1947, in the middle of the worst winter of the century, a young Church of Scotland minister, working as a military chaplain with British forces in Germany, was approached by a man wearing a Luftwaffe jacket. Joseph Makovec, a former bomber pilot, told him about the plight of 80,000 nearby refugees, who were almost frozen to death. Could the minister help? Douglas Lister went with him to see the refugees and was horrified by what he saw: babies wrapped in newspapers; stench of boiling cabbage everywhere: refugees with very little to eat.
He knew he had to help these starving people. High Command refused permission on the grounds that it would be “fraternisation with the enemy.” Lister appealed: “I consider it my duty to help those people in their need if I possibly can. I would be grateful if you could give me permission to do so.” He won the appeal. Letters were sent to Scotland asking for support to help the German refugees survive the winter hardship – all this only two years after a war in which many Scots had lost loved ones. The churches responded. Despite calling on a war-weary people to do what Jesus asked them to do: to love their enemies and do good to those who had hated them, and pray for those who had persecuted them, there was a well spring of support. Vast quantities of top-quality food and clothes poured in. As a result of the campaign, the lives of hundreds of so-called ‘enemies’ were saved.
From this cooperation, the Inter-Church Refugee Service was born. It still exists today: we know it as Christian Aid. It is still the agent of the British and Irish Churches in offering that same practical help to those in need of relief from catastrophe, or a helping hand in seeking to develop their livelihood and build a sustainable future, or campaigning for political solutions. It is rooted in the conviction that costly reconciliation is at the heart of the gospel, and that comes from its very foundation.
The Christian Aid Week Appeal, this year focusing on Guatemala, began last Sunday with a delicious and delighting cake sale in the entrance hall. Opportunity to contribute this week continues – all donations will be most gratefully received, and we trust, generously and wisely used.
Angus
THIS SUNDAY: Hymns, Music & Readings for Sunday, 18th May 2025, The Fifth Sunday of Easter
Hymn 63 All people that on earth do dwell (Old 100th)
Hymn 624 In Christ there is no east or west (McKee)
Hymn 469 Restore, O Lord (Restore, O Lord)
Hymn 193 God is love, his the care (Personent Hodie)
Anthem: Haec dies – Byrd (1542/3 – 1623)
Anthem: Alleluia, Christus surrexit – Anerio (c 1560-1614)
Old Testament Reading: Psalm 148
New Testament Reading: Acts 11: 1-18
Gospel Reading: John 13: 31-35
Reader: Isobel Carter
Visiting Preacher
We are delighted to welcome Revd Fiona Ogg to lead worship at St Columba’s this Sunday. Fiona describes herself as a semi-retired Church of Scotland minister. She ministered for nine years to two tiny congregations, within small communities over a large geographical part of the Ardnamurchan peninsula on the north west coast of Scotland, including the most westerly point of the Scottish mainland. Currently involved in Presbytery of England & the Channel Islands and about to join a national committee and pulpit supply for the United Reformed Church around Stamford. Fiona is a local Primary School Church Governor and involved in Open the Book, dramatising Bible stories at school assemblies. Prior to ministry Fiona undertook a variety of jobs, mostly people orientated, as she supported her husband in his career in the RAF. Mum, wife, cat- then dog-mother. “Now I have grand-kittens, enjoy gardening, reading and trying to paint watercolours.”
St Columba’s members
We are sorry to announce the death of St Columba’s member Douglas Bryce. Details of funeral will be announced when known. Rest eternal grant unto him, and let light perpetual shine upon him.
Christian Aid Week: 11th to 17th May
https://www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/key-appeals/christian-aid-week/campaign
The focus is to raise funds to help the indigenous communities in Guatemala whose farms are being destroyed by climate change, but with basic farming tools and specialist agricultural training their lives can be improved and help them to push back against extreme poverty. Please click on the link to watch a short video on the Guatemala Appeal.
https://christianaid.resourcespace.com/pages/view.php?ref=16200&k=1de57ce076
Ways to help/donate:
- There will be red CA collecting buckets in the Upper Vestibule after the service on Sundays 4th, 11th and 18th May. The main CA collection Sunday will be on Sunday 11th May.
