Friends,
Remembrance-tide was, as always a significant moment in the life of St Columba’s. We hosted two services of Remembrance, for Hill House School and Knightsbridge School, then marked Remembrance Sunday with our congregational morning service and followed that in the afternoon, welcoming the London Scottish Regimental family. (The photos above are school artwork prepared for St Columba’s, and the “poppy gates” are from a neighbouring primary school.) In the light of all that I share the post Remembrance thoughts of the Reverend Tom Gordon, who writes a daily blog at https://swallowsnestnet.wordpress.com/category/daily-reflections/ My thanks to Tom for letting us share the following reflection.
On Monday Tom wrote:
“Before the memories evoked by Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday quickly fade and we rush on through November into our pre-Christmas preparations, let me invite you to pause and give thought to this.
My mum and dad were engaged in 1940 when my dad was on leave before going overseas with the Airforce. They were married in 1945 when he was demobbed. For five years, therefore, he served his country, following the Front Line through the deserts of North Africa, into Italy and through Europe, in service with the RAF’s Transport Division. He never talked much about the War, keeping his reminiscences to funny stories and characters he’d met. But as a young man from the Highlands of Scotland, there must have been times of fear, uncertainty and distress, perhaps too much and too often to talk about. So, when I stood at the village War Memorial last Sunday for two silent minutes of remembrance, I thought about my dad, and countless others like him, those who came home and those who didn’t, and I offered a tearful prayer of thanks.
But my thoughts also turned to my mother, and others like her, in her five-year separation from her fiancé. With her own fears, uncertainties, and distress, she had to face her own conflicts, of the mind, emotions and even of faith. She had her war to fight, at another front line, where no guns sounded, comrades fell, or dead were buried. Would it not be as hellish for her as it was from my dad thousands of miles away?
Have friends who are refugees in Edinburgh from the war in Ukraine. Separated from loved ones, as my mum was from my dad, they too have battles to face, even in Edinburgh’s peaceful streets. They also live with the fears war generates, the uncertainties and distress they know every day. So, when I think of the casualties of war, like my dad and those directly affected by it, I also think of these refugees, the unseen, and often unremembered, victims who, like my mother, have their own conflicts to face. And in silent prayer, now Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday are past, this is my promise: “We will remember them.”
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.
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,
Remembrance Sunday, Sunday 20th November
Hymn 46 God is our refuge and our strength (Stroudwater)
Hymn 457 All hail the power of Jesus’ Name! (Miles Lane)
Hymn 453 Christ, of God unseen the image (Joel)
Hymn 468 Son of God, eternal Saviour (Blaenwern)
Anthem: O for a closer walk with God, Stanford
Musical Interlude: O most merciful, Bullock
Organ Postlude: Postlude in G, Stanford
Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6
New Testament Reading: Colossians 1:11-20
Gospel Reading: Luke 23:33-43
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 Recital, Sunday 20th November
The final Sounds of St Columba’s recital of the year will take place on Sunday 20th November at 1:30pm. Sam Corkin (saxophone) will be joined by Benedict Lewis-Smith (organ), and they will perform an eclectic programme of duets. The recital is free to attend with a retiring offering.
NEXT SUNDAY: Sunday 27th November – Communion Sunday, Moderator of the general Assembly, Crown Court & GKexperience visit.
Sunday 27th November promises to be a special day. In addition to celebrating holy communion at morning worship we will welcome the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Rt Revd Dr Greenshields as our preacher, as well as being joined by the congregation of Crown Court for a joint service. And into the mix will also be the visit of the young people and staff of the GKexperience. Some twenty-five young people will be staying at St Columba’s that weekend as part of their trip from Glasgow. This will be the third time St Columba’s has hosted their visit.
Following the joint service in the morning we are invited to Crown Court in the evening at 6pm for “An Audience with… the Moderator.” To meet this year’s Moderator, and to hear about his life, faith and experience of his year so far as Moderator. As with the morning service, this is a joint event for Crown Court and St Columba’s. The evening will conclude with cheese and wine.
