Friends,
This Sunday we welcome visitors to St Columba’s who are celebrating the bicentenary of the birth of Colin Rae Brown (CRB), born on the 19th December 1821. Those attending are representing the Burns Club of London, the Greenock Burns Club, (known as The Mother Club, because it is the oldest Burns Club in the world, founded 21st July 1801, the fifth anniversary of the death of Robert Burns), and the Robert Burns World Federation. A series of commemorative events are being held this weekend, culminating in the laying of wreaths at CRB’s grave in Highgate Cemetery on Sunday afternoon.
Colin Rae Brown was born in Greenock on 19th December 1821 and died at 17 Nevern Road, South Kensington on 11th September 1897. It is believed he was a member of St Columba’s Church at the time of his death. In his early twenties he became a sincere disciple of Robert Burns, joined Greenock Burns Club and was twice elected President.
He entered employment with a publishing house and his interest in literature encouraged him to write and publish his own poems and he became a well-regarded minor poet. Some years later he joined the campaign to have stamp duty on newspapers abolished and went on to establish three newspapers aimed at bringing quality journalism to ordinary working people.
Early in life Colin expressed deep regret that Scotland did not adequately celebrate the great figures in its past and campaigned to have such heroes and heroines memorialised. He spearheaded the successful campaign to have the centenary of the birth of Robert Burns celebrated internationally by writing to clubs and cities throughout the world. He was also the driving force for the campaign which led to the National Wallace Monument being built on Abbey Craig, Stirling.
Brown’s publishing activities brought him considerable wealth and he moved to London to further his business interests in 1861, and he became well known as London’s Mr Scotland. He held successful Burns Suppers in his large London home, and these provided the springboard for his founding of The Burns Club of London in 1868. He was convinced that the capital of the Empire ought to have a statue of Robert Burns, so he raised the money, found a suitable site and had it built in Victoria Embankment Gardens.
Before the statue was unveiled in July 1884, he was campaigning for a bust of Burns to be placed in Poets’ Corner next to Shakespeare. After attending the unveiling of the bust by Lord Rosebery in March 1885, CRB walked with two Kilmarnock friends to the statue; the topic of their discussion was that an international federation of Burns Club should be formed. This aim was achieved in Kilmarnock the following year, the centenary of the publication there of Burns’ first collection of poems. On the new Feder tion’s roll, the Burns Club of London was announced as number 1 – and Kilmarnock as number 0. CRB went on to found the Burns Chronicle, which is still the leading publication for research on the life and works of Scotland’s Bard. He went on to raise money in London for the completion of the Scott Monument in Edinburgh and the statue of Highland Mary in Dunoon.
Though clearly a patriotic Scot, one of the last poems CRB wrote was entitled, England! Beautiful England! He espoused Burns’ longing for international friendship, as in the last verse of A Man’s a Man.
During the weekend there will also be a visit to Crown Court Church of Scotland, Covent Garden, to view the Burns memorial window dedicated in January 1960. The Poet is depicted in the window as ploughman, ruefully contemplating the destruction of the nest of a field-mouse by his plough, holding in his hand the “Wee, sleeket, cowrin’ tim’rous beastie” – the incident which inspired his well-known poem “To a Mouse”, and which, perhaps better than any other, reveals the Poet’s sympathy with all God’s creatures, most of all the weak and the defenceless. The window of stained glass shows the Poet in farmer’s dress standing against a background of Ayrshire countryside. The inscription on the glass is as follows: “To the Glory of God and in commemoration of the bicentenary of the Poet’s birth 25th January 1759-1959, this window was given by the Burns Club of London.”
At that service of unveiling, the minister, Revd Dr Moffett dedicated the window with prayer: “O God, our heavenly Father, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift, who does inspire Prophets and Poets, bestowing upon them special gifts of vision and genius for the edification and enlightenment of Thy people, we thank Thee for Thy servant Robert Burns and for those gifts of poetry and of song with which Thou didst inspire him, whereby the hearts of common men and women have been cheered and uplifted. We thank Thee for his spirit of sturdy independence, his patriotic fervour, his wide human sympathy with all Thy creatures, and his vision of a world freed from the oppressions of cruel men. Help us to guard and to preserve the heritage he bequeathed to us, and to make real the vision he beheld afar off. Accept, O Lord, we humbly beseech Thee, this memorial which now we dedicate to his memory, to the Adornment of this Thine House, and to the Glory of Thy Holy Name, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
We look forward to welcoming all this Sunday – visitor or familiar friend, in church or via the live stream and dial-in.
Angus.
Worshipping at St Columba’s & COVID Precautions.
While there is new Government guidance issued this week, the current arrangements at St Columba’s for Sunday remain unaltered but reinforced. We continue to recommend that those attending worship wear face masks in the building if they are able to do so and maintain social distancing in the pews. You may wish to complete a negative lateral flow test no more than 24 hours prior to Sunday service. We suggest dressing warmly as we try to keep the sanctuary well ventilated. In all our arrangements we recognise that people are at various stages on the pandemic journey – we ask for sensitivity around social distancing and keeping everyone confident and safe. (Our arrangements are under constant review and we will publicise any changes as promptly as possible, should the need arise.)
Live Streaming of Worship
Services can be watched via the church website, https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/live-stream.
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. 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.
Reminder: If you do not wish to appear on the live-stream please choose a seat in the rear half of the sanctuary.
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 the organ music from 10.50 am.
