Friends,
Two contrasting sporting farewells have occupied the media in recent days. (Apologies to those whose pulses are not quickened by events on either the green swards of Test Match cricket grounds, or the more distant pitches of the current Women’s Soccer World Cup.) On the former, Stuart Broad declared he was playing his final Test Match for England – a full house to witness the decider of a dramatic Ashes Series (England v Australia.) He duly hit his last ball as a batsman for six, and then, as a bowler, took the final two Aussie wickets to lead England to victory. It was about as perfect an end as you could dream up.
Days later Megan Rapinoe wrote a very different final page to her glittering sporting career. She ranks among the most successful players of her generation. She has played for USA’s Women’s Soccer team 202 times; winning the previous two World Cup tournaments. She announced she would be retiring at the end of the season.
This week USA dramatically lost a penalty shoot-out against Sweden, with Rapinoe missing one of the crucial kicks. In tears after the match, she called it a “dark comedy.” Sport can be undeniably cruel. In time, I hope Rapinoe will be able to view her achievements in the larger perspective, but for the moment this must hurt.
The rollercoaster of emotions is probably why fans and participants are so enthralled by the whole glorious, inconsequentiality of sport.
One “final send-off” we hope will definitely be of the last-ball-victory variety, rather than the missed-penalty, is our farewell to Office Manager, Lucy llewellyn. We are currently in the midst of the interviewing process for her successor. Please continue to keep those applying, and those with the responsibility for appointing, in your prayers.
As announced last week, there will be a congregational lunch on Sunday 24th September at which we will say our farewells. On previous leave-takings, when a collection for a member of staff has been invited, donations have come in via the office – collected by Lucy. This gives us a somewhat awkward current scenario. My suggestion is this: If you wish to make a donation towards Lucy’s leaving gift, please put it in an envelope marked: “Lucy’s Secret Surprise Gift” and hand it into her. She has promised not to open and will pass on to those others who will collate and action. Please could we have contributions in by Sunday 10th September. We hope it will contribute to a very happy final fixture.
Have a good week,
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 for 13th August 2023
Hymn 645 I’m not ashamed to own my Lord (Jackson, Byzantium)
Hymn 260 Eternal Father, strong to save (Melita)
Hymn 158 God moves in a mysterious way (London New)
Hymn 605 Thanks to God whose word was spoken (St Helen)
Anthem: Ave verum, Mozart
Musical Interlude: Cantate domino, Pitoni
Organ Postlude: Postlude in G, Stanford
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
Gospel Reading: Matthew 14:22-33
THIS SUNDAY: 11.00 a.m. Morning Service, Sunday 13th August 2023
We welcome Gary Wallis, St Columba’s elder, beadle, Youth Committee Convenor, theology student, husband and Dad as our guest preacher.
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 Pastoral Letter
Church members will have, or are about to receive in the post, the latest Congregational Pastoral Letter. It offers a mix of meditations and diary dates in advance of our autumn activities and especially draws attention to the upcoming Congregational Away Day on Saturday 30th September. There are additional copies available via the bookstall. It is well-produced and gives a good indication of the variety of things that take place at St Columba’s throughout the week. If you know of friends who might be interested, please use the booklet as a way of welcoming/encouraging others to come and be part of things at St Columba’s.
SAVE THE DATE: Congregational Away Day, Saturday 30th September 2023
Plans for our upcoming Congregational Away Day on Saturday 30th September are well advanced. The day will be led by Revd Russell McLarty & Dr Magdalen Lambkin, both volunteer practitioners with Place for Hope https://www.placeforhope.org.uk/ They will begin with an interview panel to enable us to hear from members of our own congregation, as well as others who use our building regularly. During the rest of the day, we will have a series of workshops to help us build ideas of what our church might be like in five to fifteen years’ time. (In 2034 it will be the 150th Anniversary of the congregation.)
It is an important opportunity for the congregation to take stock and consider our collective possibilities and priorities. Guided by the skill and experience of others, and appreciating why St Columba’s remains precious and meaningful to many people, we hope it will be a fruitful day. Timings for the day are 10am – 4pm. A soup and sandwich lunch will be provided. We aim to provide childcare for part of the day to enable families to attend. Please sign up to indicate attendance via the Church Office. And please keep Russell and Magdalen in your prayers as they prepare to lead us on the day.
New Church Magazine
Do take time to pick up a copy of the excellent new issue of our Church Magazine. Thank you to Editor Susan Pym and her contributors for another rich mix of St Columba’s related thigs.
