For Sunday 16th November 2025, Twenty Third Sunday after Pentecost

Friends,

“I am delighted to know that the new building, so beautifully designed by Mr Edward Maufe, will be thoroughly equipped to carry on and extend that social and cultural work amongst Scottish people, young and old, for which St Columba’s has always been famous; but the centre and the crown of the whole building will be a beautiful place of worship in which Scots men and women, of this generation and the generation to come, will worship God after the manner of their fathers.”

Words of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone of the “new” St Columba’s in 1950, the anniversary we celebrate this Sunday. True to that vision of worship, social and cultural activity, we anticipate a special day – morning service at 11.00am, special lunch 12.15pm and the next Sounds of St Columba’s Recital, furnished by our own enhanced St Columba’s choir.

We hope church members will invite family, friends or neighbours to be part of the celebrations. It is also opportunity to connect our worshipping life with the many user groups that know St Columba’s. Marcus Railton, who has been working on our communications and social media this year, composed these words of invitation: “Major Watt of the Black Death Department of the Gordon Highlanders.”

“Seventy-five years ago, the foundation stone of our “new” church was laid – a sign of hope rising from the ashes of war, and a beginning that continues to inspire so much life within these walls. Every day, St Columba’s is filled with activity – from ballet shoes on the hall floor to football training, fitness classes, music, and community gatherings. You are all part of what makes this place more than just a building – you bring it to life. Whether you’ve used the halls for years, or recently joined our community, this day is as much about you as it is about the stone laid all those years ago. We hope you’ll come along – to celebrate, to connect, and to share what makes St Columba’s such a special place in the heart of Knightsbridge.”

Whether it is the memory of a special sanctuary moment – a baptism, a family wedding, a Christmas nativity, a funeral farewell; or marking the friendships found here; or support given and received for many different needs, or the delights of music, dancing and young people – we have much to give thanks for, from foundation stone, to the present day. Come and be a part of it this Sunday.

Angus

THIS SUNDAY: Hymns, Music & Readings for Sunday, 16th November 2025, Twenty Third Sunday after Pentecost

Hymn: 100 All people that on earth do dwell (Old 100th)
Hymn: 522 The Church is wherever God’s people are praising (The Bard of Armagh)
Hymn: Hymn 606 Lord, you sometimes speak in wonders (Stuttgart)
Hymn: 739 The Church’s one foundation (Aurelia)

Introit: Hail Gladdening Light, Wood
Anthem 1: Faire is the heaven, W.H.Harris (1883-1973)
Anthem 2: Agnus Dei from Mass in E flat. Rheinberger (1839-1901)

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 65:17-25 {OT page 632}
Gospel Reading: Luke 21:5-19 {NT page 79}
Reader: Sheila Nicoll

THIS SUNDAY: Sunday 16th November 2025
11.00am 75th Anniversary of the Laying of the Foundation Stone Morning Worship & Sunday School
12.30pm Congregational Catered Lunch {£7.50}

1.30pm Sounds of St Columba’s Recital
The Choir of St Columba’s sings Rheinberger Cantus Missae and other works
The professional choir at St Columba’s enhances the worship of the 11am Morning Service every week. Led by Ben Lewis-Smith and Catherine Olver, we are incredibly fortunate to have them. Made up of six singers – two sopranos, one alto, one tenor, and two basses – the group brings warmth, skill, and musicality to worship week by week, leading the congregational hymn singing. Rooted in the Scottish Presbyterian tradition, the choir draws on a rich heritage of sacred music, singing well-loved hymns and two motets each Sunday. All members are professional musicians, some of whom also work in education and other fields. This Sunday, an enlarged choir showcases their talent in the next scheduled Sounds of St Columba’s Recital (1.30pm, in the Sanctuary).

THIS SUNDAY: GlassDoor Night Shelter Season On Sunday 16^th November we host our first Sunday of the new Night Shelter season. As part of one of the three circuits of seven churches in west London, co-ordinated by GlassDoor, St Columba’s volunteers will host up to 35 guests each Sunday night throughout the winter. Guests receive an evening meal, bed down for the night in the Upper Hall, have breakfast, before an early departure on Monday morning. Please keep charity staff, volunteers and guests in your prayers this week as this vital provision is once again prepared and offered. There are definitely volunteer opportunities. If you would like to get involved, please contact church office.

