“Silence – a meeting place where I am looking for God’s love, and God is looking for mine.”
Friends,
Next week begins the season of Lent. This potentially profound, “set-aside” time, begins with a reminder of our mortality. In many churches the Ash Wednesday custom is to mark the forehead with the sign of the Cross. Traditionally, the ashes are made from burning the palm crosses of the previous year, symbolically linking from the outset, the Lent journey with the Easter story. As the ashes are daubed the priest says: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you will return.” Ash Wednesday is designed to be an honest stripping away of illusions. It can be the overture to a season of serious reflection on ourselves, our lives, our priorities and our faith. At St Columba’s we mark Ash Wednesday, not with ashes, but with a service of communion in the London Scottish Chapel (1pm, Wednesday 5th March.) It is an intentional beginning to use the time ahead well and wisely. In the forty days of Lent that follow – echo of Jesus’ time in the wilderness – the intent is not to be gloomy. If we choose to give something up, it is in the hope that by doing so, we make room for something more precious.
One of the opportunities of Lent at St Columba’s is to join with others for a time of quiet prayer on the Sundays of Lent. We meet between 10.15 – 10.30am in the Kirk Session Room. We begin with a short prayer, a piece of scripture and then we hold a time of silence, before drawing to a close with a prayer said together.
Understandably, some people are worried about what happens, if anything, in silent prayer. Will I know what to think? Will I just get distracted? Is it a bit pointless? Those concerns are quite natural. However, the experience for most people is that holding the silence alongside others, makes it easier to pray. There is a sense of being in it together. It is noteworthy that in recent months, two visiting preachers joined the congregational prayer time before 11am service, and both wrote independently to say how much they had appreciated the chance to be still, in the company of others. They found it a genuine encouragement.
Someone once described Lent as “a sacred treasure hunt.” Maybe there is something precious to discover in the quiet prayer times of these Lenten Sundays. Come and see!
Angus
Live Streaming of Worship
Services can be watched via the church website, https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/live-stream. Reminder: If you do not wish to appear on the live stream please choose a seat in the rear half of the sanctuary. Note that the Evening Services on the 1st of the month are not live streamed as they are held in the London Scottish Chapel. If you experience any issue with livestream on the day, please email livestream@stcolumbas.org.uk (please note that this address will only be monitored on Sundays).
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 phone in to join the Sunday service. Those interested should follow:
Step 1: At 10.40am call phone number 0208 080 6591.
Step 2: You will be prompted to enter a meeting ID. Please type (using your telephone keypad) 884 4746 5645
Step 3: You will then be asked for a participant number – simply press the #.
Step 4: You will be asked to enter the password. Enter 838727
Step 5: Enjoy the service! You will hear the organ music from 10.50am.
THIS SUNDAY: Hymns, Music & Readings for Sunday, 2nd March 2025, Transfiguration Sunday
Hymn 111 Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! (Nicea)
Hymn 81 I to the hills will lift mine eyes (French, Dundee)
Hymn 636 Baptised in water (Bunessan CH4 212)
Hymn 512 To God be the glory, great things he has done! (To God be the glory)
Anthem: He that shall endure to the end – Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
Musical Interlude: Thou knowest, Lord – Purcell (1659-95)
Old Testament Reading: Exodus 34:29-35
Gospel Reading: Luke 9:28-43a
Reader: Isobel Carter
Details on the many ways you can support St Columba’s can be found here https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/giving/supporting-st-columb 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.
Give us a follow then pass it on to your friends and family!
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St Columba’s Members
We are sorry to announce the death of St Columba’s member Brenda Lang. Her funeral will be held on Friday 14th March at 10am at Oxford Crematorium, Bayswater Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9RZ.
The memorial of St Columba’s elder, Liz Maliphant will be held on Friday 7th March at 2pm at St Columba’s Church. Please note that the service will not be livestreamed.
Rest eternal grant unto them and let light perpetual shine upon them.
THIS SUNDAY: Sunday 2nd March 2025, Morning Service, Sunday School & Baptism followed by Congregational Lunch in the Lower Hall
A special welcome to the family and friends of Winifred Marjorie Lamb who come for her baptismal service this Sunday.
THIS SUNDAY: St Columba’s Craft Group, 1.30pm – 3.30pm, Kirk Session Room
Many of us are knitters and crocheters of varying levels of experience; others are embroiderers spinners and patchworkers, so whatever your interest is you will find a welcome with us. For more details contact Susan Pym or Fiona Lang via the church office.
THIS SUNDAY: Evening Service followed by Coffee and Tea in the Lower Hall
Lent Appeal 2025 – Caxton Youth Organisation. Registered Charity 1090549.
The Caxton Youth Organisation is a small local Westminster charity, based in Pimlico with Clubs Rooms that are in the basement area of a council housing estate. The charity is already known to us as it was the recipient of our Lent Appeal 2011. Founded in 1948 by a couple of local residents in response to much needed help and support for young people aged 11 to 25 years who have learning disabilities and young people with autism. It provides crucial support for local families with evening clubs three times a week: fantastic opportunities to make friends, drama workshops, play games, life-skills, basic cooking lessons for the older ones. The charity also helps with employment applications, finding work, or training.
With your donations we hope to raise enough funds to pay for a five-day outdoor residential trip at a purpose-built centre in the countryside for eight young people plus three staff. Donations would help cover the costs for accommodation, catering, staffing, activities and transport to the centre. A chance for them to experience the countryside and activities such as abseiling, high ropes courses, archery, pond dipping. For donations: White Lent Appeal envelopes will be available in the pews during Lent (Gift Aid if you are eligible).
