2

Dear Reader

“Oh to be in Britain now that Spring is here”; words that never fail to give us that

long awaited burst of energy and expectancy after the long dark days of Winter.

With the lengthening days and the increasing warmth of the sun, the earth once

again springs into life and we see the flora and fauna adapting to the changing

conditions around them. We too can do the same as we progress through the days

of Lent to the great Celebration of Easter … The Festival of the Resurrection of

Christ.

The pleasures of Spring are available to everybody and cost nothing; from the

elderly to the young, we look forward to rejoicing together.

Who knows what the next three months will bring us, but whatever comes our way

we shall need the ability to adapt to the ever-changing world in which we live.

May we do so with heart-warming Spring light and God’s blessing.

M Helen Tyler Margaret Grover

Editor Editor

An Easter Blessing

May hope in the risen Christ transform us. May love of the risen Christ give us peace. May faith in the risen Christ strengthen us,

And may Almighty God bless us Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Amen.

3

FROM THE DESK OF THE PRIEST

On 1st March the people of Wales will

be marking their National day – the

feast of St David. There will be singing,

happy gatherings, parades for the

soldiers of the regiments of Wales, the

wearing of leeks and daffodils a happy

day. That evening I will go to church

and be told that I am going to die.

Someone will place the mark of a cross

on my forehead, a mark in ash prepared

from the burning of last year’s palm

crosses. “Remember John Evans you

are dust and to dust you shall return .. .”

It is time for me to gird up the loins of

my mind, once again, and walk the last

mile with Jesus; the Master I am trying

to follow simply because He has

assured me that, even in my worst and

most unlovable moments, God, my

Creator, actually cares about me and

loves me. That first day of March, Ash

Wednesday, is the start of our Lent,

Holy Week and Easter discipline. And

it is a discipline; it is me saying to

myself: come on; Jesus gave up

everything for you, surely you can give

up something? No! Not chocolate, or

TV, or cake . . . . Why not, instead, give

something more valuable? Time – your

time. Time you spend in study or prayer

or being thoughtful, kind, helpful,

aware of the great need of others. Listen

more – talk less. Try harder to

understand.

It has been a hard few months, these

months past: members of St John’s

have lost loved ones and even though

they believe they are safe with God, the

pain is deep and heavy to bear. Some

have been ill, desperately, desperately

ill, and we have laboured in prayer for

their recovery and strength for their

loved ones, anxiously watching and

waiting: and in some cases the reward

has been great, with recovery and

steady if slow progress. Some have had

trials with seasonal problems; all

continue to agonise about the state of

the world with so many in dire need.

But we press on, into that long, dark

place, to walk with Jesus to His death

on the Cross. Praise God we do so

knowing that there is the blazing,

welcoming light of God’s glorious

Easter waiting for us up ahead.

Listen carefully to the gospel stories

through Lent – study them closely.

Study in your own time and place, or

join a group who will follow a Lenten

Course. Listen to the radio for religious

programmes and talks. Enrich yourself

with a good book – but most of all read

the gospels.

The writers are recording for us a series

of events in violent and confused times.

In the chaos it is a catalogue of

incidents probably imperfectly seen or

understood. There are occasions where

there is little eyewitness account, so

sometimes the record seems to give

conflicting evidence. And we allow and

accept this because we know that the

gospel narrative is not some miracle of

inspiration of a God’s-eye view to the

writers. This is a witness to the truly

human life of Jesus and so the witness

must be, of necessity, a truly human

one as well. A human witness is not

often either comprehensive or

straightforward. The last days of Jesus,

4

especially that last week, were a rapid

flash-past of events.

All is well, great parade into Jerusalem,

‘Hosanna’, people, palms, laughter,

cheering – the pain of Gethsemane,

arrest by soldiers at midnight, all the

muddled imprisonment, trials, public

humiliation and torture. Public

execution – friends scattered. It is

surely no surprise that the records are

neither calm nor dispassionate. They

are more like the hasty reports that

follow a disaster, say a tsunami, or

earthquake, or terrorist attack.

Please do not read the gospels as if they

are just a record of proceedings that

have taken place, ‘long ago and

faraway’. The gospel writers tell it as it

is to draw us all in to the tumult and

confusion. Variations in detail are ways

of involving us, different ways of

exposing us to discovery and self-

discovery. And it works! Every year it

happens. Faced with Jesus in the

gospels we are challenged, annoyed,

teased, prompted to make some kind of

response that will show us things we

never knew about ourselves before, and

also what we never knew about God.

