CrossReach Sunday – 16th November 2025
Services are at:
Athelstaneford at 9.30 am
Prestonkirk at 11.00 am
CrossReach Sunday, 16th November, is a special day for the Church and people in every community to partner with CrossReach to bring Light In The Darkness to people in need across Scotland.
From helping those struggling with their mental health to supporting older people, children and families in need, CrossReach is a vital expression of Christ’s love in action.
Activities are available for children during the services, and refreshments are provided after all our Sunday services.
You can listen to past sermons by clicking the links on our Sermons page here.
Our most recent monthly update, detailing all of our upcoming services and activities, is available here. You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter by subscribing here. or by contacting admin@parishoftraprain.org.uk
On the first and third Sundays of the month there is a service at Athelstaneford. On the second and fourth Sundays there is a service at Stenton. All these services are at 9.30am.
In months where there is a fifth Sunday, we gather for a joint service at Prestonkirk at 11am.
Our minister, Rev Douglas Hamilton can be contacted on 07831 657854, e-mail: dhamilton@churchofscotland.org.uk
For other updates on what is happening within the church and our community, visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/parishoftraprain
Bible Study
As part of our season of advent this year, there will be a four week bible study on Thursday evenings – and the first one will be at Prestonkirk Stables on 27 November at 7pm. Everyone is welcome to take part, even if you cannot make every week. The study sessions will be based on a book called ‘A Strange Christmas’ by Krish Kandiah. The book can be used for individual daily devotions as well as group study. You don’t need to have a copy of the book to come to the study, but I will have several copies available to buy over the next couple of weeks at church for the price of £7.50. You can also order the book directly from Re-vived.com or Amazon. I look forward to journeying through advent with you as we reflect on some of the more surprising aspects of this familiar story, and are open to be freshly inspired by the wonder of this season.
Daily Devotions
Another way of taking some time for reflection on a daily basis is to sign up for the Presbytery Advent Daily Devotions. These follow the daily lectionary readings for advent and the short devotion each day has been prepared by a range of people from across our Presbytery. If you wish to sign up to receive these by email, please contact Caroline Kirk before 17 November on ckirk@churchofscotland.org.uk Each reflection will also appear each morning on the Presbytery facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552394798223
St Andrew’s Day Saltire Service
The first Sunday of Advent coincides with St Andrew’s Day this year and our annual Saltire Service with the Scottish Flag Trust takes place on 30 November in Athelstaneford Church. Pipes and Drums will be playing outside from 1:30pm, with the flag ceremony and service staring at 2pm. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Saltire Memorial and we are delighted that we will be joined at the service by the First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney MSP; the Secretary of State for Scotland, Douglas Alexander MP as well as other local politicians and national representatives of other denominations. Also taking part in the service will be the singer, Andrea Baker; the Dunbar Voices Choir; and the actress, Dolina McLennan. I very much hope you will be able to join us for this special service and the refreshments afterwards at the village hall.
Prayers
A Church of Scotland Day of Prayer is taking place at the start of advent on Saturday 29 November. Congregations across the country will be joining together for worship and prayer for our church and our nation. Between 11am and 12 noon there will be a prayer time at Prestonkirk Stables. If you cannot make it to the Stables, you can join in a livestream from the national church between 11am and 12noon and between 7pm and 8pm, or you can simply set aside some time on your own that day to pray. Further details and resources for the Day of Prayer can be found at https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/worship/prayers/national-day-of-prayer
Prayers at Whitekirk take place every fortnight from 2pm at St Mary’s, Whitekirk. This short time of prayer is based on the Celtic Daily Prayers of the Northumbria Community. Our nextr dates are Wednesday 19th November and Wednesday 3rd December.
Our Friendship Group meets on Wednesday mornings between 10-11.30am at the Lynton Day Centre in East Linton. At these meetings you get a chance to meet new people, learn new skills and connect with others in our community. There’s tea, coffee and home baking. People with dementia and their carers are particularly welcome.
On Wednesday evenings from 17.30. Suitable for pupils from S1 – S6. Join us for pizza, games, music and chat.
Colourful Connections is a creative art session for people of all artistic abilities (and none) to enhance brain health and emotional well-being – an opportunity to learn new skills, make friends and chat with each other.
Tuesday mornings 10 – 12 at Prestonkirk Stables.
Please email admin@parishoftraprain.org.uk for further information.
Community Cafe
Every Thursday we hold a Community Cafe between 10am-12pm at Prestonkirk Stables in East Linton. Join us for a tea/coffee and a chat.
This is a partnership between the Church, The Ridge, Dunbar Debt Advice Service and East Lothian Foodbank. We are also grateful for the coffee supplied by Hometown. Support and advice is freely available and includes: Benefit support, Foodbank, Befriending, Budgeting and Housing Support, Recovery support and access to volunteering and wellbeing services.
Prayer has been a part of human activity across time and across cultures, but there are also many in our community who struggle with the idea of prayer and are not too sure where to start. The trypraying booklet is a short guide to prayer written primarily for people who aren’t religious. Copies of the booklet are available from our churches or you can check out the website for more information: www.trypraying.