Racial Justice Sunday: “What’s it got to do with me?”
Sunday 13th February is Racial Justice Sunday.
Church of Scotland minister, Rev Mandy Ralph, (minister of Annbank and Tarbolton in South Ayrshire) and vice convener of the Kirk’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Group, and Phill Mellstrom, the Kirk’s worship development worker, contributed material to this year’s Churches Together in Britain & Ireland (CTBI) resource pack. https://ctbi.org.uk/racial-justice sunday-13-february-2022/
“Those of us working on the Racial Justice Sunday resource felt this year it was really important to encourage people across denominations to reflect and to have a conversation about racial justice. So often, people in our congregations can feel it has no bearing on them, for it is something that happens somewhere else, not in their church or community – hence the theme: “Racial Justice Sunday: What’s it got to do with me?”
“This resource is a call for all Christians, not just on Racial Justice Sunday but all year round, to engage in the struggle for racial justice because racial justice is everyone’s business. Racism and racial discrimination are justice issues because they deny basic justice, equality and human dignity to all who are made in the image of God.”
The Bible has a lot to say about justice because as God’s Word, it reflects God’s heart for justice. It can be argued that we should love justice because God does! Racism and racial discrimination are justice issues because they deny basic justice and human dignity to women and men who are made in the image of God. Equally, they are sinful because, among other issues, they assume all are not equal before God and are not part of God’s family.
The murder of George Floyd in May 2020 has been described as a Kairos moment for the Church, and it led to much soul-searching and a desire on behalf of many to see change. However, some in the Church were left befuddled and struggled to engage with the conversations that emerged from that tragic event, as well as protests and the clamour for real change.
The CTBI resource has been written with that cohort specifically in mind because the work to end racism requires a collective response with all sections of the Church fully engaged in this task. For those who have previously not engaged with RJS because they did not feel equipped to do so, this resource will provide them with the tools to play an active role in this work. For those who have argued that their churches do not have Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic people in their congregations, so do not have a ‘problem’, this resource suggests that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people should not be considered ‘problems’ and shows that the hostile attitudes towards them are also found in churches that do not have them in their congregations.
Indeed, diversity in a congregation is no barometer for acceptance or hospitality. (Moreover, history shows that far-right, anti-immigration parties do as well, if not better, in areas without a significant minority ethnic population. As such, churches in these areas have an important role to play in encouraging these homogeneous communities to be more accepting and understanding of difference, inclusion and change.)
Racial Justice Sunday offers the opportunity for churches to focus on the three ‘R’s of ‘Remembering’, ‘Reflecting’ and ‘Responding’:
- ‘Remembering’ the importance of racial justice
- ‘Reflecting’ on human diversity and thanking God for it
- ‘Responding’ by working to end injustice, racism and ignorance through prayer and action.
So, as we approach Racial Justice Sunday, a fragment of poetry and a prayer from a man we might think of and remember this weekend.
Stubborn Ounces of My Weight, by Bonaro Overstreet
You say the little efforts that I make
will do no good: they never will prevail
to tip the hovering scale
where Justice hangs in the balance.
I don’t think I ever thought they would.
But I am prejudiced beyond debate
in favour of my right to choose which side
shall feel the stubborn ounces of my weight.
“Ever present God,
you called us to be in relationship with one another
and promised to dwell wherever two or three are gathered.
In our community, we are many different people;
we come from many different places, have many different cultures. Open our hearts that we may be bold
in finding the riches of inclusion
and the treasures of diversity among us.
We pray in faith. Amen.”
Revd Dr Martin Luther King Jr
Angus
Worshipping at St Columba’s & COVID Precautions.
While Government guidance has changed, we recommend that the existing arrangements for worship at St Columba’s remain unaltered for the moment. Unless you are exempt from wearing a face mask, we ask you to wear a face mask in the building and maintain social distancing in the pews. You may wish to complete a negative lateral flow test no more than 24 hours prior to Sunday service. We suggest dressing warmly as we try to keep the sanctuary well ventilated. In all our arrangements we recognise that people are at various stages on the pandemic journey – our aim is to keep everyone confident and safe. (Our arrangements are under constant review, and we will publicise any changes as promptly as possible, should the need arise.)
Live Streaming of Worship
Services can be watched via the church website, https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/live-stream.
To access the live stream from the homepage (front page) click the Menu button in the top right-hand side of the page and scroll down and click on “Live Stream”. This will bring up the live stream to the church. The act of worship of approximately 60 minutes, includes include prayers, a sermon and music. The words for the hymns will be on the website.
