Friends,
Recent news celebrated the raising of £3.5 million by The British Museum to keep a gold pendant linked to King Henry VIII’s marriage to his first wife, Katherine (also Catherine) of Aragon. The pendant unites the Tudor rose with Katherine’s pomegranate symbol and features a banner that reads “tousiors”, the old French for “always”.
After it was found, the pendant was reported under the Treasure Act 1996, which gives museums and galleries in England a chance to acquire historical objects and put them on display. In order to put the pendant on permanent display, the museum had to pay a reward to the metal detectorist who made the discovery and the owner of the land it was found on. Reportedly, the detectorist who found the pendant, at the end of a gloomy winter’s day, had only been pursuing his hobby for some six months. Quite a find for a novice!
I like the definition/encouragement that Lent is “a sacred treasure hunt.”For many of our congregation, the observance of Lent was not something they grew up with. There is familiarity with the idea of “giving something up for Lent.” Traditionally, Lent is the opportunity for spiritual renewal through penitence, fasting, and charity. That may seem somewhat intimidating. If such austerity lacks appeal, maybe the “treasure hunt” concept is more appealing.
So, where might we start digging or “detectoring”? You could join others in reading the selected Lent Book, Rhidian Brook’s, “Notes on an Execution”, the recounting of Holy Week events. Described as “part meditation, part sermon, part news report, part poetry” these Notes are an arresting retelling of the climax to Mark’s Gospel. Unable to join that? The Presbytery of England & the Chanel Islands is also offering a weekly Lent bible study (see below.)
On Lenten Sundays there is the time of Poetry & Quiet Prayer in the London Scottish Chapel. Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell reminds us:“I think it is very helpful to be silent in the company of other people. There is no reason for silent prayer to be solitary prayer. The support of another person in the silence is hugely beneficial. It makes it easier to sit still and to relax into the silence.” Meanwhile regular Wednesday lunchtime prayer continues.
There is also opportunity to support the work of the Arukah Network, via the Lent Appeal. With their “Cluster approach”, Arukah empowers communities and local organisations to collaborate to help solve problems and improve local services and the lives of others – focusing in part on Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). So, a variety of riches to seek out this Lent. Happy hunting.
Angus
THIS SUNDAY: Hymns, Music & Readings for 22nd February 2026, First Sunday of Lent
Hymn 161 O God our help in ages past (St Anne)
Hymn 378 Praise to the Holiest in the height (Gerontius)
Hymn 338 Jesus, tempted in the desert (Ebenezer)
Hymn 514 Onward! Christian soldiers (St Gertrude)
Anthem: Wash me throughly SS Wesley (1810-76)
Anthem: Civitas sancti tui Byrd (1543-1623)
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
New Testament Reading: Romans 5:12-19
Gospel Reading: Matthew 4:1-11
Reader: Gary Wallis
The minister has been invited to preach at Crown Court this Sunday, while our associate minister William leads worship at Corby Church of Scotland this Sunday.
THIS SUNDAY: Sunday 22nd February First Sunday of Lent. Joint Service with Crown Court Church of Scotland, Sunday 22nd February, 11.15am, Russell Street, Covent Garden, London WC2B 5EZ We are invited to share worship with our friends at Crown Court. Please note there will be no service at St Columba’s that day, but we aim to provide screening of the Crown Court service in the Upper Hall, for any unable to get to Crown Court.
12:15 p.m. Tea and Coffee in the Upper Hall {by donation}
7.00 p.m. GlassDoor Night Shelter
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
THIS SUNDAY: Sunday 15th February 2026, Transfiguration Sunday.
11.00 a.m. Morning Service & Sunday School
12.15 p.m. Short celebration of Holy Communion, London Scottish Chapel
12:15 p.m. Tea and Coffee in the Upper Hall {by donation}
12:15 p.m. Congregational Lunch in the Lower Hall {£4.00}
1.30 p.m. Sounds of St Columba’s Recital
7.00 p.m. GlassDoor Night Shelter
Holy Communion on Ash Wednesday, 18th February, 1.00pm, London Scottish Chapel. Begin the Lenten journey with others in a place of prayer.
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
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.
Here you will find two short videos of who they are:
‘Who We Are – A Network of Clusters’ Who We Are – A Network of Clusters – Arukah Network
‘The Arukah Manifesto’ The Arukah Manifesto
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.
Scots in London is Recruiting Scots in London are looking for a freelance Communications and Events Coordinator. They are seeking a freelancer for a part-time contract to run their marketing, support with event planning and delivery and provide administrative support when required. The role includes running the website and social media accounts, publicising and co-promoting upcoming events and supporting with administrative tasks including minute-taking at bi-monthly meetings. This is a hybrid role – most of the work will be from home with attendance at occasional meetings and a wide range of interesting, professionally run cultural and sporting events in London. The contract is being offered at a rate of £25 per hour for 28 hours a month. For further information please contact Shona Fleming –shona.fleming@scotscare.com
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
