Friends,
To those of you I have not already seen, may I wish you a very Happy New Year.
Later this month we will mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, 18-25 January. This Octave of Prayer for Unity was first held in 1908 and reflects Jesus’ own prayer for his followers “that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (St. John 17: 21). So the world may believe that you have sent me… The call to unity and the missionary imperative are one. Someone once put it in much more earthy terms when they said that “for a divided church to preach unity to the world is as effective as a bald man selling hair restorer!”. It is no coincidence that the modern ecumenical movement grew out of the World Missionary Conference held in Edinburgh in 1910, leading to the eventual creation of the World Council of Churches, of which the Church of Scotland was a founder member.
Photo: Leo Lintang / Alamy Stock Photo
The theme of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity this year is Jesus’ question to Martha “Do you believe this?” and her confession of faith in St. John 11: 17-27. This year, 2025, also marks 1,700 years since the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, an early attempt to achieve unity among Christians, leading to the formulation of the Nicene Creed (CH4 649), a statement of Christian Faith articulating the divine nature of God the Son and his relationship to God the Father. It has always seemed to me that if Christians believe what we say we do about God and about Christ and what he did for us on the cross, all other differences must be of secondary importance.
As we look forward to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity it is a particular pleasure to welcome Bishop James Curry, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, who is preaching this Sunday. Bishop Jim (as he is affectionately known) was born in Stepney. He studied at Allen Hall Seminary here in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and at the Catholic University of Louvain. He was ordained priest in 1986 and was until recently Parish Priest of Our Lady of Victories in Kensington and is a former chaplain to the Lord Mayor of London. I had the honour of attending his episcopal ordination in Westminster Cathedral last June. I am delighted that he is joining us on Sunday and I look forward to hearing his message. The ecumenical and inclusive nature of St. Columba’s has always impressed me and I know that Bishop Jim will receive a warm welcome from the congregation.
Wishing you peace, health and happiness in 2025,
William.
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, 12th January 2025, Baptism of the Lord
Hymn 201 Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness (Moredun)
Hymn 336 Christ is our light! the bright and morning star (Highland Cathedral)
Hymn 598 Come, Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire (St. Columba (Erin))
Hymn 540 I heard the voice of Jesus say (The Rowan Tree)
Anthem: O Radiant Dawn – MacMillan (b. 1959)
Musical Interlude: In the Bleak Midwinter – McGlade (b. 1980)
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 43: 1-7
New Testament Reading: Acts 8: 14-17
Gospel Reading: Luke 3: 15-17, 21-22
Reader: Sheila Nicoll
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.
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St Columba’s Elder
We are sorry to announce the death of St Columba’s elder Liz Maliphant. Please keep husband Ken and daughters Katy and Louise in your prayers. Details of Liz’s funeral will be published when confirmed. Rest eternal grant unto her and let light perpetual shine upon her.
THIS SUNDAY: Congregational Prayer Group, 10.15 – 10.30am, Kirk Session Room
Join others to pray for the continuing life and work of St Columba’s.
THIS SUNDAY: Morning Service, Guest Preacher, Rt Revd James Curry, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster followed by Coffee and Tea in the Upper Hall.
In anticipation of The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (traditionally observed from the 18th to the 25th January) our guest preacher will be the recently appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster.
THIS SUNDAY: Sunday 12th January, 1pm, 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 – Thank you.
A big thank you to everyone who supported the Advent Appeal. We have handed over the lovely selection of donated items to Glass Door to help top-up their supplies. Items such as: boxer shorts, thermal hats and gloves, thermal socks. There were lots of items for ladies too: selection of thermal items (gloves, tights), also ladies’ pants, ladies’ sanitary products, small sized toiletries. General items such as puzzle/quiz books, pens, reusable water bottles and lots more! From your donations, there were also Christmas gifts we wrapped for the Glass Door homeless guests who stayed overnight at church on Sunday 22 December. The gifts were comprised of one thermal item, a reusable water bottle, and a small notepad and pen. Many thanks as well to those who perhaps made a financial donation direct to ScotsCare, in response to our Advent Appeal. Both charities send their grateful thanks for your continuing support. Mission Committee.
NEXT SUNDAY: Sunday 19th January, Morning Service & Sunday School followed by Congregational Lunch in the Lower Hall
NEXT SUNDAY: Sunday 19th January, Sounds of St Columba’s Recital, 1.30pm, Upper Hall
Operatic Treasures – an assortment of operatic arias and duets from
Gulshan Akin – Soprano
Efim Zafalny – Baritone
Rebekka Magomedova – Piano
UPCOMING: “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 and Burns recitations. Tickets £15 from Eventbrite only on this link or via the QR code below and will include two course Supper (Haggis, Neaps and Tatties followed by Cranachan). Cash bar on the night.
UPCOMING: Sunday 26th January, 11am Service of Holy Communion & afterwards, “Reflections”
An opportunity to read and discuss a bible passage together with others, over a cup of coffee, following morning service. No sign up required, just come on the day.
UPCOMING: Monday 27th January 2025, 6.30pm
Our next meeting is by Zoom, on January 27, when we shall discuss The Outrun, by Amy Liptrot. After that we shall read Eight Months on Ghazzah Street by Hilary Mantel.
A prayer for the New Year.
(Thanks to the Congregational Prayer Group)
As the dawn breaks on a new year,
let us give thanks for all we hold dear,
our health, our families, and our friends.
Let us release our grudges,
our anger and our pains,
for these are nothing but binding chains.
Let us live each day in the most loving way.
The God-conscious way.
This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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