- CA envelopes will be available on a table in the Upper Vestibule, and a tick box for those eligible to Gift Aid their donation. Some CA envelopes will also be in the pews.
- Online donations: We have our own church e-envelope. Please click on the link: https://fundraise.christianaid.org.uk/envelope-2025/st-columbas-church-scotland-chelsea/christian-aid-week-2025
Guatemala Appeal – QR Code for card donations
If you would like to make a card donation to help raise funds for the indigenous farming communities in Guatemala to help them buy basic farming tools, get specialist farming training to help them push-back again poverty which is being caused by climate change and by deforestation of their land by large organisations. Your donations will make a real difference. We have our own St. Columba’s / Christian Aid Week e-envelope for card donations, you can also Gift Aid if you are eligible, tick box. Many thanks.
Donations will help improve the lives of some of the world’s poorest people. Thank you.
THIS WEEK: Congregational Curry Night, Saturday 17th May, 7pm, Lower Hall. Come and join us for a delicious 3 course meal (dinner served at 7.30pm) and talk from our elder Nadia Dallsingh on the highlights from her Everest Base Camp Trek. Tickets are £10 (BYOB) and are available to purchase from the office.
THIS SUNDAY: Congregational Prayer Group, Sunday 18th May, 10.15am, London Scottish Chapel
THIS SUNDAY: Morning Service & Sunday School followed by Congregational lunch in the Lower Hall. Guest preacher Revd Fiona Ogg. The minister leads worship at St Andrew’s, Newcastle; the associate minister, and several elders are commissioners at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh (17th – 22nd May).
THIS SUNDAY: Sounds of St Columba’s, Sunday 18th May, 1.30pm, Church
John Holland-Avery (Baritone), Michael Bevan (piano) and Julia Yoon (violin). Join us for an hour of repertoire “Love from early romantic-late romantic” with pieces from Ravel, Vaughan Williams and Finzi.
Save the date – 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.
amembers that will accompany them, to attend a five day outdoor residential course this summer. The charity are absolutely thrilled and have now started making plans and bookings. Caxton Youth send huge thanks to everyone who donated. The charity look forward to making a return visit to St. Columba’s in the autumn to thank you in person and to let us know how the trip went. Many thanks. Mission Committee.
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.
Restart Big Walk Challenge: This is the challenge:
- From 26th May – 8th June participants take on a daily walking challenge. We suggest they walk their commute to and from work or school, but where that’s not possible, some are doing things like setting a daily step count instead. Even if you aren’t in London, you can take part in your own challenge remotely and miss the walk on the 8th.
- Sunday 8th June, at 11am, we assemble in Hyde Park to walk a lap together and share our experiences and reflections around this challenge.
- Participants pay an entry fee and also raise money via JustGiving, but if you can’t pay and want to take part , just let RESTART know.
- Participants of any age are welcome – bring the family!
- Website Link: https://www.restartlives.org/summer-challenge
- JustGiving Link: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/restartbigwalk2025
Why are we doing this?
We’re raising awareness around the amount of walking that people facing homelessness have to do just to meet their basic needs. Those who are rough sleeping regularly walk an average of 10-15 miles each and every single day. We’re used to hearing about a ‘mental health walk’ and how good it can be to get out there and pound the pavement or wander in the park, but for some people walking is a day after day, night after night, exhausting reality, draining them, making them vulnerable to the elements, to attacks, and to injury. At RESTART, we’ve seen the condition that our homeless guests’ feet can get into from living like this, the blisters, open wounds, sores, and the impossibility of healing while walking remains the way to get around.
We’re also raising funds to support the incredible work that RESTART does to prevent and alleviate homelessness. Last year, we served over 14,000 hot meals, shared vital resources like sleeping bags, coats, thermals, hats and gloves. We took on 165 one to one cases, and saw over 85% of those guests able to move forward with their self defined goals. We saw 1/3 of those into permanent housing after 12 months or less of casework and 50% of them were able to improve their housing situation in the same time frame. We can make a huge impact, but this work requires funds. Our Summer Fundraiser is going to make it possible for us to continue being there for London’s homeless who need us.
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 – Please note change of opening 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
