Friends,
Last Sunday, our linked charge of St Andrew’s, Newcastle concluded their “300 Season” with a celebratory weekend. Since Easter this year they have been marking 300 years of Church of Scotland presence and worship in their city. (One could claim that the Kirk actually has a longer heritage in the Toon.) There was a very happy congregational dinner on Saturday evening and communion on Sunday morning. During the service there was a dedication and blessing of items created in recent months by members and friends of the craft group. Despite being small in number, the crafters have produced an absolute mountain of beautiful, lovingly made items – well in excess of the target of 300 items, which they originally set for themselves. Among the collection were:
| Crocheted octopus. | Trauma Teddy on a Linus blanket. |
Trauma Teddies – originally the idea of Australian firefighters, to bring comfort to children fleeing bushfires. In the UK they go out in police cars and fire engines to comfort children in distressing circumstances. Used at road accidents or when police/social services visit domestic abuse cases.
Linus blankets. Started in USA, when Karen Loucks saw a newspaper article showing how much a comfort blanket had helped a child cancer victim. She decided to organise blankets for her local children’s cancer unit. Since then, several million blankets have been delivered worldwide. Project Linus began in the UK in 2000. It’s mission, to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are sick, disadvantaged or distressed.
Crocheted octopi – originating in Denmark in 2013, the comforters are given to premature babies while in incubator care. The baby stroking/rubbing the tentacles leads to improved heart rate and breathing, with less likelihood of pulling out monitoring tubes. It is claimed that the feel of the knitted tentacle resembles/reminds the baby of the umbilical cord in the womb, with the comfort that brings.
These were just some of the wonderfully inspiring things on show. So, this week we salute the congregation of St Andrew’s, Newcastle and especially those involved with the craft group, and we pray that those gifts will bring great comfort wherever they find a home.
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,
19th Sunday after Trinity Sunday, Sunday 23rd October
Hymn 52 How lovely is thy dwelling place (Harington) Psalm 84
Hymn 517 Fight the good fight with all thy might (Duke Street)
Hymn 522 The Church Is wherever (The Bard of Armagh)
Hymn 535 Who would true valour see (Monk’s Gate)
Anthem: Verleih uns Frieden (F. Mendelssohn)
Musical Interlude: Geistliches Lied (J. Brahms)
Organ Postlude: Fugue in B Flat (G F Handel)
Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22
New Testament Reading: II Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
Gospel Reading: Luke 18:9-14
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.
Congregational Sunday Lunches, Future Dates
Future lunch dates are the 30th October & 6th November 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 Elder
The funeral service for Henry Sherriff will be held at St Columba’s on Friday 4th November at 2pm. All welcome to attend.
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.
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
Lent Appeal 2023 (small UK charity)
Over the last five years, thanks to your generosity, we have raised a total of £44,840 for small charities as a direct result of our Lent Appeals; this is a major part of our work on Mission. The Mission Committee would be grateful for any suggestions you may have for a small home/UK charity that could be considered for the St. Columba’s Lent Appeal 2023. For more information, please contact Naomi Donaldson, naomi.60@live.co.uk (or via the Church Office) before Wednesday 26th October.
St Columba’s Book Group
Our next meeting will be on Monday 9th January at the usual time of 6.30pm. Our next book choice is “The Fortnight in September” by RC Sheriff, who is probably more famous for writing Journey’s End about World War I. This book is set in the early 1930’s and concerns a family of 5 from Dulwich as they embark on their annual summer holiday to Bognor. This is a trip they have been making for years and the reader experiences with them the preparation, the journey and the holiday itself. If you know Dulwich or Bognor or even Clapham Junction you might find this novel of particular interest, but such knowledge is not a requirement!
The St Columba’s Book Group meet by Zoom, just contact the Church Office for the joining details. Newcomers welcome.
Friends of St Columba’s Trip – Neasden Indian Temple
The Friends of St Columba’s are having an outing to Neasden Indian Temple on the 5th November, 10.30am. Neasden Temple is a masterpiece of traditional Hindu design and exquisite Indian workmanship in the heart of north-west London. Using 5,000 tonnes of Bulgarian limestone and Italian and Indian marble, it was hand-carved in India before being assembled in London in just 2½ years. Since its opening in 1995, this renowned place of worship has attracted close to half a million visitors annually. Worthy of note are the intricate carvings, the traditional Hindu prayer ceremony, and an exhibition to inform visitors about the world’s oldest living faith. (The YouTube video of the Mandir (Temple) is ideal for a quick impression), Entrance is free, the Exhibition costs £1.50; and there is a shop. Lunch is available for us in the Temple restaurant. If you would like to attend or more information please contact Isobel Carter on isobel@in-carter.com.
Families Pantomime Outing
All families are invited to join us for a trip to the New Wimbledon Theatre to see Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on Saturday 17 December at 14:00 for some pre Christmas merriment! The trip has been part funded by the Sunday School and two generous donations so we’re asking for a contribution of £20 per person to help cover the costs. Please let the office know if you would like to attend -Seats are limited so please reserve early to avoid disappointment!
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.