The gospels are not only a historical

record; they are our challenge for 2017.

Some students of the gospels suggest

that the stories of the last days of Jesus

were written on small pieces of scroll

and read to believers, something like an

ancient ‘Stations of the Cross’. And

they certainly make the hearer feel that

we are standing there, finding ourselves

somewhere in the story of Jesus and His

suffering, and so finding truth,

judgement, then the relief of

forgiveness. “Father,” says Jesus on the

Cross, “forgive them.”

Do try to get involved again this year.

Read and hear the old, old stories,

forever new. Be judged, then released

by that judgement into the light of truth.

Find in Jesus the story of what we are

and what we may be in God’s eyes.

Find in Him the nature of our Maker

and Saviour and also some indication to

where He may be recognised now, here,

where we are.

As I have said before, I do so hope that

our hard working Vestry will have

success in the days ahead, and that a

new Rector will come to you in St

John’s here in Jedburgh. And that this

will be my last letter, from the desk of

that priest who has been so richly

blessed by being a part of your warm

and gracious fellowship, with such

kindness shown to my dear wife Jean

and to me.

May God bless us all with health, a

sunny Spring and a glorious Easter.

John.

5

JEDBURGH CHURCHES TOGETHER

This is the time of year that the churches of the town join together for a number of things, starting with:- Lent Study Groups This is in the form of 5 Studies on “Receiving Christ” and costs £5. There is a choice of 3 venues and times: Mondays at 2pm, Thursdays at 11am & Fridays at 7:30pm. Sign up sheets are at the back of the church. Lent Lunches These take place in the Kenmore Hall from 12 to 1:30pm on 24th & 31st March and 7th April . St. John’s will have the responsibility of providing the soup lunch on 31st March. Good Friday (14th April) The Walk of Witness takes place; starting at Old and Trinity Church it is a walk that can be joined or left at any point making it an event that all can share.

World Day of Prayer (3rd March) this year will be marked at Old and Trinity Church with a service put together by the people of the Philippines; the theme being “Am I being unfair to you” Christian Aid Week (14th -20th May) is another occasion when all the Churches work together for a common cause, each church taking responsibility for manning the shop in the Kenmore Hall, and supplying refreshments on one day of the week. St. John’s ‘duty day’ is Wednesday 17th May. Christian Aid was set up 60 years ago to support work with refugees after the Second World War, and this year is very much focused on the plight of refugees today.

HOLY WEEK AT ST JOHN’S

10th, 11th & 12th April 6:00pm in Church. Time for following events of Holy Week through the

Stations of the Cross, ending with the service of Compline.

MAUNDY THURSDAY 13th April 6:00pm Holy Communion & stripping the altar

GOOD FRIDAY 14th April 11:00am Walk of Witness from Old & Trinity Parish Church finishing at St

John’s about 12.30pm with tea & hot-cross buns in the Centre 1:30pm Time of quiet reflection 2:30pm Holy Communion from the reserved sacrament

EASTER SUNDAY 16th April 9:00am First Communion of Easter 10.30am Sung Eucharist

6

Saint John the Evangelist Jedburgh

Website : www.stjohnsjedburgh.org.uk

3 March World Day of Prayer 26 March Mothering Sunday 2 April Passion Sunday 9 April Palm Sunday May 14-20 Christian Aid Week 25 May Ascension Day

REGULAR DATES Old School Lunch Club 12:30 pm in the Centre on the last Wednesday of the month Study Group 10:45 am in the Centre every Thursday Sewing Group 10:00 am in the Centre on 1st & 3rd Wednesdays each month.

Choir Practice 6.15 pm in church each Friday.

10 JUNE Coffee Morning

10:00 am in the

Royal British Legion Hall

ADVANCE NOTICE

7

ST JOHN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL

St John's Sunday School reopened in January

this year.

It runs from 10.30am until 11.10 am, and is held downstairs in the

Church Centre.

Parents/carers of the children can stay with them. After Sunday

School, all join in with the Holy Communion service in the church

building.

For more information contact us via the website.

St John's follows the child protection policy of the Scottish Episcopal Church.

