Dear Friends,

I've just started listening to the audiobook of John Mark Comer's Ruthless Elimination of

Hurry, which has been recommended to me by many people in recent years.

JMC is a former pastor of a large church who openly shares his struggles with burnout. He

traces how the town clock, then the lightbulb, then the smartphone have each put pressure

on us to hurry through life, constantly checking for notifications, and neglecting the natural,

God-given rhythms built into the day. Christian writer Dallas Willard called hurry "the great

enemy of spiritual life in our day", and Corrie ten Boom put it even more pointedly, saying, "If

the devil can't make you sin, he'll make you busy." Full disclosure, friends: I am busy and

often very hurried, but I really am working on making more unhurried space for God!

In contrast to this world’s demands to constantly do more, consume more, and scroll more,

Jesus himself says simply, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give

you rest." Each of us is invited to walk slowly with Jesus as He did. Each of us is not only

invited but instructed to take sabbath moments just as He did.

This summer, I want to encourage you to accept that invitation. May you find time to walk

slowly with Jesus, discovering the unhurried rhythms of grace, and trusting God with the

things we often feel desperate to control.

I'd love you to join us for Alpha, which begins on Tuesday 18 August, 6-8pm in the Belhaven

Hall. Each week we'll step away from the busyness of life to share a meal and explore

questions about Jesus, faith, and the church, with good food and good company. Let me

know if you’d like to join us or if you’ve any questions. There’s a place for you.

In the meantime, may God give you rest and deep peace.

Every blessing,

Alastair

Seeker Films has recently made a short film about the history of Spott Church.  There are some great drone shots both inside and outside the building.  The full film is available on YouTube:  @seeker films

Dear Friends,

The 2026 General Assembly of the Church of Scotland met to make many decisions and reflect on the ongoing decline in Church membership since the late 1950s. One of the clearest themes to emerge from the Causes of Decline report was that the Church must recover confidence in the gospel and learn to speak more of "Jesus" than of "Church."

This is both a challenge and an opportunity. In my role as a Church of Scotland Minister, I speak about the Church every day, but I am, before anything else, a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as we are all called to be in some way. What might it look like for you to speak more of Jesus in your community? How can we be people who share hope, hospitality, prayer, compassion, and friendship in everyday life? In one of his New Testament letters, the Apostle Peter instructs, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that is in you," and goes on to say that we should do this in "gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15).

The Assembly’s discussions were a reminder that the future of the Church will not be secured simply by better structures, but by renewed faith, courage, and a willingness to speak naturally and joyfully about the good news of Jesus in the places where God has called us to serve. In these moments, you will be strengthened, and His Church will grow. May God bless you with these opportunities with friends, neighbours, and those around you, and may He give you all the hope and confidence needed to sustain you in this and all you do.

Thank you all for the many meaningful ways you serve, for the care you show, and for the conversations you have.

Every blessing,
Your Minister, Alastair.

Journeying with Jesus is our theme for this year.  Our next Messy Church will be thinking about a journey Jesus took on a boat.  Will you recognise yourself in the story?  Do you recognise Jesus with you as you journey through life?

11:30 - 1:00 in the Belhaven Hall

Sunday 31 May

Light lunch served

Family friendly, all welcome. 

Families' walk in Belhaven Hill school grounds on Sunday 10 May 1:30-2:30pm to mark Christian Aid Week and learn about poverty and how we can help.  All welcome and bring your friends!

There is a Christian Aid '70km in May' challenge which we are going to do collectively and the walk will count towards it.

Suitable for all ages from creche to high schoolers.  It is suggested that people take a packed lunch to church that day.  The walk will leave from the Belhaven church hall.

Children to be accompanied by an adult.  Wander around the Belhaven Hill school grounds, there will activities on the way and a snack provided at the end.

Journeys and Disguises - our Messy Church ponderings on the Road to Emmaus.  A story of people who were confused at first, but then comforted by the presence of Jesus. Here is one of our prayers:

Father bless us as we go

Jesus walk beside us

Holy Spirit guide us.

And just as Cleopas and his companion offered hospitality, we also shared a meal together.

Lazers kids planted extra jonquils to fill in gaps in the Easter flower cross outside the front of the church.

In the photo, two of the younger children are seen adjoining the spectacle.

Lazers kids raised £301 by making pancakes. This is being used to buy useful things via Compassion UK.

2 pigs

2 goats

8 hens

2 mosquito nets

and nutritional supplements for 2 months for a new mother and her baby.

Further information about the work of Compassion can be found at compassion.org 

Alastair and four others from the congregation have begun a short course of study at New College. The title of the course is Introduction to Pioneer Ministry. Pioneering can mean a lot of things, but in this context refers to being willing to go to new places and to try new things. More than brainstorming and making wish lists, this is about what is actually doable here and now, but maybe hasn't been tried before. Not that long ago Breakfast Church was something not yet tried at Belhaven, and now it is familiar to many of us. If you would like to know more, please speak with Alastair, or one of the other four - Richard Taylor, Neil and Chrissie Black and Alison Murray.

