
While fly pasts and royal waves have been the primary images of the national VE Day 80th Anniversary events this week, more local happenings with a distinctly Scots in London flavour have begun and are being prepared for. On Tuesday evening a good crowd gathered at the former Drill Hall of the London Scottish Regiment, now known as London Scottish House. Chaired by BBC’s diplomatic correspondent, James Landale, a panel comprised of politician, Sir Malcom Rifkind, social historian, Professor Lucy Noakes and Kirk minister and theologian, Professor David Fergusson ranged over what was the experience and significance of the original VE Day (8th May 1945) and did it have something to teach us about today’s troubling times.



Further events take place this week and culminate with our Morning Service on Sunday 11th May. We look forward to welcoming regular members, visitors and invited diplomatic guests from Europe and the Commonwealth, as well as the Lord Mayor of London and family members of the Very Revd Fraser McLuskey, “Parachute Padre” and minister of St Columba’s (1960 – 1986.) The Pipes & Drums of the London Scottish Regiment will play at the entrance from 10.30am to welcome everyone. Those attending service will receive a copy of the Scots in London VE Day Anniversary publication, edited by St Columba’s members, Hugh Pym and Malcolm Noble. Lunch follows service for those fortunate to have secured tickets – a sellout, unfortunately means some will be disappointed. The day concludes with the afternoon talk on the wartime ministry of Fraser McLuskey, serving with the SAS behind the lines in France 1944.
If that isn’t sufficiently enticing to bring you to St Columba’s this weekend, don’t forget the Saturday afternoon Friends of St Columba’s outing to Leighton House, or the Saturday evening Quiz Night, hosted by the Fellowship Committee, and the Christian Aid Week Cake Sale on Sunday morning. Please get baking to boost that event. Whatever takes your fancy, we hope that you will find welcome, warmth, interest and inspiration here at St Columba’s this lively anniversary weekend.
Angus
THIS SUNDAY: Hymns, Music & Readings for Sunday, 11th May 2025, The Fourth Sunday of Easter and 80th Anniversary VE Day Service
Hymn 268 O God of Bethel! By whose hand (Salzburg, Hayden)
Hymn 160 Praise, my soul, the King of heaven (Praise, my soul)
Hymn 473 Thy kingdom come! – on bended knee (Irish)
Hymn 266 God the Omnipotent! King who ordainest (Russia)
Anthem: My beloved spake – Hadley (1899-1973)
Anthem: Agnus Dei – Fauré (1845-1924)
Old Testament Reading: Psalm 23
New Testament Reading: Philippians 4:1, 4-9
Readers: Major Christian WG Gladwell, Stuart Steele & Rona Black


Please note that due to the Hill House School art installation and additional activities there will not be a short service of holy communion, following the main service. The short communion service will recommence as normal from Sunday 18th May 2025.
St Columba’s members
We are sorry to announce the death of St Columba’s member Douglas Bryce. Details of funeral will be announced when known. Rest eternal grant unto him, and let light perpetual shine upon him.


THIS SUNDAY: Cake Sale – Sunday 11th May – Entrance Vestibule – Calling all bakers! If you would like to bake a cake(s), or biscuits, scones, shortbread, meringues and either bring in to the Entrance Vestibule before the service on Sunday 11th May, or you can leave it with the Church Office 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.
Christian Aid Week: 11th to 17th May
https://www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/key-appeals/christian-aid-week/campaign
The focus is to raise funds to help the indigenous communities in Guatemala whose farms are being destroyed by climate change, but with basic farming tools and specialist agricultural training their lives can be improved and help them to push back against extreme poverty. Please click on the link to watch a short video on the Guatemala Appeal.
https://christianaid.resourcespace.com/pages/view.php?ref=16200&k=1de57ce076
Ways to help/donate:
- There will be red CA collecting buckets in the Upper Vestibule after the service on Sundays 4th, 11th and 18th May. The main CA collection Sunday will be on Sunday 11th 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-2025/st-columbas-church-scotland-chelsea/christian-aid-week-2025

Guatemala Appeal – QR Code for card donations
If you would like to make a card donation to help raise funds for the indigenous farming communities in Guatemala to help them buy basic farming tools, get specialist farming training to help them push-back again poverty which is being caused by climate change and by deforestation of their land by large organisations. Your donations will make a real difference. We have our own St. Columba’s / Christian Aid Week e-envelope for card donations, you can also Gift Aid if you are eligible, tick box. Many thanks.
Donations will help improve the lives of some of the world’s poorest people. Thank you.

