worshiping god in the ettrick & yarrow valleys

The Church of Scotland is undergoing significant changes. Across Scotland, the number of people attending church services is diminishing, and the average age of congregations is increasing. While some churches, including those in Ettrick and Yarrow, are experiencing rising attendance and engagement, this is the exception rather than the rule, as overall Church of Scotland attendance continues to decline. Financial challenges are compounded by reduced income and the high maintenance costs of aging church buildings, with the number of ministers also falling significantly.

Changing attitudes towards Sunday worship are evident, as people’s perceptions of the established Church and its historical practices evolve. Many church services now occur during the week, are streamed online, or take place in non-traditional venues. Churches in the Ettrick and Yarrow area are increasingly being utilized for community activities, charity events, and social gatherings. For instance, the Ettrick and Yarrow Churches have started publishing regular services on their own YouTube channel. Many individuals now only visit church buildings for significant life events, such as christenings, weddings, or funerals, and infrequently for special services like Easter or Christmas.

This change is happening now and is accelerating, demanding a response from Church leadership, local congregations, and the communities they aim to serve.

In 2021, the General Assembly endorsed a comprehensive review of all church congregations, their mission plans, and their buildings. Since this decision, considerable activity has taken place, including local building reviews conducted by Presbyteries. An assessment and score of church buildings within each area were performed, with the Peebles and Melrose Presbytery considering these scores for final ratings. The scoring method used by the General Trustees remains unclear. The newly formed Presbytery of Lothian and Borders, which encompasses Selkirk, Ashkirk, Ettrick, and Yarrow, has now agreed on a plan moving forward.

This plan indicates that the Church of Scotland will need to close several church buildings over the coming years, a process that is already underway in some regions of Scotland. While some buildings may close completely, others could be sold, with potential for local communities or interested groups to purchase them. Some of these buildings might be repurposed into ‘celebration church buildings,’ enabling them to accommodate certain ‘life events’ despite no longer being part of the Church of Scotland. Worship may increasingly take place in community centers, schools, or village halls, but this does not signify the end of local church congregations; rather, it may lead to changes and evolutions in structure, with more congregations likely uniting with others.

For the Ettrick and Yarrow area, currently linked with Ashkirk and Selkirk, the agreed plan from Presbytery will bring significant changes. The Ettrick and Yarrow Parish currently operates three church buildings for regular worship services: Ettrick (used from spring to autumn and only for private prayer during winter), Kirkhope (in Ettrickbridge), and Yarrow. The proposal suggests that two buildings will be closed, retaining only one. The Kirk session of Ettrick and Yarrow will decide which building to keep, as maintaining three church buildings is no longer financially viable. Changes to the Ettrick and Yarrow Church buildings are expected in the coming years, with guidance suggesting this will occur within five years; however, immediate closures are not planned. The Kirk Session is carefully considering the implications of this plan, including exploring other options, with an emphasis on consulting the regular worshiping congregation, broader membership, and the surrounding Valley communities.

We recognize that the role of the traditional Church is evolving. While attendance at our services has remained relatively stable and has even increased in recent months, these numbers still represent a fraction of historical attendance. We believe that the Ettrick and Yarrow Churches continue to hold significance for many in our communities, and we want to hear from everyone, whether they attend church regularly or not. We are particularly interested in responses to the following questions:

Is the Church still relevant today? If so, why?

What motivates individuals to attend church, whether regularly or occasionally?

Where and when do you prefer church worship to occur in the Valleys?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of our three current buildings?

Does it matter if there are fewer church buildings?

Do you have alternative purposes in mind for any of our three buildings?

Would you be interested in initiatives to purchase any of the buildings if they are put up for sale, such as community involvement or support?

We welcome any other views, ideas, and suggestions. Please email us at ettrickandyarrow@gmail.com or write to us at The Birks, Kirkhope, Ettrickbridge, Selkirk TD7 5JW. We may hold public meetings for further discussion in due course and will announce these to encourage community participation.