Friends,
On Wednesday 14th June, seven members of St. Columba’s representing the Benevolence Committee and the Napier Fund visited the offices of the charity Veterans Aid, situated in Victoria Square, a delightful location hidden away near Victoria Station. The charity was founded in 1932 by Mrs Gwen Huggins, whose husband, an officer in the Seaforth Highlanders, was Adjutant at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea from 1932-35. Moved by the sight of men who had served their country sleeping rough on the streets of the capital at the height of the Great Depression, she resolved to do something about it. By all accounts she was a formidable woman and in 2023 all Veterans Aid activities still revolve around helping ex-servicemen and women in crisis. Ninety-one years later the charity has played a significant part nationally in the reduction and eradication of homelessness among veterans by offering immediate and practical help.
Meeting the CEO Dr Hugh Milroy, himself a former RAF officer, and other members of staff, they made the point that veterans face the same challenges as the rest of the population, including increased cost of living and the difficulty in finding affordable housing. We were all impressed by their passion and commitment to supporting veterans of all backgrounds and in all circumstances and also their links to veterans’ organisations around the world. A voluntary organisation such as Veterans Aid can often fill the gaps more quickly than a statutory body or even a larger charity. To learn more about the work of this charity do look at their website www.veterans-aid.net.
As Dr Milroy said, their aims and objectives, summed up in the slogan – Caring for Veterans in crisis – now! are “something the man from Nazareth would recognise”.
William McLaren.
“Ecclesicat”, courtesy of online watcher, Janet Michalacopoulos
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 and readings will be on the website.
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.
Please 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 18th June 2023
Hymn 64 Sing all creation, sing to God in Gladness (Chrsite Sanctorum)
Hymn 187 There’s a wideness in God’s mercy (All for Jesus)
Hymn 710 “I have a dream” a man once said (Repton)
Hymn 533 Will you come and follow me (Kelvingrove)
Anthem: May the grace of Christ – Eldridge
Anthem: Jubilate Deo in B Flat – Stanford
Organ Postlude: “Toccata in B minor” by Dubois
Old Testament Reading: Exodus 19: 2-8a
Gospel Reading: Romans 5: 1-8
Gospel Reading: Matthew 9:35 – 10:23
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.
THIS SUNDAY – Sounds of St Columba’s 2023, 18th June 2023
Violinist Emily Sun will play Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, accompanied by Kazakh-British pianist Dina Duisen. Emily is the 2023 Artist-in-Association with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra; and Professor of Violin at the Royal College of Music, London. A much in demand international violinist, she did take time off to marry fellow musician Jonathan Radford at St Columba’s last year. To see and hear more of Emily go to https://www.emilysunviolin.com/
The fantastic Sounds of St Columba’s series returned in 2023. Please note future dates, bring your friends and enjoy the marvellous music in the Upper Hall. 1.30pm start. These exceptional recitals are one of the “gems” of current St Columba’s life. Not to be missed.
16th July 2023 – Ashley Fripp, Piano recital
17th September 2023 – Richard Phillips, Cello Recital
Congregational Sunday Lunch
There will be a fine Sunday lunch served in the Lower Hall following the service on Sunday. Future dates for lunches are 2nd July & 16th July in the Lower Hall.
Please note the small increase to £4.00 per lunch – still exceptional value for a two course meal. Big thanks to all our catering teams who provide for us on congregational lunch Sundays. Coffee will continue to be served every Sunday as usual in the Upper Hall – donations for coffee most welcome.
Christian Aid Week 2023
Many thanks to all who donated and supported Christian Aid Week, as a result £2,206.62 was raised. The money will help the families who are struggling to survive in Malawi, in particular farming families, who are suffering as a result of climate change. Donations will help fund the purchase of drought resistant seeds/crops such as the amazing hardy pigeon peas, farming tools, money towards a co-operative oven to enable local people to turn their pigeon peas into profit by baking bread, financial help will also provide business training for local farmers. Christian Aid send you all huge thanks for your continuing support which is greatly appreciated and will improve the lives of many.
June – July Church Magazine Issue
Many thanks to editor, Susan Pym and her team of contributors for the new issue of the church magazine. A wonderfully vivid front cover for summer and plenty to enjoy inside.
Friends of St Columba’s Visit, Friday 23rd June:
The Handel and Hendrix Museum.
