After years staffing the church office, former office manager, Lucy Llewellyn gave the verdict: “People come to St Columba’s for one reason, but come back for others.” Current days illustrate reasons why people might come, and why they might return – to hear an astonishingly beautiful recital of Duruflé’s Requiem by our own St Columba’s choir – to listen to the Moderator (Rt Revd Dr Shaw Paterson) reflect on the experiences of his moderatorial year.
Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, London Week
| 11.00am | Morning Service & Sunday School Revd William McLaren |
Sounds of St Columba’s: Sunday 17th November, 1.30pm, Church
The Choir of St Columba’s will sing Duruflé’s Requiem on November 17th 2024 at 1.30pm – featuring Catherine Olver (Organ).
Saturday 16th November – Scotscare Ceilidh, Lower Hall 7pm to 10.30pm
ScotsCare are excited to announce that they will be hosting their first ever Ceilidh on Saturday 16th November at St Columba’s Church, from 7.00 to 10.30pm (doors open from 6.30pm).
The following reflection appeared on Revd David Donald Scott’s Blog on the Learig https://daviddonaldscott.blogspot.com/ and is reproduced with his kind permission. David, who preached at St Columba’s at the time of our Festival of Silence a year ago, offers a daily reflection on a wide range of topics – cultural, church, world events and the natural world. Today he writes:
The days of Lent are set aside as pilgrimage and preparation for our eventual embrace and celebration of Easter. They echo Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness. You might consider Lent as a “treasure hunt,” digging more deeply into the mystery of Christ’s life, death and resurrection; perhaps a time to reassess and reorder what is important. Travelling from Ash Wednesday to Easter and beyond, we hope the resources offered here – poems, psalms and prayers will encourage and enrich your journey towards Easter this year.
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| 10.45am | Morning Service – Remembrance Service Revd Angus MacLeod |
| 3.00pm | London Scottish Parade Remembrance Service Revd Angus MacLeod |
Connections, connections! This week’s newsletter offers a whole variety of connections -possibilities for the coming weeks.
Connections to God. As part of our preparations for Christmas join others to read and discuss Rachel Mann’s book, “Do Not Be Afraid”, the Archbishop of York’s Advent book.
Connections to the wider Church. Come and listen to this year’s Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, as he speaks about his year in office and reflects on the wider work of the Church of Scotland.
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| 11.00am | Morning Service, Sunday School & Baptisms Revd William McLaren |
| 5.00pm | Annual Bereavement Service Revd Angus MacLeod |
Friends,
Our Old Testament lesson this week (Ruth 1: 1-18) tells the story of Ruth and Naomi, homeless refugees suffering as a result of famine. Naomi decided to return to her homeland of Judah and urged her two widowed daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, to find new husbands and security. Ruth, however, refuses, vowing to stay with Naomi and to follow her God.
What does love look like? In the centre of the story of Ruth stands someone who willingly becomes a refugee as she continues to support her beloved mother-in-law rather than return to her own family. So let us explore our understanding of what it means for us to love our neighbours today as we focus on the example of Ruth and on Jesus’ challenge to love God with all our being.
Sunday 27th October – St Columba’s Question Time
Do you have questions about faith or church life? Ever wondered if others shave similar questions?
| 11.00am | Morning Service (Pulpit Exchange) Revd Scott Rennie, Crown Court |
Saturday 26th October, SWV Rollicking Reels.
All abilities are welcome to join us, but some experience is preferable.