Earlier today I attended a ceremony held at Whitehall’s Cenotaph, to mark International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. It assembled diplomats/military attaches from across the nations, British troops, recently returned from a UN tour of duty on Cyprus’ Green Line, (dividing Turkish-held and Cypriot-held Cyprus), local school pupils and the Band of the Royal Marines. A speaker paid tribute to sixty-five UN Peacekeepers who have died on active service in the last twelve months. He observed: “They chose to serve their country. Their country chose them to serve the world, to serve us. They died in a country with which their own had no dispute. They are mourned by a mother, a father, a widow, by family, by friends. And we are here because we mourn them too. For when each of these died, we might have lost one of our own”.
The same speaker drew attention to other deaths within the wider UN family, serving worldwide, in humanitarian and emergency relief and in rebuilding communities after conflict – two hundred and eighty members working for the UN Relief and Works Administration, UNRWA, in Gaza. “They died not in a foreign land but in their own, sometimes together with their own families, in their own homes. And we mourn also the loss of their colleagues there, members of the Palestine Red Crescent Society”.
The scriptures set for Sunday will imagine the city of God, its river, crystal-bright flowing through its centre, watering the tree of life, “whose leaves are for the healing of the nations” (Revelation 21). While the gospel gives words of Jesus: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” (John 14.) Approaching those scriptures we might offer the prayer of the late George Appleton, Anglican Bishop of Jerusalem:
O God of many names, lover of all nations
We pray for peace
In our hearts
In our homes
In our nations
In our world
The peace of your will, the peace of our need.
Angus
THIS SUNDAY: Hymns, Music & Readings for Sunday, 25th May 2025, The Sixth Sunday of Easter
Hymn 179 Ye holy angels bright (Tune: Darwall’s 148th, CH4 449)
Hymn 601 Look upon us, blessed Lord (Liebster Jesu, Dessau)
Hymn 707 Healing river of the Spirit (Joel)
Hymn 738 Glorious things of thee are spoken (Austrian Hymn)
Anthem: Ye choirs of new Jerusalem – Stanford (1852-1924)
Anthem: Let all the world – Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
New Testament Readings: Acts 16:9-15 &
Revelation 21:10, 22-27 & 22:1-5
Gospel Reading: John 14:23-29
Reader: Stuart Steele
St Columba’s Member
We are sorry to announce the death of St Columba’s member Douglas Bryce. A Service of Thanksgiving will be held in the London Scottish Chapel at St Columba’s on Friday 6th June at 2pm. Please let the office know if you would like to attend.
THIS SUNDAY: Morning Service & Coffee/Tea in Upper Hall. Following service, “Reflections,” Library, 12.30pm: the Nurture Committee offer an opportunity to read and discuss a bible passage with others, over a cup of coffee, following morning service. No sign up required, just come on the day
NEXT SUNDAY: Sunday 1st June, Morning Service, Baptisms & Sunday School followed by Congregational Lunch in the Lower Hall
NEXT SUNDAY: Congregational Meeting, Upper Hall Annual opportunity to hear a round-up of the past year, and plans for the future life of the congregation. Hear from speakers representing our Kirk Session, Finance and Fabric committees, plus consideration of the Church of Scotland’s recommendations on “sustainability” and an update from Marcus Railton on promoting the life of the congregation via social media.Please note that the Craft group will not take place on this week and will resume on Sunday 6th July.
NEXT SUNDAY: Sunday 1st June, Evening Service, 5pm, followed by Coffee and Tea in the Upper Hall
UPCOMING: New Members’ Service & Holy Communion for St Columba’s Day, Sunday 8th June Service of Welcome to six new members & holy communion – on the day we celebrate St Columba himself!
UPCOMING: Friends of St Columba’s AGM, Sunday 8th June, Upper Hall from approximately 12.30pm This will be followed by our traditional Celebration Tea, which gives us the opportunity to mix and mingle with other Friends and catch up with those we have not seen for some time.
Christian Aid Gratitude & Save the date – A big thank you to Naomi Donaldson and her helpers for organising this year’s Christian Aid Week activities on behalf of its Guatemala Appeal. To cake stall staffers, collectors, counters and generous donors – many thanks to all who have contributed
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.
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
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.
POSTPONED: Friends of St Columba’s, Saturday 21st June, 2025The Sephardic Synagogue at Bevis Marks, City of London. Unfortunately, due to building work the final visit of the friends 2024 – 2025 season of visits will not take place as scheduled.
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.
Give us a follow then pass it on to your friends and family!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stcolumbaschurchpontstreet
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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 –
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
