Friends,
Prisons Week (9th – 16th October 2022) aims to encourage prayer and awareness of the needs of prisoners and their families, victims of offenders, prisons staff and all those who care within the justice system. This Sunday, those in church will receive a prayer sheet for the week ahead. Each day of the week, a new prayer brings into focus a different group affected by prison or criminal justice.
Meanwhile, on Thursday 13th October, Jake Tily, Creative Programmes Director at the Irene Taylor Trust will talk to us about The Lullaby Project.
This is an inspirational project where prison inmates collaborate with members of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to write lullabies for offenders’ children. The aim of the project is to strengthen the bond between parent and child through a creative arts activity. There is a very moving radio documentary about the music prison project, part of the ‘Seriously’ podcasts: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0bh38nx
Our own congregational prayer group which meets this Sunday, (10.00 – 10.15am, in the London Scottish Chapel) have created prayers that reflect Prisons Week. Thank you to them for that. The Prisons Week Prayer is:
Lord, you offer freedom to all people.
We pray for those in prison.
Break the bonds of fear and isolation that exist.
Support with your love prisoners and their families and friends,
prison staff and all who care.
Heal those who have been wounded by the activities
of others, especially the victims of crime.
Help us to forgive one another.
To act justly, love mercy and walk humbly together with Christ
in His strength and in His Spirit, now and every day. Amen.
Finally, many thanks to those who decorated the sanctuary so beautifully for Harvest Festival last Sunday. It enhanced our worship and added to the life provided by a lively baptismal party!
Have a good weekend and see you on Sunday,
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,
16th Sunday after Trinity Sunday, Sunday 2nd September
Hymn 200 Christ is made the sure foundation (Westminster Abbey)
Hymn 184 Sing to the Lord a joyful song (Gonfalon Royal)
Hymn 187 There’s a wideness in God’s mercy (All for Jesus)
Hymn 182 Now thank we all our God (Nun Danket)
Anthem: View me, Lord (Lloyd)
Anthem: Expectans expectavi (Wood)
Organ Postlude: Fugue in C minor by Mendelssohn
Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 29: 1, 4-7
New Testament Reading: II Timothy 2:8-15
Gospel Reading: Luke 17: 11-19
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 Congregational Prayer Group
This Sunday, 9th October, the Congregationa Prayer Group will meet 10am in the London Scottish Chapel; all are very welcome. “May (our) prayers be set before (the Lord) like incense; Psalm 141: 2
Church Magazine October – November Issue
The new Church Magazine is available from the bookstall. The magazine is very different from the one originally planned. It is much-focused on the life of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Thank you to the editorial team and contributors for producing such an appropriate offering, in such short time.
Congregational Sunday Lunches, Future Dates
There will be a fine congregational lunch served in the Lower Hall after the service today (Sunday 2nd October.) Future lunch dates are the 16th October & 30th October 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.
This Week: St Columba’s Coffee Mornings
We are looking forward to seeing many faces on our upcoming Zoom coffee mornings. Please pop the dates below in your diary and contact the office if you haven’t joined before so the Zoom joining instructions can be sent to you.
- 13th October 2022, 10.30am – In prisons week, Jake Tily, Creative Programmes Director at the Irene Taylor Trust will talk to us about The Lullaby Project where they have collaborated with the Royal Philharmonic orchestra to write lullabies for prisoners’ children.
Next Week: Sounds of St Columba’s
On Sunday 16th October, please join us for a recital in the Upper Hall at 1:30pm. British pianist, Ashley Fripp will be performing some works by Mozart and Chopin for us. Ashley has performed around the world in some of the most world renowned venues, we are lucky to have him perform as part of our series. There will be a retiring offering for the upkeep of music in the church.
Friends of St Columba’s Trip- Neasden Indian Temple
The Friends of St Columba’s are having an outing to Neasden Indian Temple on the 5th November, 10.30am. Neasden Temple is a masterpiece of traditional Hindu design and exquisite Indian workmanship in the heart of north-west London. Using 5,000 tonnes of Bulgarian limestone and Italian and Indian marble, it was hand-carved in India before being assembled in London in just 2½ years. Since its opening in 1995, this renowned place of worship has attracted close to half a million visitors annually. Worthy of note are the intricate carvings, the traditional Hindu prayer ceremony, and an exhibition to inform visitors about the world’s oldest living faith. (The YouTube video of the Mandir (Temple) is ideal for a quick impression), Entrance is free, the Exhibition costs £1.50; and there is a shop. Lunch is available for us in the Temple restaurant. If you would like to attend or more information please contact Isobel Carter on isobel@in-carter.com.
St Columba’s Book Group
The St Columba’s Book Group next meet on Monday 17th October 2022 at 6.30pm via Zoom. They will be discussing, “I’ll keep you safe” by Peter May.
