Friends,
It was a privilege to attend the General Assembly last week. Throughout my ministry I have enjoyed the friendship and support of Roman Catholic colleagues, both priests and members of religious orders such as the Franciscans, therefore it was a pleasure to hear Archbishop Leo Cushley of St. Andrews & Edinburgh address the Assembly. We went on to adopt the Declaration of Friendship between the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Scotland which had already been adopted by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Scotland and is to be known as the St. Margaret Declaration. Building on our shared understanding of baptism, it says in part, “Acknowledging what separates us still, we affirm that what we hold in common is often greater than what separates us… We therefore pledge ourselves to live as sisters and brothers in Christ, in public, in private, in life and in mission”. The full text of the St. Margaret Declaration may be found on the Church of Scotland website, and this seems a positive step forward as we strive to overcome the legacy of sectarianism and bigotry which has so often in the past poisoned church life in Scotland, and in some places still does. The Lord High Commissioner this year was Lord Hodge, Deputy President of the Supreme Court, who in his closing address spoke movingly of his visit to Colston Milton Parish Church in Glasgow where the minister the Revd Christopher Rowe is well known to many of us at St. Columba’s. Lord Hodge was particularly impressed by the ecumenical work being undertaken by the Church of Scotland, The Roman Catholic Church, and the Methodist Church in Milton.
It is always good to reminded that we are part of the worldwide church and I enjoy meeting guests who have come to the Assembly from other churches. This year I spoke to the representative from the Waldensian Church in Italy and also a visitor from the Presbyterian Church of East Africa UK Outreach; the latter worship in Barking on a Sunday afternoon and I have promised to join them sometime.
Another highlight of this year’s General Assembly was the appointment of the Revd Fiona Smith as Principal Clerk in succession to the Revd George Whyte. Fiona also has close connections with St. Columba’s and having served on a national committee with her I am confident that the Assembly will be in good hands!
The General Assembly of 2022 was a “hybrid” assembly with some of us gathered in the Assembly Hall on the Mound in Edinburgh and other commissioners and overseas visitors joining online. This presents technical challenges and although I recognise that for some it is the only way they can participate in the Assembly personally I would always prefer to be in the Assembly Hall; there, informal discussions take place as well as formal church business and old friendships are strengthened and renewed. I found myself thinking of my late father who, as an elder, represented his presbytery at the General Assembly on several occasions. He wouldn’t recognise it now, but I like to think that he would have found the mood of this year’s Assembly largely positive and forward looking.
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 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, Pentecost, Sunday 5th June 2022
Hymn 584 – Like fireworks in the night (St. John (Havergal))
Hymn 633 – Child of blessing, child of promise (Shipston)
Hymn 63 – All people that on earth do dwell (Old 100th)
Hymn 705 – It is God who holds the nations in the hollow of his hand (Vision)
Introit – Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, Wesley
Anthem – Zadok the Priest, Handel
Musical Interlude – I was Glad, Purcell
Organ Postlude- Imperial March, Elgar
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 11: 1 – 9
New Testament Reading: Acts 2: 1 – 21
Gospel Reading: St. John 14: 8 – 17
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, 5th June there will be a special jubilee street party lunch served in the Lower Hall after the service. Future lunch dates are the 12th June & 19th 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.
If you are planning on attending the after service “street party” on the 5th June can you please indicate to the office (office@stcolumbas.org.uk) how many your party will be so we can ensure all are catered for? Lunch that day will be £3.50 as normal and hospitality are providing prosecco to make the occasion very special.
Sunday 5th June, Platinum Jubilee Celebrations
The 11am Morning Service will celebrate the Jubilee theme with some celebratory royal music. The “street party” lunch in the Lower Hall follows and the day concludes with Songs of Praise at 5pm.
Sunday 12th June, Celebrating St Columba
Rev Prof Ian Bradley, authority on the life of St Columba is our guest preacher at the 11am Service of Holy Communion. It is also a Sunday School Sunday, congregational lunch and active afternoon. At 1.30pm Prof Bradley will give a congregational talk, Argyll: The Making of a Spiritual Landscape. That is followed by the AGM & Tea of the Friends of St Columba’s. Much to look forward to.
Former St Columba’s Members
We are sad to announce that Scott Simpson, who was well known to many of us at St Columba’s, passed away on Sunday 29th May. We will give the details of his funeral in due course.
Friend of St Columba’s, and a regular Tea Together guest, Betty Stokes passed away on 17th May at the age of 98. Her funeral will be on Wednesday 8th June at 2pm at Cromer Crematorium, Holt Road, Cromer NR27 9JJ.
James (Jimmy) Nicholson’s funeral will take place on Thursday 16th June, 10.15am at Colchester Crematorium, Mersea Road, Colchester, CO2 8RU. All welcome.
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.
We pray for all their families and friends that they may be sustained by treasured memories of the past and radiant hopes for the future.
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.
Musical congratulations.
Friend to St Columba’s and classical saxophonist, Jonathan Radford, who is due to marry fellow musician, Emily Sun later this year at St Columba’s, recently received a lovely 5* review from Michael Beek, BBC Music Magazine, for his debut album, The Saxophone Craze https://www.jonathanradfordsaxophone.com/discography – “I’m not sure I’ve ever appreciated how lovely the saxophone can sound until hearing this. Warmth, character and joy abound.”
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 Monday 4 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 2022 Programme
Please do join us for our 5 events planned for the summer and autumn:
1) Sunday June 12 St Columba’s Service, followed by AGM and Celebration Tea.
Please do forward to the Secretary any special items which you would like to see included (isobel@in-carter.com). A chance to mix, mingle, catch up with old friends and make new ones.
2) Friday 23-Sunday 25 September: visit to Dumfries and its surroundings led by Hugh Pym.
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: contact Hugh asap via 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