PARISH PROFILE

JEDBURGH and OXNAM PARISH linked with ALE and TEVIOT PARISH

Set in the green rolling hills and countryside of the Scottish Borders, the linked parishes of Jedburgh & Oxnam and Ale & Teviot serve a combination of urban and rural communities straddling the A68, a main artery to Edinburgh – the Gateway to Scotland.  Steeped in history from Neolithic times, and with evidence of a Christian witness in the area since the arrival of the Celtic Christianity in the eighth century, the communities have become close-knit, resilient, competitive and motivated to protect their character.

These parishes extend from near Ashkirk in the West to Oxnam in the East and to the Border in the South and lie roughly equidistant between Edinburgh, Newcastle and Carlisle.  Reflecting the concept of ‘Gateway to Scotland,’ we see our Churches as offering an open door to Christ in the Borders.  While we are confronted by the universal challenges facing the church, we believe that there are opportunities to address these, conferred not least by the community integration of the centres of worship in the rural areas.

We seek a modern, Spirit-led and Christ centred ministry, able to equip and motivate the congregation in order to take the gospel to our varied communities in appropriate and effective ways.  It is important to us that a personal relationship with Jesus is seen as relevant and vital in people’s lives.  We have been blessed with motivated elders and members of the congregations who have effectively worked together and would be immediately available to a new minister.

The Vacancy in its present form arises from the reorganisation of parishes, namely, the Union of Jedburgh and Oxnam, and the Linkage with the parish of Ale & Teviot.  These took place in 2024.  All the charges involved operate on the basis of a Unitary Constitution and have been vacant for a number of years.

 

COMMUNITY PROFILE (see online information also)

Jedburgh has a population of around 4000.  It is an ancient royal burgh with a long and fascinating history of which the community is very proud and which it celebrates enthusiastically.  The town is on the A68 which links Edinburgh (48 miles) to Northumbria and Newcastle (60 miles).  Rail (at Tweedbank,15 miles) and Bus links are available.

Most industry in Jedburgh is now in small industrial and commercial units, with two larger factories.  Tourism is a major factor in the economy.  The town provides key services to the adjoining rural communities.

Oxnam is made up of scattered farming communities with a small village hub.  Its population numbers roughly 300 and is a mix of local families and a significant proportion of newcomers to the area, many with international professional backgrounds.

Ancrum has a population of 392, Lilliesleaf / Ashkirk / Midlem 1000, and Nisbet / Crailing / Eckford 579.

In terms of education, there is one school in the parish of Jedburgh & Oxnam, which is a new intergenerational learning campus: Jedburgh Grammar Campus.  After P5, Ancrum pupils head to this school, while after P7 Lilliesleaf pupils go on to Selkirk High School.

Medical services are provided at Jedburgh Health Centre, where there is a GP practice of 3 doctors, along with access to all NHS community health specialisms.  There are two dental practices, two pharmacies and an optician in Jedburgh.  Two community hospitals are located in Hawick and Kelso, and Borders General Hospital is at Melrose.

In a community with an ageing population, care of the elderly is a priority.  The town has a Care Home, which also houses a community RVS Day-Centre.  There is one “sheltered” residential facility in the town and a number of other care facilities situated within a few miles.  There is sheltered accommodation in Ancrum, and Knowesouth Nursing Home is on the other side of the River Teviot.

Sport is an important part of the life and leisure of the area and there are a number of sporting facilities and important sporting events throughout the year.  Jedburgh has many thriving clubs and organisations and important community celebrations and is famous for its annual Hand Ba’ event.

The community in Oxnam has a lively social calendar, including activities initiated by the church (eg Choir, Library Café, Film Nights, Walking Group, Harvest Suppers) as well as others (eg OWLS (Oxnam Water Ladies Society), pantomime and concerts) initiated by the community.  The community and the church are closely integrated and each supports the other.

As local authority services are withdrawn in a number of areas, volunteering is a key and essential part of local life in the community.

Jedburgh and Oxnam serves two types of community, one urban (Jedburgh) and one rural, (Oxnam and the former parish of Edgerston), stretching as far as the border with England (10 miles from Jedburgh).  The distance between the centres of the communities is 4 miles, and there are strong links between the two.

