Friends,
On Wednesday there was one of those weavings of threads that make life at St Columba’s so varied and interesting.
On Wednesday mornings throughout the year, pupils, staff and family members gather in the sanctuary for the weekly Hill House School Assembly. One week it is a “School” Assembly, with awards for sport, music and other achievements; the next week it is “Church” Assembly, and I am invited to take part. Assemblies are invariably enlivened by the music of the children – from massed guitars, violins and cellos, to choirs and soloists.
This week, thanks to the efforts of elder, Naomi Donaldson, who also works at Hill House, we had a guest speaker. Bob Kikuyu is the Global Theology Advisor for Christian Aid, a role in which he ensures that the policies and processes of the organisation are aligned with its values. As his biography states: “He is passionate about Christians engaging with social justice through reachable actions. He is also a passionate rugby fan and played as a Kenya junior international and won two senior club championships.” Bob preached at St Columba’s a year ago promoting the work of Christian Aid and Christian Aid Week.
His message to the children was about “opportunities”; recognising and being grateful for the opportunities we have/receive – and committed to finding ways to expand the opportunities available to others less fortunate. He highlighted the work of Christian Aid in Burundi, told through the story of Aline Nibogora. (See below).
Bob encouraged the children to think of themselves as bridges – by giving they can increase the opportunities of others – and in giving they will also receive.
It was a memorable morning – sunlight, singing, a sanctuary full of young people and their teachers, and a compassionate, continent-hopping perspective to remind us of our shared humanity.
Please take time to learn more about Christian Aid Week (see below) – with opportunities to learn more, bake, pray and donate.
Angus
Live Streaming of Worship
Services can be watched via the church website, https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/live-stream. Reminder: If you do not wish to appear on the live-stream please choose a seat in the rear half of the sanctuary. 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 this Sunday, 14th April 2024.
If you are aware of church members or friends who do not have access to internet, please inform them that they can phone in to join the Sunday 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 Worship
Sunday 5th May 2024
Hymn 61 Oh, sing a new song to the Lord (St Magnus Nottingham)
Hymn 320 Joy to the world (Antioch, Comfort)
Hymn 357 This is my will, my new command (O Waly Waly, CH4 234)
Hymn 622 We sing a love that sets all people free (Woodlands)
Anthem: Ave verum, Elgar
Musical Interlude: My soul there is a country, Parry
New Testament Reading: Acts 10:44-48
New Testament Reading: I John 5:1-6
Gospel Reading: John 15:9-17
Reader: Ruth Kattumuri
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
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: 11am, Morning Worship, Sunday School and Congregational Lunch in Lower Hall.
Note: No baptisms this Sunday.
THIS SUNDAY: St Columba’s Craft Group, Kirk Session Room from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.
This is a great opportunity to pick up tips and new techniques from our talented and experienced members whilst sharing a tea or coffee. All welcome. For further information please contact Fiona Lang or Susan Pym through the church office.
THIS SUNDAY: Evening Service, 5pm, London Scottish Chapel
UPCOMING: New Members’ Conference & Service, Wednesday 8th May & Sunday 9th June
If you would like to learn more about what becoming a member of St Columba’s would involve, you are warmly invited to an evening of food and discussion on Wednesday 8th May 2024, 6.30pm. For those who would then like to become members there will be a Service of Welcome on Sunday 9th June – which appropriately is the day we celebrate St Columba himself! For more information speak to either of the ministers and please sign up via the Church Office.
NEXT WEEK: Friends of St Columba’s Visit to St Alban’s Cathedral,
Saturday 11th May 2024.
The Friends head to the oldest site of continuous Christian worship in Britain. Rendezvous inside the main entrance at 11 a.m. The entry is free. A general tour costs £8 which we shall take upon arrival, (1 hour 15 mins). If you would like to take subsequently a Specialist Tour (1 hour – music, textiles, flowers, pilgrimages); or a tower tour to admire the view, these cost £10 and are available before 2 p.m. Lunch will be at The Abbott’s Kitchen at the Cathedral. For more detail https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/friends-of-st-columbas If you intend to join, please let Isobel Carter know in advance: isobel@in-carter.com; 07768 275 591.