Hymns, Music & Readings, 19th December 2021 – 11am
Hymn 449 Rejoice! The Lord is King (Darwall’s 148th)
Hymn 319 Of the Father’s love begotten (Corde Natus)
Hymn 325 Bethlehem, a noble city (Stuttgart)
Hymn 313 See, in yonder manger low (Humility (Oxford))
Anthem: In the bleak midwinter, Darke
Choir Anthem: Nativity Carol, Rutter
Organ Postlude: Paean, Moore
Old Testament Reading: Micah 5: 2 – 5a
New Testament Reading: Hebrews 10: 5 – 10
Gospel Reading: St. Luke 1: 39 – 45
Short Service of Weekly Holy Communion
Following Morning Service there is a short service of Holy Communion, combined with prayers for those in need, at 12.15pm in the London Scottish Chapel. Worshippers can receive bread and wine; wine is distributed via small individual “thimble” glasses. The names gathered from the prayer cards, at the back of the sanctuary, are prayed for during the communion service. This is a very welcome return for a small but precious part of St Columba’s life.
Parking Restrictions in December
During all Sundays in December there is NO PARKING in residents’ parking bays. On Sundays parking is permitted on single yellow lines and in Pay & Display bays (free).
The Annual Office Hours
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
Church Office – Christmas Closure
From 4pm on the 21st December until 9am on Tuesday 4th January 2022 the Church Office will be closed. If you have a pastoral emergency in that time please call 07591926271.
St Columba’s Soup and Carols- Cancelled
We were due to hold Soup and Carols in the Upper Hall on the 21st December. Due to the ever-changing restrictions, we have made the decision to cancel the event to keep everyone safe. We hope to do something similar around Easter time – restrictions permitting.
Glass Door – Sox and Boxers.
We will be collecting the following items during Advent for the Glass Door charity. Items are: boxer shorts, thermal hats, thermal socks (for both men and women), thermal tights, thermal gloves (or very thick ones). Collection point will be the Upper Vestibule, starting Sunday 28 November and each Sunday up to Christmas.
As an alternative for anyone not able to come to church, you may wish to consider Borderline for a financial donation. Details are:
Borderline
22 City Road
London EC1Y 2AJ
Tel. 0845 456 2190
Cheques payable to ‘New Borderline’ and post to above address. https://www.borderline-uk.org/
Please see the below link to the Borderline donation portal:
New Borderline – Donate now (cafonline.org)
Thank you in advance. Mission Committee.
Carol Singing for Christian Aid
After an enforced absence last year, we are once again invited to sing carols under the Christmas Tree in Trafalgar Square and raise money for Christian Aid. This year the singing will be on Friday 17th December from 8-9pm. Please meet by 7.50pm at the Café on the Square (bottom of the steps by the National Gallery). All are welcome; carol sheets will be provided for singers and collecting buckets for collectors.
Sunday Lunch Dates
A reminder that due to the reduced number of available lunch teams (9 down to 5), lunches will only be served on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month, and on the 5th Sunday where there are 5 Sundays in any month. The next lunch dates are the 19th December 2021, 2nd January 2022, 16th January and 30th January in the Lower Hall unless circumstances change. Those taking lunch and /or coffee to wear masks until they sit down and wait to be served.
Coffee will continue to be served every Sunday as usual in the Upper Hall. These Hospitality Services are much valued in supporting Fellowship.
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.
Would 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 Book Club
The next online meeting of the St Columba’s Book Club is the 24th January at 7pm. The book this month will be The Queen’s Gambit by Walter Tevis. The joy of the St Columba’s book club is that is all on Zoom so you can join from anywhere in the world in the comfort of your own home.
In your newly purchased/gifted diaries do put the forward date of Monday February 28 2022 as well.
Sounds of St Columba’s
The ‘Sounds of St Columba’s’ concert series will restart on Sunday 16th January 2022 at 1:15pm. Recitals will continue throughout the year on the third Sunday of the month (excluding April, August & December). Full details of the performers and repertoire will follow a little later this year. These recitals are free to attend, with a retiring offering. For more information contact Ben Lewis-Smith music@stcolumbas.org.uk
Stamps
If you would like to leave stamps for Crossreach, please pop them into the Church Office on Sundays.
SCRIPTURE & SILENT PRAYER
WAITING & WATCHING
ST COLUMBA’S, PONT STREET
19th December 2021, ADVENT IV
CONSIDER BEFORE WE PRAY
- Silence – a meeting place where I am looking for God’s love and God is looking for mine.
- If we really want to pray we must first learn to listen, for in the silence of the heart God speaks. (Mother Teresa of Calcutta)
- Silence nourishes and feeds silence: the concentrated periods spill over into, and feed, the short times we manage to salvage from our day. But to create times of silent prayer and reflection each day calls for a sense of its importance and for a discipline. (Kenneth Leech, Spirituality & Pastoral Care)
OPENING PRAYER (said together slowly)
As we gather in the harbour of your safety
we thank you for faith and friendship.
Still us and strengthen us;
restore and inspire.
Fill us with your peace.
Let our souls catch the wind of your spirit
that we might take your promises to the ends of the earth. Amen.
SCRIPTURE – Micah 5:2-5a
But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to rule in Israel,
whose origin is from of old,
from ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up
until the time when she who is in labour
has brought forth;
then the rest of his kindred
shall return to the people of Israel.
And he shall stand and feed his flock
in the strength of the LORD,
in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.
And they shall live secure,
for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth;
and he shall be the one of peace.
TIME OF QUIET
COLLECT FOR FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT (said together)
Heavenly Father, you chose the Virgin Mary, full of grace, to be the mother of our Lord and Saviour. Fill us with your grace, that in all things we may embrace your will, and with her rejoice in your salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.