Friends,
Born and bred in London, but with a Scottish parent, someone familiar with St Columba’s explained their first encounter with our church. “I saw the cross on top of the tower and the Saltire flying beneath it. I thought, that’ll do for me.” For many who worship at St Columba’s the Scottish identity is a badge of honour and pride (particularly after a Calcutta Cup rugby win.) Undoubtedly many of our congregation have some Scottish connection – first, second or third generation. While St Columba’s is known for that, (and its multiple groups and decades of Scottish Country dancing, how far does that reflect the character of this place?
Last weekend the wedding couple comprised a groom, London born with Scottish roots and a Venezuelan/Spanish bride. Their service was livestreamed and watched in New Zealand, South Africa, Venezuela, Antigua, Mexico and New York. The day before, a visitor at one of the AA meetings explained she had just flown in from Miami, saying how delighted she was that so many support group meetings were held at Pont Street. She related how difficult it was for the group she attends back home to find a welcoming space to meet.
Yesterday, the day started with Hill House School church assembly. The gospel was read by two students, one Russian and one Spanish. The school has over fifty nationalities represented. That evening, the Lower Hall provided space for the breaking of the daily Ramadan fast. A group gathering for prayer and food. Their organiser told me his first encounter with St Columba’s was some year ago, when his financial firm held a “works ceilidh” and invited their colleagues from their Edinburgh office to come for the event. I replied with the phrase that former Office Manager Lucy Llewellyn coined: “People come to St Columba’s for one reason, but come back for others.”
As I departed the iftar gathering (the meal served to break the daily fast) the organiser commented what an ideal space the Lower Hall provided and how grateful he was for the welcome that the group had received. “And I love what you see when you enter the building – that’s a great mission statement.” He referred to the wall sculpture that faces the front door and the inscription, “My house shall be called the house of prayer” words quoted by Jesus; words that derive from the slightly fuller words of Isaian 56:7: “My house shall be called the house of prayer …. For all the nations.” May St Columba’s continue to be a bridge-building place of welcome – prayerful, proud of its roots and boundary crossing in its vision. Angus
THIS SUNDAY: Hymns, Music & Readings for Sunday 1st March 2026,
Second Sunday of Lent.
Hymn 608 Spirit of truth and grace (Down Ampney)
Hymn 600 Spirit of God, unseen as the wind (Skye Boat Song)
Hymn 616 There’s a spirit in the air (Lauds)
Hymn 622 We sing a love that sets all people free (Woodlands)
Anthem: Ecce quomodo moritur justus Händl (Gallus) 1550-1591
Anthem: Christus factus est Anerio (c 1560-1614)
Old Testament Reading 1: Genesis 12:1-4a
New Testament Reading 2: Psalm 121
Gospel Reading: John 3:1-17
Reader: Rona Black
THIS SUNDAY: Sunday 1st March 2026, Second Sunday of Lent.
10.15 a.m. Scripture/Poetry & Quiet Prayer for Lent, London Scottish Chapel
11:00 a.m. 11.00 a.m. Morning Service, Baptisms & Sunday School
12.15 p.m. Short celebration of Holy Communion, London Scottish Chapel
12:15 p.m. Congregational Lunch in the Lower Hall {£4.00}
12:15 p.m. Tea and Coffee in the Upper Hall {by donation}
5:00 p.m. Evening Service, London Scottish Chapel
7.00 p.m. GlassDoor Night Shelter
A special welcome on Sunday for the families and friends of the three children coming for baptism – Douglas Thomas John Andrews, Felix George Francis Grandison & William James Scrimgeour. Please keep them in your prayers as they prepare for a significant and happy day.
Lent at St Columba’s 2026 There are a variety of ways to deepen awareness of the season, marking the forty days of Jesus in the wilderness and offering an intentional moment to travel towards Easter.
Scripture/Poetry & Quiet Prayer Sundays in Lent, there is opportunity to join others for scripture, poetry and quiet prayer for the season, led by the minister, 10.15 – 10.30am London Scottish Chapel, beginning 29th February, then 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th March.
Lent Study, Notes on an Execution
Bestselling novelist and broadcaster Rhidian Brook, whom many of you heard in conversation with John Bell at the recent St. Andrew’s Book festival, invites you to step back into the story of Holy Week and see it unfold as if you were there.
Told as a series of vivid, real-time eyewitness reports, Notes on an Execution takes you from Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem to his execution and beyond, without the cushion of hindsight. You stand among the crowds and disciples, experiencing each moment with all its original tension, shock and surprise – full of the confusion and hope felt by those who first encountered Jesus.
