Dear Friends,
Imagine that you were writing the constitution for a newly independent country – what would your priorities be? How would you shape the common life of the community? What laws would you pass?
This is the situation the Israelites were in having escaped slavery in Egypt. After their long journey through the wilderness, the Israelites reached Mount Sinai. The time had come for a fresh start with God, and Moses ascended Mount Sinai, where he received the Ten Commandments from God which we find in the book of Exodus 20: 1-17. The first three speak of the relationship between God and the people; the other seven refer to how relationships play out in the life of the community. This is the guidance God gives for living a God-centred life rather than a self-absorbed one. The Ten Commandments give us a framework for living, to grow up to be fully human, like Jesus: loving and compassionate. Sometimes love of God means expressing outrage as Jesus did when he cleared the money changers and merchants out of the Temple.
We are going through a turbulent time in British politics. There is no doubt that the Brexit referendum caused deep divisions in the country and four Prime Ministers in eight years is unprecedented in modern times. And, of course, in 2022, we mourned the death of our longest serving sovereign. There have been times in recent years when the future of the United Kingdom itself seemed in doubt and it is very easy to be cynical about our political system. However, as Sir Winston Churchill once said, “Democracy is the worst form of government, apart from all the others…”. As Christians we have a duty to pray for all those who exercise political power and authority and who shape our laws. Let us pray for wise and compassionate leadership that we might live at peace with our neighbours at home and abroad. And when the time comes, may we play our part and vote prayerfully, and for the good of the whole community.
William.
Live Streaming of Worship
We apologise for recent difficulties with our Livestream. The recent upgrade of the sound and livestream system has offered substantial improvements but also unleashed a few gremlins. Thanks to feedback from livestream participants and the perseverance of the sound team we believe the way ahead should run smoothly. We appreciate your patience in these matters. Happy listening. Onwards and upwards!
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 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 10.50am.
Hymns, Music & Readings for Morning Worship and Baptisms, Sunday 3rd March 2024, 11am, Third Sunday of Lent
Hymn 10 “The stars declare his glory” (Gibson)
Hymn 632 “Our children, Lord, in faith and prayer” (Belmont)
Hymn 465 “Be thou my vision” (Slane)
Hymn 818 “Praise ye the Lord” (Old 124th)
Anthem: Peccantem me, Morales
Musical Interlude: Christus factus est, Bruckner
Old Testament Reading: Exodus 20: 1-17
New Testament Reading: I Corinthians 1: 18-25
Gospel Reading: John 2: 13-22
Reader: Jo Wallis
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
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.
Lent Appeal 2024 – Firefly International www.fireflyinternational.org
Our chosen charity for the Lent Appeal this year is Firefly International, a small Scottish registered charity that provides help overseas for children affected by war. The charity works in a few countries, but for the Lent Appeal we are focussing on its work in Brcko, Bosnia, with the charity’s partner organisation Svitac. The population in Brcko is a mix of Serb, Bosniak (Bosnian Muslim) and Croat. The charity was created in 1995 by Ellie Maxwell, while a student, to help children affected by war. Sadly, Ellie died young but her work carries on through the charity. In the aftermath of war and conflict there is such a need to build relationships and reconciliation between all faiths and different ethic groups. The children and young people in Brcko, are really benefiting from Firefly / Svitac and it is having such a positive impact there. Funding is required to keep this project going. Lent Appeal donations will certainly play their part in that. Firefly / Svitac provide a safe location for children and young people to meet, they run the only inter-ethnic kindergarten in Brcko and provide after school clubs, music/band, art, workshops, IT, filming. Two summer camps are organised for children of different age groups. These fantastic opportunities bring together children and young people of all faiths and from various ethnic groups, giving them the chance to build friendships, trust and learn to live together in peace and mutual respect for each other.
Please click on the links below, to watch brief video clips from the children and young people involved with Firefly / Svitac in Brcko, Bosnia.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHCX4j8umbE&t=6s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnxXeRF_YmM&t=5s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKQ-L1l7_hc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8Kpr-2rN-Y
If you would like to contribute to the Lent Appeal: Gift Aid helps, if you are eligible. If you need to complete a Gift Aid declaration form, please contact the Church Office. Various options to donate: White Lent Appeal envelopes are available in the Upper Vestibule and in the pews, as from Sunday 18th Feb. until Easter.
Alternatively, by electronic bank transfer: Please use “Lent Appeal” as the payment reference.
St Columba’s Church of Scotland
Royal Bank of Scotland
Account Number 00264741
Sort Code 16 00 42
Cheques payable to: “St. Columba’s Church of Scotland” and with a note attached to cheque indicating it is for the Lent Appeal. Send to:
Finance Dept. (Lent Appeal)
St. Columba’s Church
Pont Street
London SW1X 0BD
If you would like to make a card donation, please go into the Church Office.
With your donations we can help children affected by war to build a better future together, thank you. Mission Committee.
St Columba’s member
We are sorry to announce the death of St Columba’s member, Juliet Fenwick. Funeral details to be announced in due course.
THIS SUNDAY: Congregational Talk, Sunday 3rd March, 1.30pm, London Scottish Chapel
Dr Claire Gilbert will give a talk on Julian of Norwich. Until recently Dr Gilbert was Director of the Westminster Abbey Institute. Last year she wrote a book on Julian of Norwich (“I, Julian”) a fictional autobiography of the fourteenth century Mystic, “one of the medieval world’s most important women”. This talk has been arranged by the Nurture Committee of the Kirk Session.