Dear St John's Church

My name is Gudrun. I am going to be 11 in July. I was born in Hong Kong. I have

a very nice family. I like coming to church because even if you are new,

everybody here makes you feel welcome.

The elderly people in church are very special to me because I do not see my

grandparents very often. Everybody is kind in the church. I think St John's

church is a wonderful place. It brings everyone together and we all learn God's

words.

Jedburgh too is a wonderful place. When you make friends they are always

kind and loyal. Living in Jedburgh is wonderful.

I want to say thank you to everyone in St John's church for their kindness.

From Gudrun Yip

8

HUGGING

Feels good,

Dispels loneliness,

Overcomes fears,

Builds self-esteem;

(Wow! They actually want to hug Me!)

Slows down ageing; huggers stay younger longer.

Eases tension,

Fights insomnia,

Keeps arm and shoulder muscles in good condition;

Is ecologically sound,

Does not upset the environment,

Is democratic, anyone is eligible for a hug;

Is portable,

Affirms physical well-being,

Is energy efficient, saves heat;

Makes impossible days possible,

Makes happy days happier.

Anon

9

I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all your love that has

supported me through the months following the death of my youngest

daughter. I always knew that the people of St. John’s were very special

people, and with your loving thoughts, prayers and, yes, hugs, you have

helped me more than you probably realise, and certainly helped to make

“impossible days, possible”.

Thank you

Margaret G

Fly The fellow feeling of the human race Is the portrait of His divine face Your fellow traveller can feel your pain He shares with you the sin and mark of Cain If you can free yourself from jealousy You and the world would venture free And like the dove the trapper did untie You can rise up and soar into the sky Reason cannot ever grasp That final ecstasy To bring a thinker to his God Is to make a blind man see

Rumi C13th

10

The Prie-Dieu Reminiscent of the hymn “God be in my head….”, here is a daily prayer that is easy to remember and that we can all use:-

God be in my waking; God be in my thinking; God be in my actions.

Take my everyday life, and live in me.

Amen

11

AN UNEXPECTED COMPANION There are many stories in the old and new

testaments telling us about the people of God

going about their daily lives and travels,

accompanied by angels of God. Some appeared

as ordinary men, others with great wings and

carrying a sword. Not all were easily

recognised however, but their presence and

aura was felt to give comfort, guidance and

companionship.

One of the best loved stories is found in both

Greek and Hebrew scripture known as the

Apocrypha and is set in the Assyrian capital of

Nineveh in the C7th

BC.

The book begins with Tobit, an Israelite of the

northern kingdom who was deported to

Nineveh. He suffered from blindness and was a distant relative of Sarah, in Media

who suffered torment. Because of their good life and prayers, God sent the

Archangel Raphael to help them.

The virtuous young Tobias the son joins the disguised Raphael on a journey to

Media on his father's behalf, and eventually brings happiness both to his father and

Sarah. Archangel Raphael heals Tobit of his blindness, he protects and guides

Tobias on his journeys and heals Sarah from her torment. They all remained

steadfast in their faith through trials and difficulties and eventually enjoyed God's

blessing and mercy.

It was only after the return to his parents that the wedding feast of Tobias and

Sarah took place with much rejoicing. Tobit wished to pay his son's travelling

companion his wages plus a big bonus as he praised God for his son's safe return.

Raphael then revealed his true identity to the family explaining that God wanted

him to come and help them. He then disappeared into the sky, leaving the whole

family praising and singing hymns to God, giving thanks for all the great deeds

while His angel Raphael had been with them.

Perhaps on our own journeys, sitting in a bus, train, plane or car, we can feel an

angel close by us or even be an angel ourselves to another person in need. An

unexpected companion.

MHT

12

STATEMENT FROM VESTRY SECRETARY

AS AT 21 FEBRUARY 2017

Having been unable to fill our advertised vacancy for a half time Rector,

The Bishop, in accordance with Canon Law (Canon 13.7), has taken over

the burden of appointing our Rector.

Whereas St John’s is seeking a half time incumbent, dedicated to St John’s,

The Bishop is looking for a part time Priest in Charge for a limited

contracted time. The Bishop believes that our half time post is not

attractive enough, and wants to offer a candidate scope for further

employment elsewhere to bolster their income, by offering a part time post,

ie, their time will be divided between St John’s and an other post, whether

that be secular or ecumenical. Vestry is doing its level best to defend St

John’s position of wanting a dedicated Rector, but has to abide by Canon

Law, and respect Bishop John’s authority.

