This event is being held in aid of The Scottish Society for Autism with 50% going to the church, and a grand opening is planned for the Friday afternoon.
There will be various events during the weekend including a Gardeners' Question Time on the Friday evening, on Saturday afternoon there will be children's entertainment followed in the evening by a musical production and a performance by The Andante Choir.
A Celebration of Praise service in the church on Sunday morning, attended by the Right Reverend Brian Smith, Bishop of Edinburgh, will be followed in the afternoon by a matinee performance of the musical.
A concert on Sunday evening, featuring Brass Ensemble and local musicians and singers should be a great attraction and will include the final of a silent auction which will have been running over the weekend. (already promised is one week in a holiday cottage in County Down, N. Ireland).
Arts and crafts, including woodwork, sculpting, paintings, needlework, floral art, etc, to name but a few, will exhibited in the church from October 16-21 and it is hoped that anyone throughout the Merse who would like to exhibit their arts and talents at the event will apply early for space.
A poetry competition for children and adults - the submitted poems may be included in an Anthology of Poems - and Design a Christmas Card will also be running with the winning poems being read out at the prize giving on Friday afternoon.
It is hoped to print the winning Christmas cards which will be sold for the charities. The production of a calendar is also in preparation.
Christ Church -The Scottish Episcopal Church, Duns - stands in its own churchyard overlooking the town and commanding spectacular views over the distant Cheviot Hills.
On August 19, 1853, the plan and specification of the proposed church by Messrs Duns, were approved together with an estimate for erecting the building amounting in whole to £455, this would 'accommodate 200 sitters'.
The first church register contains an entry which reads: "The Foundation Stone of the new Episcopal Church to be dedicated 'The Holy Trinity' was laid on Wednesday, September 21, 1853 - being the feast of St. Matthew - by William Hay of Dunse Castle, Dunse."
Christ Church was opened in Teindhillgreen in 1854.
An entry from the first vestry minute book reads: "On the twelfth day of October 1854, the Episcopal Church in Dunse was consecrated by the Bishop of the Diocese, the Right Reverend Charles Hughes Terrot DD and then received the name 'Christ Church' in place of the name of 'The Church of the Holy Trinity' as prefixed to the Constitution."
It is unsure why the name of the church was changed. This note is signed by William Hay, Trustee, George Logan Home, James Cox, Augustus Crowder (Minister) and A Wood.
The church is constructed in 19th century Norman style and is based on that of a German Rhineland church, which caught the eye of Colonel Hay of Duns Castle whilst touring there.
A competent amateur artist, he made sketches of it and they were used in the construction of the church
Other events planned by the church during the spring/summer months include: April 25 - Flower Group coffee morning in Duns Parish Church; April 26 - 'Songs of Praise' service, preceeded by a congregational breakfast; April 27 - A return visit by the Russian Hermitage Ensemble with their repertoire of Russian sacred music; May 8 - 'Herber Mooths' concert in the church; May 31 - sponsored walk of five miles around the grounds of Duns Castle including refreshments; July 19 - special garden opening with picnic lunch etc at Bughtrig, Leitholm; August - strawberry tea at Manderston Stables, Duns, with the opportunity to stroll around the 56 acres of the beautiful gardens of Manderston House.
Quiz papers on music/groups of the 60's, Harry Potter, classic music and names of places in Berwickshire' will be available from local shops and the church.