Minutes of meetings since the December 2025 AGM.
Minutes are added only after they have been approved (and, if necessary, amended) at the following meeting.
Shortcuts:
20 January 2026 | 10 March 2026 | 21 May 2026 | 30 June 2026 |
Previous year:
2024 – 2025 minutes
Tuesday 20 January 2026
A. Opening Prayer
B. Apologies: None
C. Participants: Andi Hofbauer (AH), Graeme Ritchie (GR), Edward Martin (EM), John Ogilvie (JO), Steve McLachlan (SMcL) Pat Driver (PD)
D. Minutes of Meeting 11 November 2025:
Accepted as a true record proposed by EM; seconded: by JO, agreed by all.
E. Matters Arising not covered by the agenda
None
1 Safeguarding
1.1 PVG
Liz Kiteley’s PVG has arrived. Everyone who has applied now has their PVG.
1.2 Health and Safety
Nothing to report
1.3 Data Protection
Nothing to report
2 Worship and faith formation
2.1 Business arising
St John’s have received the icon of St John, made by iconographer Rev Katherine Lomas and gifted to the church by Ian Robertson in memory of his parents Jack and Fiona. The icon was blessed following the service 28 December 2025 but is now in its box drying out at the rectory. JO is looking for a way to secure the icon to the wall facing the entrance to the church and is applying for the required Canon 35. JO will investigate the possibility of a perspex shield to protect it. The icon will be varnished in eleven months. AH will request a value certificate of the icon from Katherine Lomas.
GR suggested an inventory of things in the church for insurance purposes. AH will look in the church safe for an inventory.
2.2 Services
Looking back:
The Carol Service with Jedburgh Rotary had the largest service attendance for a long time.
It was advertised in the Jed Eye, on flyers at the Christmas tree festival and on the Christmas card distributed to members by AH. The collection raised £180 which was shared between the Rotary club and St John’s Advent appeal.
Christmas/NY services
Good service on Christmas Day. AH was on her own for the feast of St John 27 December 2025.
There were 8-9 people at the mid-week Eucharist 1 January 2026.
Looking ahead:
Joint Service 1 February 2026 at St Cuthbert’s
Ash Wednesday Service 18 February 2026 12.30pm
2.3 Faith formation
Looking back:
Advent Group was attended by between 9 and 15 people. 7 folk met for lunch after the last session. There were two participants from the Church of Scotland.
Looking ahead:
Lent Group – AH has identified course ‘On the Christian Way’ which explores worship, prayer, service, good news, scripture and service. AH will send out the booklet to targeted members of the congregation. Sarah Cook (minister of C of S, Jedburgh) will be invited to join.
3 Outreach and ministry
3.1 Business arising from minutes, correspondence, etc
None
3.2 Pastoral care.
Fiona Campbell has died
3.3 Community Engagement
Messy Church
Looking back: 22 November 2025 – Created decorations for Christmas tree festival and Christingle
6 December 2025 – Christmas story
Looking ahead: 21 February 2026
Jedburgh Grammar School
Looking back: AH involved in School Christmas service 17 December 2025 at the Parish Church.
Looking ahead: AH and Rev Sarah Cook will participate in RE lesson with S5/6 11 Feb 2026 and in School Easter Service 1 April 2026.
Christmas Tree Festival :
St John’s had a prime position for their tree at the front of the Kirk. AH worked with the Kirk to boost likes on social media. The Christmas tree was then placed outside St John’s for the Christmas services , a photograph of which was used by the diocesan social media.
The AGM for the Callant’s Festival is in Ash Wednesday – AH may not be able to attend.
Jed Eye – mixed uptake from Andi’s posters/service information, given very small coverage in the magazine.
4 Leadership and governance
4.1 Business arising from minutes, correspondence, etc – nothing to report
4.2 AGM – went well. No change in Vestry membership.
4.3 Process of Appointment of New Bishop – AH gave update: 3-5 candidates have been shortlisted, Synod will consider their CVs and questionnaires on 7 February 2026. Each candidate will give a presentation and attend a question and answer session. SMcL concerned about personal bias. AH assured him that the Synod members will be reminded to be aware of this. Elections will then be held at Synod 14 February 2026, successful candidate needs to receive over 50% of the vote from both laity and clergy.
5 Stewardship
5.1 Financials
Stewardship – GR & AH in continuing conversation
5.2 Treasurer’s report: St John’s is currently breaking even , receiving +/- £100/month from weekly collection and spending approx. £500/month on repairs for rectory and old school building.
The electricity used in old school is covered by Pilates teacher alongside a nominal session-based room hire fee.