Save the date – On Thursday 12th June, there is an opportunity to attend a special service at Westminster Abbey for A Service of Thanksgiving and Reflection to mark the 80th Anniversary of Christian Aid. Doors will open from 10.30am via the Great West Door on Victoria Street, all guests to be seated by 11.30. Service starts at 12.00. To attend, please register as soon as possible. Herewith link: https://www.christianaid.org.uk/events/80th-anniversary-service-ginvite#register
Please also take photo ID as you may be asked to produce it and you must register to attend.

THIS WEEK: Friends of St Columba’s Visit, Saturday 10th May, 11am Saturday 10 May 2025 Leighton House 12 Holland Park Road, London W14 8LZ (Tube: High St Ken) The summer weather will hopefully make our visit to Leighton House all the more attractive. Surrounded by its own garden , it was once home to Frederic, Lord Leighton, the great classical painter of the Victorian age. The house is hung with his paintings, plus those of his friends Millais and Burne-Jones, with ceramics by William de Morgan. The domed Arab Hall is the centrepiece: a Moorish fantasia complete with a full mosaic frieze, antique Iznik tiles, and a gently playing fountain. The house has recently had award-winning refurbishment and restoration, including a full story of the artists. Lunch is at the well-known Chelsea hostelry: “The Hansom Cab”.

THIS WEEK: St Columba’s Quiz Night, Saturday 10th May, 7pm, Lower Hall.
St Columba’s Quiz Night returns! We are now fully booked for the Quiz Night.
THIS WEEK: Scots in London 80th Anniversary VE Day Events

Saturday 10th May – London Scottish House is hosting the ‘Peace in Europe Conference’ being organised by the newly formed Second World War Association. You can find out more about the event online here.

THIS SUNDAY: Sunday 11th May, St Columba’s, Pont Street, 11am, 80th Anniversary VE Day Service with invited European and Commonwealth diplomatic guests, followed by a catered lunch and an afternoon talk on the wartime ministry of the Very Revd Dr Fraser McLuskey – the Parachute Padre – minister of St Columba’s, 1960 – 1986. Unfortunately, author Damien Lewis (SAS Daggers Drawn) has had to withdraw but the talk will go ahead led by actor David Robb, assisted by Revd Angus MacLeod. Please note lunch tickets are now sold out but you can still attend the service and book your tickets for the talk on this link

Lent Appeal 2025: Caxton Youth Organisation – Total raised is £6290. Thank you.
We are delighted to let you know that due to your support and generous donations, £6290 (inc. Gift Aid) has been raised. The funding will pay for a group of young people with autism, and/or learning disabled, plus three staff members that will accompany them, to attend a five day outdoor residential course this summer. The charity are absolutely thrilled and have now started making plans and bookings. Caxton Youth send huge thanks to everyone who donated. The charity look forward to making a return visit to St. Columba’s in the autumn to thank you in person and to let us know how the trip went. Many thanks. Mission Committee.

Post Easter Book Group
Our post-Easter book group choice is “Alleluia is our song.” Reflections on Easter and Pentecost by Michael Mayne. Next meeting on Zoom at 7.15pm, on Wednesday 7th May. To sign up and receive the Zoom link, please contact the office.

