Friends,
World Homelessness Week, promoted by the Church Homeless Trust, 9 – 16th October, is an opportunity to share vital information about homelessness, debunk myths, celebrate success stories and raise awareness. Personally, I was shocked to learn that one in every 200 people in England are homeless and that 125,000 of them are children. There are as many reasons for homelessness as there are homeless people, each homeless person has their own unique story. The Covid pandemic caused hardship for very many people who never thought they would be in that situation and cost of living increases as we approach Autumn and Winter are causing others to be increasingly anxious.
I know that many members of St Columba’s have supported Glass Door, and since 2018 Restart have run a friendly, volunteer-led drop-in in every Friday evening in St. Columba’s Lower Hall, where it welcomes homeless or vulnerable guests, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, nationality, or faith. They are served a hot meal, there may be advice on housing, benefits, etc, and there is often a barber present. One guest told me that the opportunity simply to sit in one place for a couple of hours meant a lot to him. I have certainly enjoyed the opportunity to volunteer with Restart and have learned a lot from the experience and I think the work of both Glass Door and Restart will be increasingly important this winter.
You can find out more from these websites
www.restartlives.org
www.glassdoor.org.uk
www.churchhomelesstrust.org
William
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, 17th Sunday after Trinity Sunday, Sunday 16th October
Hymn 81 I to the hills will lift mine eyes (Psalm 121) (French, Dundee)
Hymn 198 Let us build a house where love can dwell (Two Oaks)
Hymn 200 Christ is made the sure foundation (Westminster Abbey)
Hymn 710 I have a dream a man once said (Repton)
Anthem: Set me as a seal upon your heart (A. L. Page)
Musical Interlude: Awake, my soul, and with the sun (G. Sampson)
Organ Postlude: Sonata in A, Allegro Maestoso (F. Mendelssohn)
Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 31: 27-34
New Testament Reading: II Timothy 3: 14 – 4:5
Gospel Reading: Luke 18: 1- 8
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 lunch served in the Lower Hall after the service this Sunday. Future lunch dates are the 30th October & 6th November 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 16th October, please join us for a recital in the Upper Hall at 1:30pm. British pianist, Ashley Fripp will be performing some works by Mozart and Chopin for us. Ashley has performed around the world in some of the most world renowned venues, we are lucky to have him perform as part of our series. There will be a retiring offering for the promotion of music in the church.
St Columba’s Elder
We are sorry to announce the death of long-standing, St Columba’s elder and member Henry Sherriff. Henry was baptised in the original St Columba’s Church and has been an active part of the church for over 80 years. Our thoughts are with his wide circle of friends and family.
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.
Glass Door Night Shelter – Volunteers needed at St Columba’s on Sunday evenings (December 2022 – March 2023)
Can you help provide a warm, friendly welcome and hot meal to homeless guests coming to stay at St Columbus on Sunday nights when we will be hosting the Glass Door night shelter?
- Shelter volunteers are needed to help set up, serve food, chat to guests, and clear up on Sunday evenings
- Cooks and kitchen volunteers are needed to prepare meals for the guests
- An admin volunteer is needed to help manage the rota and organisation of Sunday volunteers
Training and support for roles will be given.
If you would are interested, please get in touch with Heather Farwell (hbfarwell@hotmail.co.uk) and Margaret Goslett (margaret@margaretgoslett.co.uk) as soon as possible
Lent Appeal 2023 (small UK charity)
Over the last five years, thanks to your generosity, we have raised a total of £44,840 for small charities as a direct result of our Lent Appeals; this is a major part of our work on Mission. The Mission Committee would be grateful for any suggestions you may have for a small home/UK charity that could be considered for the St. Columba’s Lent Appeal 2023. For more information, please contact Naomi Donaldson, naomi.60@live.co.uk (or via the Church Office) before Wednesday 26th October.
Harvest Appeal – Thank you!
Thank you very much for your generous response to this year’s Harvest Appeal, it was a bumper harvest! The Upper Room charity, UR4 Meals, have been in and collected the donated food items and send their grateful thanks to everyone. UR4 Meals provide thousands of meals each year for the homeless and less advantaged people who arrive at their door. Your donations will play an important part to the crucial work that the charity undertakes. For more information about the charity:
https://theupperroom.org.uk/
https://theupperroom.org.uk/what-we-do/ur4meals/
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!
Friends of St Columba’s Trip – Neasden Indian Temple
The Friends of St Columba’s are having an outing to Neasden Indian Temple on the 5th November, 10.30am. Neasden Temple is a masterpiece of traditional Hindu design and exquisite Indian workmanship in the heart of north-west London. Using 5,000 tonnes of Bulgarian limestone and Italian and Indian marble, it was hand-carved in India before being assembled in London in just 2½ years. Since its opening in 1995, this renowned place of worship has attracted close to half a million visitors annually. Worthy of note are the intricate carvings, the traditional Hindu prayer ceremony, and an exhibition to inform visitors about the world’s oldest living faith. (The YouTube video of the Mandir (Temple) is ideal for a quick impression), Entrance is free, the Exhibition costs £1.50; and there is a shop. Lunch is available for us in the Temple restaurant. If you would like to attend or more information please contact Isobel Carter on isobel@in-carter.com.
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
To sign up and receive the weekly newsletter detailing future events, contact the church office or go to www.stcolumbas.org.uk (News Section.) Paper copies of this week’s newsletter are available at the bookstall.