This is a murder mystery set in Paris and Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides. Those interested in the production of tweed May find it interesting, even if they are not crime fans! To sign up please contact the Church Office. See you on the 17th!
Lent Appeal 2023 (small UK charity)
Over the last five years, thanks to your generosity, we have raised a total of £44,840 for small charities as a direct result of our Lent Appeals; this is a major part of our work on Mission. The Mission Committee would be grateful for any suggestions you may have for a small home/UK charity that could be considered for the St. Columba’s Lent Appeal 2023. For more information, please contact Naomi Donaldson, naomi.60@live.co.uk (or via the Church Office) before Wednesday 26th October.
Harvest Appeal – Thank you!
Thank you very much for your generous response to this year’s Harvest Appeal, it was a bumper harvest! The Upper Room charity, UR4 Meals, have been in and collected the donated food items and send their grateful thanks to everyone. UR4 Meals provide thousands of meals each year for the homeless and less advantaged people who arrive at their door. Your donations will play an important part to the crucial work that the charity undertakes. For more information about the charity:
https://theupperroom.org.uk/
https://theupperroom.org.uk/what-we-do/ur4meals/
Sleepouts – Save the date!
Restart will be holding their annual sleepout at St Columba’s on Friday 18th November 2022. If you would like to help fundraise/join the sleepout or volunteer for the Friday evening drop in’s please contact Programme Manager, Olivia on olivia@restartlives.org.
RSDCS Tuesday Socials
Anew Scottish dance group meets 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/.
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.
Prayers & Meditations for Sunday, 9th October,
prepared by the Congregational Prayer Group
After Harvest Festival
Heavenly Father, we pray today with thankfulness for the bounty of harvest which we share. Help us always to be aware of the needs of those whose tables are not laid with enough food for themselves and their families, for those who need the resources of food banks, charities like REstart and Glass Door. And let us be thankful for the people who provide and cook the meals, and in their charity provide companionship and support.
And at the beginning of Prisons Week
Prison may not only be a place of confinement and correction.
Prison can also be created within the mind.
Prison can exist within a relationship.
Let us remember those in prison – those whose actions have led to their incarceration, those illegally imprisoned because of their religious or political beliefs, those who cry out for justice and understanding. Grant that the judges and all who work in the legal professions support the law and reach fair judgements.
Let us remember the families who suffer because of the imprisonment of a relative – the rejection by society, the difficulties of communication and the adjustments needed when a prison sentence ends. Let us be thankful that we are able to help a charity which supports such families.
Meditations & Scriptures for Prisons Week
- Stone walls do not a prison make
Nor iron bars a cage
Minds innocent and quiet take
That for an Hermitage
If I have freedom in my Love
And in my soul am free
Angels alone that soar above
Enjoy such Liberty
(From “To Althea, from Prison”, Richard Lovelace) - Remember Joseph whose talent for interpreting dreams won him freedom from Pharoah’s prison (Genesis Chapter 41)
- And In the Acts of the Apostles we read of the imprisonment, even death, of Jesus’ disciples:
King Herod still persecuted members of the Christian church. He had James killed with the sword and ordered the arrest and imprisonment of Peter. But Acts 12 v.6 -8
“The very night before Herod was going to bring him out, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while guards in front of the door were keeping watch over the prison. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying “Get up quickly”. And the chains fell off his wrists. The angel said to him “Fasten your belt and put on your sandals. He did so.”
The angel leads Peter out of the prison past the guards, through the iron gate leading into the city and walked along a lane. Then the angel left him. v. 11 “Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hands of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” - There are other accounts of arrests and imprisonment of the disciples and their followers, including Paul and Silas, who were freed from prison during an earthquake. (Acts 16 v 16-40)
- When the world tells us to drown the silent sufferings of others
with indifference or noise;
or to forget the art of stillness even in the storm,
let us learn from being silent.
When the world tells us to rush in where angels fear to tread
let us learn that angels listen first
before they take a step;
Let us listen for the voice of God in the Silence.
Time of Silent Prayer
Let us sing of freedom for the captive,
those imprisoned by poverty, disease,
those who are persecuted for their religion, their difference.
The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.
But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
(Extract from Caged Bird by Maya Angelou)
Jesus says, “Pick up your bed and walk.”
Pick up the bed of your sorrow and fears.
Pick up the bed of your grief and sin.
Pick up your life and come, come follow Him.
Final Prayers
God, Star kindler,
kindle a flame of love within us
to light our path in days of darkness.
God, Sun warmer,
warm us with your love
to melt the frozen hand of guilt.
And may the moon burnish the shield of faith,
that we may seek justice and follow the ways of peace.
May the God of peace go with us
as we travel from this place;
may the love of Jesus keep us
firm in hope and full of grace. AMEN
(Ian Jamieson CH4 786)