The church will be in a deficit if it loses rent from tenant in flat in old school. If the Diocese sell the old school, tenancy will go and St John’s will lose £4,000/yr. Vestry agreed if this happens Diocese should take over the expenses of the old school.
St John’s has capital of £100-105,000. Rectory is requiring significant investment which could leave St John’s in a critical financial position. Need for awareness of old school expenses. Electric due to be tested in May – GR suggested this was brought forward 2/3 months early.
Advent appeal raised £325 (+ £90 from Rotary Carol Service). £200 to be given each to local charities Aberlour and Wilf’s Place.
5.3 Buildings
a. Church: Concern at how cold the church is particularly for the older members of the congregation. GR will move heaters from the old school into the church.
JO advised he had noticed some delamination at the base of the church and has arranged for Mike Harkins (stonemason) to come and have a look
6 Declarations of interest: None
7 Other business: None
8 Next meeting: 3 March 2026 2pm at Lanton
Tuesday 10 March
A. Opening Prayer
B. Apologies: Pat Driver
C. Participants: Andi Hofbauer (AH), Graeme Ritchie (GR), Edward Martin (EM), John Ogilvie (JO), Steve McLachlan (SMcL)
D. Minutes of Meeting 20 January 2026:
Accepted as a true record proposed: EM; seconded: JO; agreed by all.
E. Matters Arising not covered by the agenda.
None
1 Safeguarding
1.1 PVG
Nothing to report
1.2 Health and Safety
Nothing to report
1.3 Data Protection
Nothing to report
2 Worship and faith formation
2.1 Business arising from minutes, correspondence, etc
Icon: AH still to hear about insurance value, JO continues to work on security
2.2 Services
Looking back: Joint Service 1 February 2026 at St Cuthbert’s which went well.
Ash Wednesday Service 18 February 2026 12.30pm
Looking ahead: Holy Week and Easter services as follows:-
- Messy Church 28 March 2026
- Palm Sunday 29 March 2026 – 10.00am Sung Eucharist with Blessing of Palms
- Maundy Thursday 2 April 2026 – 7.00pm Maundy Thursday Eucharist of the Last Supper, shared with Jedburgh & Oxnam and Ale and Teviot Church; Followed by the Watch until 9.00pm
- Good Friday 3 April 2026: 12noon-12.30pm Refreshments in the Kenmore Hall; 12.30pm Good Friday Prayer walk and Easter Trail – from Parish Church to St John’s, followed by an All-age Liturgy for Good Friday and refreshments at St John’s Church
- Holy Saturday 4 April 2026 3.00pm Holy Hour on Holy Saturday – Garden Vigil; Building the Easter Garden; Blessing the Easter candle; Refreshments
- Easter Day 5 April 2026 – 10.00am Easter Day Eucharist with blessing of the Easter Garden
Joint Service: 26 April 2026 at St John’s
2.3 Faith formation
Lent Group Has been running for 3 weeks and has been going well with between 9-14 attendees. The group has been well supported by congregation members from the Kirk.
3 Outreach and ministry
3.1 Business arising from minutes, correspondence, etc
Nothing to report
3.2 Pastoral care
Memorial service for Fiona Campbell will be held 1st April with refreshments afterwards served in church. Before that there will need to be some reordering of the back space. Archives will need to be stored, if not in a central SEC location, either in the Old School or in the Choir Vestry.
3.3 Community Engagement
Messy Church
Looking back: 21 February 2026 Fishers of Men theme; 25-26 children and 18 adults plus helpers.
Looking ahead: 28 March 2026 Easter theme.
Jedburgh Grammar School
Looking back: Lesson participation 11 Feb Rev Sarah Cook and AH joined an RE lesson which went well.
Easter Service on 1 April 2026 -School have been very cooperative and moved the Easter school service to the Wednesday in Holy Week to avoid Maundy Thursday which is the last day of term.
Lunchtime mini-messy and bible study – four sessions fortnightly during May/June are planned and will be run by AH and Rev Sarah Cook
Enquirer Course/Bible Study
Q&A with the Jed’ Soul Sisters (AH and Rev Sarah Cook); planned for 1, 8, 15 & 22 June in the JedEye hub
Social media
We still manage to keep up our important social media presence.
JedEye
We have submitted a poster of joint services Parish Church/St John’s (attached) & Messy Church article for publication in April.
Ideas: JO raised possibility of joint choir with the Kirk. GR wondered if in future the school music department might be interested in a link. At present there is no one who could facilitate this.
4 Leadership and governance
4.1 Business arising from minutes, correspondence, etc
Investing in the Future ‘buddies’ – Rev Jane McLaren and Kenneth Ramage to meet with AH Monday 16 March and will come again to meet with members of Vestry in the near future.
