Friends,
After two celebratory Sundays – Pentecost & Jubilee festivities, followed by Trinity Sunday & St Columba’s Day – the weekend ahead seems somewhat calmer – though it does offer another congregational lunch after service. It does not however, signal any special moment in the Church calendar. Indeed, the Sundays ahead are sometimes labelled as Ordinary Time.
One of the extracts in The Small Owl Calling, the daily devotional pamphlet, compiled by Peter Millar and referenced in last week’s newsletter, comes from Thich Nat Hanh, the Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk who was a pioneer of mindfulness. “I like to walk alone on country paths, rice plants and wild grasses on both sides, putting each foot down on the earth in mindfulness, knowing that I walk on the wondrous earth. In such moments, existence is a miraculous and mysterious reality. People usually consider walking on water or in thin air, a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk, either on water or in thin air, but to walk on the earth.”
One might say that all time is extraordinary – even ordinary time. Or in another quotable soundbite from Thich Nat Hanh: “Mindfulness helps you fall in love with the ordinary.”
Look forward to seeing you this “ordinary” Sunday.
Angus
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.
Please note that the Evening Services on the 1st of the month will not be live streamed as they will take place 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, 1st Sunday after Trinity Sunday, Sunday 19th June
Hymn 32 As pants the hart (Martyrdom) Psalm 42
Hymn 609 Come, living God, when least expected (Sunset)
Hymn 718 We cannot measure how you heal (The Banks O’Doon)
Hymn 685 For everyone born, a place at the table (A Place at the Table)
Anthem: “O for a closer walk with God” by Stanford
Musical interlude: “Verily, verily I say unto you” by Tallis
Organ postlude: Prelude and Fugue in A minor by Böhm
Old Testament Reading: I Kings 19:1-15a
Gospel Reading: Luke 8:26-39
THIS SUNDAY – Sounds of St Columba’s
Join our continuing ‘Sounds of St Columba’s recital series on Sunday 19th June, with an organ recital from our very own Catherine Olver. Catherine will perform a varied programme commencing at 1:15pm. A retiring offering will be taken in support of the church’s musical provision.
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.
Rising Living Costs: Help at Hand
We are aware that with the cost of living and fuel costs rising that some of our community may be struggling financially. If you, or someone you know, are in need of help, please do get in touch with the Church Office or the Ministers. All conversations will be held in the strictest of confidence.
Congregational Sunday Lunches, Future Dates
On Sunday, 19th June there will be a fine lunch served in the Lower Hall after the service. Future lunch dates are the 3rd July & 17th July in the Lower Hall. Coffee will continue to be served every Sunday as usual in the Upper Hall. These Hospitality Services are much valued in supporting Fellowship.
Former St Columba’s Members
A Service of Thanksgiving for the life of George Potts will take place at St Columba’s, Pont Street on Friday 24th June 2022, at 2pm.
St Columba’s Book Club
The next choice for the book club is Elizabeth Von Arnim’s novel “The Enchanted April”. For those of you who read along with the book group but don’t join us for a discussion, you may find this a lighter read that some of our recent choices. The book was written in 1922 and like our last choice (O Caledonia by Elspeth Barker) is set in a castle but there the similarities end. The castle in this book is bathed in Italian sunshine and the gardens full of gorgeous scented flowers – a far cry from Auchnasaugh. Our next meeting by Zoom is scheduled for Wednesday 6th July at 6.30pm. New members are welcome but please let the office know so that you can be sent the joining details.
Friends of St Columba’s Dumfries and Surroundings
There is still time to “sign up” to the Friends of St Columba’s trip to Dumfries and the surroundings in September 2022.
The itinerary includes the original home of the TSB, founded by a Church of Scotland minister, a visit to Ruthwell Church with its 8th century cross, Robert Burns heritage sites and possibly the early Christian settlement at Whithorn. Booking: the Church Office regarding dates and accommodation. Two options: The Powfoot Inn (£115 double bed and breakfast; £95 single) or The Queensberry Arms Hotel, Annan (starts at £48/night).
Preference is given to Members of the Friends – but it’s very easy to join! Only £10 annual and £50 Life Membership. Payment by BACS: Sort Code 16-00-42; Account No: 00269670; RBS (Please use your name and subscription as description of the payment), or by cheque made payable to Friends of St Columba’s to the Honorary Treasurer, Alan Lennox c/o The Church Office.
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