Author: Lucy Llewellyn

This week the Kirk Session (trustees of the congregation) were asked to give their views about how we proceed at present. Commendably, there was a very full response, and the heavy consensus was that for reasons of safety and “common good” we should remain closed for in-person attendance at Sunday worship. For the moment, we will rely on the live-stream/Dial-In to maintain our worship; achieved with the minimum number of people in church. Our beautiful music, which has been such a sustaining source, reverts to being recorded and edited at home. We do not know how long this will last, but we will review again at the Kirk Session meeting on 29th January. Realistically, we may require to re endorse this policy on that date and commit to frequent review. Please be assured, our aim is to reopen as soon as we can, while maintaining the safety of our staff, volunteers and congregation.

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Friends,

A very Happy New Year to you and welcome back to the Weekly E Newsletter, the first of 2021. Firstly, confirmation of immediate plans and then a little explanation of next steps. As you know the decision was taken to close the services at St Columba’s to in-person attended worship – Lessons & Carols on Sunday 20^th December was the last service attended, in-person. Since then, our Christmas services have been live-stream/Dial-In only. The Lock Down Working Group met on Monday 4^th January. Our discussions were then swiftly overtaken by the National Lock Down announced that evening. While clarification of what the new regulations would be was sought, the Working Group decided that in the short term we would remain closed on this Sunday, 10^th December i.e., live-stream/Dial-In only.

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Headline: It’s great to see you in church….BUT!

• If you plan to attend any of our Christmas services please pre-register before 1pm, Tuesday 22^nd December.
  Without a booking we cannot guarantee entrance.
• Government advice is to stay local. No unnecessary journeys.
• All services are live-streamed.
• Check seasonal parking restrictions (see below)

Friends,
“Here in Corbridge (Northumberland) we are having Carols by Torchlight outside the local church, at 7pm on Christmas Eve and the walk will do me good!” So writes Irene Wilkinson, Session Clerk at St Andrew’s, Newcastle; proving that while one door closes, a new church yard opens up! All over the country congregations will be making differing arrangements for celebration and worship of Christmas. In Newcastle, the Kirk Session has taken the sensible decision (scattered congregation, tier 3, weather forecast!) not to hold services on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. Hopefully, some will join the live-stream services from St Columba’s. In London, also now tier 3, our services can be attended, but as the newsletter headlines declare – please pre-book your place for services up to Sunday 3rd January (booking deadline 1pm, Tuesday 22nd December) & please consider carefully before making journeys – Government advice is to stay local.

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Friends,
As I write, a small but dedicated team is decorating the Christmas tree in the sanctuary. The tree has been designated by Michael Dempsey, our caretaker, “the biggest ever!” The logistics of arranging lights, stars and sparkles are considerable. But when complete, it will provide a lovely glow of beauty and welcome for the third Sunday in Advent (13th December.)

Following on from a safe and happy return of worshippers into the building last Sunday, this week sees the planned return of the choir for the first time since March. And we also welcome families to a Sunday School gathering*. The children will join us at the start of the 11am service, before leaving for their activities. It will be a very happy opportunity to see some church friends after a long break, and just having our young people in the building will be a good sign of life for all of us.

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Friends
Another first for St Columba’s & St Andrew’s, Newcastle in this year of accumulating firsts – the virtual Moderator. In the second of Lucy Llewellyn-inspired, and inspiring, Zoom Coffee Mornings, we were joined by the Rt Revd Dr Martin Fair. He would have been in London all week, in normal times, but this year is the year of Zoom & Teams. He spoke very interestingly about how he has had to reinvent the way of being a Moderator, in a year when he cannot visit anywhere or anybody, in person. He appears to have made the very best of the situation and has combined reaching out to a wide audience, via the internet, as well as offering a pastoral ministry to fellow ministers. Whoever the speaker is, the Virtual Coffee Mornings are proving a lovely way of seeing familiar faces and keeping in touch. Thank you to everyone who has been able to take part. Look out for details about the next occasion (see below.)

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Monday 30th November is St Andrew’s Day, so this week the main message is a big “shout out” to all the congregation and friends of St Andrew’s, Newcastle. You would undoubtedly have been celebrating Scotland’s patron saint this weekend, if circumstances had permitted. However, while that is not possible, you are very much in our collective thoughts and prayers this weekend.

Sunday also marks the start of Advent – the season of four Sundays running up to the celebration of Christmas. Contrary to the often frantic high street preparations for Christmas, Advent aims to clear a space for anticipation, waiting and expectancy. The readings this Sunday will direct us towards a vigil of waiting – wakefulness, watchfulness and worship. To help us in these weeks, there are resources from the Congregational Prayer Group. They suggest a fifteen minute time of quiet reading, prayer and meditation. I hope the words of scripture and poetry will enhance your thoughts. (See end of e-newsletter)

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Christ the King Sunday

Friends,

In the Christian calendar, this Sunday is the final fixture of the season; the last Sunday of the Church/liturgical year. Next week the new cycle begins with Advent Sunday. From Advent, through Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, Easter and its fifty days, Ascension and Pentecost – this weekend we complete the circle begun in late November 2019. A great deal has happened, and not happened, since embarking on the now-concluding, Church year. As a judge sums up at the end of trial, once all the evidence is in, we are asked to return a verdict. The verdict of our faith is this: Christ is King. But Christ’s “kingship” is a strange one, very different to many of the images we have of regular kings and queens. Sunday’s gospel reading from Matthew 25 will spell out how the King is most easily discovered in the pauper’s guise. Declaring Christ as King, at the end of the Church’s year, invites us to look back over the last twelve months and assess, where and how, Christ has been present in our own lives, and in the life of the world. And declaring Christ as King, at the beginning of a new Church year, encourages us to find Christ in those we serve (and in ourselves), while also bestowing strength and courage to face all that is yet unknown.

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When I was an Army chaplain one of the regiments I served with had  its own Kirk Session. One of its young elders was an absolutely  fanatical Glasgow Rangers supporter. In a year when Rangers came  second best to city rivals, Celtic, I introduced the hymn, At the name of Jesus  every knee shall bow, by saying that verse three was especially for one of our  elders. Verse three begins – “Humbled for a season….” 
I’m not sure I was forgiven until the following season! 

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