Friends,
This week I have been reflecting on the rich variety of life at St. Columba’s. On Friday evening our friends from Restart www.restartlives.org provided dinner for around 100 homeless guests in the lower hall, as they do throughout the year. I sometimes volunteer, serving food, and the guests often say how grateful they are to the church for providing the space for Restart, here in the heart of the city. Homeless people are often threatened or being moved on so being able to sit at a table and enjoy a meal with others is a bonus.
In the lower hall on Saturday evening the Embassy of Ecuador held a very lively party to celebrate their country’s national day. There was delicious food, very colourful traditional dress, music, singing and I was even persuaded onto the dance floor! Ambassador Luis Vayas and his wife were very welcoming and it was interesting to learn that he is Chair of the United Nations committee working to reduce plastic pollution. We had a wonderful party and again the embassy staff said how grateful they were for the use of the hall. It is good that we are able to make our facilities available to all sorts of organisations and individuals and to support them in this way.
In our Gospel lesson this week we will see Jesus questioning priorities and changing lives. It was as if he were inviting us to a universal party, such as that described in the Letter to the Hebrews. The heavenly city is one where we can worship without fear because Jesus came and showed us the way and revealed God to us. Unlike Mount Sinai, the untouchable mountain referred to in Hebrews 12:18-21, Jesus can be approached with confidence. Although there was resentment and hardness of heart among those who rejected Jesus, there was rejoicing among those who recognised and accepted him.
William
THIS SUNDAY: Hymns, Music & Readings for Sunday, 24th August 2025, Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
Hymn 68 O thou my soul, bless God the Lord (Psalm 103) (Coleshill)
Hymn 189 Be still (Be Still)
Hymn 162 The God of Abraham praise (Leoni)
Hymn 738 Glorious things of thee are spoken (Austrian Hymn)
Anthem: A New Song – J. MacMillan (b 1959)
Anthem: The Lord Bless You – J. Rutter (b 1945)
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 58: 9b-14
New Testament Reading: Hebrews 12: 18-29
Gospel Reading: Luke 13: 10-17
Reader: Stuart Steele
THIS SUNDAY: Morning Service followed by Coffee and Tea in the Upper Hall.
Church Magazine The August/September Church Magazine is available 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
Relief Caretaker Do you know somebody who is looking for work for one day a week and occasional evenings/weekends? Both practical and good with the public? St Columba’s Church is seeking to recruit a relief caretaker to maintain the building (general maintenance and cleaning) and assist our hall hire customers. If you know someone that might be interested in the role, please get in touch with the Church Office who can give more detail on hours, pay and the complete role description.
NEXT SUNDAY: Morning Service followed by Congregational Lunch in the Lower Hall.
Scots in London August newsletter.
For a variety of events and activities of interest see https://mailchi.mp/scotsinlondon.org/scots-in-london-august-newsletter-12818165. 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
St Andrew’s Book Festival 2025
The St Andrew’s Book Festival team are delighted to announce that first tickets are now on sale with St Columba’s being one of the main venue.
Events include Nicola Sturgeon, Val McDermid and Irvine Welsh. On Friday 28 November one of Scotland’s true national treasures, broadcaster and author Sally Magnusson,will speak at a special literary lunch celebrating her spellbinding new novel The Shapeshifter’s Daughter. Book now to avoid disappointment as some of the events’ tickets are already going fast!
For more see https://www.standrewsbookfestival.org/
Membership Scheme for 2025 is also now open. To become a Festival Friend please click here.
St Columba’s Book Club: Our next meeting by Zoom will be on September 22nd when we shall discuss “The Other Side of the Bridge” by Mary Lawson, a novel set in Canada exploring the tensions both between two brothers and between fate and free will. For the subsequent meeting we shall read “Hello Beautiful” by Ann Napolitano. New members are welcome. Please contact the church office for details
RESTART’s Annual Sleep Out, Friday 5th December 2025, outside St Columba’s Church. The number of people sleeping on the streets in the UK is at a record high. London saw a 10% increase in rough sleeping in 2024/2025 compared to the previous year. Every year the staff, volunteers and supporters of Restart Lives spend one night outside. Although there is much that separates the experience of the controlled environment of the Sleepout from that of a person living life on the streets, we hope the event will help all those who participate to imagine what London’s homeless have to contend with. To participate to 2025 SleepOut, sign up on this link or you can donate and set up a fundraiser on this page. Adults or children over the age of 10 accompanied by an adult are welcome, as are school groups or other groups of children under adult supervision. Contact us if you would like any information or have questions: Olivia olivia@restartlives.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.
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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
