Children from Yetholm Nursery regularly visit the kirk to join our weekly codffee mornings. On the 7th May they returned the favour and organised a coffee morning to which folks from the church were invited. Here are some photographs from the event. This is what the school wrote on their Facebook page, from which the pictures are also taken.
   "Yesterday our ELC hosted a coffee morning for their friends from the church coffee mornings. They held a planning meeting to decide everything they needed and then set about completing all the tasks. Their first task was to make posters to advertise the event then they set about making decorations to make the hall look pretty. They made all the cakes and treats they wanted to serve and on the day were super stars at setting everything up They were fantastic hosts welcoming everyone in, handing out cakes and having some lovely conversations with everyone. Very proud teachers yet again."

On Friday 8th May a group from Cheviot Churches went to Coldingham Parish Church for a retreat. Our morning reflections were led by Rev Peter Wood, the Mission Officer for Lothian and Borders Presbytery (above). His focus was on the 'Forth to Farne' pilgrimage route and the opportunies it offers for spreading and deeping Christian faith.
   The event took place in the parish church - formerly priory - which has been beautifully renewed, tastefully integrating the old and the new. In the afternoon participants had a chance to quietly explore the area and the day was rounded off with communion, led by our own minister Colin Johnston.
   Thanks to Trish for organising the day - and Margaret for arranging food.
   For more about the Forth to Farne Pilgrimage route see HERE. 

On Wednesday 22nd April we were very pleased to welcome a group of army chaplains, who were in the middle of doing the St Cuthbert's Way. On previous evenings they had been sleeping outdoors, but on this day they were looking forward to sleeping on the floor of the upper room in the church! The group consisted of clergymen from Anglican, Church of Scotland & Assemblies of God churches. Before they arrived one of them gave a group of us a talk about the work they do - followed by a time of devotions.

Easter Sunday began with an early morning communion service at the manse in Morebattle. It was an rather blustery morning so worship had to be moved indoors!
    At 10 we had joint service of celebration at Yetholm. The photos above and below show the community. It was still rather windy outside, but sun streamed through the widows.

On Sunday 8th of March we had a joint service at Morebattle, when Ann Girvan was ordained as an elder. Born in the Borders, Ann spent many years working in the Deaconess Hospital in Edinburgh. We are fortunate that she is now living among us and look forward to working with her.

Lent began at Cheviot Churches with a service at Hoselaw Chapel on Ash Wednesday. We are blessed to have such an atmospheric place for our special worship services.

On Sunday 21st we had a dramatic presentation of the Nativity story at Yetholm kirk on Sunday morning - many thanks to Margaret Rustad for writing it and for everyone who took part (including Jim the dog who, unfortunately, is not in the photograph). In the afternoon there was a carol service in Morebattle kirk. Merry Christmas to everyone.

A big thanks to Yetholm Village Choir (+ the Colliery Band) for a wonderful concert on the afternoon of Sunday 7th December. On a dark, rainy and windswept day the church became a beacon of light.

Arrived! I set off through some mist and made good time. I gradually made my way through the suburbs of Santiago to the Cathedral. There was a long queue to get in , so I will wait till later. But I joined pilgrims from so many countries outside in the Square. Some have been walking for a month or more, others for under a week like me, but each with their own experiences and stories yo tell. There is a sense of achievement in reaching the destination, but the most important part is the actual journey. 

I went to the pilgrim centre to register my walk (now done with QR codes and internet), waited in a queue for only 5 minutes and was given my compostela in Latin. When I did it 10 years ago, people were writing names in perfect calligraphy and you had to wait half an hour. 

Now tucking into a menu of Galician broth and seafood paella. 

News from our vagrant minister:
This is my penultimate day, and it was a pleasant day walking through hamlets and vineyards (and closed churches!). My destination was Rua de Francos, where there is a 14th cross, marking the pilgrim route. The hotel is the nicest I have stayed in, and the village is round a green. Like everywhere in Spain, there is the sound of children playing outside.