Ale and Teviot includes the four parishes of Ancrum, Crailing, Eckford and Lilliesleaf which extend from near Ashkirk in the west to Eckford in the east.  Each parish has a very strong community.  Ancrum’s hub is the Ancrum Pantry shop.  Ancrum hosts a Fête each year, welcomes the Jethart Callant in July, and has a popular Guy Fawkes Bonfire Night.  There is still a pub in Ancrum, a popular Bowling Club and “Art at Ancrum” is a popular festival each May.  Lilliesleaf boasts a pub and garage and hosts a summer music festival.  Both Ancrum and Lilliesleaf have Football Clubs which include youth sections, and all have successful village hall communities.

In summary, centred in these strong communities, the churches have small but committed cores of members, but need leadership, and help to grow the congregations, especially with young people.

 

FACTS AND FIGURES

Jedburgh & Oxnam Parish Church

COMMUNION ROLL

There are currently 254 on the Members Roll, 227 on the Supplementary Roll, and 6 Adherents.  The age profile of the congregation is with a few exceptions 60+.  A Review of the Jedburgh Roll took place in 2022.  In the last five years, 5 have joined and 8 have begun attending services.  Attendance at Sunday services in Jedburgh is usually 30-40, at Oxnam 10-20.

GOVERNANCE

Jedburgh and Oxnam has a Kirk Session of 14 active Elders, 10 women, 4 men.  The age profile is 65+.  The newest elders were ordained in 2021 and 2022.  Other members of the congregation at Jedburgh have taken on various governing roles, eg at Jedburgh, in a Property Team, a Pastoral Team, as Treasurer, and as Safeguarding Coordinator.  At Oxnam there is a Property Convenor.

Elders’ Districts are allocated both to Elders and also to volunteer members of the congregation, who deliver to / visit members as required.  Jedburgh has a Data Protection policy.

There is a well-established Guild, which meets in Jedburgh, 8 times per year, monthly from September till May and is open and ecumenical in its membership.

OUTREACH

In Oxnam the Church is very much at the heart of the community, with many social interconnections and with outreach at the core of its mission.  The community can always be relied upon to support the church in fundraising or social events.

The Pastoral Team at Jedburgh and Oxnam reaches out to members and non-members in various ways (see below, “Pastoral Care”).

The Kenmore Hall in Jedburgh hosts the “Churches Together Foodbank”, which involves volunteers from all the churches and also those who do not have church connections.  The Hall is available for catering.

The Church in Jedburgh hosts the Jedburgh Grammar Campus’ end-of-term Assemblies.  The minister visits the school, and primary age classes have visited the church building as part of their curriculum, taking part in treasure hunts, talks and singing.  Recently, the church at Jedburgh was the venue for a community Christmas Tree Festival.

The Church in Jedburgh contributes to local community events: eg Remembrance Sunday; The Kirkin’ of the Callant (Callant’s Festival), when special services are held.  Oxnam Church holds very special services for Harvest Thanksgiving and Remembrance as well as in support of the Dandy Dinmont Society.

Jedburgh and Oxnam operates two charitable trusts and seeks to support Christian charities whenever possible; and contributed over £5000 in 2024 to 5 named Christian charities as well as making ad hoc donations to others, eg Mary’s Meals.

All of the churches have Facebook presence and Websites.  These are to be linked or rebuilt to reflect the new parish reality.

WORSHIP LIFE

At present, Sunday services are held at 10 am at Oxnam, on the 1st and 3rdSundays of the month and at 11.15 at Jedburgh each Sunday.  At both venues there is normally hospitality after the services, Oxnam being famous for its cakes!  In Jedburgh, it has become usual for services to be held in the Kenmore Hall, with only a few special services held in the sanctuary.

Screen projection and a sound system can be provided in both Jedburgh and Oxnam.  Otherwise there is a printed order of service.  Worship style varies according to the occasion, purpose and location of the service.  The congregation seeks to make services as friendly and welcoming as possible.  Rotas allow members to welcome worshippers, to lead or support worship in various ways, and to provide a social time after services.  Some have been trained in leading worship.

In both Jedburgh and Oxnam churches there is a strong Worship Group, accustomed to leading or supporting worship.