BOOKSTALL
In anticipation of the congregational talk by Claire Gilbert on 3rd March, we have been able to order a limited number of copies of her book “I Julian“ at the very competitive price of £9.50 (rrp £18.99). The paperback is published in April (rrp £9.99). If you would like a copy to be signed by the author after the talk, please place your order at the Bookstall or by speaking to Jean Stevenson. Copies of Claire’s book “Miles to go before I Sleep: Letters on Hope, Death and Learning to Live” about her journey following diagnosis of the terminal illness myeloma, can also be ordered at the Bookstall.
THIS SUNDAY: Scottish Dancing for Children, Sunday 3rd March, 1.30pm, Upper Hall
We were delighted with the response to the first class, the children learned quickly and enthusiastically. We’re greatly looking forward to our regular monthly dance session. Classes are free thanks to support from St Columba’s and RSCDS London but donations for our Lent Appeal charity Firefly International are welcome. We ask that parents/carers contact classes@rscdslondon.org.uk to book a place in the class. Please include name and age of children so that we can make sure we have the right amount of support for each class.
THIS WEEK: MIDWEEK PRAYERS FOR LENT
Wednesday 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th March, 1.00 – 1.20pm, London Scottish Chapel.
NEXT SUNDAY: Congregational Prayer Group
Sunday 10th March, 10.15 – 10.30am, Kirk Session Room Join others for a time of prayer for our congregational life and the wider work of the Church of Scotland. All welcome.
NEXT WEEK: Scots in London Ceilidh Evening: Saturday 9 March 2024, Lower Hall, 7pm – 10:30pm
Following on from the resounding success of their sell-out Gala evening in October, Scots in London are looking forward to again bringing together the Scottish community across London for their first ever Scots in London Ceilidh. Taking place at St Columba’s, the evening will feature a live Ceilidh band to dance along to, as well as a host of other entertainment. With many dances to take part in, guests can also enjoy entertainment from the London Scottish Pipes and Drums, the London Gaelic Choir and the Burns Club of London. Plus, opportunity for community singing led by TV icon and traditional singer, Isla St Clair.
No previous dance experience is required as there will be a caller to lead guests through all the moves step-by-step. A light supper is included in the ticket price, and there will be a bar available to purchase drinks. The evening will start at 7pm (doors open 6:30pm) and tickets are £20. To purchase your tickets please visit Scots in London Ceilidh Tickets, Sat 9 Mar 2024 at 19:00 | Eventbrite. For more information please visit www.scotsinlondon.org or email events@scotsinlondon.or
Scots in London is the umbrella organisation for Scottish cultural societies, sports clubs, alumni groups, charities, congregations and the Scottish military in London. Their mission is to co-ordinate members’ events, promoting Scottish heritage and culture in the London area, and to support relevant charities, as well as running their own events. Prompted by St Columba’s, Scots in London were founded by a dozen London-based Scottish organisations in 2016, to plan and co-ordinate events commemorating Armistice100, which also led to the publishing of the book Scots in Great War London. HRH the Princess Royal has been the Patron from the outset. www.scotsinlondon.org
UPCOMING: Book Club – Monday 11th March
Our choice for our next meeting on Monday 11 March is The Blackhouse which is the first in the Lewis Trilogy written by Peter May. Peter May has written a number of books and has large following in the USA and France! This book won a US prize for the crime novel of the year. There a television production of this and the other books in the series but unless you have already seen this we suggest you read the book first.
After that we are thinking about a new novel by Fredrik Backman who is a Swedish author who wrote, inter alia, a Man Called Ove. The book is Anxious People and apparently has ” pitch perfect dialogue and demonstrates an unparalleled understanding of human nature” through a whimsical plot. Let’s see what the group thinks of it in due course!!
UPCOMING: Bekova Sisters Recital, Thursday 14th March, 7pm, Upper Hall
The duo of sisters Alfia and Eleonora Bekova present an exciting programme of music for cello and piano. Alfia Nakipbekova and Eleonora Bekova are internationally acclaimed soloists, chamber musicians and members of the celebrated Bekova Sisters Trio. Tickets are £22 (including a glass of wine) and you can purchase your on this link here.
UPCOMING: Sounds of St Columba’s Recital, Sunday 17th March, 1.30pm, Upper Hall
Join us for a classical guitar recital by Axel Krogness (https://www.axelkrogness.com/) who will be playing original tracks.
UPCOMING: Craft Group
This month’s Craft group will be held on Wednesday 20th March from 2pm to 4pm in the Session Room. This is a great opportunity to pick up tips and new techniques from our talented and experienced members. All welcome. For further information please contact Fiona Lang or Susan Pym through the church office.
HOSPITALITY: Volunteers needed
As we are a “gathered” congregation, being able to have lunch, or coffee after the Morning Service, is important for fellowship. We really do need a few Volunteers for the lunch teams when we cater for lunches on the 1st and 3rd Sundays every month – this means being part of a team six times a year and could be helping in the kitchen, laying tables, serving and clearing tables. We also serve lunch on 5th Sundays (four times a year). If available please contact Ben Gourlay at ben.gourlay41@gmail.com or on 01206 795244, or via the church office. Thank you, Ben Gourlay, Convenor of Hospitality Committee. Future dates for Congregational Lunch are 3rd and 17th March 2024
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