Carol Service. 24th Dec.
There was a full church for the carol service & we were entertained by the childrens sunday school nativity play. An approx. total of £600 was raised for the local hospice. Thank you to all who organised it , especially Rob Young & Colin for clearing up, & to those who gave generously.
Communion. 2011.
Communion service took place on July 3rd & November 20th.
Remembrance Sunday
Oxnam Kirk Remembrance Sunday was held on 6th November. We began the Act of Remembrance at the World War II Memorial Plaque inside the Kirk. This year was perhaps more poignant than in previous years as the Poppy Cross was placed below the plaque by Heather Rhodes whose Brother, F/O Robert Simpson Bruce RAF, lost his life on 28th May 1945 aged twenty and is buried in the Hannover War Cemetery. With Heather was Vivian Brown from near Newcastle whose Father, CQMS Thomas Hall, lost his life on 28th June 1944 aged thirty-six when serving with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB). He is buried in La Delivrande War Cemetery, Dourres in France.
The congregation then proceded outside to the World War I Memorial plaque to remember the 22 men from the Oxnam Valley who lost their lives between 1914-18. Eleven had served with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers, two with the Royal Scots, two with the Royal Scots Fusiliers, two with the Royal Garrison Artillery, one with the Highland Light Infantry one with the Scots Guards, one with Lothian and Borders Horse, one with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and one served with the 5th Canadians. The wreath was laid by Frank Clayton who had served with the Grenadier Guards during World War II. Colonel Colin Hogg OBE DL recited Lawrence Binyon’s lines:-
"They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.”
He also recited John Edmond’s epitaph which was written after World War I but is better remembered as the epitaph to be found on the Kohina War Memorial in Burma:-
“When you go home tell them of us, and say, for their tomorrow, we gave our today!”
The Reverend Anna Rodwell, who ably conducted their moving service, led us back into Church to continue our worship and remembrance. The Service ended most fittingly with the National Anthem.
Colin Hogg
Easter Service. 24th April. 2011.
A well attended service to celebrate Easter, with the Jedburgh Instrumental Band to play for us, who received rapturous applause for their wonderful playing. The children were taken out to hunt for easter eggs during the sermon, & came back to join us in the closing hymn.
Christmas Eve Service. 24th Dec. 2010.
We had a well attended Christmas Eve Service, considering the weather, and the Sunday school put on a short nativity play which we all enjoyed. Well done to Val & Moira for presenting it, with very little rehearsal. It was a truly special service, thanks to our minister, Anna, once again. The collection amounted to £400, which was split between SSAFA, & the BG Dyalysis unit.
Remembrance Service. 7th Nov. 2010.
Oxnam held a very moving Service of Remembrance led by Lt Col. Colin Hogg OBE with poignant readings by the minister Anna Rodwell. The names of the young men of Oxnam valley , who gave their lives in the service of their country in two world wars were remembered in bright sunshine without even the sound of the wind to interrupt the stillness of the occasion, which ended with Piper Graham Kinghorn playing a haunting lament, Last Post and Reveille.
Margaret Clayton
Harvest Thanksgiving. 2010
Harvest thanksgiving took place on Sunday 3rd Oct. in a beautifully decorated church. Many thanks to Beryl & her band of helpers.
A presentation was made to our retiring session clerk, Mr Hugh Fraser, who has been most able in the position, for which we are all extremely grateful. Having recently been in hospital, we wish him a speedy recovery.
Summer Communion. 4th July.
We had a good turnout for our communion, & a really nice service. The sermon was about the new directive from the latest assembly of C of S, for "rural churches" which are at last being seen in a different, more positive light, a point we have been making for the last 15 years! Oxnam once again demonstrated its strength in the community, & we are keeping ahead of the game!Thank you to Anna , our locum minister, for leading us in this mission, & making such a special service.
Easter Sunday 4th April. 2010
We were delighted to have the Jedburgh silver band on Easter Sunday, & a baptism, which made up a large congregation, which included our interim moderator, Mr Scott Elliot. The congregation was welcomed with a cross made from daffodils at the entrance, kindly gathered by members, headed by Rob Young. A few visitors were made most welcome, including a live pet rabbit & it was a particularly happy service. The children escaped for a short time to hunt for Easter eggs in the church yard, I think all were successful. Our thanks to the band for playing, we do so much enjoy having them, & it raises the singing enormously! Our thanks to Val Hunter for stepping in with the organ briefly, & of course a huge thank you to Anna for making it such a good service once again.
Confirmation. 2010.
A new member to Oxnam Church, Annabelle Strickland was confirmed on Sunday 17th January. The elders & members present were delighted to welcome her to Oxnam parish.
Christmas Eve Carol service 2009.
We had a full church for our carol service, once again it was an entertaining hour with a short nativity play from the Sunday School members & readings from a variety of the congregation. We were pleased to have our interim moderator , Scott Elliot in attendance. The collection was divided between Farm Africa & Callums Trust; the total of £400 was raised, thanks to everyone for their generosity.
REACHING OUT
Thank you to everyone at Oxnam who supported Hymnalong, it so far has raised well over £300 (funds still coming in) to support Reaching Out, the community ministry of Hawick Congregational Church.
It is very demanding but great fun both for myself as the lay worker, and for the team of trustees, pastors and dedicated volunteers to facilitate community led projects which aim to make a positive difference to people’s lives. Recently we launched our website www.rocon.moonfruit.com and details of all our activities are on there.
The latest event is our Poetry project, running from October to February. A special poem will be awarded £100 to donate to a favourite local charity.
Geraldine Strickland
Sunday 15th February 2009
24th Dec. Carol Service.
19th October 2008. Harvest Thanksgiving.
2nd November, 2008. Remembrance service with Hospitality after.
16th November. Communion.
30th November. 5th Sunday. 1st in Advent.
7th December.2008.
Sacrament of Baptism .
21st December 2008. Family Service.
24th December. Family Candlelight Carol Service at 6pm.
4th January 2009. New Year Service. Hospitality after.
January 18th. Sunday school.
Sunday 1st Feb. Sacrament of Baptism