The Bishop recently presented a suitable candidate to St John’s Vestry,

whom we felt we could work with. However, the candidate has since

withdrawn their candidacy, without any real explanation. Bishop John

assures Vestry that he is continuing working on our behalf. And we must

trust that this is so.

Any questions, please address to Bishop John Armes.

Canon 13.7:

“If no presentation to a vacant incumbency or Joint Incumbency shall

be made within six months after the vacancy has taken place, or

within six months after the Bishop has refused to accept the

presentation already made, the right of presentation shall, for that

turn, lapse to the Bishop of the diocese. But the right of presentation

shall not lapse to the Bishop in the case of an appeal, until three

months after the date of a decision thereon by the Episcopal Synod or

the Primus, or until six months after the Bishop has refused the

presentation as aforesaid, whichever is longer. In no case shall the

right of presentation remain with the patrons for that turn after twelve

months have passed since the occurrence of the vacancy.”

13

COFFEE MORNING

RESCHEDULED

The annual Spring Coffee Morning, which was scheduled to take place on 25th March, has unfortunately had to be postponed due to unforeseen circumstances.

It will now take place on 10th June.

It is our major fund-raising event of the year, and help from the congregation is vital and much appreciated.

Joan Bennet is stepping down as Convener after many years of organising such events and I am sure you will all join me in thanking her for doing such an amazing job for so long. I have agreed to take over as Convener for the Spring (now

Summer!) Sale this year with Joan keeping a discreet eye on me in the background! She has been generous with her advice and information and will be a hard act to follow but I will do my best, with the help of the congregation.

Flyers with details of stall-holders will be appearing in the weekly pew sheets nearer the time, and offers of help are always welcome.

Liz Kiteley

“FAITH HAS WINGS”

This is the title of a book about the early beginnings and development of Mission

Aviation Fellowship (MAF)

“Mission Aviation Fellowship is a Christian organisation serving 26 developing

countries to reach the world’s forgotten people…..those living out of sight, out of

mind and out of hope.

With land access denied by inaccessible terrain… .due to natural disaster, war or

economic crisis …. thousands of communities are completely isolated. Operating

around 135 light aircraft, MAF’s pilots fly into some 1,500 remote destinations.

Whether landing in deserts or jungles, on lakes, rivers, tracks or roads, MAF

planes transport essential medical care, food, water, relief teams and church

workers to those in desperate need. Each flight carries practical help, spiritual

hope and physical healing to thousands of men, women and children for whom

flying is not a luxury but a lifeline. MAF is flying for life.”

On 12th

March, following the 10:30am service, we can learn about MAF from one

of their speakers at a Bring and Share Lunch in the Centre. This follows a

suggestion at the AGM that it would be encouraging for our congregation to hear

news of mission in the world-wide church.

Come, and bring your friends.

14

A personal reflection from

a member of the congregation

In an article, I read recently, it asserted

that the traditional Church choir was

either dying or converting to

‘contemporary’ Church choirs (I must

confess I do not really know what a

‘contemporary’ Church choir is). For fear

of being controversial, for me our choir at

St John’s is traditional, but with the

frisson of being experimental and

adventurous.

I believe that the choir performs an

important role in the ‘Sung’ service:

supporting congregational singing. When

I hear the choir in full voice, it encourages

me to sing even louder or with more

meaning, than I would have otherwise

done, and I also watch the choir closely

throughout the service, taking my cues

from them. As a general rule when they

stand, so do I; when they sit, so do I. In

the regular service, this is less required as

I know what to do and when to do it.

However, in ‘special services’ when the

routine is unclear I find it invaluable.

Sometimes it goes horribly wrong, like

the time I stood up for the anthem and had

to slowly sit down with a very red face.

Another role the choir has is in teaching

us. I am familiar with many hymns

ancient and modern, but not all of them!

When an unfamiliar hymn is announced, I

listen to the choir and follow their lead.

As Charles Wesley had 4500 hymns

published and also had 2000 unpublished

hymns at the time of his death (ie 3-4

hymns a week for his entire adult life)

chances we’ll be singing one of his

compositions in the very near future.

