Friends,
From time to time the BBC or one of our more serious newspapers will ask the public who they regard as the greatest Briton of all time. Very often Winston Churchill tops the poll or sometimes the 1st Duke of Wellington (despite being born in Dublin so technically not a “Briton”). Both these men were military and political leaders although perhaps Wellington was less successful as Prime Minister than he was on the battlefield.
Let’s think about Jesus’ definition of greatness – “whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant and whoever wishes to be first among you must be the slave of all” (St. Mark 10: 43-44). On the eve of her Platinum Jubilee the late Queen Elizabeth reflected on her 70 years on the throne and in a letter to the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth expressed the wish to go on serving them, as indeed she did until her death 7 months later. She signed the letter “Your servant, Elizabeth R”.
Service takes many forms, some are called to a life of public service, and they especially need our prayers, but for most of us service means doing the small things well, accepting the humbler part and caring for our friends and neighbours in need. “For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many” (St. Mark 10: 45).
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, 20th October 2024, Twenty Second Sunday after Pentecost
Hymn 55 Safe in the shadow of the Lord (Psalm 91) (Creator God)
Hymn 189 Be still, for the presence of the Lord (Be still)
Hymn 127 O worship the King, all glorious above (Hanover)
Hymn 528 Make me a channel of your peace (Prayer of St. Francis (Channel of Peace))
Anthem: O pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Goss 1800-1880)
Musical Interlude: Sanctus (Duruflé 1902-1986)
Old Testament Reading: Job 38: 1-7, 34 – 41
New Testament Reading: Hebrews 5: 1 – 10
Gospel Reading: Mark 10: 35 – 45
Reader: Patterson Gough
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.
THIS SUNDAY: Morning Service and Sunday School, followed by refreshments in the Upper Hall and congregational lunch in the Lower Hall.
THIS SUNDAY: Sounds of St Columba’s, 1.30pm, Upper Hall
Ruby Skilbeck (soprano)
and Liz Hayley (piano)
Join us to enjoy a recital with music from Quilter,
Debussy, Robert and Clara Schumann.
NEXT WEEK: Midweek Prayers, Wednesday 23rd October, 1pm, London Scottish Chapel
NEXT SUNDAY: Pulpit Exchange with Crown Court.
Revd Scott Rennie will preach at St Columba’s and the Minister will lead worship at Crown Court.
NEXT SUNDAY: St Columba’s Question Time, Sunday 27th October
Do you have questions about faith or church life? Ever wondered if others shave similar questions? On Sunday 27th October, meeting after service, there will be an informal discussion group over coffee. Led by members of the Nurture Committee it is a chance to explore and share ideas. Approximate timing: 12.15pm – 1.15pm. No need to sign up, just bring your questions and come along.
St Columba’s members
We are sorry to announce the death of former St Columba’s member, Margaret Vallance. Funeral details will be published when known. A Service of Thanksgiving for St Columba’s member Ian Aitchison will be held at St Columba’s, Pont Street at 2pm, on Friday 18th October 2024. The service will be livestreamed. The funeral service of St Columba’s member, John Miln will take place at Mortlake Crematorium at 10.40am, Wednesday 23rd October 2024.
Glass Door’s Night Shelter Volunteers
Glass Door Night shelter at St Columba’s will start on Sunday 10th November in the Upper Hall. We always need volunteers to run the shelters and ensure the best possible experience for guests. Register your interest with Stef at the Church office office@stcolumbas.org.uk
LENT APPEAL 2025: Small UK registered charity, providing help within UK
Over the last five years, thanks to your generosity, we have raised a total of £42,990 for small, registered charities, as a direct result of our Lent Appeals; this is a major part of our work on Mission. The Mission Committee would be grateful for any suggestions you may have for a small UK registered charity, that provides help within the UK, that could be considered for the St. Columba’s Lent Appeal 2025. For more information, please contact Naomi Donaldson, naomi.60@live.co.uk (or via the Church Office) before Friday 8 November.
Macmillan Coffee Morning
Thank you to everyone who supported our Macmillan Coffee Morning. And a very warm word of thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make last Sunday’s event such a success and for all the wonderful baking! We raised a grand total of £245 for Macmillan Cancer Support — a splendid result.
Church Magazine, October – November 2024 – Available via the Bookstall for £1.50.
Pick up a copy with its stunning front cover, from the bookstall. Then pick up another to give to a friend! Thanks once again to our Editor, Susan Pym and her team of contributors.