‘Being with’ Enquirers’ Course, Autumn 2023
Are you interested in exploring more about the Christian faith? Would you like to meet with some friends over food and conversation to think about what it means to be Christian in London today? Why not come along to an informal six-week course with supper and conversation on Sunday evenings at 6 pm for six weeks beginning on Sunday 3rd September at Crown Court Church. You’ll be made most welcome. The course, entitled ‘Being with’ is open to people curious about faith, new to faith, or maybe even looking to reconsider what it means to follow Christ in today’s world. Wherever you are on your journey, you’ll be made most welcome. For more info or to book your place please contact Scott Rennie, on minister@crowncourtchurch.org.uk
Service in Recognition of Probation Ministers
Many of you will remember David McKee who spent the summer with us last year, as part o his training for the Church of Scotland ministry. He has sent an invitation to any of the congregation that want to attend the Service in Recognition of Probation Ministers on the 17th August, at 7pm at Bothwell Parish Church. Revd Sally Foster-Fulton, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland will preach.
St Columba’s Craft Group
The group will meet on the first Sunday of every month from 1.30 pm until 3.30 pm in the Library. This is a great opportunity to pick up tips and new techniques from our talented and experienced members. All welcome. For further information please contact Fiona Lang or Susan Pym through the church office.
Happy Hour
Following our discussion earlier this year on the Middle East, led by William, the September Happy Hour session will see a change to our format. Rather than meeting at our usual venue, the plan is to attend the lecture at St Martin-in- the- Fields where the Archbishop of Canterbury and an expert panel will explore reconciliation and hope for the Middle East. The proposal is for everyone to book their own ticket, details attached. Booking info: You can book to attend in person or to watch online. https://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/calendar/here-i-stand-reconciliation or call 020 7766 1100. Tickets are free, although a £10 donation to cover the cost of the event is suggested. The lecture starts at 7pm and is followed by a reception where we’ll have a chance to socialise and discuss the evening. Happy Hour’s programme for the rest of the autumn season can be found on the website under Community Life https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/community-life/happy-hour.
St Columba’s Book Group
All members present really enjoyed the Painted Veil by Somerset Maugham and thought that it was multidimensional and had good characterisation. Our next choice is a non- fiction one, “Landlines” by Raynor Winn which is the third book in a trilogy but also stands alone. It is set, in part in Scotland and is on the Sunday Times best seller list. We next meet virtually on Monday 11th September at 6.30pm. We have also selected the book after that, “Nightbloom” by Peace Adzo Medie. New members are always welcome. Contact the Church Office for the log in details.
Sounds of St Columba’s Recitals
Please note future dates for our wonderful recital series – bring your friends and enjoy the marvellous music in the Upper Hall. 1.30pm start. These exceptional recitals are one of the “gems” of current St Columba’s life. Not to be missed.
17th September 2023 – Richard Phillips, Cello Recital
15th October 2023 – Oscar Simms, Baritone
19th November 2023 – The Choir of St Columba’s
21st January 2024- Catherine Olver, Organ Recital (Church)
Save the Date: Safeguarding Training,
Mandatory Safeguarding Training for those who require it will be offered on the following dates:
Wednesday 20th September 2023, 6.45pm – 9.15pm – online & Saturday 21st October 2023, 10.00am – 12.30pm – in person. Venue /St Columba’s Church – Upper Hall. Please sign up with the church office.
St Andrew’s, Newcastle website
https://www.standrewskirknewcastle.org/
You might be interested to see the new website of our linked charge, St Andrew’s, Newcastle. Well done to them for the work that has gone into that. And just to share (and be inspired by) one of their upcoming activities: Session Clerk, Irene Wilkinson writes:
“You will all be aware by now that we need to carry out fairly major repairs to the roof and we have been raising funds for this project for some time now. The Quinquennial inspection raised some of the issues we were already aware of but highlighted some as urgent. We are therefore asking for your support in our efforts to meet these challenges by attending our fundraising events. The next event is the Quiz night and supper, details on the attached poster, which takes place on 18th August. We are happy to have bookings as teams or as individuals. Individual bookings will be allocated to a “team” on arrival.”
We wish all who attend, a fun evening.
Congregational Sunday Lunch, Future Dates
Future dates for lunches are 20th August and 3rd, 17th & 24th September in the Lower Hall. The 24th September is an additional date on which we will say farewell to outgoing Office Manager Lucy Llewellyn. Please note the small increase to £4.00 per lunch – still exceptional value for a two-course meal. Big thanks to all our catering teams who provide for us on congregational lunch Sundays. Coffee will continue to be served every Sunday as usual in the Upper Hall – donations for coffee most welcome.
Prayer Group
Thank you to the Congregational Prayer Group for offering some prayer points over the summer:
- protection over children and young people and for their parents as they spend time together that they will have fun
- for teachers that they will find time to relax after a difficult teaching year
- for our church leaders and numerous volunteers that they will enjoy the summer break and be refreshed to serve come September
- pray for God to speak to each one of us as a community through His Word
- pray for the appointment of a new office manager
- pray for the preparations for the Congregational Away Day on Saturday 30th September
- pray that God would give us persistent hearts of prayer like Daniel in Daniel 9:3 when he “turned to the Lord God and pleaded with Him in prayer and petition.”
Have a great summer!
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
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED ON THE 21st AND 22nd AUGUST.
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.