We are really fortunate

to have a choir with

such talent and

commitment. Of

course, when I say

‘choir’ I include the organist and choir

master. They practice every Friday

evening and quite often on a Sunday

morning before the service. For me it

all comes together in the ‘anthem’. I am

continually astonished and impressed by

the complex harmonies that come out of

so few voices. Dietrich Bonhoffer said

“Music... will help dissolve your

perplexities and purify your character

and sensibilities, and in time of care and

sorrow, will keep a fountain of joy alive

in you.” For me the anthem is a

“fountain of joy” and since January

there seems to have been a change in the

style and complexity of Anthem, and yet

to me it has become more prayerful. I

particularly enjoyed “Christus est stella

matutina” set by Iain Quinn.

Another strength our choir has that is

possibly missing in other church choirs,

is that we also have male voices. How

often have you been to churches where

the choir consists of only female voices?

While still joyous, it feels one

dimensional.

There is another and playful side to the

choir. Many of us would have heard the

choir sing during coffee mornings,

normally a fun piece, that we can sing

along to or that makes us laugh. I

particularly enjoy the concerts that they

hold in the church and the October 2016

concert was most enjoyable.

15

Next time you hear the choir, think to

yourself about the role they play in the

service; think about how they are leading

and teaching us so that we can better

reach out to the Lord, not only

spiritually but also emotionally.

Gaudeamus

16

Saint John’s Church – Services

SUNDAYS

9.00 am Holy Communion 1970 Scottish Liturgy

10.30 am Sung Eucharist 1982 Scottish Liturgy

THURSDAYS

10.00 am Holy Communion

Also Communion on important saints’ days

READINGS FOR 10.30 am SERVICE

DATE READINGS DATE READINGS 05/03/2017

Lent 1

Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7

Ps 32

Romans 5:12-19

Matt. 4:1-11

23/04/2017

Easter 2

Acts 2:14a, 22-32

Ps 16

1 Peter 1:3-9

John 20:19-31

12/03/2017

Lent 2

Genesis 12:1-4a

Ps 121

Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

John 3:1-17

30/04/2017

Easter 3

Acts 2:14a, 36-41

Ps 116

1 Peter 1:17-23

Luke 24:13-35

19/03/2017

Lent 3

Exodus 17:1-7

Ps 95

Romans 5:1-11

John 4:5-42

07/05/2017

Easter 4

Acts 2:42-47

Ps 23

1 Peter 2:19-25

John 10:1-10

26/03/2017

Lent 4

Mothering

Sunday

Exodus 2:1-10

Ps 34

Colossians 3:12-17

Luke 2:33-35 or

John 19:25b-27

14/05/2017

Easter 5

Acts 7:55-60

Ps 31

1 Peter 2:2-10

John 14:1-14

02/04/2017

Lent 5

Passion

Sunday

Ezekiel 37:1-14

Ps 130

Romans 8:6-11

John 11:1-16

21/05/2017

Easter 6

Acts 17:22-31

Ps 66

1 Peter 3:13-22

John 14:15-21

09/04/2017

Palm Sunday

Isaiah 50:4-9a

Ps 31

Phil.2:5-11

Matthew 26:14 - 27:66

28/05/2017

Ascension Day

(transferred

from 25 May)

Daniel 7:9-14

Ps 47

Acts 1:1-11

Luke 24:44-53

16/04/2017

Easter Day

Jeremiah 31:1-6

Ps 118

Acts 10:34-43

John 20:1-18 or

Matt. 28:1-10

Readings for 10.30

Service

WELLRIG ST BOSWELLS

TD6 9ET

Tel/fax 01835 822314 info@wellrig.co.uk

Bespoke Private Catering for the Discerning Client

Dinner Parties Special Occasion Celebrations

Weekend House Parties

HALLMARK

9 High Street Jedburgh

Tel: 01835 864653

Large selection of greeting cards for all occasions, maps, gifts,

Scottish books, helium balloons

IAN LEES

Painter & Decorator

Signwriter 7 Dunshill Drive

Jedburgh

Tel: 01835 863632

Mobile: 07508 480053

Chocolate

Gifts Crafts

23 High Street

Jedburgh

Tel: 01835 862597

www.jedburghchocolatehouse.co.uk