On Tuesday 31st August and Thursday 2nd September Professor Peter Ford from the Near-East School of Theology – Beirut gave two excellent Zoom lectures looking at Christian – Muslim relations for participants largely from the Presbytery of Melrose and Peebles. Both lectures were followed by Q & A sessions and they were recorded so that you can watch them here.The reading list that Peter refers to in his lectures can be accessed by clicking on More... below.

1. Do we worship the same God? Yes! . . . and No . . ..

The text of the chat (Q&A) was also recorded and you can view it by clicking here. The document that Peter shared during his lecture can be viewed here.

2. Are the barriers between us too high? No . . . but it takes some work . . ..

The text of the chat (Q&A) was also recorded and you can view it by clicking here. The document that Peter shared during his lecture can be viewed here.

On 22nd August we held a Communion Service in the graveyard area of Newlands Old Church. This was the first ever joint service of the new linking of West Tweeddale and involved the ministers from both original groups of parishes.

If you were unable to attend then you can view the service here and get a flavour of the joyous occasion that it was.

If you knit, sew, stitch or craft will you help create a banner of climate messages to influence negotiators at COP26?

Use any green or blue fabric or thread. Make pieces 60 cm (24 ins) by 100 cm (40 ins). Make as many pieces as you wish.

See stitchesforsurvival.earth or the stiches for survival facebook page.

1.5 miles long this will represent the 1.5°C target in the Paris agreement. After COP26 the banner will be repurposed to make blankets for refugee communities.

The contributions can be as simple or as artistic as can be 30 September closing date.

Expressions of interest to nan.buchan@hotmail.com or maryhmcelroy@outlook.com

With the three churches in Upper Tweeddale (Skirling, Broughton and Tweedsmuir), now linked with the three churches in the West Linton group (St. Andrews West Linton, Carlops, and Kirkurd and Newlands) we are publishing the latest editions of the Carlops Church newsletter, the Newlands and Kirkurd newsletter and the West Linton newsletter here and churches in the West Linton area are making our own Kirk Matters available to their community.

Their newsletters are published monthly and the previous copies are accessible via the Carlops newsletter page on the Carlops Church web site, the Newlands and Kirkurd news page on the Newlands and Kirkurd web site, or the West Linton news page on the St. Andrews West Linton Church web site.

News and newsletter pages for each church are also accessible through a panel to the right of the Kirk Matters page and also to the right of the News page.

With limited numbers in the two of our churches that are currently open, we are facing a growing challenge to fund our services, pastoral care and support, and the maintenance of our buildings and facilities.

The Church of Scotland has a web page which allows you to contribute specifically to the local funds required for this work. If you would like to help out please go to the Donate to the Church page, click on Donate to a Congregation, type in the name of the congregation and proceed from there.

If you buy from Amazon then another way of donating is through Amazon Smile. Skirling and Broughton are now registered with Amazon Smile so if you click on one of the links below and place an order then a commission will go to our churches.