

Sunday 17th January Communion, Morebattle 11.15am

Monday 18th January Session Meeting

Sunday 24th January Evening Communion, Yetholm 6.30pm

Sunday 21st February Communion, Yetholm 10am

Sunday 28th February Evening Communion, Morebattle 6.30pm

Sunday 6th March Mothering Sunday

Sunday 20th March Palm Sunday Walk arrangements to follow

Tuesday 22nd March Session Meeting

Thursday 24th March Maundy Thursday, Linton 7pm

Friday 25th March Good Friday Vigil, Hoselaw 2-5pm

Sunday 27th March Easter Breakfast, Hoselaw 8.30am

All AgeEaster Service, Yetholm 10am

Easer Communion, Morebattle 11.15am

Sunday 27th March Evening Communion, Linton 6.30pm

Monday 28th March Annual Stated Meeting, Yetholm Church 7.30pm

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Church Services (Normal)

Yetholm every Sunday at 10.00am

Morebattle every Sunday at 11.15am except

1st Sunday when we meet at Linton

Hownam is now irregular. Please check notices.

Hoselaw is open for private devotion all the time

and hosts occasional services.

We have a midweek prayer service on a Tuesday

6.30pm at Linton

Every 4th Sunday at 6.30 we have an informal

Communion around the churches.

Everyone is welcome to any of our services

Cheviot Churches: Church of Scotland: (Charity No. SC003023) Minister Robin McHaffie, The Manse, Kirk Yetholm Tel: 420308

Mobile: 07772072327 Email: robinmchaffie@btinternet.com Session Clerk and Administrator

Linda Fleming, Jubilee Cottage, Kelso, TD5 8AE 01573 440396 linda.afleming@btinternet.com

Treasurer Brian Kelly, The Haven 5 Morebattle Road Yetholm, Kelso TD5

8RL

Tel: 01573 420221

Email: bjkelly@uwclub.net

Safeguarding Co-ordinator Moira Keddie 01573 420411

Roll Keeper Diane Gittus 01573 420524 Committee Convenors:

Finance/Children’s Ministry Linda Fleming 01573 440396 Communications Carol Butler 01573 420356

Property/Worship Robin McHaffie 01573 420308 Mission Arthur Bates 01573 420259

Ways & Means Amanda Barnes 01573 420660 Website www.cheviotchurches.org