Friends,
After he retired as a hospital consultant a friend of mine worked for a while as GP on Ascension Island, the remote British territory in the South Atlantic, located almost eqidistant between the coast of Africa and South America and with a population of 806. The island was first spotted by the Portuguese sailor Joao da Nova on Ascension Day 1501, the day 40 days after Easter when Christians traditionally celebrate the return of the risen Christ to his heavenly father.
With fresh water springs the island became an important staging post for travellers and although at that time Ascension had no permanent population the Portuguese introduced goats to the island so that future sailors would have a source of fresh meat. Ascension came under British authority in 1815 and was listed by the Admiralty as a “stone frigate”, garrisoned lest Napoleon should try to escape his lonely south Atlantic exile on St. Helena. Later visitors included Charles Darwin on the second Beagle voyage in 1836.The island has retained its strategic importance and played a vital role during the Falklands conflict of 1982. Nowadays visitors include tourists attracted by the varied wildlife of the remote island.
We mark Ascension Day this Sunday. Over the centuries artists, poets and musicians have sought to convey the meaning of this great mystery but it seems to me beautifully put in Brian Wren’s great hymn “Christ is alive!” (CH4 416) “Christ is alive! No longer bound to distant years in Palestine, but saving, healing, here and now, and touching every place and time“.
This is the meaning of Ascension whether we live in one of the world’s most remote communities or in the heart of a great city.
Christ is alive! Let Christians sing.
William.
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 Morning Service, 21st May 2023
Hymn 129 The Lord is King! Lift up your voice! (Church Triumphant)
Hymn 416 Christ is alive! (Old Clarendonian)
Hymn 577 Christ be beside me (Bunessan)
Hymn 438 The Head that once was crowned with thorns (St Magnus (Nottingham))
Anthem: God is gone up (Finzi)
Musical Interlude: Ascendit Deus (Philips)
Postlude:
New Testament Reading I: Acts 1: 1 – 14
New Testament Reading II: I Peter 2:2-10
Gospel Reading: John 17:1-11
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.
Sunday School & future dates:
Between March & June, we offer Sunday School on the first and third Sundays of the month.
- Sunday 21st May
- Sunday 4th June (Second Sunday of half term)
- Sunday 25th June (Families Communion & Congregational Picnic)
Congregational Sunday Lunch & Future Dates
This Sunday there will be a fine lunch served in the Lower Hall after the service. Future dates for lunches are 4th June & 18th June 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.
St Columba’s Members
St Columba’s member Iain Johnstone died on the 3rd May 2023. His funeral will be held at St Columba’s on Thursday 25th Ma at 2pm.
Rest eternal grant unto him and let light perpetual shine upon him.
Christian Aid Week: 14th to 20th May
The focus has switched this year to Malawi and the terrible effect climate change is having there, particularly for the families that rely on farming to survive. Malawi suffers with such erratic and severe weather due to climate change, drought, sometimes terrible flooding and it was also hit by a devastating cyclone a couple of months ago. Your donations could help fund the purchase of drought resistant seeds/crop such as the amazing hardy pigeon peas, farming tools, a bicycle so that experienced farmers can travel by bike to train other less experienced farmers, money towards a co-operative oven to enable local people to turn their pigeon peas into profit by baking bread and funding would also help provide business training of local farmers.
Ways to donate are:
- There will be red CA collecting buckets in the Upper Vestibule after the service on Sunday 7th, 14th and 21st May. The main CA collection Sunday will be on Sunday 14th May.
- CA envelopes will be available on a table in the Upper Vestibule, and a tick box for those eligible to Gift Aid their donation. Some CA envelopes will also be in the pews.
- Online donations: We have our own church online giving page for Christian Aid Week (GiveStar). Please click on the link:
https://giving.give-star.com/online/christian-aid/chelsea-st-columba-christian-aid-week-2023
Your donations will help improve the lives of some of the world’s poorest people. Thank you.
Petition: Please do sign the online Christian Aid: East Africa Hunger Crisis Petition, thank you for your support.
East Africa Hunger Crisis petition – Christian Aid
Friends of St Columba’s Visits
The Friends of St Columba’s have two exciting trips coming up. 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”.
- Saturday May 20: Visit to Canterbury Cathedral and City (www.canterbury-cathedral.org/visit). This is the mother church of the Anglican faith, and seat of the Archbishop. We shall discover the history of the Cathedral from the re-establishment of Christianity in England in 597, to the murder of Thomas Beckett, which made Canterbury one of the most important pilgrimage sites. Rendezvous by ticket booth at the Cathedral entrance, 11 a.m.
- Friday 23rd June: Visit to 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.
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.
St Columba’s Book Group
The St Columba’s Book Group will meet (on Zoom!) on Wednesday the 7th June at 6.30pm. The book we will discuss is Lesson’s in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.
New members are always welcome. Contact the Church Office for the log in details.
THIS WEEK: Sounds of St Columba’s 2023
The fantastic Sounds of St Columba’s series is back for 2023. Please note the dates in your diary, bring your friends and enjoy the marvellous music in the Upper Hall. 1.30pm start.
21st May 2023 – Fredrick Seines, classical guitarist will play a programme of music to include Bach, Poulenc and Dowland.
18th June 2023 – Emily Sun, in demand international violinist will play the Tchaikovsky’ Violin Concerto
16th July 2023- Ashley Fripp, Piano recital
Songs of Praise – Choose your favourite hymns!
Our last evening service before the summer is on Sunday 4th June (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 28th May.
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.