Friends,
Thanks to the presence of our candidate for ministry, David McKee, currently on summer attachment at St Columba’s, there is increased activity/conversation between St Columba’s, Pont Street and St Paul’s Cathedral. Last Monday, Reverend Paula Hollingsworth, Chaplain at St Paul’s Cathedral visited St Columba’s. Her parents were married here in 1959. Her main responsibility, as Chaplain at St Paul’s, is to offer pastoral support to the Cathedral community and to visitors. David will spend time in the coming days at St Paul’s to see and understand that ministry at first hand. It should be a fascinating insight.
Those who steward the great cathedrals of the UK are often balancing the tension of a tourist destination encountering a sacred/spiritual place, or vice versa. Consequently, they need to be aware of what messages they convey to visitors – consciously or subconsciously. A recent discussion of this elicited some advice that all churches might consider: Check your messages.
“When we are very familiar with buildings and with worship, it can be so hard to see them as newcomers do. Worth checking what we are actually communicating e.g., “The cathedral is closed for worship.” That sounds unfortunately like: “Keep Out!” – which was surely not the intention.
Notices need to have invitations built in to reassure and encourage engagement. There is a world of difference between a notice stating, “This Chapel is reserved for private prayer” and one which says: “You are welcome to use this chapel to enjoy a time of peace and quiet prayer”. “Spaces of invitation” need to offer not only permission, but encouragement, to enter.
Spaces of invitation also need to offer points of focus. It is evident that if there are candles, people will light them – and invest the action with all kinds of meaning; if there are kneelers they will kneel, if there are prayer cards, they may well explore prayer. If there aren’t, they may not – not necessarily because they aren’t interested but because they may not know how – or feel worried about doing the wrong thing.” (From, Place, Spirituality, Mission, by Dee Dyas.)
Have a great weekend and don’t forget, that following a fine congregational lunch, David is due to talk about his recent study trip to Israel & Palestine (Congregational Talk, 1.15pm, Upper Hall, Sunday 31st July.) Come and enjoy.
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,
7th Sunday after Trinity Sunday, Sunday 24th July
Hymn 201 Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness (Moredun)
Hymn 229 We plough the fields and scatter (Wir Pflugen)
Hymn 655 For your generous providing (Holy Manna)
Hymn 500 Lord of creation, to you be all praise (Slane)
Anthem: O taste and see, Vaughan Williams
Musical Interlude: Ave Verum, Byrd
Organ Postlude: Toccata (Symphony No 5) Widor
Old Testament Reading: Hosea 11:1-11
New Testament Reading: Colossians 3: 1-11
Gospel Reading: Luke 12: 13-21
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.
This Weekend: Congregational Talk – Mr David McKee, Sunday 31st July, 1.15pm (Upper Hall)
On Sunday 31st July please join David McKee – candidate for ministry, currently on summer placement at St Columba’s. David will reflect on his recent trip to Israel.
This Weekend: Songs of Praise
Look out for St Columba’s member, Claire Gourlay on Songs of Praise on the 31st of July. Claire mentions St Columba’s in her interview with the Revd Kate Bottley (hopefully not edited out!). Thanks to Claire for the PR.
St Columba’s Members
A Service of Thanksgiving for the life of St Columba’s member, Duncan Lang, will be held at St Columba’s, Pont Street on Tuesday 16th August 2022 at 3pm.
Congregational Sunday Lunches, Future Dates
There will be a fine lunch served in the Lower Hall today. Future lunch dates are the 7th August & 21st August 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.
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