St Columba’s Alumni
We are delighted that the service of ordination for Reverend David McKee will take place at 7pm, Monday 9th December 2024, at Jackson Parish Church, Airdrie. David undertook a student summer placement at St Columba’s in 2022. He took great advantage of all the possibilities of London life, religious and cultural and was a great addition to the ministry team that summer. David would be delighted if any St Columba’s friends were able to be present but understands distance may prohibit attendance. The service will be livestreamed via Facebook.
ST ANDREW’S BOOK FESTIVAL: 25th November to 1st December 2024, St Columba’s & other venues
The box office is now open for the inaugural St Andrew’s Book Festival in London (25th of November – 1st of December 2024). Seven days celebrating all things literary, featuring a star-studded line up of authors, riveting discussions, and exclusive book signings. Whether you’re an avid reader or a budding writer, this festival is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the world of books and creativity. Check out the website for a full author A to Z listing and book tickets from here: https://www.standrewsbookfestival.org/
The St Andrew’s Book Festival is delighted to be able to offer every ticket purchaser the chance to win a two-night luxury getaway for two at Prestonfield Hotel. This weeklong celebration of Scottish authors and themes in central London is showcasing over 40 authors across 36 events!
More details available in the full newsletter here: Festival Offers and Prize Draw (mailchi.mp)
Scots in London Newsletter
Read the latest Scots in London newsletter here, packed full of our autumn news and events: https://mailchi.mp/f940da96f79e/scots-in-london-october-newsletter
Subscribe to the newsletter directly to hear all the latest news and make the most of our current special offers with The Scotsman newspaper.
UPCOMING: St Columba’s Book Club, Monday 28th October, 6.30pm.
The Book Club met on Monday 9 September when we discussed Tracey Chevalier’s A Single Thread. Everyone enjoyed Lilias Gillies’ choice very much and felt it gave an insight to the predicament of the many women whose lives were altered by the terrible death toll of WW1. Our next meeting will be on Monday 28 October when we shall be discussing Brooklyn by Colm Toibin.
For those of you who like to read ahead, we shall be reading The Phone Box at the Edge of the World by Laura Imai Messina. The date for that discussion will be fixed at our next meeting. The meeting will be by Zoom The meeting will be by Zoom and new members are welcome. For details, please contact the Church Office
IONA COMMUNITY RETREAT 2025
Are you feeling in need of going ‘On Retreat’? St Columba’s Nurture Committee has been looking at Retreat Weeks offered by The Iona Community for 2025. We suggest either Columba Week from 7th to 13th June 2025, following St Columba’s footsteps on Iona; or The Celtic Wheel from 25th to 31st October, exploring the spiritual gifts of this post-harvest time.
Details of these and other Retreats can be found on www.iona.org.uk/visit-and-stay/iona-abbey stay, and select the 2025 Programme.
If you are interested in attending, please contact Kate Macnish on kate.macnish@btinternet.com for further details and to register your interest so that we can get an idea of numbers.
UPCOMING: SCOTSCARE CEILIDH, Saturday 16th November 2024, Lower Hall 7pm – 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 ScotsCare St. Andrew’s Festival Ceilidh will have live entertainment provided by the Craigievar Ceilidh Band and London Scottish Pipes and Drums. Everyone is welcome to join in the fun! We will have a caller to guide dancers, step by step so everyone can join in regardless of experience. Tickets include light bites, and a bar will be available to purchase drinks. All profits from the evening will go back into ScotsCare’s services. We look forward to seeing you on what a festive and memorable evening will be. Tickets are £20 each and can be bought via this link www.scotscare.com/project/scotscare-ceilidh/.
RESTART’s Annual Sleep Out, Friday 6th December 2024, outside St Columba’s Church.
Every year the staff, volunteers and supporters of Restart Lives spend one night outside. Although there is much that separates the experience of the controlled environment of the Sleepout from that of a person living life on the streets, we hope the event will help all those who participate to imagine what London’s homeless have to contend with.
We can only accommodate 80 sleepers at this event, so if you would like to reserve your spot, don’t delay and sign up now.
Crown Court and St Columba’s Sunday School Families Pantomime trip
It’s that time of the year again. Oh no it isn’t! Oh yes it is! Sunday School families from Crown Court and St Columba’s are invited to join us on Sunday 8th December at 17:30 to see Jack and the Beanstalk at the New Wimbledon Theatre. Please email Gary (gary@thewallis.com) to reserve tickets. Numbers are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so grab your magic beans and don’t delay!
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