Photo:  In the quadrangle at New college, with the statue of John Knox.

Recently in the Belhaven Hall, the Dunbar Area Christian Youth Project (DACYP) held two Saturday events on a Christmas theme. Crafty Christmas was for primary school age children and covered many different aspects of the Christmas story - light, angels, love - and included games, crafts, conversations and snacks. The following week, the P7-S5 event was held called Life Bites. Young people and adults worked together to prepare a Christmas dinner and then enjoy the good food and company and conversations about Christmas. In the photo, you can see one of the Belhaven and Spott Elders, Neil Black who was a volunteer at the Life Bites.

DACYP has been running since 2005! The work is delivered by a full time employed youth worker, along with more than forty volunteers and includes work in schools and churches, occasional events and regular events. More information on the work and how you could support it (pray, donate or volunteer) is available on their website dacyp.org.uk. You can also talk with Neil Black, or email him on [email protected].

Belhaven & Spott will once again be supporting the Caring Christmas Trees initiative on behalf of Bethany Christian Trust this year. Please go online to www.caringchristmastrees.com to order Christmas trees of various sizes.

All proceeds from this initiative go toward Bethany's efforts to tackle homelessness. When you order your tree, you can arrange to collect it on Saturday 13 December at Belhaven.

The Dunbar Area Christian Youth Project charity reaches its 20-year milestone later this month, and Richard Taylor has been in post all of that time. What may not be so obvious is that the work of DACYP is funded by voluntary donations separately from any denomination. This year we want to add 20 new funders to our list of contributors - if you don't already give and would like to do, so please see Neil Black or Fiona Fleming for a pledge form.

On Saturday 13 September, Spott Churchyard will again feature as part of the East Lothian Archaeology & Heritage Fortnight, which takes place from 30 August to 14 September 2025. Dr David Anderson, local historian and founder member of Dunbar and District History Society, will give a talk at 11 a.m. and again at 2 p.m. covering the routine of day-to-day collections, disbursements and the knottier problems that the elders and minister wrangled over: witchcraft, flyting, Church ordinances, Kirk maintenance, murder and the other emergencies that cropped up from time to time. David’s extensive research and knowledge of the rich history of Spott Kirk makes this an event not to be missed!

We're pleased to report that the total raised by Dunbar churches (including Spott) during this year's Christian Aid Week was £2,003. Thanks very much to everyone who contributed!

Dear Friends,

I've just started listening to the audiobook of John Mark Comer's Ruthless Elimination of

Hurry, which has been recommended to me by many people in recent years.

JMC is a former pastor of a large church who openly shares his struggles with burnout. He

traces how the town clock, then the lightbulb, then the smartphone have each put pressure

on us to hurry through life, constantly checking for notifications, and neglecting the natural,

God-given rhythms built into the day. Christian writer Dallas Willard called hurry "the great

enemy of spiritual life in our day", and Corrie ten Boom put it even more pointedly, saying, "If

the devil can't make you sin, he'll make you busy." Full disclosure, friends: I am busy and

often very hurried, but I really am working on making more unhurried space for God!

In contrast to this world’s demands to constantly do more, consume more, and scroll more,

Jesus himself says simply, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give

you rest." Each of us is invited to walk slowly with Jesus as He did. Each of us is not only

invited but instructed to take sabbath moments just as He did.

This summer, I want to encourage you to accept that invitation. May you find time to walk

slowly with Jesus, discovering the unhurried rhythms of grace, and trusting God with the

things we often feel desperate to control.

I'd love you to join us for Alpha, which begins on Tuesday 18 August, 6-8pm in the Belhaven

Hall. Each week we'll step away from the busyness of life to share a meal and explore

questions about Jesus, faith, and the church, with good food and good company. Let me

know if you’d like to join us or if you’ve any questions. There’s a place for you.

In the meantime, may God give you rest and deep peace.

Every blessing,

Alastair

Seeker Films has recently made a short film about the history of Spott Church.  There are some great drone shots both inside and outside the building.  The full film is available on YouTube:  @seeker films

Dear Friends,

The 2026 General Assembly of the Church of Scotland met to make many decisions and reflect on the ongoing decline in Church membership since the late 1950s. One of the clearest themes to emerge from the Causes of Decline report was that the Church must recover confidence in the gospel and learn to speak more of "Jesus" than of "Church."

This is both a challenge and an opportunity. In my role as a Church of Scotland Minister, I speak about the Church every day, but I am, before anything else, a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as we are all called to be in some way. What might it look like for you to speak more of Jesus in your community? How can we be people who share hope, hospitality, prayer, compassion, and friendship in everyday life? In one of his New Testament letters, the Apostle Peter instructs, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that is in you," and goes on to say that we should do this in "gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15).

