Friends,
This evening (Thursday 17th July)
I am invited to attend a Service of Rededication at St Stephen Walbrook, a Wren-designed church, in the City of London. Its magnificent sanctuary has been beautifully restored. The church is also famous for being the birthplace of the Samaritans. (See last week’s Gospel reading: Luke 10:25-37, Parable of the Good Samaritan).
In 1953 the vicar, Chad Varah wanted to do something specific, to help people in distress who had no one to turn to. He had been profoundly affected by the impact of suicide, after he conducted the funeral of a 14-year-old girl who took her own life, believing she had contracted a sexually transmitted disease. In reality, the young girl had merely started her periods and had no one to turn to.
Determined to offer a dedicated service, to those suffering with emotional distress or contemplating suicide, Chad began to offer a non-judgemental, safe and confidential listening service to anyone in need, located in the Crypt of St Stephen Walbrook. Launching a “999 for the suicidal”, Varah was in his own words, “a man willing to listen, with a base and an emergency telephone”. The first call to the new service was made on 2nd November 1953 and this date is recognised as Samaritans’ official birthday. The actual telephone is still on display at St Stephen Walbrook.
Publicity for the London-based service created interest elsewhere in the UK. Consequently, several more Samaritans centres were established – the second was in Edinburgh, taking its first call on 1st June 1959. There are now 201 branches across the UK and Republic of Ireland (see https://www.samaritans.org/). The service today still operates on Chad’s guiding principles of confidential, non-judgmental support.
As the congregation of St Stephen Walbrook celebrate the reopening of their sanctuary, they will be conscious of two things. How architect and craftspeople combine with musician and clergy to inspire and offer worship. Conscious too of precious activities hosted in that same space, that reach well beyond its walls. Prayer and practical support woven together under a single roof; reminder of “the best a church can be.”
Angus
THIS SUNDAY: Hymns, Music & Readings for Sunday, 20th July 2025, Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Hymn 209 Father, we praise you, now the night is over (Christe Sanctorum)
Hymn 461 How sweet the name of Jesus sounds (St Peter)
Hymn 453 Christ, of God unseen the image (Joel)
Hymn 458 At the name of Jesus (Camberwell)
Anthem: Locus iste – Bruckner (1824-1896)
Anthem: O for a closer walk with God – Stanford (1852-1924)
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 18:1-10
New Testament Reading: Colossians 1:15-28
Gospel Reading: Luke 10:30-42
Reader: Sheila Nicoll
THIS SUNDAY: Morning Service followed by Congregational Lunch in the Lower Hall
NEXT SUNDAY: Sunday 27th July, Morning Service followed by Coffee and Tea in the Upper Hall
UPCOMING: Sunday 27th July, 12.30pm, Library. The Assembly & Presbytery Committee extend an invitation to its next meeting – an opportunity to hear about the major topics covered at this year’s General Assembly, to learn about the most recent updates from the Presbytery of England and the Channel Islands, and to help the committee plan for the year ahead. All welcome.
ReStart Lives Resource Fair
Restart held their Summer Resource Fair at St Columba’s on Friday 10th July. Olivia Pyle, Programme Manager: “We always knew this was a big event to pull off, but know just how crucial it is for our guests to walk away with as many resources as possible, that will help them through the summer temperatures.
Fifty-five guests came for rest andresources. Eleven incredible volunteers from AlixPartners, as well as the team of charity staff and security, made sure people felt safe in the queue and not waiting too long. Items received ranged from trainers to Factor 50 suncream, sun caps, sunglasses, socks, blister plasters, power banks, phone chargers and electric fans. Guests gave back items they didn’t need. There was a tremendous atmosphere and feeling of teamwork between everyone and we could tell from the smiles and thanks that guests were grateful for this event”.
Christian Aid Week thanks: Total £2,418.71 Thank you to everyone who supported this year’s Christian Aid Week Appeal. Through a variety of ways, from cake sales to donations we raised £2418.71. Those donations will help improve the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people. In the year that Christian Aid celebrates its 80th Anniversary, thank you for your support.
UPCOMING: St Columba’s Book Club: Our next book choice is Sebastian Faulks’ “The Seventh Son“ which we will discuss on Monday 28 July. After that we shall be reading “On the Other Side of the Bridge” by Mary Lawson.”We meet by Zoom. New members welcome. For further information please contact the church office
Scots in London June newsletter.
For a variety of events and activities of interest see https://mailchi.mp/scotsinlondon.org/scots-in-london-june-newsletter-12817435 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
RSCDS London, Scottish Country Dancing Across the capital Open Air Dancing, Saturdays 16, 23 and 30 August 2025, 2:00 – 4:00 pm, Kensington Gardens. By the bandstand near the Round Pond.
UPCOMING: Glass Door Sleep Out, Friday 3rd October, Duke of York Square, Sleep Out is our biggest fundraising event of the year, taking place at Duke of York Square in Chelsea. At Sleep Out, we ask participants to give up their beds for one night to reflect on our guests’ experiences of homelessness. While Sleep Out doesn’t replicate the challenges of rough sleeping, it aims to raise awareness about the difficult conditions thousands of people experiencing homelessness in London endure on any given night.
2025 marks 25 years of Glass Door Homeless Charity. Thanks to supporters like you, we can continue to provide routes out of homelessness for our community. Join us for a night of reflection and the chance to hear from frontline workers and speak to other Glass Door Homeless Charity supporters. Register online on this link
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 –
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
