Scotland’s Bard, Robert Burns made a second appearance at St Columba’s this week. Following a very convivial Congregational Burns Supper on Saturday 21st January, it was the turn of the Night Shelter guests and volunteers on Sunday 29th January. Both evenings contained traditional elements – piping, poetry, processing of, and address to, the haggis. Of Sunday’s occasion, volunteer Lynsey Verillo reflected:
“It has become a very special evening for those of us involved for a number of years and felt great to be back celebrating and sharing our culture with the Glassdoor guests. The evening was received incredibly well by the guests, they participated in Bruce’s “To a Haggis”, they filmed the poetry and pipes and they all tried Sarah’s fabulous Burns Supper. Angela from Glassdoor commented how wonderful to see the guests participate and enjoy.
The St Columba’s team rallied to bring it together, Will did a fabulous job locating a terrific, female, piper who was excellent and lovely, he also prepared the flower table decorations, Bruce was a stellar speaker, Colin ensured we had the tables looking great, and Sarah’s meal including printed menu was as fabulous as ever.” The pictures (above) say the same.
On the morning of the Night Shelter Burns Supper, William and the congregation celebrated Holy Communion. Two meals, same day. Two meals, Upstairs (the Sanctuary), Downstairs (the Upper Hall). Two meals – an integrity of word and action in this place, worship and service interwoven. Two meals, one reminder:
We saw a stranger yesterday.
We put food in the eating place,
Drink in the drinking place,
Music in the listening place.
And with the sacred name of the triune God
He blessed us and our house,
Our cattle and our dear ones.
As the lark says in her song:
Often, often, often, goes the Christ
In the stranger’s guise.
(Celtic Rune of Hospitality)
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 and readings will be on the website.
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 are not live streamed as they are held 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 for Morning Service, 5th February 2023
5th Sunday after Epiphany
Hymn 748 Through saints we glimpse the light of day (Wareham)
Hymn 622 We sing a love (Woodlands)
Hymn 252 As a fire is meant for burning (Beach Spring)
Hymn 529 Forth in thy name, O Lord, I go {Tune: Warrington, CH4 470}
Anthem: Magnificat (Orlando Gibbons)
Anthem: Nunc dimittis (Orlando Gibbons)
Organ Postlude: Postlude in G ‘On a theme by Gibbons’ C V Stanford
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 58: 1 – 14
Gospel Reading: Matthew 5:13 – 20
The Associate Minister leads worship at St Ninians’s, Corby on Sunday 5th February.
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: Sunday School & future dates:
Between January and March, we offer Sunday School on the first and third Sundays of the month.
Sunday 5th February
Sunday 19th February
Sunday 5th March
Sunday 19th March (Mothering Sunday)
Arrangements and activities for Easter to be confirmed.
THIS SUNDAY: Congregational Sunday Lunch & Future Dates
There will be a fine Sunday lunch served in the Lower Hall this Sunday. Future dates for lunches are 19th February, 5th March 2023 & 19th March 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.
NEXT SUNDAY: Congregational Prayer Group, 10.00-10.15am
Join us at church on Sunday, 12th February as we come together to seek God in prayer for our church, our community and the world. London Scottish Chapel at 10 am.
Ash Wednesday Holy Communion, Wednesday 22nd February 2023
To begin Lent 2023 there will be a short service of holy communion in the London Scottish Chapel at 12.30pm, Wednesday 22nd February 2023.
Sounds of St Columba’s 2023
The fantastic Sounds of St Columba’s series is back for 2023. Please note the dates in your diary, bring your friends and enjoy the marvellous music in the Upper Hall.
1.30pm start.
19th February 2023 – Friend of St Columba’s, Jonathan Radford will play a programme of music on his classical saxophone 19th March 2023 – Axel Krogness, classical guitarist will play a programme of music to include Dowland, Bach and Goroto. 21st May 2023 – Fredrick Seines, classical guitarist will play a programme of music to include Bach, Poulenc and Dowland.
St Columba’s Book Group
Our next meeting will be on 20th February 2023, 6.30pm. The book choice for February is The Wonder by Emma Donoghue. Set in 1860s Ireland when an English nurse is commissioned to go to an Irish village to investigate the case of a 10-year-old girl who, apparently, has not eaten for four months. It has recently been adapted into a film with Florence Pugh in the role of the nurse. The film had a limited cinema release and is now available on Netflix. The novel examines lots of issues – faith, miracles, rural life, Irish History…
The choice after the Wonder (for those who like to get ahead) is Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire.
The St Columba’s Book Group meet by Zoom, just contact the Church Office for the joining details. Newcomers are welcome.
The London Homelessness Collective 10K Evening Walk
A group of Borderline staff, volunteers and supporters will be taking part in the London Walk event, and we’d love it if you could join us. Anything you raise will go directly to supporting homeless Scots into safe and secure housing. The London Homeless Collective are organising the event, which begins and ends at St Martin in the Fields (Trafalgar Square.) It can be done at any pace; registration opens at 7pm and the walk will start at 9pm. Many charities will be taking part. Given St Columba’s links to Borderline, GlassDoor & ReStart you may wish to represent one of them. Participants are expected to raise £150 minimum to cover entry costs.
Borderline are offering each fundraiser a Borderline goody bag, t-shirt and completion medal. If you would like to take part contact Jacqueline.walker@borderline-uk.org for more information. She can help you with setting up a fundraising page if needed.
St Columba’s Quiz
The St. Columba’s Quiz returns on Saturday, 22nd April. 6.30 for 7 pm start. Tickets will be on sale in March. Please save the date, gather your teams and watch for further details re ticket sales etc.
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.
If you require this information in a different format please contact the Church Office.