AT its opening meeting of the 2017-18 session, the Presbytery of Melrose and Peebles appointed Professor Murray Campbell as its new Moderator.

A Highlander by birth, Professor Campbell is an elder at Carlops Church, and is Professor Emeritus and Senior Professorial Fellow at Edinburgh University, specialising in the acoustics of wind and stringed musical instruments, for which he has won several international awards.

As Moderator, Professor Campbell preached at the opening Communion service, preceding the Presbytery meeting in Carlops Church, and his talk featured on the striking stained glass window, installed in 2008, and created by Emma Butler Cole Aitken, one of Scotland’s leading stained glass artists.

The slightly abstract image represents the course of the North Esk river, born in winter snow on the local hill known as the Mount, developing into a rapidly flowing stream, pouring spectacularly over rocks in the waterfall at Patie’s Mill, and finally achieving tranquility as it enters Habbie’s Howe. The image of living water picked up the story of Jesus at the well, and his talk of the renewing and transforming power of God’s love.

Five new members were welcomed to Presbytery.

As part of the Scottish Borders Heritage Festival, Stow Church will be open on Saturday, September 23 (10am to 3.30pm) and Sunday, September 24 (1pm to3.30pm).

Light refreshments, music and an exhibition about the church with a warm welcome to all. Free entry.