Friends,
I received the recent gift of an exquisitely crafted cross, from craft group member Gillian Buchanan. It is created using the lace-making technique of tatting. This was definitely new to me – further research informed, tatting uses “a series of knots and loops to create a particularly durable type of lace, perfect for motifs and edgings. Becoming very popular in Europe in the early 19th Century, it goes by many names… The American’s call it tatting, the French, frivolet, the Italian’s, chiacchierino and the German’s, schiffchenarbeit, which charmingly translates to “work of the little boat” referring to the boat shaped shuttle used to create it!”
When craft group members gather there is shared conversation and endeavour. On occasion they have created knitted scarves and delicate cloth crosses, items which are sometimes given to congregational members in time of special need – and much appreciated. A specific but significant way to contribute to the life of the congregation – a lovely “work of the little boat.”
At the weekend we will celebrate and give thanks for another area of life that is nurtured and sustained by the church family. This Sunday concludes the Sunday School year, with our young people and their volunteers taking a summer break until mid-September. Thanks to the efforts of our adult volunteers, we have been able to offer Sunday School activities twice a month, throughout the year – that is no small achievement. On Sunday we will celebrate that with the Families Communion, where our young people help serve the bread and wine.
We will give thanks for the time and energy offered by the adult volunteers, David Kerr, Roddy Cameron, Catherine McDonald, Caroline Newsome, Susan Pym, Gordon Cameron, Lesley Benning, Gary Wallis and Charlotte Bradford – all patiently and skilfully orchestrated by Fiona Gardner. Though proportionately small in number, the children of the congregation bring their own gifts of energy, curiosity and laughter to our building. That could not happen without the commitment of their families and the presence of our volunteers. Please take the opportunity to offer thanks and encouragement to all involved in these other “works of the little boat.”
Angus
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.
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 Morning Worship
Sunday, 23rd June 2024, Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Hymn 30 I waited for the Lord my God (Ballerma) Psalm 40
Hymn 564 Jesus loves me! This I know (Jesus loves me)
Hymn 657 Father most loving, listen to your children (Christe Sanctorum)
Hymn 737 Will your anchor hold in the storms of life (Will your anchor hold)
Anthem: There is an old belief, Parry
Communion Anthem: Salve regina, Poulenc
Old Testament Reading: II Samuel 1: 1, 17 – 27
Gospel Reading: Mark 5: 21 – 42
Reader: Ian Russell
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: Sunday 30th June, Morning Service with Families’ Communion followed by Congregational Lunch. Tea/coffee in Upper Hall
A day to celebrate our young people, offer our thanks to Sunday School adult volunteers and mark the end of the Sunday School year. We very much hope families will stay to make up family tables at lunch. For the Families Communion we ask the children to help serve the bread and wine. On this Sunday the congregation are invited to come forward to receive the bread and wine. For those watching online you may wish to prepare bread and wine/equivalent and share them at the appropriate moment in the service.
THIS SUNDAY: Annual Congregational Meeting, 1.30pm, Upper Hall.
The annual opportunity to hear an update about congregational life and thoughts for the future. Unfortunately, due to the necessary scheduling of the Annual Congregational Meeting, we are unable to offer the Congregational Picnic in Hyde Park, as previously advertised. We apologise for disappointment caused.
The St Columba’s Kirk Session meets Friday 28th June at 6.35pm
As always, non-elders are welcome to attend as observers.
NEXT WEEK: Church member
The funeral service for Elizabeth (Betty) Watson will take place at 2pm on Tuesday 2nd July 2024 at St Columba’s. Please keep her loved ones in your prayers. “Rest eternal grant unto her and let light perpetual shine upon her.”
NEXT WEEK: Midweek Prayers, Wednesday 3rd July, 1pm, London Scottish Chapel
UPCOMING: Songs of Praise –
Choose your favourite hymns!
Our last evening service before the summer is on Sunday 7th July (5pm.) It is our annual Songs of Praise, based on congregational choices. You can make a recommendation via the sign up board outside the sanctuary or make a recommendation and explain a little of why that hymn is special via email to William at associateminister@stcolumbas.org.uk All recommendations by Sunday 30th June.
UPCOMING: Book Club,
Monday 22nd July, 6.30pm
The Book Club met on 3 June to discuss Frederick Backman’s Anxious People. There were mixed views about the book and some confusion but it generated a lot of discussion. Our next choice is The Ginger Tree by Oswald Wynd, son of Scottish missionaries in Japan. The novel is set in the first half of the 20th century in China and Japan and we shall meet to discuss it on 22 July by Zoom. After that we plan to read A Single Thread by Tracey Chevalier. New members to the book club are welcome, for more information please contact the church office.
NEXT WEEK: Summer Tuesdays
Summer Tuesdays season of Scottish Country Dancing in the Lower Hall, Tuesday each week, until the 10th September. Dance to a live band with all the profits going to the Church. Summer Tuesdays have run for over 50 years; the opportunity to dance weekly to live music from a top band, attracts dancers from all over the South. The dances are not suitable for beginners, and there are only very limited recaps and few walkthroughs. Details, including links to cribs and videos of the dances, www.summertuesdays.org
Glass Door’s annual Sleep Out, Friday, 4 October 2024.
Participants give up their bed for one night to give someone a chance to find a pathway out of homelessness.
Find out more and sign up at www.glassdoor.org.uk/sleep-out
Scots in London presents the St Andrew’s Book Festival
Scots in London’s most ambitious collaboration to date is the St Andrew’s Book Festival (25th November – 1st December 2024.)
St Columba’s is one of the three venues hosting a superb array of authors – both household names and new writers. Sir Alexander McCall Smith and Judy Murray are among headline speakers Look out in the coming weeks for ways to get involved including volunteering.
If you are interested in Friends and other memberships with exciting benefits, visit this link for options.
For more information about Scots in London, please follow this link. You can join their newsletter here to be informed about their latest news, events and opportunities as well as their member organisations.
Office Hours
The church office is open from 9am to 4pm, 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