Proposed Union with Newbattle
St Nicholas Buccleuch and Newbattle have been exploring the possibility of union between the two congregations since April 2022. Joint services have been held. We have supported and participated in one another's congregational activities. The Kirk Sessions have discussed the proposal separately many times and have met together once in conference.
The Presbytery Planning Committee is requiring decisions to be taken. Rev Gayle Taylor is coming to the end of her appointment as Transition Minister at Newbattle and will leave at the end of June, 2024. In order for a new minister to be called, a Basis of Deferred Union has been drawn up. If approved by both Kirk Sessions and Congregations, it would allow a Nominating Committee, comprising members of both Newbattle and St Nicholas Buccleuch, to be formed. That committee would look for a new minister who would, if called, become the minister of Newbattle and then, after the demission of Rev Sandy Horsburgh from St Nicholas Buccleuch (at a date yet to be decided) would become minister of the united congregation and parish. The union would only take place after Sandy Horsburgh has left.
The timeline for taking these decisions is as follows:
19 April at 10.00 a.m. Kirk Sessions get-together at Mayfield and Easthouses
24 April at 6.00 p.m. Kirk Session meeting at Mayfield and Easthouses for the sole purpose of voting
on the Basis of Deferred Union
24 April at 7.00 p.m. Kirk Session meeting at St Nicholas Buccleuch for the sole purpose of voting
on the Basis of Deferred Union
28 April at 11.00 a.m. Joint Communion Service at St Nicholas Buccleuch
5 May during service Edict calling Congregational Meetings to be read in both congregations
5 May after service Newbattle Congregational discussion on Basis of Deferred Union
5 May after service St Nicholas Buccleuch Congregational discussion on Basis of Deferred Union
12 May during service Edict calling Congregational Meetings to be read in both congregations
19 May at 11.00 a.m. Congregational Meeting of St Nicholas Buccleuch for the purpose of voting
on the Basis of Deferred Union
19 May at 11.00 a.m. Congregational Meeting of Newbattle for the purpose of voting
on the Basis of Deferred Union
15 June Presbytery meeting (congregations may be cited to attend)
23 June at 11.00 a.m. Joint Service at Mayfield or Newtongrange (TBC)
25 August at 11.00 a.m. Joint Service at St Nicholas Buccleuch
Download the draft Basis of Deferred Union document here:
The Presbytery Planning Committee is requiring decisions to be taken. Rev Gayle Taylor is coming to the end of her appointment as Transition Minister at Newbattle and will leave at the end of June, 2024. In order for a new minister to be called, a Basis of Deferred Union has been drawn up. If approved by both Kirk Sessions and Congregations, it would allow a Nominating Committee, comprising members of both Newbattle and St Nicholas Buccleuch, to be formed. That committee would look for a new minister who would, if called, become the minister of Newbattle and then, after the demission of Rev Sandy Horsburgh from St Nicholas Buccleuch (at a date yet to be decided) would become minister of the united congregation and parish. The union would only take place after Sandy Horsburgh has left.
The timeline for taking these decisions is as follows:
19 April at 10.00 a.m. Kirk Sessions get-together at Mayfield and Easthouses
24 April at 6.00 p.m. Kirk Session meeting at Mayfield and Easthouses for the sole purpose of voting
on the Basis of Deferred Union
24 April at 7.00 p.m. Kirk Session meeting at St Nicholas Buccleuch for the sole purpose of voting
on the Basis of Deferred Union
28 April at 11.00 a.m. Joint Communion Service at St Nicholas Buccleuch
5 May during service Edict calling Congregational Meetings to be read in both congregations
5 May after service Newbattle Congregational discussion on Basis of Deferred Union
5 May after service St Nicholas Buccleuch Congregational discussion on Basis of Deferred Union
12 May during service Edict calling Congregational Meetings to be read in both congregations
19 May at 11.00 a.m. Congregational Meeting of St Nicholas Buccleuch for the purpose of voting
on the Basis of Deferred Union
19 May at 11.00 a.m. Congregational Meeting of Newbattle for the purpose of voting
on the Basis of Deferred Union
15 June Presbytery meeting (congregations may be cited to attend)
23 June at 11.00 a.m. Joint Service at Mayfield or Newtongrange (TBC)
25 August at 11.00 a.m. Joint Service at St Nicholas Buccleuch
Download the draft Basis of Deferred Union document here:
| final_basis_of_deferred_union_02_04_24.pdf |
Download a paper giving information about the reasons for the proposed union, the process being followed and some of the likely outcomes and consequences here:
| 17_04_24_information_paper_on_proposed_union_between_st_nicholas_buccleuch_and_newbattle.pdf |