Friends,
On Saturday evening the Lower Hall will come to life, with the return of the congregational Burns Supper. After two years of enforced absence, a new team of organisers led by Colin MacKinnon, Fiona Lang and William McLaren, and supported by numerous volunteers, will orchestrate food, drink, music, Immortal Memory, and merriment. It is an occasion that is much looked forward to. It requires a great deal of time and planning, and we offer our collective support and thanks in advance.
For those wanting to remind themselves a little of Burns life and achievements there is a good summary at the Scottish Poetry Library website https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poet/robert-burns/ It concludes:
“The poems can be satirical but also full of sentiment; they deal with love and lust (Burns being well versed in these), human foibles and hypocrisies; they show a deep knowledge of and love of the natural world (especially horses, dogs, mice and lice); they can be funny and moving by turns. What makes them special is the way he writes about all of the above: his craftsmanship and use of language (in Scots and English), his skill at rhyming; his use of traditional forms in a new way. He is one of those artists (like Bob Dylan in our own time) who absorbs everything and rewrites it. Essentially you feel this is a man who knows the truth about the human condition – whatever faults he may have had (and he admitted to plenty, especially where women were concerned) just add to that knowledge. He is truly a poet who speaks to all, a poet for all seasons.”
Perhaps, evidence of that “poetry for all seasons” will be occasioned by the funeral planned for tomorrow at a South London crematorium. The deceased was a Glaswegian who came to London as an eighteen-year-old in 1960. Sixty-two years on, in acknowledgement of her roots, the family have asked that Burns, “Epitaph on my own Friend” will be adapted and read:
An honest woman here lies at rest,
As e’er God with Her image blest:
The friend of man, the friend of truth;
The friend of age, and guide of youth:
Few hearts like hers, with virtue warm’d,
Few heads with knowledge so inform’d:
If there’s another world, she lives in bliss;
If there is none, she made the best of this.
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 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, 22nd January 2023
3rd Sunday after Epiphany
Hymn 22 The Lord’s my light and saving health (Bishopthorpe)
Hymn 340 When Jesus saw the fishermen (The Seven Joys of Mary)
Hymn 509 Jesus calls us o’er the tumult (St Andrew)
Hymn 533 Will you come and follow me (Kelvingrove)
Anthem: Lo! Star-led chiefs (William Crotch)
Musical Interlude: Brightest and best (Malcolm Archer)
Organ Postlude: Fugue sur le thème du Carillon des Heures de la Cathédrale de Soissons, Op 12, Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986)
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 9:1-4
New Testament Reading: I Corinthians 1:10-18
Gospel Reading: Matthew 4:12-23
Sunday School & future dates:
Between January and March, we offer Sunday School on the first and third Sundays of the month.
Sunday 5th February
Sunday 19th February
Sunday 5th March
Sunday 19th March (Mothering Sunday)
Arrangements and activities for Easter to be confirmed.
Advent Appeal – Thank you!
A big thank you to everyone who donated to the Advent Appeal. We have handed over the lovely selection of donated thermal items to Glass Door which will be particularly useful for their homeless clients during this cold weather. There were also Christmas gifts wrapped for the Glass Door homeless guests who stayed overnight at church on Christmas night. Many thanks as well to those who made a financial donation direct to Borderline, in response to our Advent Appeal. Both charities send their grateful thanks for your continuing support. Mission Committee.
NEXT SUNDAY: Congregational Sunday Lunch & Future Dates
Future lunch dates are 29th January, 5th February, 19th February, 5th March 2023 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.
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.
19th February 2023 – Friend of St Columba’s, Jonathan Radford will play a programme of music on his classical saxophone
19th March 2023 – Axel Krogness, classical guitarist will play a programme of music to include Dowland, Bach and Goroto.
21st May 2023 – Fredrick Seines, classical guitarist will play a programme of music to include Bach, Poulenc and Dowland.
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.
Kirk Session
The Kirk Session of St Columba’s will meet on Friday 27th January 2023 at 6.35pm. Non elders are always welcome to attend as observers.
St Columba’s Book Group
Our next meeting will be on 20th February 2023, 6.30pm. The book choice for February is The Wonder by Emma Donoghue. Set in 1860s Ireland when an English nurse is commissioned to go to an Irish village to investigate the case of a 10-year-old girl who, apparently, has not eaten for four months. It has recently been adapted into a film with Florence Pugh in the role of the nurse. The film had a limited cinema release and is now available on Netflix. The novel examines lots of issues – faith, miracles, rural life, Irish History…
The choice after the Wonder (for those who like to get ahead) is Tennessee Williams’ A Street Car Named Desire.
The St Columba’s Book Group meet by Zoom, just contact the Church Office for the joining details. Newcomers are welcome.
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.