“She loved Paris, and she passed on that love to her family.” Words spoken at a recent St Columba’s funeral. The French capital has been spotlighted recently with the unveiling of the magnificently restored Notre Dame. A thousand French oaks felled and shaped with axes, as they were eight centuries before. Sculptural masons and C21st computer imagery making eroded gargoyles scowl again; 7,982 organ pipes and 13 bells cleaned. That’s some Fabric Committee commitment!
Writing in the newspapers this week columnist Libby Purvis drew attention to how the fundraising for the cathedral’s restoration came from both within and beyond France, and from sources that reflected Christian constituencies, other faith groups and “dedicated unbelievers.” “A cathedral is not some civic ornament or tourist trap but a place of Christian worship, yet even the most faithless or actively hostile can hardly help relating to it.”
Purves went on to reference Philip Larkin’s poem “Church Going”. Visiting casually, the poet glances at “some brass and stuff up at the holy end”, sniggers at the hectoring verses on the lectern, donates an Irish sixpence and wonders whether, as Christianity fades, only superstitious sentimentalists and historians will visit the “accoutred frowsty barn.” Yet he ends up standing in silence and accepting it as “a serious house on serious earth”; a place where a visitor can surprise a hunger in himself to be more serious, even if only because the dead lie all around. “Larkin perfectly captures the reluctant awe which makes old stone reach out to the impatient modern heart.” (The Times, 2nd December)
Every day at St Columba’s while there may be much activity (sometimes frenetic!) taking place in our halls and meeting rooms, because the building remains staffed and open, there are individuals who find peace and quiet upstairs in our beautiful sanctuary, with its combination of height, space and shifting light. We may never know what these visitors find or go away with, but I think it is one of the unseen gifts that come from the presence and support of our scattered, but sustaining congregation. We may not be quite as grand as Notre Dame, but hopefully we share and pass on our love for this place.
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, 8th December 2024, Second Sunday of Advent
Hymn 281 People, look East. The time is near (Besancon)
Hymn 284 Hope is a candle, once lit by the prophets (Galloway Tam)
Hymn 334 On Jordan’s bank, the Baptist’s cry (Winchester New)
Hymn 283 The voice of God goes out to all the world (Woodlands, CH3 286)
Anthem: Benedictus in C – Stanford (1852-1924)
Musical Interlude: A Tender Shoot – Goldschmidt (1908-1996)
New Testament Reading: Luke 1:68-79; Philippians 1:3-11
Gospel Reading: Luke 3:1-6
Reader: Kate Macnish
Details on the many ways you can support St Columba’s can be found here https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/giving/supporting-st-columbas 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.
St Columba’s member
We are sorry to announce the death of St Columba’s member Nancy Briggs. A Thanksgiving Service for the life of Nancy will be held in the London Scottish Chapel at 2.30 pm on Thursday 19th December. Rest eternal grant unto her and let light perpetual shine upon her.
THIS FRIDAY: RESTART’s Annual Sleep Out, Friday 6th December 2024, outside St Columba’s Church.
Every year the staff, volunteers and supporters of Restart Lives spend one night outside. Although there is much that separates the experience of the controlled environment of the Sleepout from that of a person living life on the streets, we hope the event will help all those who participate to imagine what London’s homeless have to contend with. Good luck to the two members of the Kirk Session who will be joining the Sleep Out.
THIS SUNDAY: Morning Service followed by Coffee and Tea in the Upper Hall
The flowers are presented on Sunday by Karen Cunningham in memory of her beloved father, Noel, who would have turned 90 on 11th December, and of her treasured friend Ian Aitchison, who would have been 101 on 6th December. “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty”. Psalm 91:1
THIS SUNDAY: QUIET PRAYER FOR ADVENT
10.15 – 10.30am, Kirk Session Room. Join the congregational prayer group for a short time of quiet prayer with an Advent theme, led by the Minister, to prepare for the coming of the Christmas Christ. All welcome.
THIS SUNDAY: ADVENT STUDY
“Waiting can be beautiful and, at least sometimes, it takes us to the heart of the Holy.” Advent Study (12.30pm Sunday 8th December in-person, or 10.30am Wednesday 11th December online.)
As much at home with Strictly Come Dancing as the mystical writings of Julian of Norwich, Rachel Mann writes with disarming verve of something we all experience – waiting. It may seem unlikely when you’re stuck on a train, or nervously anticipating hospital treatment, or simply fearful of an uncertain future, that there is treasure to be found in the waiting. Yet the Psalmist says, ‘I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.’
The Advent group meets on Wednesday mornings leading up to Christmas (10.30am, online zoom, 11th & 18th December.) An in-person group is offered at 12.30pm on Sundays 8th, 15th & 22nd December. Please sign up via the church office to receive further detail.