We believe it is really important to continue to live-stream the Morning Service under its current format i.e. for the benefit of those joining worship from afar or those as yet unable to make the journey to Pont Street. For those without internet, the Dial-In facility continues. Many people comment that they do have a sense of worshipping together, even if invisible to each other.
Reminder: If you do not wish to appear on the live-stream please choose a seat in the rear half of the sanctuary.
Please note that the Evening Services on the 1st of the month will not be live streamed as they will take place in the London Scottish Chapel.
Dial into Sunday Service
If you are aware of church members or friends who do not have access to internet please inform them that they can now phone in to join the Sunday service. No visuals clearly, but at least they can hear the service. Those interested should follow:
Step 1: At 10.40am call phone number 0203 051 2874.
Step 2: You will be prompted to enter a meeting ID. Please type (using your telephone keypad) 266 883 5072#
Step 3: You will then be asked for a participant number – simply press the #.
Step 4: Enjoy the service! You will hear the organ music from 10.50am.
Hymns, Music & Readings, 13th February 2022 – 11am
Hymn 1 How blest are those who do not stray (St Botolph) Psalm 1
Hymn 164 God gave me eyes so I could see (God made me)
Hymn 362 Heaven shall not wait (Heaven shall not wait)
Hymn 543 Longing for light, we wait in darkness (Christ be our light)
Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 17:5-10
New Testament Reading: I Corinthians 15:12-20
Gospel Reading: Luke 6:17-26
Anthem – Beati quorum via – C V Stanford
Musical Interlude – Like as the hart – Howells
Organ Postlude – Prelude in Fugue in A by Böhm
Congregational Sunday Lunch & Future Dates
This Sunday we offer a fine congregational lunch after service. (The next lunch dates are 20th February & 6th March in the Lower Hall unless circumstances change.) Those taking lunch and /or coffee are asked to wear masks until they find a seat and wait to be served.
A reminder that due to the reduced number of available lunch teams (9 down to 5), lunches will only be served on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month, and on the 5th Sunday where there are 5 Sundays in any month. Coffee will continue to be served every Sunday as usual in the Upper Hall. These Hospitality Services are much valued in supporting Fellowship.
Evening Services
Evening services are held on the first Sunday of the month, at 5pm. Future evening services dates are 6th March & 3rd April. They are held in the London Scottish Regimental Chapel. [Please note they are not live-streamed.]
Office Hours
The church office is open from 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
Contact details; Tel: 020 7584 2321
E-mail: office@stcolumbas.org.uk
Website: www.stcolumbas.org.uk
Facebook: @stcolumbaschurchpontstreet.
Twitter: @LondonKirk
Pastoral Emergency Number (out of office hours): 07591926271
The Nail: Lent Study Group
This year we have chosen The Nail as our Lent Study book. Written by the current Archbishop of York it offers imaginative reflections on Christ’s crucifixion. Via a specific passage of scripture, each of the seven chapters is focused on a different key character, who describes his or her experience of the Passion. The nails used to crucify Christ are used as a jumping off point for their reflections. The weekly sessions will be introduced by/include a short film made by Rev Christopher Rowe, minister of Colston Milton Parish Church, Glasgow. The study groups will meet on Wednesday evenings 7-8pm or Thursday mornings (10.30-11.30am.) The first meetings are Wednesday 2nd March & Thursday 3rd March. To sign up, please contact the office. Attendees are asked to provide their own copy of the book.
St Columba’s Book Club
The next online meeting of the St Columba’s Book Club is the 28th of February at 7pm. The book this month will be Our Lady of the Nile by Scholastique Mukasonga. The joy of the St Columba’s book club is that is all on Zoom so you can join from anywhere in the world in the comfort of your own home.
Stamps
If you would like to leave stamps for Royal National Institute of Blind People, please pop them into the Church Office on Sundays.
Rising Living Costs: Help at Hand
We are aware that with the cost of living and fuel costs rising that some of our community may be struggling financially. If you, or someone you know, are in need of help, please do get in touch with the Church Office or the Ministers. All conversations will be held in the strictest of confidence.
Maintaining Community and Supporting Each Other
Everybody can play a part in maintaining contact with others via telephone, e-mail or letter, especially those who are particularly vulnerable. Our Elders are encouraged to make contact with those in their districts, and church members are welcome to contact the church office to request a contact from their elder or the Minister.
Congregational Offerings
Details on the many ways you can support St Columba’s can be found here https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/giving/supporting-st columbas
Would anyone wishing to contribute to St Andrew’s, Newcastle please contact the Session Clerk on standrewssessionclerk@gmail.com for bank details or other means of donating.