At Jedburgh there is an organist, employed by the church, and a guitarist.  They share the leading of the praise.  At Oxnam there is an organ, and digital accompaniment can also be provided.  CH4, Mission Praise, etc are used as appropriate.

At Oxnam on Easter Sunday the service and at Christmas a “Pantomime” are focussed on families and children of the whole community.

Communion is celebrated 4 times a year at Jedburgh, and twice at Oxnam.  Since the union, the Sacrament of Holy Communion is often a shared event, at one or other of the churches.  At Ale and Teviot, it is served 3 or 4 times a year.

In Jedburgh, there have been 6 Baptisms or Blessings in the last five years, 3 marriages and numerous funerals.  At Oxnam since 2020 there have been 3 baptisms, 3 marriages and 9 funeral services (including Remembrance).

The parish has been served by a Minister in her Probationary Year, who will continue until the end of October 2025.

PASTORAL CARE

There is a Pastoral Team in Jedburgh, which includes both members of the Kirk Session and the congregation.  The team provides informal support to individual members, particularly offering visits to the housebound.  There is a monthly Coffee Morning; Christmas and Easter services are held in the local Care Home and RVS Day Centre.  Christmas and Easter cards are delivered to all members in Jedburgh and Oxnam.  In Oxnam, pastoral care is more informal in the close-knit rural community.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Currently there is neither Sunday School nor Youth Group within the church in Jedburgh.  However, Messy Church sessions have been held in Jedburgh and Oxnam recently.  Trustees have received training in Safeguarding.  Some have been trained in leading worship.

ECUMENICAL CONTEXT

For a long time now, the churches in Jedburgh have sought to work together where possible.  A “Churches Together” group operates informally.  Within the town there is a Scottish Episcopal Church, a Roman Catholic Church and a Baptist Church.  The churches seek to share services, key events and celebrations: Christmas, Lent and Easter, World Day of Prayer, Messy Church, as well as at community events such as the “Kirkin’ of the Callant” and Remembrance Sunday.  Oxnam church is very much part of this approach.

STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCE

Deficit/ Surplus

Jedburgh 2022: deficit of £12000;  2023: deficit of £6200;  Jedburgh and Oxnam 2024: surplus of £24000  (NB: without Oxnam Jedburgh would have broken even.)

The Giving to Grow: contribution will be £29865.

WORLD CHURCH

The church supports Christian charities operating in the world church: (see above: Outreach)

The Guild supports all Guild Projects.

CHURCHES, MANSE AND HALLS

Churches

Oxnam and Jedburgh parishes are both of very ancient foundation.  There are two centres of worship.

The sanctuary at Jedburgh is a large A-listed building, 150 years old this year, “medieval” in layout, with splendid interior features, and sited in a prominent location.  Adjacent is a suite of halls, (Kenmore Hall) built in the 1970s, with a large upstairs area suitable for worship, and which has been recently refurbished.  There is a lift.  Both buildings have a sound system and projection can be provided in both.  Worship is now largely held in the Hall, with use of the church dependent on occasion, weather and convenience.

The church building is cleaned and prepared for services, eg Funerals, Communion, by volunteers.  Oxnam relies on volunteer support for this work, also.

Oxnam Kirk is a small, charming, well-appointed, T-shaped 18thcentury church set in lovely countryside on a hill overlooking the village.  It is characterised by simple and elegant internal architecture featuring furniture pieces made by Robert “Mouseman” Thompson.  However, unfortunately the Presbytery Plan foresees closure by 2028.

Manse

The manse is located in Jedburgh and is a large split-level house, built in the 1970s.  It is situated in a quiet cul-de-sac, a few minutes’ walk from the church.  It is quite close to the town and has a park nearby.

Halls

The Kenmore Hall at Jedburgh contains a large upstairs space, with a modern kitchen and storage spaces.  On the ground floor there is flexible space for other meetings.  There are toilets and a small kitchen.  The ground floor also houses the Food Bank.  The Halls are in good condition and well maintained.  The church employs a Hallkeeper and Cleaner.  Lets are organised by the Hallkeeper, with permissions overseen by the Kirk Session.  It is let to a number of groups on a regular basis (currently, Playgroup, Jedforest Pipe Band) and on an occasional basis to other community groups and individuals.