The Assembly’s discussions were a reminder that the future of the Church will not be secured simply by better structures, but by renewed faith, courage, and a willingness to speak naturally and joyfully about the good news of Jesus in the places where God has called us to serve. In these moments, you will be strengthened, and His Church will grow. May God bless you with these opportunities with friends, neighbours, and those around you, and may He give you all the hope and confidence needed to sustain you in this and all you do.

Thank you all for the many meaningful ways you serve, for the care you show, and for the conversations you have.

Every blessing,
Your Minister, Alastair.

Journeying with Jesus is our theme for this year.  Our next Messy Church will be thinking about a journey Jesus took on a boat.  Will you recognise yourself in the story?  Do you recognise Jesus with you as you journey through life?

11:30 - 1:00 in the Belhaven Hall

Sunday 31 May

Light lunch served

Family friendly, all welcome. 

Families' walk in Belhaven Hill school grounds on Sunday 10 May 1:30-2:30pm to mark Christian Aid Week and learn about poverty and how we can help.  All welcome and bring your friends!

There is a Christian Aid '70km in May' challenge which we are going to do collectively and the walk will count towards it.

Suitable for all ages from creche to high schoolers.  It is suggested that people take a packed lunch to church that day.  The walk will leave from the Belhaven church hall.

Children to be accompanied by an adult.  Wander around the Belhaven Hill school grounds, there will activities on the way and a snack provided at the end.

Journeys and Disguises - our Messy Church ponderings on the Road to Emmaus.  A story of people who were confused at first, but then comforted by the presence of Jesus. Here is one of our prayers:

Father bless us as we go

Jesus walk beside us

Holy Spirit guide us.

And just as Cleopas and his companion offered hospitality, we also shared a meal together.

Lazers kids planted extra jonquils to fill in gaps in the Easter flower cross outside the front of the church.

In the photo, two of the younger children are seen adjoining the spectacle.

Lazers kids raised £301 by making pancakes. This is being used to buy useful things via Compassion UK.

2 pigs

2 goats

8 hens

2 mosquito nets

and nutritional supplements for 2 months for a new mother and her baby.

Further information about the work of Compassion can be found at compassion.org 

Alastair and four others from the congregation have begun a short course of study at New College. The title of the course is Introduction to Pioneer Ministry. Pioneering can mean a lot of things, but in this context refers to being willing to go to new places and to try new things. More than brainstorming and making wish lists, this is about what is actually doable here and now, but maybe hasn't been tried before. Not that long ago Breakfast Church was something not yet tried at Belhaven, and now it is familiar to many of us. If you would like to know more, please speak with Alastair, or one of the other four - Richard Taylor, Neil and Chrissie Black and Alison Murray.

Photo:  In the quadrangle at New college, with the statue of John Knox.

Recently in the Belhaven Hall, the Dunbar Area Christian Youth Project (DACYP) held two Saturday events on a Christmas theme. Crafty Christmas was for primary school age children and covered many different aspects of the Christmas story - light, angels, love - and included games, crafts, conversations and snacks. The following week, the P7-S5 event was held called Life Bites. Young people and adults worked together to prepare a Christmas dinner and then enjoy the good food and company and conversations about Christmas. In the photo, you can see one of the Belhaven and Spott Elders, Neil Black who was a volunteer at the Life Bites.

DACYP has been running since 2005! The work is delivered by a full time employed youth worker, along with more than forty volunteers and includes work in schools and churches, occasional events and regular events. More information on the work and how you could support it (pray, donate or volunteer) is available on their website dacyp.org.uk. You can also talk with Neil Black, or email him on [email protected].

Belhaven & Spott will once again be supporting the Caring Christmas Trees initiative on behalf of Bethany Christian Trust this year. Please go online to www.caringchristmastrees.com to order Christmas trees of various sizes.

All proceeds from this initiative go toward Bethany's efforts to tackle homelessness. When you order your tree, you can arrange to collect it on Saturday 13 December at Belhaven.

The Dunbar Area Christian Youth Project charity reaches its 20-year milestone later this month, and Richard Taylor has been in post all of that time. What may not be so obvious is that the work of DACYP is funded by voluntary donations separately from any denomination. This year we want to add 20 new funders to our list of contributors - if you don't already give and would like to do, so please see Neil Black or Fiona Fleming for a pledge form.

On Saturday 13 September, Spott Churchyard will again feature as part of the East Lothian Archaeology & Heritage Fortnight, which takes place from 30 August to 14 September 2025. Dr David Anderson, local historian and founder member of Dunbar and District History Society, will give a talk at 11 a.m. and again at 2 p.m. covering the routine of day-to-day collections, disbursements and the knottier problems that the elders and minister wrangled over: witchcraft, flyting, Church ordinances, Kirk maintenance, murder and the other emergencies that cropped up from time to time. David’s extensive research and knowledge of the rich history of Spott Kirk makes this an event not to be missed!

We're pleased to report that the total raised by Dunbar churches (including Spott) during this year's Christian Aid Week was £2,003. Thanks very much to everyone who contributed!