Congregational Sunday Lunches, Future Dates
This Sunday there will be a fine Sunday Lunch offered in the Lower Hall. Future lunch dates are 27th November, 4th December and 18th December 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.
Christian Aid Annual Lecture – Tuesday 22nd November
The lecture – A Force for Good: Co-operating Across Borders in an Age of Authoritarians – will be given by Rt Hon David Lammy MP, the Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, followed by a conversation with Christian Aid’s chair, Dr John Sentamu. Entry is free. If you would like to reserve yourself a ticket by registering with Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/christian-aid-annual-lecture-2022-tickets-388501086207
By registering for a free ticket, it will help Christian Aid know the numbers planning to attend.
Tuesday 22nd November
Doors Open at 6.30pm – Starts at 7pm, finish 9pm.
Venue: St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 4JJ
Parliamentary Service, St Margaret’s, Westminster – Wednesday 23rd November
The Moderator of the general Assembly of the Church of Scotland will be preaching at the Parliamentary Service on Wednesday 23rd November at 10.30 am. Dr Greenshields would be delighted to welcome representatives of St Columba’s at the service.
Advent Book Study
Our Advent Book this year is “Walking Backwards to Christmas: An Advent journey from light to darkness” by Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York. The Lent Study Groups enjoyed his earlier work “The Nail – Being part of the Passion” and had some interesting discussions so suggested we look at this book which takes a similar approach, looking at the story of Advent and Christmas through the eyes of different characters in the story. Following the pattern of previous Lent and Advent studies two groups will meet on Zoom: The Tuesday evening group will meet at 7.30pm, beginning on Tuesday 22nd November and I am delighted to say will be led by the Revd Scott Rennie of Crown Court Church. William McLaren will lead the Wednesday morning group beginning at 10.30 m on Wednesday 23rd November. Whether or not you have attended any of the previous Book Studies, I hope you will think about coming along to this one. “Walking Backwards to Christmas” is available on Amazon and from Church House Bookshop. Further details from the church office.
Glass Door Night Shelter – Volunteers needed at St Columba’s on Sunday evenings (December 2022 – March 2023)
Can you help provide a warm, friendly welcome and hot meal to homeless guests coming to stay at St Columbus on Sunday nights when we will be hosting the Glass Door night shelter?
- Shelter volunteers are needed to help set up, serve food, chat to guests, and clear up on Sunday evenings
- Cooks and kitchen volunteers are needed to prepare meals for the guests
- An admin volunteer is needed to help manage the rota and organisation of Sunday volunteers
Training and support for roles will be given.
If you would are interested, please get in touch with Heather Farwell (hbfarwell@hotmail.co.uk) and Margaret Goslett (margaret@margaretgoslett.co.uk) as soon as possible
Sunday 4th December – Festive Fellowship Lunch 12-2.30pm
Following the success of the Jubilee Fellowship lunch in June, all are invited to a Christmas Fellowship lunch in the Lower Hall. Do join us for a lunch party, with a glass of prosecco to start the Festive Season. There will be a Children’s craft table, a fiendish Festive (optional) quiz and plenty of fun. To help with numbers please contact the church office to let them know you will be attending, with any dietary requirements. Vegetarians, vegans and gluten-free guest all catered for. Cost: £3.50.
Burns Supper 2023
The 2023 Burns Supper will be held on the 21st January 2023, 7pm. Tickets will be available after Sunday Worship from Sunday the 20th November 2023 in the entrance vestibule. If you have any queries please contact the Church Office.
We also need people to help serving food on the evening. If you would like to volunteer please contact the Church Office.
Parking Restrictions in December
During all Sundays in December there is NO PARKING in residents’ parking bays. On Sundays parking is permitted on single yellow lines and in Pay & Display bays (free).
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.