4.2 Appointment of New Bishop – update the Right Rev Dagmar Winter has been appointed. She is currently Bishop of Huntington in the Diocese of Ely and Acting Bishop during the vacancy. In the past she has ministered in the Diocese of Newcastle, both in parish and Diocesan roles. It is expected the Institution Service will take place at St Mary’s Cathedral on 30 May 2026.
5 Stewardship
5.1 Business arising from minutes, correspondence, etc
Nothing to report
5.2 Financials
Treasurer’s report
CCLI licenses to be renewed. Proposed GR Seconded S McL, unanimous.
General accounts: We are still in a good position although this is likely to change next month when more outgoings are planned.
The new salary increase for January is being covered by a corresponding uplift in the grant.
There has been a slight confusion about the funding of Wilf’s Place and this is being sorted.
GR visited the Aberlour Child Care Trust in St Boswells to hand over the contribution from our Advent Appeal, the donation was much appreciated.
Maintaining a presence in the Old School. Pilates – Marina is going away for five weeks but Sally will be back so there is at least a presence in the Old School. Going forward key holders are asked to pop in as and when they can and record their visits (for insurance purposes).
Planning a Stewardship Campaign. For autumn? Plan after Easter. (GR)
There are some concerns about the headings in our accounts, and this may be something our financial buddy Kenneth Ramage can help with.
SMcL asked for clarification about visit from Simon Filsell (Diocesan Administrator) and Paul Goode (SEC member from Earlston with building experience). Simon was clear that the diocese should take back the Old School property and manage it or dispose of it. He will report back to the relevant committee. AH will pick this up at her Investing in the Future meeting on 16 March
5.3 Buildings
a. Church
Fly problem. Discuss moving the UV zapper from Old School to back of Church. Not sure where they are coming from. GR and JO to investigate.
Vestry door. JO shared designs for vestry door. JO will apply for Canon 35.
External stonework – some pointing and drainage update needed. Still waiting for quotes for repairs.
Outside toilet – SMcL has almost finished the area preparation for re-siting the outside toilet
b. Rectory Awaiting date for installation of windows.
c. Old School
Fire extinguisher inspection has been done. Areas of building not in use do not require equipment. Reallocation of equipment can be used to make sure the area still in use for Pilates is fully equipped.
d. Flat
Nothing to report
6 Declarations of interest
None
7 Other business
Update to Remembrance Board
Whilst working in the churchyard SMcL has identified one grave commemorating a soldier who died in action who is not recorded on our memorial board: James Budd. SMcL is awaiting quotes for amendments to the board. SMcL noted that there is incorrect quote on board as it stands that could be rectified at the same time.
Proposing that James Budd be added to the board. Proposed SMcL Seconded AH; unanimous.
8 Next meeting
Suggestion: 12 May 2pm
21 May 2026
A. Opening Prayer
B. Apologies: None
C. Participants: Andi Hofbauer (AH), Graeme Ritchie (GR), Edward Martin (EM), John Ogilvie (JO), Steve McLachlan (SMcL), Pat Driver (PD)
D. Minutes of Meeting 10 March 2026:
Accepted as a true record proposed: JO; seconded: SMcL; agreed by all.
E. Matters Arising not covered by the agenda.
1 Safeguarding
1.1 PVG
Nothing to report
1.2 Health and Safety
Nothing to report
1.3 Data Protection
Nothing to report
2 Worship and faith formation
2.1 Business arising from minutes, correspondence, etc
None
2.2 Services
Looking back:
Holy Week and Easter
Peace Vigil 31 March 2026 Initiated by the Primus. Locally promoted and supported by the Kirk. Twelve attended
Memorial Service 1 April 2026 for Fiona Campbell. Well attended. The back of church was used for refreshments and tables were set up. It worked well but we wouldn’t encourage the use of tables in future as it was very crowded.
Maundy Thursday at St John’s – Joint service with Rev Sarah Cook preaching. Service was well attended with great support from the Kirk. A joy to have the full choir.
Walk of Witness – Joint initiative with the Kirk. Itstarted at Kenmore Hall andended at St John’s. About 30 attended, all ages, refreshments a children’s liturgy. Very successful.
Holy Hour on Holy Saturday – The Easter Garden was built, framed by an Easter Vigil which included Vigil readings and the Blessing of the Paschal candle. Only a small group attended but much appreciated the activities and service. The Easter Garden was a beautiful spot of colour outside the church door lasting many weeks.
Easter Day Good attendance
Joint Service: 26 April 2026 at St John’s was well attended
Looking ahead:
Memorial Service – Gerard Henry, RIP – Thanks to those who are helping preparing for it.