Rooted in biblical accounts and historical insight, Notes on an Execution brings fresh life to a story that has shaped the world for two thousand years.
Meetings are via zoom. Sign up for the discussions via church office by Monday 16th February, indicating preference for either Group A: Wednesdays at 7.30pm or Group B: Fridays at 10am
Presbytery Lent Bible Study There is an additional group discussion opportunity offered by the Presbytery of England & the Channel Islands Training and Development Committee. A warm invitation is extended across the Presbytery to join. Come to one or come all of the Thursday evening Zoom sessions 7.00 – 7.30pm, from 19th February – 26th March. To register, contact Revd Carolann Birnie Cbirnie@churchofscotland.org.uk
Lent Appeal 2026 – Arukah Network. Registered charity 1162564
https://www.arukahnetwork.org/
The charity was founded by Dr Ted Lankester in 2004, Co-Founder and Custodian, while working and living in the Indian Himalayas. Ted saw the need to bring small organisations together to collaborate effectively and he set up the Cluster approach. Clusters work together to empower communities and local organisations to work together in friendship and collaboration to help solve problems and improve local services and the lives of others. Each Cluster identifies its own priorities and the Arukah Network works alongside them and advises on coaching, training, information, social media, podcasts, blogs etc.
This year’s Lent Appeal – donations will be used for:
- The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as many people are in desperate need of emergency disaster/survival funds. The Arukah Network already have one Cluster group and are forming a second. The emergency supplies are the basics to help people survive, basic food, shelter, clothing.
- Seed Fund: Available to Clusters in any of the countries that the charity works with. Primarily they do the training first and the Cluster can apply for financial help, funding to help people get started e.g. chicken or pig farm.
To hear about the Arukah Network, speakers during the morning service on:
Sunday 15 February: Donald Johnston (from Mission Committee).
Sunday 29 March (Palm Sunday): Dr Ted Lankester, Co-Founder and Custodian, Arukah Network.
For donations: a) White Lent Appeal envelopes will be available in the pews (Gift Aid if you are eligible).
b) For any contactless payments on the card machine in Upper Vestibule, please also complete a white Lent Appeal envelope, giving your details (+ gift aid if eligible) and make a note on the envelope that you have made a contactless payment for £…..amount. We can then link the payment specifically to the Lent Appeal.
c) For bank transfers direct to the St. Columba’s Church bank account, please use the payment reference as Lent Appeal. Any cheques sent by post via Church Office, cheque made payable to St. Columba’s Church but please add a note on it saying Lent Appeal.
UPCOMING: Book Club, Monday 9th March at 6:30 p.m.
The Book Club met last week to discuss Lea Ypi’s book “Free”. The meeting was not without technical challenges which we are working on, but those who did manage to get on to the Zoom call had a very interesting discussion and decided that we all knew a lot more about Albania than previously. The conclusion was that it was not a light read but an educational one and that the value of a book club was reinforced by such choices. At our next meeting on March 9, we shall be discussing “Wandering Souls” by Cecile Pin. Invites will be sent out on Zoom. Please contact the office if you would like to join us.
UPCOMING: Monday 16th March at St Paul’s Cathedral. Rendezvous 11 a.m. at Ludgate Hill, London EC4
We are fortunate in having Sheila Nicoll, of our Kirk Session to help us, and The Very Revd Andrew Tremlett, Dean of St Paul’s to lead our tour. Closest Tube Station is St. Paul’s.
Dates for the Diary
Sunday 22nd March 2026, 11am We will be joined by members of the Aburi Old Girls’ Association (AOGA). Aburi Girls’ Senior High School (ABUGISS), is a renowned boarding school in Ghana, established in 1946. Alumni members will be involved in leading worship and offering hospitality after service. The Association have previously met annually at Crown Court, but numbers have outgrown the space and facilities. We look forward to welcoming our visitors for what we anticipate will be a happy, holy and lively at St Columba’s.
Tuesday 5th May, 6.30pm New Members’ evening. A time for discussion for anyone who is considering becoming a member of St Columba’s. Speak to the ministers for further information.
Sunday 14th June 2026, 11am New Members’ Service of Welcome.
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: Evening Services (1st Sunday of the Month, London Scottish Chapel) are not live streamed. 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: @LondonKirk
Pastoral Emergency Number (out of office hours): 07591926271
