Friends,
For me one of the great pleasures of attending the recent General Assembly was the opportunity to meet representatives of other churches, not only other presbyterian churches such as the Presbyterian Church of East Africa but also Archbishop Leo Cushley, representing the Roman Catholic church in Scotland, who sat through all the debates and made some very useful contributions which were warmly received by the Assembly. It was also a special pleasure to welcome the Rt Rev Hosam Naoum, Anglican Archbishop of Jerusalem, whom some of you will remember took part in the King’s coronation in 2025 and whose responsibilities include Gaza; he spoke very warmly about his church’s partnership with the Church of Scotland in the Holy Land. He also said to me “I know where your church is – there’s a very good Lebanese restaurant around the corner!”
The debate on assisted dying was especially moving and inevitably there are very strong feelings on both sides but in the end the General Assembly voted by a small majority to maintain the Church’s opposition to assisted dying while recognising that there is diversity of opinion within the Church. It may be that as a denomination we are learning to disagree better.
The Assembly also heard from Major-General Robin Lindsay, GOC Scotland, and an elder, who spoke with obvious appreciation of the work of Forces chaplains.
Inevitably, given the current climate we are faced with difficult choices and the decision to close “Life & Work” by the end of this year will have saddened many. Even now, not everyone gets all their news online and we wait to hear what will replace it.
There are some hopeful signs in the life of the Church, not least the positive contributions of some of the Youth Delegates, but it seems to me that the greatest danger to the Church of Scotland is that we become so totally preoccupied with our own concerns, so inward looking that we forget that we are part of the worldwide Church of Jesus Christ, members of one family, called to share the gospel with every race and nation.
William
THIS SUNDAY: Hymns, Music & Readings for Sunday, 815th June 2025, Morning Service for Trinity Sunday
Hymn 4 How excellent in all the earth (Psalm 8) (Winchester Old)
Hymn 181 For the beauty of the earth (Lucerna Laudoniae)
Hymn 192 All my hope on God is founded (Michael)
Hymn 710 “I have a dream”, a man once said (Repton)
Anthem: Geistliches Lied – Brahms (1833-1897)
Anthem: Verleih uns Frieden – Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
New Testament Reading: Proverbs 8: 1-4, 22-31
Old Testament Reading: Romans 5: 1-5
Gospel Reading: John 16: 12-15
Reader: Stuart Steele
THIS SATURDAY: The Presbytery of England & the Channel Islands meets at St Columba’s, Pont Street, 10.30am – 3.00pm
THIS SUNDAY: Morning Service & Sunday School, followed by congregational lunch in the Lower Hall.
THIS SUNDAY: Sunday 15th June, Sounds of St Columba’s, Upper Hall, 1.30pm,
Benedict Lewis-Smith, solo piano. Our director of music will be performing JS Bach ‘Goldberg Variations’ BWV 988. Don’t miss one of St Columba’s hidden gems. Donations in support of Jessie’s funds https://jessiesfund.org.uk/
The recital will be livestreamed on this link – https://www.youtube.com/live/S5-tKnloyy4
THIS SUNDAY: Sunday 15th June, Visiting Photographer As part of our continuing efforts to share the life of our congregation and extend a welcome to newcomers, we are currently updating our website and other means of promotion e.g. the totem screen in the entrance hall and assorted social media channels. To assist these improvements, this Sunday a photographer will be present to collect images of the congregation at worship, mixing informally and sharing congregational lunch. If you do not wish to be in any of the photographs please do let a member of the duty team know. If you are happy to be “captured for posterity” you are allowed to smile! (Note: This was originally scheduled for Sunday 8th June, but required to be changed.)
New Church Magazine
The new issue of the Church Magazine should be available this Sunday at the Bookstall for £1.50. Why not pick up copies for yourself and one for a friend or neighbour? Big thanks to Editor Susan Pym and all who help bring us the good news of St Columba’s and beyond.
NEXT WEEK: 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.
NEXT SUNDAY: Sunday 22nd June, Morning Service & Coffee/Tea in Upper Hall. Note: There will be no “Reflections” (Theme/bible study, 12.30pm, Fourth Sunday of the month) this week.
UPCOMING: Sunday 29th June, “Families’ Communion” To mark the end of the Sunday School year, our young people help us celebrate communion by serving the bread and wine, at the 11am Morning Service. Afterwards Sunday School families are invited to join together at the congregational lunch, served on the fifth Sunday of the month. Please come and support our young people and enjoy the life that they bring to our congregation.
UPCOMING: Songs of Praise – Choose your favourite hymns! Our last evening service before the summer is on Sunday 6th July (5pm.) It is our annual Songs of Praise, based on congregational choices. Please make a recommendation and explain a little of why that hymn is special via email to William at associateminister@stcolumbas.org.uk All recommendations by Sunday 29th June.
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
UPCOMING: Summer Tuesdays Tuesday 24th June sees the start of the Summer Tuesdays season of Scottish Country Dancing in the Lower Hall. Each week, until the 9th September, there is dancing to a live band with all the profits going to the Church. Summer Tuesdays have been running for over 50 years, and the opportunity to dance each week to live music from a top band attracts dancers from all over the South. The dances are not suitable for beginners, as to ensure a fast-paced evening, there are only very limited recaps and few walkthroughs. However, if you have some dancing experience you will find plenty to enjoy. Full details, including links to cribs and videos of the dances, can be found on the Summer Tuesdays website: www.summertuesdays.org
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
