Friends,
I am glad we have had a Book of Condolences & Appreciations available at St Columba’s in recent days. People have obviously appreciated the opportunity to commit their thoughts to paper. Among numerous comments that applaud the late Queen’s sense of duty and seventy years of service, a couple of comments offer perspectives from beyond our shores. One wrote as a national of a Commonwealth country:
“Thank you for the role you played in the Commonwealth and peace and stability in the United Kingdom. The people of my country are mourning, and we sympathise with the direct family. Your legacy shall live on, and we shall live to tell our children and generations to come of your selfless dedication to duty, until the end. Her Majesty will be greatly missed. You were an example to us all.”
Another cross-border perspective was: “My parents arrived in the United Kingdom in 1948 as penniless, stateless refugees and have always been grateful for the generosity of the country you have molded. I’m proud to be a first generation Briton and thank you with my whole heart.”
The most common refrain in the collection of comments is an echo of the now famous finale to Paddington Bear’s, Buckingham Palace, Platinum Jubilee tea party. “Thank you, Mam. For everything.”
The Book of Condolences & Appreciation will remain available until after the Queen’s funeral on Monday.
Have a peaceful end to the week and see you on Sunday
Angus
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,
14th Sunday after Trinity Sunday, Sunday 18th September
Hymn 510 Jesus calls us here to meet him (Lewis Folk Melody)
Hymn 81 I to the hills will lift mine eyes (French Dundee)
Hymn 392 When I survey the wondrous cross (Rockingham)
Hymn 497 Almighty Father of all things that be (Chilton Foliat)
Anthem: Thou hast a work for me to do (R Walker Robson)
Musical Interlude: Grant, O Lord, we beseech thee (G Slater)
Organ Postlude: Prelude and Fugue in D (A Dvorak)
Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 8:18-9:1
New Testament Reading: 1 Timothy 2:1-7
Gospel Reading: Luke 16:1-13
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.
THIS SUNDAY: Congregational Sunday Lunches, Future Dates
There will be a fine Sunday lunch served after the service this Sunday, in the Lower Hall. Future lunch dates are the 2nd October & 16th October in the Lower Hall. Coffee will continue to be served every Sunday as usual in the Upper Hall. These Hospitality Services are much valued in supporting Fellowship.
THIS SUNDAY – Sounds of St Columba’s
On Sunday 18th September, please join us for a recital in the Upper Hall at 1:30pm. Students from Knightsbridge Music will perform in the ‘Sounds of St Columba’s’ series. This informal recital will feature performers of all ages and abilities keen to share a varied repertoire for an attentive audience. There will be a retiring offering for the upkeep of music in the church.
THIS SUNDAY: Harvest Appeal 2022 – The Upper Room, UR4 Meals
https://theupperroom.org.uk/
https://theupperroom.org.uk/what-we-do/ur4meals/
With the soaring cost of food, The Upper Room charity are having a huge increase in the number of daily hot meals they provide for the homeless and less advantaged people who arrive at their door. If you would like to help and make a Harvest Appeal donation, we are collecting the following items: canned meat, canned vegetables, canned fish (salmon or tuna), baked beans, spaghetti, couscous, olive oil and sunflower oil. There will be food collection buckets in the Upper Vestibule for three Sundays: 18th, 25th September and culminating on Harvest Festival Sunday 2nd October. Food vouchers for supermarkets will also be gratefully received and can either be put in the Harvest donation buckets, or given to the Church Office with a note saying for Harvest Appeal. Alternatively, if you wish to make an online donation direct to The Upper Room:
https://theupperroom.org.uk/get-involved/donate/
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.
NEXT SUNDAY: Service of Holy Communion, Sunday 25th September.
We look forward to welcoming Revd Christopher Rowe, minister of Colston Milton Parish Church, Glasgow, as our guest preacher next week. Christopher has visited us on previous occasions and spoken about the significant challenges and rewards of Church of Scotland ministry in one of Glasgow’s priority areas.
NEXT WEEK: Congregational Outing to St Columba’s Tennis Club, Sunday 25th September, from 13:30
For the first time in a long time, we are organising a congregational outing to our very own St Columba’s Tennis Club, stcolumbastennis.co.uk 30-32 Carbery Avenue, Acton, W3 9AL). An afternoon of fun, tennis-related activities for all ages will be provided by their coach followed by a BBQ. Open to everyone- keen tennis player, total beginner or relaxing spectator. Equipment can be provided. For catering purposes please let the office know if you plan to attend.
Enquirers’ Course – Autumn 2022
For those interested in meeting with others to find out more about faith and the life of the Church, we are running a short series of meetings this autumn. For some this may lead to formally joining the congregation as a member of St Columba’s; others may simply enjoy the chance to discuss. The meetings will be 1-3pm on Sunday 16th October, Sunday 23rd October & Sunday 6th November 2022. Participants are invited to have congregational lunch together on Sunday 16th October.
William writes: “There will be opportunity to explore what it means to be a Christian in the 21st century and the history and traditions of the Church of Scotland, as well as our relationships with other denominations. We will also look at the vows of church membership but there is no obligation on anyone to “join the church” after attending these meetings – this is an enquirers’ course and there is no such thing as a bad question!”
If you have any questions about the course please contact the Associate Minister, William McLaren and to sign up please contact the Church Office by 1st October.
St Columba’s Coffee Mornings
We are looking forward to seeing many faces on our upcoming Zoom coffee mornings. Please pop the dates below in your diary and contact the office if you haven’t joined before so the Zoom joining instructions can be sent to you.
- 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 lullabies for prisoners’ children.
Happy Hour
Happy Hour returns on the 5th October with a session called “Prayer Matters”, we will be joined by Revd Andrew Anderson. We meet at 6.30pm at the Carpenters Arms, 12 Seymour Place which is just behind Marble Arch tube station.
St Columba’s Book Group
The St Columba’s Book Group next meet on Monday 17th October 2022 at 6.30pm via Zoom. They will be discussing, “I’ll keep you safe” by Peter May. This is a murder mystery set in Paris and Lewis, in the outer Hebrides. Those interested in the production of tweed May find it interesting, even if they are not crime fans! To sign up please contact the Church Office. See you on the 17th!
Sleepouts – Save the date!
Glassdoor’s tenth annual sleepout will be on Friday 7th October. You can either take part at Duke of York Square in Chelsea, or virtually, by sleeping out at a location of your choice. If you’re interested, register at https://www.glassdoor.org.uk/Event/sleep-out-2022
Restart will be holding their annual sleepout at St Columba’s on Friday 18th November 2022. If you would like to help fundraise/join the sleepout or volunteer for the Friday evening drop in’s please contact Programme Manager, Olivia on olivia@restartlives.org.
RSDCS Tuesday Socials
From 27 September 2022 a new Scottish dance group will meet on the 4th Tuesday of each month in the Upper Hall. ‘The Tuesday Social’ is aimed at people in (or close to) their 20s and 30s living and working in London. The session will combine great teaching from Gill O’Dell with live music from Adam Brady, lots of dancing, plus a social break with time to relax and chat. Please pass the word to any dancers or would be dancers in your family and social network. St Columba’s has been home to Scottish dancing groups for many years hosting balls, dances and classes for RSCDS London, London Reels, The Highland Club, St Columba’s Dancers, Little Ship and more. St Columba’s Dancers meet on Monday evenings from October to May, London Reels dance on the 2nd Tuesday of each month and RSCDS London’s Mixed Ability class enjoys an afternoon of dance every Wednesday in the Upper Hall.
To learn more about The Tuesday Social, email classes@rscdslondon.org.uk or visit https://www.rscdslondon.org.uk/ .
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