George Frideric Handel lived at 25 Brook Street from 1723 until his death in 1759. It was here that Handel wrote and rehearsed his greatest works, including his Messiah. In 1968, Jimi Hendrix moved into an adjoining flat at number 23. He entertained, inspired and collaborated with other icons of British 60s rock music. Handel & Hendrix in London present these buildings as an evolving celebration of Handel’s and Hendrix’s lives. Tickets must be purchased in advance so please get in touch with Isobel Carter if you would like to attend. Priority is given to those who are already Friends of St Columba’s but please do get in touch if you would like to join the trips but aren’t a “friend”.
For more detail about all the trips and to book please contact Honorary Secretary of the Friends of St Columba’s, Isobel Carter on isobel@in-carter.com or visit the St Columba’s website here https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/friends-of-st-columbas.
NEXT SUNDAY: Families’ Communion Service & Congregational Picnic, Sunday 25th June
We mark the end of the Sunday School year on Sunday 25th June with a Families Communion Service (11am) where our young people assist with the communion. That is followed by the Congregational Picnic in Hyde Park. Sunday School volunteers and young people then take a break until Sunday School restarts in September. We are enormously grateful for the small and dedicated team of our Sunday School volunteers.
Relief Caretaker
Do you know somebody who is looking for some evening and weekend work? Are they good with the public and able to set up tables and chairs? St Columba’s Church is currently hoping to recruit a relief caretaker to work evenings and weekends looking after the building and our hall hire customers. If you know someone that might be interested in the role, please get in touch with Lucy in the Church Office who can give more detail on hours, pay and the complete role description.
Happy Hour
Happy Hour’s last gathering before the summer break will be on Wednesday 5 July, from 6.30 – 8.30pm in the upstairs room at The Carpenters Arms Seymour Place W1H 7NE, a short walk from Marble Arch tube station. To start the evening, we’ll discuss Claire Keegan’s book Small Things Like These – only 115 pages and very well reviewed. But even if you don’t manage to read it, do come along to socialise. Newcomers always welcome.
Congregational Prayer Group
A short time of prayer for the life and concerns of the congregational is offered 10.00 – 10.15am on the 2nd Sunday of the month. The next date will be Sunday 9th July, taking place in the Kirk Session Room.
Thoughts from the Church of Scotland in anticipation of Windrush Day, 22nd June 2023
Dr Lisa Adjei, British Church Relations Manager for Christian Aid writes: “This week we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Windrush. Windrush Day is marked to honour the many people who were brought from the Caribbean islands to the UK. This history is not often taught in our educational curriculum, but this is a great opportunity to remember the contribution of so many Caribbeans to our society.
On 22nd June 1948, HMT Empire Windrush carried over 800 passengers from the Caribbean and docked at Tilbury, Essex, before travelling on to London. This was the first of many ships that would carry passengers to UK shores to help rebuild the nation following World War II. On arrival in the UK, many of the Windrush generation were met with racism. This racism was not limited to wider society or the workplace but was prevalent in the Church too. Many of the people arrived at churches in the UK but were not welcome in them. Instead of the hospitality that reflects the kingdom of God, they were met with rejection because of the colour of their skin. Asked to leave, not welcomed, ignored, asked to not return, this was the experience of many of the people who had left their home to come and help. In the workplace, this played out as a prejudice against them during job applications, with a dismissal of their educational qualifications, and so many of them had to take jobs or roles they were over-qualified for.
Despite this, their contributions to our society can be seen all around us. This week, we acknowledge, honour and celebrate them and their descendants. The Bible calls us to honour all people; firstly as image bearers of God – all people carry intrinsic value in their being, and secondly to give honour where honour is due – to call out the good in one another. As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Windrush generation, we honour who they are and the good that they have done.”
“To treat a child of God as he or she is less than this is not just wrong, which it is; it is not just evil, as it often is; not just painful, as it often must be for the victim; it is veritably blasphemous, for it is to spit in the face of God.”
The late Archbishop Desmond Tutu
For further reading https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/worship/weekly-worship/monthly/june-2023/18-june-3rd-sunday-after-pentecost#nonlectionary
Office Hours
The church office is open from 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
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
To sign up and receive the weekly newsletter detailing future events, contact the church office or go to www.stcolumbas.org.uk (News Section.) Paper copies of this week’s newsletter are available at the bookstall.
If you require this information in a different format please contact the Church Office.