NEXT SUNDAY: Sunday 23^rd November, Christ the King Sunday: New members’ Service of Welcome & Holy Communion

UPCOMING: RESTART LIVES annual Winter Resource Fair, Friday 14 November. ReStart expect 50-100 guests at this Fair. The charity wants to express its thanks to St Columba’s “for helping collect and store donations for this event and hosting the space so that we can distribute essentials and support guests to make it through the Winter safely.” You can also donate directly onhttps://www.restartlives.org/donate (please make sure that you mention this is for the Resource Fair so donations can be allocated accordingly).

UPCOMING: St Andrew’s Book Festival 2025
The St Andrew’s Book Festival team are delighted share the newly published Book Festival Programme (attached with your emailed Newsletter.) St Columba’s becomes venue for the second Book Festival. For four days we host well known authors, new writers and schools’ events. You can contribute towards its success by attending your talks of choice, recommending the Festival to friends and/or volunteering to act as festival stewards.

See https://www.standrewsbookfestival.org/ for full programme and tickets

Talks include Nicola Sturgeon, Val McDermid and Irvine Welsh. On Friday 28^th November, broadcaster and author Sally Magnusson, speaks at a special literary lunch celebrating her spellbinding new novel The Shapeshifter’s Daughter. Book now to avoid disappointment.
See https://www.standrewsbookfestival.org/ for more information.
Special offer for St Columba’s – 50% off ticket prices for some events. Please email info@standrewsbookfestival.org for more information.

UPCOMING: The Friends of St Columba’s Excursion, Saturday 6^th December, 11am. Apsley House, The Wellington Collection,149 Piccadilly, Hyde Park Corner, London W1J7NT. We look forward to exploring Apsley House, the London residence of Arthur Wellesley, 1^st Duke of Wellington. The Waterloo Gallery is a theatrical highlight, built to host Wellington’s annual banquets, with a gilt ceiling and mirrored walls that reflect both opulence and history. After our visit, we will leave behind the hustle and bustle of Hyde Park Corner for a quiet Lebanese meal in Shepherds Market which offers a village-like atmosphere amidst busy Mayfair.

UPCOMING: Firefly International – Echoes of Peace Concert at St. Columba’s Church, Saturday 13^th December, Doors Open 5.45pm. Concert 6.15pm to 8.15pm. Firefly International was supported by our Lent Appeal in 2024. Join us for a special concert marking 30 years since Firefly was founded and peace was declared in Bosnia. While the war there has ended, peace remains a fragile and unfinished promise. This powerful evening of live music, spoken word, and film invites us to reflect on the legacy of conflict – and the urgent need to protect and nurture peace in today’s fractured world. The concert features violinist Bassel Hariri, blending the beauty of Arabic traditions with global sounds; filmmaker Aleksandra Bilić and her mother Maja, sharing their deeply moving film and music about their journey as refugees from Bosnia; and the One World Orchestra, fusing diverse musical traditions from around the globe into a euphoric and uplifting celebration of multi-cultural Britain. Tickets: Book here – https://echoes-of-peace.raiselysite.com/

UPCOMING: St Columba’s Book Club, 12^th January 2026
The Book Club met to discuss our next choice “Hello Beautiful” by Ann Neapolitano. Unusually, it received a unanimous thumbs up even from those who couldn’t join the discussion due to technical problems. We shall meet next on 12th January 2026 to discuss Lea Ypi’s book “Free – Coming of Age at the End of History”. Our second book for 2026 is “Wandering Souls” by Cecile Pin. New or returning members are always welcome. Please contact the office for details.

Scots in London November newsletter.
For a variety of events and activities of interest see https://mailchi.mp/scotsinlondon.org/scots-in-london-november-newsletter2025. 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.

Update on the MacMillan Cancer Support Coffee Morning
A very warm word of thanks to everyone who supported our third annual coffee morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support – to those who donated, those who provided sweet treats and those who looked after the stall, as well as the coffee team – thank you all! I’m very happy to say that a grand total of £310 was raised for this wonderful charity.

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.

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
Facebook: @stcolumbaschurchpontstreet.
Twitter: @LondonKirkPastoral
Emergency Number (out of office hours): 07591926271

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