Directions: eveyone is different, but one possibility is: Blackfriars tube station – Thameslink to St Albans City – left West down Victoria Street- 90 Degree turn Left (west) down Victoria Street – 90 degree turn left opposite St Albans Museum and Gallery – down Chequer St – then right 90 degrees down Sumpter Yard to the Cathedral. 17 mins. Rendezvous at 11am inside the main entrance.
NEXT WEEK: Christian Aid Week
Christian Aid Week: 12th to 18th May 2024
The focus this year is on Burundi, one of the world’s poorest countries. Poverty affects more than 70% of the population. Life is harsh and a daily struggle. The main source of income is from farming. With extreme weather conditions due to climate change crops often fail, communities need help to restart and generate income, training on how to save and set up a Village Savings and Loans Association. An example of how Christian Aid funding helped: Aline whose marriage failed, her children taken away from her and she was living in extreme poverty until with a little help from Christian Aid her life has been transformed. Aline attended a three-day workshop funded by Christian Aid, who then provided her with a small start-up loan. From that, Aline was able to start growing her own produce, with her profits bought a bicycle to transport goods to and from markets. As savings increased, Aline was able to get bricks for a small house providing better protection against extremes in weather, money for basic healthcare and three of her children were able to return to her. Let’s help others in Burundi push-back against extreme poverty and create a better future.
Please do click on this link to watch a short video (under 4mins) on the Burundi Appeal.
NEXT SUNDAY: Congregational Prayer Group: 10.15am – 10.30am, Kirk Session Room
Come and join us for 15 minutes to pray for our church, our community, our nation and our world …everyone is welcome and our prayers, both spoken and silent do make a difference.
NEXT SUNDAY: Morning Service, 11am.
To launch Christian Aid Week, we are delighted that Jennifer Larbie, Head of UK Advocacy and Campaigns for Christian Aid, will be joining us and we look forward to her sermon on Sunday 12th May.
NEXT SUNDAY: Cake Sale – Sunday 12th May – Entrance Vestibule – Calling all bakers!
If you would like to bake a cake(s), or biscuits, scones, shortbread and either bring into the Entrance Vestibule before the service on Sunday 12th May, or you can leave it with the Church Office a few days beforehand. Please label cake packaging with what type of cake it is. Cakes etc. can then be purchased after the service. All money raised will go to Christian Aid Week. Please do come and buy a cake, or even a slice of cake to have with your coffee in the Upper Hall.
- There will be red CA collecting buckets in the Upper Vestibule after the service on Sunday 12th and 19th May. The main CA collection Sunday will be on Sunday 12th 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 e-envelope Please click on the link: https://fundraise.christianaid.org.uk/envelope-2024/st-columbas-church-pont-street-caw-2024
Donations will help improve the lives of some of the world’s poorest people. Thank you.
NEXT SUNDAY: Scottish Country Dancing for Children, Sunday 12th May, 1pm in Lower Hall
With the support of RSCDS, we are delighted to offer the children a Scottish Country Dancing class. Classes take place on the 2nd Sunday of the month. Rose Kreloff is an RSCDS London member who teaches regularly in London and the Southeast. Classes are free thanks to support from St Columba’s and RSCDS London but donations are welcome. We ask that parents/carers contact classes@rscdslondon.org.uk to book a place in the class. Please include name and age of children so that we can make sure we have the right amount of support for each class.
UPCOMING: Sunday 19th May, 1.30pm
The church’s Organ Scholar, Stellaria Ciampolini Vukelić will be giving her first organ recital with works by Messiaen, Widor and De Grigny.
Scots in London
Scots in London is an umbrella organisation for Scottish cultural societies, sports clubs, alumni groups, charities, churches and the Scottish military in London. The Scots in London mission is to co-ordinate members’ events, promote Scottish heritage and culture in the London area, and to support relevant charities, as well as running events. Scots in London were founded by a dozen London-based Scottish organisations in 2017, to plan and co-ordinate events commemorating Armistice100, which also led to the publishing of the book Scots in Great War London. HRH the Princess Royal has been Patron from the outset. For more information about our Scots in London, please follow this link.
You can join their newsletter here to be informed about their latest news, events and opportunities as well as their member organisations.
Office Hours
The church office is open from 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
E-mail: office@stcolumbas.org.uk
Website: www.stcolumbas.org.uk
Facebook: @stcolumbas churchpontstreet.
Twitter: @LondonKirk
Pastoral Emergency Number (out of office hours): 07591926271