We are delighted to welcome guest speakers for a brief talk on the charity during the morning service on:
Sunday 9 March (first Sunday of Lent)– Stefan Filby, Head of Programmes
Sunday 13 April (Palm Sunday) – Esther Norman, Interim CEO
Please do watch this lovely short video clip ‘What Makes Caxton Youth Special’. On this link.
Thank you. Mission Committee.
CHURCH MAGAZINE:
The new issue of the Church Magazine is available at the Bookstall for £1.50. Why not pick up copies for yourself and one for a friend/neighbour?
NEXT WEEK: Book Club, Monday 3rd March, 6.30pm
The Book Club met to discuss the Outrun by Amy Liptrot – a book predominantly set in Orkney. There was consensus about this book which is not always the case and those of the group who had not been to Orkney said it had created a desire to go there.
Our next book choice may not have the same reaction. Eight Months on Ghazzah Street by Hilary Mantel is a novel set in Saudi Arabia. We shall meet by Zoom to discuss it on Monday 3 March. After that we shall be reading The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng. New members are always welcome. Please contact the Church Office to find out more and receive the link.
NEXT WEEK: Ash Wednesday & Guided Prayer for Lent 2025
Wednesday 5th March, Holy Communion for Ash Wednesday, 1pm, London Scottish Chapel.
An intentional launch to the forty-day journey of Lent towards Holy Week and Easter. Sundays in Lent (9th March – 20th April) 10.15 – 10.30am, Kirk Session Room, a time of quiet prayer, in the company of others, following meditations for the season, led by the Minister.
NEXT SUNDAY: Sunday 9th March, Morning Service followed by Coffee and Tea in the Upper Hall
UPCOMING: The Presbytery of England and the Channel Islands Training and Development Committee Lent Bible Study “Journeying from Wilderness to Glory”
A warm invitation is extended to everyone to meet across the Presbytery. Come to one or come all of the Wednesday evening Zoom sessions 7-8pm from 5th March – 16th April.
To register, contact Rev’d Carolann Birnie Cbirnie@churchofscotland.org.uk. The Zoom link will be provided to those who register. No preparation is required for this.
UPCOMING: Saturday 15 March, The Friends of St Columba’s visit The Welcome Collection at 383 Euston Road, NW1
(Tube: Euston Square, Euston, Warren St, St Pancras King’s Cross.) Rendezvous at 11 a.m. inside the Main Entrance. A free museum and human experience. We shall meet afterwards for lunch. This is based around medical curios collected by the globe-trotting 19th century pharmacist Sir Henry Wellcome. His fascinating and often macabre finds include used guillotine blades, Napoleon’s toothbrush and a Chinese torture chair. At every turn the visitor will find something to fascinate.
Diary Date: New Members’ Conference & Service, Wednesday 30th April 2025 & & Sunday 8th June
If you would like to learn more about what becoming a member of St Columba’s involves, you are warmly invited to an evening of food and discussion on Wednesday 30th April 2025, 7.00pm. For those who would then like to become members there will be a Service of Welcome on Sunday 8th June – which appropriately is the day we celebrate St Columba himself! For more information speak to either of the ministers and please sign up via the Church Office.
Scots in London February newsletter.
For a variety of events and activities of interest see https://mailchi.mp/456933e5f5ea/february-newsletter
Scots in London is an umbrella organisation for Scottish cultural societies, sports clubs, alumni groups, charities, churches and the Scottish military in London. Its mission is to promote Scottish culture and heritage, co-ordinate and communicate events, support Scottish charities in the capital, and contribute to the life of the city where we live. While proud of our shared nationality, we endeavour to be international in outlook.
Diary Date: Scots in London 80th Anniversary VE Day Service, St Columba’s, Pont Street, 11am, Sunday 11th May 2025
Morning service with invited guests from European and Commonwealth embassies, followed by an afternoon talk by author Damien Lewis (SAS Daggers Drawn) and actor David Robb, on the wartime ministry of the Very Revd Dr Fraser McCluskey – the Parachute Padre – minister of St Columba’s, 1960 – 1986.
Save the date – Scots in London is delighted to announce that the St Andrew’s Book Festival is returning for 2025!
Get ready to engage with some of the biggest names in Scottish literature as the St Andrew’s Book Festival returns to central London from Thursday 27 to Sunday 30 November 2025.
Following last year’s hugely successful inaugural festival, where we welcomed literary icons like Sir Ian Rankin, Ann Cleeves, Jackie Kay, Judy Murray, and more, we are thrilled to promise another stellar lineup of celebrated authors, debut writers, children’s storytellers, and special events for schools.
Expect a warm welcome, a delightful mix of books and fascinating conversations, and a festival full of discovery. We are proud to bring Scottish talent, themes and connections to London, not only for the Scottish community, but for all who love books.
Save the dates, tell your friends, and stay tuned as we reveal more!
Sign up to hear all the latest festival news at www.standrewsbookfestival.org
Office Hours
The church office is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
E-mail: office@stcolumbas.org.uk
Website: www.stcolumbas.org.uk
Facebook: @stcolumbaschurchpontstreet.
Twitter: @LondonKirk
Pastoral Emergency Number (out of office hours): 07591926271