Dear Friends,
I have long been interested in the area of Inter-Faith relations and the question of how we as Christians relate to other world religions. When I was a student and visited Jerusalem for the first time it was fascinating to learn of the significance of that city for the three Abrahamic faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Later, I was chaplain at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) where we had students from all over the world and every religious tradition from Southern Baptist to Zoroastrian.
In Dundee I enjoyed talking about Islam (and cricket!) with the Muslim Post Master in the Post Office opposite the church. We also enjoyed a warm relationship with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Dundee who would invite me and members of the congregation to their Eid celebrations. Here in London, of course, every world faith is represented and I have met members of the Orthodox Jewish Community with whom I have had some interesting conversations. I believe that Christians can only fully understand our own faith if we understand the tradition from which Jesus came. The late John Shelby Spong was a controversial theologian but in his book, “Liberating the Gospels: Reading the Bible with Jewish Eyes” he makes the very interesting argument that we should read the gospels against the background of the liturgical year in the Jerusalem Temple.
I cannot believe that after the day of Pentecost, Christianity spread to Rome, and with Thomas to India, then throughout the Roman Empire and after 1500 hundred years across the Atlantic but that the Holy Spirit was absent or at least inactive in the rest of the world. So how do I reconcile my own absolute belief in the unique claims of Christ with the fact that I can see God at work in the lives of members of other faiths? Referring to other faiths an atheist once said to me “If you are right they must be wrong and if they are right you must be wrong. You can’t both be right!” But I believe that is a false dichotomy. I don’t believe that all roads lead to God but I do believe that we are all on a journey and that I can learn from other people’s experiences on the journey. I hope too that I may be prepared, humbly and respectfully, to share with others my own experiences of life and faith.
Nowadays missionaries get a bad press, being associated with imperialism and colonialism but that is to overlook the great work done by those such as Mary Slessor (1848-1915) the missionary and former Dundee mill girl who was one of the first to use traditional African music in Christian worship and who is still held in great respect by Christians in Nigeria and Wellesley Bailey (1846-1937) an Irishman employed by the Church of Scotland as a missionary who went on to found the Leprosy Mission which still does vital work today. Nor should we forget those called to serve the world church in various ways in the 21st century. Sharing our faith is part of our calling as Christians but it must always be done in a spirit of humility and service and acknowledging that we too have much to learn from members of other faiths. 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,
11th Sunday after Trinity Sunday, Sunday 28th August
Hymn 106 Bring to the Lord a glad new song (Jerusalem)
Hymn 286 Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord! (Woodlands)
Hymn 489 Come down, O Love Divine (Down Ampney)
Hymn 458 At the name of Jesus (Cuddesdon)
Anthem: Holy is the true light (Harris)
Musical Interlude: Ave verum (Byrd)
Organ Postlude: Solemn melody (H Walford Davies)
Old Testament Reading: Proverbs 25: 6-7
New Testament Reading: Hebrews 13: 1-8, 15-16
Gospel Reading: St. Luke 14: 1, 7-14
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.
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. 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.The group are invited to have congregational lunch together on Sunday 16th October.
To sign up please contact the Church Office by 1st October.
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.
Congregational Sunday Lunches, Future Dates
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.
Christian Aid’s Annual Lecture on Monday 12th September at St Martin-in-the-Fields in London.
The lecture – A Force for Good: Co-operating Across Borders in an Age of Authoritarians – will be given by Rt Hon David Lammy MP, the Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, followed by a conversation with Christian Aid’s chair, Dr John Sentamu. In his lecture, the Rt Hon David Lammy MP will argue that the UK has a moral duty to return to multilateral engagement to tackle the three greatest challenges the world is facing: climate, conflict and famine. Doors will open at 6:30pm for a 7pm start. To RSVP please sign up at our Christian Aid Annual Lecture Eventbrite page.
If you have any questions, please contact annual.lecture@christian-aid.org
(Note: If you are planning to attend please also notify the Church Office in order to receive some additional material in advance.)
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/.
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
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.
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