THIS SUNDAY: Scottish Country Dancing for Children, 1.pm, Lower Hall
We are delighted that RSCDS are offering Scottish Country Dancing for children. The class takes place once a month on Sunday afternoons (2nd Sunday of the month) taught by Rose Kreloff. Children should be at least primary school aged (typically 4-12) but dancers in their early teens also welcome. Please book into the class by emailing classes@rscdslondon.org.uk
Advent Appeal 2024 (for Glass Door) Sox and Boxers + other items
During Advent we will be collecting donations for the following items: small pocket size puzzle books (sudoku, crossword etc), pens, reusable water bottles, reusable coffee cups, boxer shorts, ladies’ pants (all sizes), ladies’ sanitary products, thermal hats, thermal socks (for both men and women), thermal tights, thermal gloves (or very thick ones). Christmas gifts will then be wrapped by Mission Committee for the homeless guests staying overnight at church on Sunday 22nd December. The remainder of items will help restock supplies with Glass Door www.glassdoor.org.uk for their homeless clients. Collection point for donations will be the Upper Vestibule by the Advent Appeal Display Board. Starts from the first Sunday of Advent 1st December and each Sunday up until Christmas Day. Thank you for your continuing support. Mission Committee.
ScotsCare – Financial Donations (Advent Appeal)
www.scotscare.com As an alternative, you may wish to consider making a financial donation to ScotsCare for their ongoing work. Details for online payments and text donations, please click on this link (or access via the charity’s website). https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/23231#!/DonationDetails Cheques payable to: ScotsCare. Post to ScotsCare, Ground Floor, 22 City Road, London, EC1Y 2AJ.
NEXT WEEK: The Parliamentary Kirking Service at Crown Court will be on Tuesday 10th December at 11.30am.
For details www.crowncourtchurch.org.uk
NEXT SUNDAY: 15th December, Morning Service, Christian Aid speaker, Sunday School Nativity & Congregational Lunch.
Our guest speaker at 11am is Liz Burrell from Christian Aid who will speak about the situation in Southern Sudan and Christian Aid’s partnership work there. Service concludes with a celebration of the Nativity, led by our young people and adult helpers. Not to be missed!
NEXT WEEK: Sunday 15th December, Carols by Candlelight for Scotscare, 6.30pm, Crown Court Church of Scotland
Còisir Lunnainn – the London Gaelic Choir – invites you to join them for an evening of Scottish Gaelic carols and lessons. The Carol service will start at 6.30pm and be followed by festive refreshments in the hall.
UPCOMING: Pont Street Carols, Sunday 22nd December, 5pm
Join us for an evening of Carols at St Columba’s to celebrate our community. Do think about inviting friends to come and enjoy beautiful music, a special atmosphere and a retelling of the Christmas story. Seasonal refreshments afterwards. All welcome.
Christmas Services
| 8th December 11.00am | Morning Service Revd Angus MacLeod |
| 15th December 11.00am | Morning Service & Sunday School Nativity Revd William McLaren |
| 22nd December 11.00 am: | Morning Service Revd William McLaren |
| 22nd December 5.00pm: | Pont Street Carols by Candlelight Revd Angus MacLeod |
| 24th December 11.15pm: | Watchnight Communion Service* Revd Angus MacLeod |
| 25th December 10.30am: | Christmas Day Family Service & Communion Revd William McLaren |
| 29th December 11.00am: | Morning Service Revd William McLaren |
| 5th January 11.00am: | Morning Service, Sunday School & Baptisms Mr Gary Wallis, elder of St Columba’s |
| 5th January 5.00pm: | Evening Service for Epiphany * Revd Angus MacLeod |
Attend in-person or visit online www.stcolumbas.org.uk/live-stream (Congregational Lunch, £4, served on 15th & 29th December) All services over Christmas at St Columba’s are live-streamed, except those marked with an asterisk *
www.stcolumbas.org.uk/live-stream
St Columba’s Book Club, Tuesday 10th December, 6.30 pm
The Book Club met to discuss Colm Toibin’s “Brooklyn” and found it to be a very believable depiction both of a small town in Ireland in the 1950’s and the life of an immigrant to the USA, and elicited an interesting discussion of personal experiences of coming to London and the importance of St Columba’s. For our next meeting, we shall be discussing “The Phone Box at the Edge of the World” by Laura Imai Messina and our choice for the first book of 2025 is “The Outrun” by Amy Liptrot. We meet by Zoom and new members are welcome. For details, please contact the Church Office
SAVE THE DATE; “A Not-Quite-the Burns-Supper”, Saturday 25th January 2025.
Not the all-singing, all-dancing Church Burns Supper of regular times, but an enjoyable evening of traditional fayre with some community singing. More detail to follow.
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: @stcolumbas churchpontstreet.
Twitter: @LondonKirk
Pastoral Emergency Number (out of office hours): 07591926271