More Peace Vigils? Vestry asked Ros Lehany to talk to those who might be interested and set something up.
Joint Service: 7 June 2026 – will take place at Hawick and will be followed by a Joint Vestry meeting. Cake and sandwiches for refreshments.
2.3 Faith formation
Looking back: Lent Group Six sessions, all well attended by congregation and members from the Kirk
Looking ahead: Study Group June/July 2026 based on the prayer of St Teresa of Avila (Christ has no body now but yours….)
3 Outreach and ministry
3.1 Business arising from minutes, correspondence, etc
Nothing to report
Pastoral care
GS is no longer around in Jedburgh and there is no concrete evidence of where he is. If he reappears AH will work with the diocese safeguarding team to work out how to manage the situation.
The travellers, who returned recently, have moved on again.
3.3 Community Engagement
Messy Church
Looking back: 28 March 2026 (Easter theme) & 25 April 2026 (Good shepherd theme) – well-attended by 18-20 children and accompanying adults.
Looking ahead: 23 May 2026 (Pentecost theme) & 6 June 2026 (Jethart Festival theme)
Jedburgh Grammar School
Looking back: Easter Service on 1 April 2026 – AH and Rev Sarah Cook had some input into the service.
Looking ahead:
P7 Leavers assembly on 27 June 2026
Lunchtime sessions in autumn
Enquirer Course/Q&A
Q&A with the Jed’ Soul Sisters (AH and Rev Sarah Cook); planned for 1, 8, 15 & 22 June in the JedEye hub
Kirking of Callant on 5 July 2026
Social media – AH continues to post regularly on Facebook about services and events and linking in withevents happening in thecommunity
JedEye – the Soul Sister advert has been in the last edition and more posters have been submitted for the August/September editions.
4 Leadership and governance
4.1 Business arising from minutes, correspondence, etc
Investing in the Future: Jedburgh has not experienced any tapering of diocesan contribution so far. GR would like to set up a round table meeting with Kenneth, Simon, Paul and the new Bishop as soon as is realistically possible.
4.2 Installation of New Bishop
AH expressed disappointment that no one else was able to attend from St John’s except for RL.
5 Stewardship
5.1 Business arising from minutes, correspondence, etc
Nothing to report
5.2 Financials
Treasurer’s report
A donation of £10K has been received. Donor expects £5k to be spent specifically on mission and outreach and to encourage the current congregation to expand their activities to get people into church.
A donation of £500 was received from Fiona Campbell’s family.
General day to day income is keeping up at the moment but the replacement of the rectory windows has reduced our capital by over £30k. This unfortunately reduces the interest on savings at the moment. We are expecting £20K in grants for the window replacement from the diocese and the province.
JO meeting the electrician at church tomorrow re the EICR to get some figures for the diocese. Kenneth Ramage (our financial buddy) is raising this expense at the next diocesan building committee. The survey alone cost £2K.
There is a query about the latest meter reading that is raising concern and JO will discuss this with the electrician.
There is still a small income from Pilates and the master’s flat coming in.
Financial accounts will be audited by Deans in Hawick.
GR would like us to approve £67 for access to QuickBooks proposed GR; seconded: SMcL; agreed by all.
5.3 Buildings
a. Church
Electrics – EICR raised that poor condition of the wiring (Church, Old School and Flat). We are awaiting an updated report.
Remembrance Board: SMcL asked Ian Lees; it is not feasible to change the current remembrance board. The options are to commission a whole new board or a small plaque next to the current board.
Vestry asked SMcL to explore cost of options
Icon – JO has details for fixing from a firm in Selkirk for £350. AH awaiting to hear back from iconographer about measurements.
Vestry Door – JO discussions with John Oliver on various designs.
Vestry approved an updated design for the vestry door (a panel to go on an oak laminate door and be stained to match). JO asked to get a quote and draft an application for a Canon 35.
proposed: AH; seconded: GR; agreed by all.
Toilet – all going well with the new location. Thanks were expressed to all that helped with the relocation.
Masonry work – we need to replace three stones. JS Harkins have quoted £2K. JO to meet Laidlaw and Sons on 2 June and will look for a third quote.
b. Rectory
Windows all replaced and updated and painted. Very satisfied with the work done.
c. Old School
Electrical work see above
d. Flat
EICR shows electrics need updating. See above.
6 Declarations of interest
None
7 Other business
SMcL observed that Sally does a lot of unpaid work in the churchyard and asked Vestry to approve a small thank you.
proposed: JO; seconded: SMcL; agreed by all. Action by SMcL
8 Next meeting
30 June 2pm at EM’s house