In Oxnam there is an excellent, recently eco-modernised hall in the nearby village and as mentioned above activities are often shared with the Hall Committee.

A gardener is employed to maintain the grounds at Jedburgh, along with volunteer help, as at Oxnam.

Web Links: work is in progress to link and bring these up-to-date.  www.jedburghoandt.co.uk

www.oxnamkirk.co.uk

www.facebook.com/people/Jedburgh-and-Oxnam-Parish-Church-of-Scotland/100064528701002/

 

Ale and Teviot Parish Church

COMMUNION ROLL

At Ale and Teviot the Congregation Roll stands at 288 (78 ‘primary’ members, 204 on the Supplementary Roll, and 6 adherents).  The age profile is predominantly over 65.  No young people have joined the church in the last five years.  Attendance at Sunday services is usually 15-20 at Ancrum and 5-15 at Crailing and Lilliesleaf.

GOVERNANCE

Ale and Teviot has a Kirk Session of 23 Elders, 13 men and 10 women (5 Elders are inactive).

There is an acting Session Clerk, a Treasurer, Fabric Convenor/Clerk of Works (who is also Church Officer for Lilliesleaf), an assistant Fabric Convenor and a Safeguarding Officer.

Elders each have a designated district, but this requires some reorganisation.

WORSHIP LIFE

Ancrum Services are held currently at 10am, every Sunday, except the 2nd Sunday of each month when the service takes place at Crailing at 10am.  Services are held at 11.30 at Lilliesleaf on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th Sundays of the month.

Ancrum has a laptop and a large-screen TV with which to run services.  Two electronic hymnals have been purchased for use in Lilliesleaf and Crailing.  All three churches have large print hymn books and NIV Bibles.  There are no organists.

In Ale and Teviot, at least three members of the congregations have completed the Church of Scotland “Leading Worship” courses, and other members willingly help with services.  With no Minister or Locum, the services are led by the Worship Team and the Interim Moderator on a rota system.

At Ale and Teviot there have been 4 Baptisms, 11 marriages and 12 funerals in the last 5 years.

OUTREACH

All the churches have very close links to local primary schools, including the provision of bibles to leavers going on to secondary.  A Friday Club for children was held in Ancrum until Covid.  Ancrum School uses the Church for a Nativity venue, and every summer, a Boys’ Brigade Company from Dundee camps on the football pitch and attends the service at Ancrum.

STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCE

At Ale and Teviot, in 2023, there was a surplus of £3384 and in 2024 this grew to £9127.

The net Giving to Grow contribution for 2024 was £4879, because of the Vacancy.  However, because the General Assembly in 2024 abolished vacancy allowances, the Giving to Grow contribution has soared to a barely affordable £17391.

CHURCHES, MANSE AND HALLS

Churches

There has been a church at Ancrum since the 11th century.

Ancrum Kirk is a red sandstone building which was opened in 1891, replacing the previous church of 1762 (the remains of the old church are in the Kirkyard close to the Ale Water, about a quarter of a mile west of the village, where the cemetery is located).  A meeting room was developed below the gallery, which includes a small kitchen.  There is disabled access and a toilet.

Crailing Kirk was built in 1754, and the apse added in 1892.  With its Laird’s Loft, altar and windows, it is a beautiful church which sadly has been designated for closure by the Presbytery.

Eckford Church, which has a rich history, was closed in 2006 and is now privately owned.

Lilliesleaf Church was built in 1771 and restored in 1883 with an apse added in 1910.  There is a stone font thought to date from the 14th Century.  It has been linked to Ancrum since 1994 but in fact the ties through the Bishop of Glasgow go back to the 12th Century.  Recent excavations have uncovered the remains of the Bishop of Glasgow’s palace at Mantle Walls at Ancrum.

Manse

Ale and Teviot Manse is situated in the Glebe at Ancrum and is currently let.

Halls

Ancrum, Crailing, Eckford and Lilliesleaf each have a village hall, although none is owned by the church.  They provide a focal point for the villages.

There is also a gardener employed at Ancrum.

Web Links:

www.Aleandteviot.org.uk

www.facebook.com/Aleandteviotchurches/