Dear Friends,
In the years following the Second World War, when most people travelling between the United States and Great Britain still sailed the Atlantic, a young Texan called Jerry Briscoe was coming to study at the London School of Economics. Unfortunately, there was heavy fog and his ship was not able to land but had to spend the night moored outside Liverpool harbour. To pass the time a group of students including Jerry and I think George Soros, who later became very famous in the financial world, put a message in a bottle and threw it into the sea.
Walking on the beach my father found the bottle at Skipness in Kintyre and wrote to Jerry who subsequently came to Skipness and stayed with my grandparents. My father later visited Jerry in London and so began a lifelong friendship. They wrote regularly and their families visited in both directions. Jerry worked at the United Nations in New York and later became professor of Political Science at the University of the Pacific in California where I spent a memorable summer with him and his wife Joan when I was 17. One of my most treasured possessions is a small painting of the Golden Gate Bridge which I bought from an artist on San Francisco’s Pier 39 on the day that Jerry and I walked across the bridge. Jerry and my father have both gone now but I remain in contact with his son and it amuses me to think that a friendship which began with a message in a bottle continues by email and on Facebook, both of which were still in the realms of science fiction in those grey post war years when Jerry and my father first met.
In recent years we have all learned new methods of communication and for the church the process has been hastened by the pandemic and lockdown. When St. Columba’s was being rebuilt after the war no one could have imagined live streamed services or book studies on Zoom – such things belonged to the world of H.G. Wells and George Orwell! Over the years however, radio and television and now the internet have changed the way we communicate and during lockdown enabled us to remain in communication and indeed to re-establish contact with former members of the congregation now living in other parts of the world. The means of communication may have changed but the message of God’s love and care for all remains unchanging and it is a joy to find new ways of sharing that good news.
With best wishes,
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,
10th Sunday after Trinity Sunday, Sunday 21st August
Hymn 160 Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven (Praise my soul)
Hymn 69 Just as a father shows his love (Kilmarnock)
Hymn 264 Judge eternal, throned in splendour (Rhuddlan)
Hymn 167 Guide me, O thou great Jehovah (Cwm Rhondda)
Anthem: Blest are the pure in heart (Bullard)
Musical Interlude: Benedictus (Palestrina)
Organ Postlude: Voluntary in F (Bennett)
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 58: 9b-14
New Testament Reading: Hebrews 12:18 – 29
Gospel Reading: Luke 13: 10 – 17
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.
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.
St Columba’s Members
We are sorry to announce the death of Catherine Freeman (known as Lena). Lena died on the 1st August in St Mary’s Hospital. Lena’s funeral will take place on Friday 26th August, 12.30pm at St Columba’s Church, followed by a private cremation.
THIS SUNDAY: Congregational Sunday Lunches, Future Dates
There will be a fine lunch served in the Lower Hall after the service on Sunday. Future lunch dates are the 4th September & 18th September 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.
Congregational Prayer Time, 10.00 – 10.15am, 2nd Sunday of the Month
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6
After a long pandemic-pause, the monthly congregational prayer time is recommencing, in-person, on Sunday, 11th September, at the new time of 10.00-10.15am. We meet in the London Scottish Regimental Chapel on the second Sunday of the month.
Usually, the designated leader for the day shares a bible reading and short prayers. There is then the opportunity for others to offer their prayers, either spoken out loud or prayed silently. (There is no obligation to pray out loud.) The prayers are for the ongoing life and work of St Columba’s, the wider Church, our loved ones, and any special concerns for the time. Anyone who feels drawn to pray with others or is curious about doing so, is very welcome. Knowing that members of the congregation are praying together on a regular basis is a great encouragement to others, especially the ministry team. The revised time also permits a cup of coffee before 11am service! See you there.
St Columba’s Book Club
The next book club will be on Monday 5 September at 6.30pm (by Zoom) when we will be discussing Fire Road: The Napalm Girl’s Journey through the Horrors of War to Faith, Forgiveness and Peace. It is as the title suggests a non-fiction book by Kim Phuc Phan Thi and is autobiographical.
Friends of St Columba’s Dumfries and Surroundings
There is still time to “sign up” to the Friends of St Columba’s trip to Dumfries and the surroundings in September 2022.
The itinerary includes the original home of the TSB, founded by a Church of Scotland minister, a visit to Ruthwell Church with its 8th century cross, Robert Burns heritage sites and possibly the early Christian settlement at Whithorn.
Booking: the Church Office regarding dates and accommodation. Two options: The Powfoot Inn (£115 double bed and breakfast; £95 single) or The Queensberry Arms Hotel, Annan (starts at £48/night).
Preference is given to Members of the Friends – but it’s very easy to join! Only £10 annual and £50 Life Membership.
Payment by BACS: Sort Code 16-00-42; Account No: 00269670; RBS (Please use your name and subscription as description of the payment), or by cheque made payable to Friends of St Columba’s to the Honorary Treasurer, Alan Lennox c/o The Church Office.
Sir Walter Scott 250: The Annual Caledonian Lecture
Thursday 15th September 2022, 6.00pm, at the Caledonian Club Guest speaker: Professor Sir Tom Devine. There is a warm invitation from the organisers to attend the lecture and dinner. It is open to all. To book, or for more information, contact the Caledonian Club’s Event’s Office at
caledonianclub.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