Scots in London May newsletter.
For a variety of events and activities of interest see https://mailchi.mp/scotsinlondon.org/scots-in-london-may-newsletter Scots in London is an umbrella organisation for Scottish cultural societies, sports clubs, alumni groups, charities, churches and the Scottish military in London. Its mission is to promote Scottish culture and heritage,co-ordinate and communicate events, support Scottish charities in the capital, and contribute to the life of the city where we live. While proud of our shared nationality, we endeavour to be international in outlook. Note: The Scots in London VE Day 80th Anniversary publication is now online at https://www.scotsinlondon.org/publications

NEXT WEEK: Congregational Curry Night, Saturday 17th May, 7pm, Lower Hall. Come and join us for a delicious 3 course meal (dinner served at 7.30pm) and talk from our elder Nadia Dallsingh on the highlights from her Everest Base Camp Trek. Tickets are £10 (BYOB) and are available to purchase from the office.
NEXT SUNDAY: Please note the change of date for Congregational Prayers Group. Next meeting, Sunday 18th May, 10.15am, London Scottish Chapel


NEXT SUNDAY: Sounds of St Columba’s, Sunday 18th May, 1.30pm, Upper Hall
John Holland-Avery (Baritone), Michael Bevan (piano) and Julia Yoon (violin). Join us for an hour of repertoire “Love from early romantic-late romantic” with pieces from Ravel, Vaughan Williams and Finzi.

UPCOMING: St Columba’s Book Club, Our next book club choice is Lily by Rose Tremain. It is the story of a foundling and is described on the cover as “A Tale of Revenge”. We shall meet by Zoom on Tuesday 17 June. At the following meeting we shall be discussing The Seventh Son by Sebastian Faulkes. New members are always welcome. Please contact the office for more details and joining instructions.


Restart Big Walk Challenge: This is the challenge:
- From 26th May – 8th June participants take on a daily walking challenge. We suggest they walk their commute to and from work or school, but where that’s not possible, some are doing things like setting a daily step count instead. Even if you aren’t in London, you can take part in your own challenge remotely and miss the walk on the 8th.
- Sunday 8th June, at 11am, we assemble in Hyde Park to walk a lap together and share our experiences and reflections around this challenge.
- Participants pay an entry fee and also raise money via JustGiving, but if you can’t pay and want to take part , just let RESTART know.
- Participants of any age are welcome – bring the family!
- Website Link: https://www.restartlives.org/summer-challenge
- JustGiving Link: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/restartbigwalk2025
Why are we doing this?
We’re raising awareness around the amount of walking that people facing homelessness have to do just to meet their basic needs. Those who are rough sleeping regularly walk an average of 10-15 miles each and every single day. We’re used to hearing about a ‘mental health walk’ and how good it can be to get out there and pound the pavement or wander in the park, but for some people walking is a day after day, night after night, exhausting reality, draining them, making them vulnerable to the elements, to attacks, and to injury. At RESTART, we’ve seen the condition that our homeless guests’ feet can get into from living like this, the blisters, open wounds, sores, and the impossibility of healing while walking remains the way to get around.
We’re also raising funds to support the incredible work that RESTART does to prevent and alleviate homelessness. Last year, we served over 14,000 hot meals, shared vital resources like sleeping bags, coats, thermals, hats and gloves. We took on 165 one to one cases, and saw over 85% of those guests able to move forward with their self defined goals. We saw 1/3 of those into permanent housing after 12 months or less of casework and 50% of them were able to improve their housing situation in the same time frame. We can make a huge impact, but this work requires funds. Our Summer Fundraiser is going to make it possible for us to continue being there for London’s homeless who need us.
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. If you experience any issue with livestream on the day, please email livestream@stcolumbas.org.uk (please note that this address will only be monitored on Sundays).
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 phone in to join the Sunday service. Those interested should follow: Step 1: At 10.40am call phone number 0208 080 6591.
Step 2: You will be prompted to enter a meeting ID. Please type (using your telephone keypad) 884 4746 5645
Step 3: You will then be asked for a participant number – simply press the #.
Step 4: You will be asked to enter the password. Enter 838727
Step 5: Enjoy the service! You will hear the organ music from 10.50am.
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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.
Office Hours – Please note change of opening hours
The church office is open from 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
E-mail: office@stcolumbas.org.uk
Website: www.stcolumbas.org.uk
Pastoral Emergency Number (out of office hours): 07591926271