Service of Thanksgiving for Very Revd John McIndoe
Several members of the congregation attended the recent service of Thanksgiving for former St Columba’s l/w St Andrew’s, Newcastle minister, the Very Revd John McIndoe; many others watched via the live stream. The tribute given by Revd Professor David Fergusson, John’s son-in-law is attached to this week’s e-newsletter.
St Columba’s Coffee Mornings
The St Columba’s Coffee Mornings will return in March! We are looking forward to seeing many faces on the Zoom Screen!
- 16th March 2022- Alasdair MacKenzie (member of St Columba’s) will tell us about this year’s Lent Appeal charity Collaboration Santé Publique Burkina Faso (http://cspb.cagnes.pagesperso-orange.fr/)
- 20th April 2022- The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, The Lord Wallace of Tankerness will join us to talk about his moderatorial year.
- 11th May 2022- TBC
- 14th September 2022- Revd Scott Rennie the new Minister at Crown Court will be joining us. An opportunity to meet him and hear about his time in the ministry.
- 13th October 2022- In prisons week, Jake Tily, Creative Programmes Director at the Irene Taylor Trust will talk to us about The Lullaby Project where they have collaborated with the Royal Philharmonic orchestra to write lullaby’s for prisoners.
Sounds of St Columba’s
The Sounds of St Columba’s returns on Sunday 20th February with former organist at St Columba’s, Will Mason’s organ recital. 1.15pm in the Sanctuary.
On the 20th March, The Choir with No Name will join us for a concert also to be held in the Sanctuary from 1.15pm. The Choir with No Name now rehearse weekly at St Columba’s and you can find more details on them here https://www.choirwithnoname.org/
Prayer Resources for Sunday 13th February 2022, 6th Sunday after Epiphany, prepared by Congregational Prayer Group
This February we celebrate H M Queen Elizabeth II’s 70th year on the throne. It is also the month for St. Valentine of Terni, patron saint of lovers, epileptics and beekeepers. There were several St. Valentines (some of whom suffered a martyr’s death under Roman rule.) It seems Geoffrey Chaucer was the first to associate the name with courtly love around 1370.
Verse & Psalm
The late Very Rev. John McIndoe, former minister of St Columba’s l/w St Andrew’s, Newcastle, was wont to quote from George Herbert & often used the first verses of Psalm 103 in his blessing at the end of communion.
Divine love is sought by George Herbert in his great poem, Love (III) – verse 1
Love bade me welcome: yet my soul drew back.
Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning,
If I lack’d anything.
…
Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children. From Psalm 103.
Prayer for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Lord our heavenly Father, high and mighty King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the only Ruler of princes, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers upon earth; most heartly we beseech thee with thy favour to behold our most gracious Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth; so replenish her with the grace of thy Holy Spirit, that she may alway incline to thy will, and walk in thy way: endue her plenteously with heavenly gifts; grant her in health and wealth long to live; strengthen her that she may vanquish and overcome all her enemies; and finally, after this life, she may attain everlasting joy and felicity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for pupils, students, and teachers
For our young people taking exams this year; and their teachers: and all who are in education:
God of truth and love, the only wise God,
you have commanded us to love you
with all our mind.
So bless the work of schools
and colleges and universities,
that in them the truth may never be denied,
betrayed, concealed,
but be honoured, followed and obeyed.
Guide teachers and students in their endeavours
to seek and serve the truth:
may their learning
never cut them off from the community,
but lead them towards
enlarged and selfless service.
Grant that learning may flourish among us,
as a means both of enriching our lives
and of drawing us nearer to you
from whom all truth proceeds;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN
Praise of a Man by Norman MacCaig
Read at recent Service of Thanksgiving for John McIndoe
He went through a company like a lamplighter –
see the dull minds, one after another,
begin to glow, to shed
a beneficent light.
He went through a company like
a knifegrinder – see the dull minds
scattering sparks of themselves,
becoming razory, becoming useful.
He went through a company
as himself. But now he’s one
of the multitudinous company of the dead
where are no individuals.
The beneficent lights dim
but don’t vanish. The razory edges
dull, but still cut. He’s gone: but you can see
his tracks still, in the snow of the world.
Prayer at evening, Robert Louis Stevenson
Our guard is relieved, the service of the day is over, and the hour come to rest. We resign into Thy hands our sleeping bodies, our cold hearths and open doors. Give us to awake with smiles, give us to labour smiling. As the sun returns to the east, so let our patience be renewed with dawn; as the sun lightens the world, so let our loving-kindness make bright this house of our habitations.
Amen