Breaking Bread & Remembering Upper Rooms
Friends,
This Sunday we celebrate communion, the meal central to our faith – bread, blessed, broken, shared and wine poured out. It echoes Jesus’ final meal, with his closet friends, in an Upper Room in Jerusalem, on the night of his betrayal and arrest. It has been a strength-giver for two thousand years in all times and places, in many varied forms – from cathedrals to prison camps, on board ships and at hospital bedsides. Shaped by current circumstances, our Sunday communion will look a little different, but its message, its heart, remains exactly the same. Instead of receiving the bread and wine sitting in the pews, served by the elders, those attending St Columba’s in person, will be invited to come forward to the front of the church to receive the bread – at present, we cannot offer the wine. (For those unable to come forward, the bread will be brought to them.) Meanwhile, those watching the service, via the live-stream, are most welcome to prepare bread and wine (or equivalent) in your own home and share it at the appropriate moment. While this may feel unfamiliar, please be encouraged by those who have done this previously, and commented how precious it has proved.
As communion reminds us of the original Upper Room, it also suggests how we might approach/respond to our Harvest Season this year. Over the following three Sundays there is the opportunity to make a Harvest offering, either specific items (tuna, sunflower oil, olive oil, pasta, tinned vegetables, face masks and hand sanitisers) to the Upper Room food charity in West London, (UR4 Meals – The Upper Room www.theupperroom.org.uk ) or a financial contribution to Christian Aid’s Harvest Appeal, reminding us to be good global harvest neighbours (Christian Aid – Harvest Information www.caid.org.uk/neighbours ) The newsletter below gives full detail. Thank you for any donations you are able to make.
The last time we celebrated communion was on St Columba’s Day in June. At that time the newsletter carried an Iona prayer, to meet the days of uncertainty. Knowing many pilgrims have travelled hard roads before us, faith sustained by fellow companions, prayer and shared bread and wine, let us be encouraged.
Lord of every pilgrim heart, bless our journeys on these roads we never planned to take but through your surprising wisdom discovered we are on. (A prayer of Peter Millar, Iona Community)
Take care
Angus
Worship at St Columba’s, Sunday 27th September 2020
For all the details about the upcoming 11am services at St Columba’s- health and safety precautions, mask wearing etc. please visit https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/worship-during-covid.
Live Streaming of Worship – Service of Holy Communion, Sunday 27th September 2020, 11am
The live stream service continues this Sunday at 11am. Music begins from 10.50am. The service can be watched via the church website, https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/live-stream at 11am.
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. (Note: This will not be public worship that everyone can attend, but an offering of prayer and praise, on behalf of us all.) 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. While current regulation forbids singing in the pews, the live stream strongly recommends singing in the sitting room!
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 Ben’s organ music from 10.50am.
Harvest 2020
Due to the current restrictions our usual plans for Harvest have slightly changed. If you would like to donate items to The Upper Room, you are very welcome to do so, details below. Alternatively, if you would rather make a financial donation online to Christian Aid, details are noted below with details about the Christian Aid Harvest Resources available on the CA website.
Harvest Appeal – UR4 Meals – The Upper Room
The Upper Room charity provides thousands of meals a year for the homeless and disadvantaged people. We are collecting tins of tuna, sunflower oil, olive oil, pasta, tinned vegetables, face masks and hand sanitisers on three Sundays, 27th September, 4th and 11th October. Collection area: Upper Vestibule, where there will be a large box for donated items. Thank you – UR4 Meals!
Christian Aid – Harvest Information
There are very useful CA resources available on the above website. Financial donations will help families in Nicaragua to grow cocoa plants and also pay towards the training of technicians to assist a farming community for a month. Nicaragua is the second poorest country in Latin America and badly affected by climate change. Let’s be global Harvest Neighbours!
https://www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/key-appeals/autumn-appeal/autumn-appeal-worship-page
Debt Petition
Christian Aid are running a Cancel the Debt Campaign to lobby the Chancellor to cancel debt for some of the world’s poorest countries. If you would like to sign up details are on the CA link below:
https://www.christianaid.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns/cancel-debt-campaign-hub
Glassdoor Sleepout 2020
Charities have had to be creative this year with the way they are fundraising and Glassdoor has stepped up with the Sleepout (or in) 2020. For the first time ever all the participants are brought together via live stream. Broadcasting from the Duke of York Square on the 2nd October 2020, join the likes of Colin Firth, Jim Carter and the Mayor of RBKC Gerard Hargreaves to Sleepout in your back garden, on the floor at home or something else entirely. More details can be found here https://www.glassdoor.org.uk/Appeal/sleepout-or-in-2020
Congestion Charge
If you are travelling by car, please be aware the London Congestion Charge is now in operation throughout Sundays.
Church Office
Office Hours 9am to 4pm. 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
Maintaining Community and Supporting Each Other
Everybody can play a part in maintaining contact with others via telephone, e-mail or letter, especially those who are particularly vulnerable. Our Elders are encouraged to make contact with those in their districts, and church members are welcome to contact the church office to request a contact from their elder or the Minister.
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
Families’ Newsletter
Following summer break we have reinstituted the Families’ Newsletter. In the meantime, we hope all children, parents and teachers are settling into the new school year.
St Columba’s Book Club
The online St Columba’s book club is going from strength to strength with new members joining regularly. The October meeting will take place on the 12th at 7pm. This month’s book will be Human Croquet by Kate Atkinson. Please get in touch with the Church Office for details on how to join the meeting.
Happy Hour
Happy Hour will meet via Zoom on Wednesday 14 October at 6.30 pm (the Caledonian Lecture is taking place the previous Wednesday). Our discussion theme has a harvest flavour as we look at the significance of food – socially, culturally and in religion.
Newcomers are always welcome. If you would like to join us, please email Kate to be added to the Zoom invitation. katherineapayne@yahoo.co.uk
St Columba’s Tennis Club
The Adults’ Coaching programme has been updated for this Autumn, with sessions on offer for players of every standard. A new, 6:00pm Tuesday evening session starts this week (from 15th September) for intermediate/club standard adults, while beginners/’rusty racquets’ are encouraged to join the Saturday session at 1:30pm.
Saturday morning Junior coaching has been split into more groups to reflect both the standard and ages of players. This includes a new group for 11 years and over at 10:30am and a Teen Squad session (13+) from 11:15am. The first sessions started this weekend (12th September), so do contact David to book a place or email him a completed Juniors’ Autumn 2020 Coaching Form.
David’s full programme of coaching can be found on the Club website http://www.stcolumbastennis.co.uk/, under Tennis/Coaching. Please note that all sessions need to be pre-booked with David, as numbers may be limited.