Newsletter for Sunday 16th August 2026

Friends,

“Oh, my goodness, I have literally got goosebumps. It is not just about the cold, but the spectacle I have just witnessed. I’ve seen it a few times before, but it never gets old. This reminds us of what it is to be human, that we are a small planet in a vast cosmos, and we are seeing the sun in its beautiful hidden form. Amazing.” (BBC science correspondent, Pallab Ghosh).

Wednesdays total solar eclipse lasted for less than two minutes – but for many it was unforgettable. The fact that we get to experience a total eclipse at all is an incredible cosmological coincidence. “The sun is our nearest star in the universe, and we have this weird cosmic coincidence on earth where the moon just happens to block the sun every now and then.” (Astronomer Royal for Scotland, Professor Catherine Heymans). The Sun is 150 million kilometres (93 million miles) away from the Earth – 400 times further away than the Moon. But because the diameter of the Moon is 400 times less than the Sun’s, they appear exactly the same size in our sky. If the Moon was slightly smaller or its orbit was a little further away from the Earth, then we would never see a total eclipse.

People around the world reacted to the eclipse with whoops and cheers, or awed silence. It is little surprise that for centuries adherents of all religions have sought significance in the sun – explored meaning in its rising and its setting. It is both source of light and warmth, as well as marker of daily and seasonal rhythm – think how the light in our sanctuary varies at different times of day and year. The Psalms offer plenty of reflection for those who observe the skies, day or night.

• “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.” Psalm 19:1-2

• “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honour. Psalm 8:3-5

• “From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.” Psalm 113:3

Consider that a standing invitation to join us for worship this Sunday at St Columba’s – in the pews or online.

Angus

Scots in London August Newsletter.
For a variety of events and activities of interest
check out the Scots in London August newsletter. https://mailchi.mp/scotsinlondon.org/aug-newsletter2026-12822222?e=a7a1f1deca 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

UPCOMING: The Book Club is meeting next on Tuesday 8th September to discuss the prizewinning novel, The Correspondent, by Virginia Evans. If you want to plan your summer reading list, after that we shall be discussing, The Caspian Amulet. For joining details, please contact the church office.

Chef Wanted for RESTART Lives – Chef for Homeless Charity Food Service Opportunity. RESTART Lives, a London homelessness charity, is looking for a Chef to join its Knightsbridge Drop-in Centre at St Columba’s Church, Pont Street. The role is one day a week, Fridays 3.30–9.30pm, at £18 per hour, preparing meals for 100–150 homeless people. Applicants must hold a Level 3 Food Safety Certificate. The position is initially offered on a temporary trial basis, with the possibility of becoming an ongoing weekly role. Closing date: 3 September 2026. To apply: Please email Olivia (olivia@restartlives.org), Head of Programmes, with your CV and a short covering email expressing your interest.

UPCOMING: Sunday 6th September. RESTART Lives is hosting a doubles tournament at St Columba’s Tennis Club, with strawberries and cream, tea, coffee and prosecco available throughout the event. It’s a wonderful opportunity to bring together both familiar and new faces in our community while raising vital funds for RESTART services. To sign up to this wonderful event, please click on the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd9rqz5ty47_yFDR5k4leqiND2TsSYvvqvOyYjNIfwoFWFOew/viewform🎾or by visiting www.restartlives.org.
More information can be found on www.restartlives.org or by emailing Olivia@restartlives.org

DIARY DATE: Churches Together in Kensington & Chelsea with Churches Together in Notting Hill,
Season of Creation 2026 Ecumenical Service,
Thursday 1st October, 7.00p.m.
St Luke’s Parish Church, Sydney Street, SW3 6NH.
Everyone is warmly invited.

UPCOMING: The Passage: Walk to End Homelessness on Sunday 18th October 2026
This is The Passage’s flagship challenge event and is taking place on Sunday 18th October in Battersea Park. Participants are invited to walk 2.5km, 5km, or 10km with friends, family and other local community members to raise vital funds for The Passage. On the day, you will be able to enjoy music, food and drinks as you walk alongside hundreds of like-minded people, united by a shared goal to prevent and end homelessness.
This is a fantastic opportunity for members of the congregation to get involved,
To sign up to this event, please click on the following link Walk to end Homelessness and click on ‘Sign up Today’

St Andrews Book Festival,
presented by Scots in London
Update on St Andrew’s Book Festival, November 18th-22nd. We are pleased to announce that Carol Kirkwood, Andrew Lownie and Val McDermid are among the authors who will appear at the festival with most events at St Columba’s. Ticket details will follow.
The Book Festival returns to several central London venues, with St Columba’s as the primary focus of the festival. Look forward to another array of well-known and new authors bringing Scottish writing to the heart of London. Keep 18th to 22nd November 2026 in your diaries, both for attending and/or volunteering to get involved.