For Sunday 5th April 2026, Easter Sunday

Friends,

As some of you know I am officially a Gardener with a capital “G”, a freeman of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners. A great honour for me but I can’t help thinking that my father would have laughed since, although I am descended from a long line of gardeners who worked on estates and in stately homes in Scotland, I have inherited little of their talent. However, as a Church of Scotland minister in London and so without a parish as such, it is important to find a way into things, to meet people and to raise the profile of the Church of Scotland.

Through the Gardeners Company I have met some lovely people and as they say “The Worshipful Company of Gardeners combines ancient roots with a 21st-century mission: promoting contemporary horticulture, in all its rich and varied forms”. At a Gardeners’ event last year I met a very nice man named Eamonn and we talked about Ireland and about gardens and he said that at his wife’s last vicarage they had enjoyed working in the garden. “Where is your wife now?”, I asked. “Actually, she’s the Bishop of London”, was the reply. Well, Sarah Mullally has moved on since then and it was a joy to see her installation at Canterbury Cathedral last week with the Moderator, the Rt. Rev. Rosie Frew representing the Church of Scotland. To our grandparents it would have been unthinkable, a woman installed as Archbishop of Canterbury, witnessed by a woman who is Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

And yet we should not be surprised, after all two women were the first witnesses of the resurrection. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, (St. Matthew 28:1); two women who followed Jesus, visit his tomb and find it empty. They are sent by an angel to share what they have seen and to tell the other disciples that Jesus is raised from death. As they run, they meet Jesus himself who repeats the angel’s message that he is risen.

This is an opportunity for us to enter into the drama of the first Easter Day and recognise the presence of Jesus in the midst of events that shake us. We all know that life can surprise us, sometimes in ways that deeply disturb us and make us question our faith, but if we listen carefully we will hear God speaking gently to us and saying, “Do not be afraid”. These were the words of the angel, and then of Jesus himself, when the women made their way to the tomb on that first Easter Day and so I say to you: “Do not be afraid, Christ is risen”:
“He is risen indeed, Alleluia!”

William

Communion arrangements: in person & livestream On Easter morning we celebrate communion/the Lord’s Supper. It is Christ’s table and open to any whose tradition it is to receive the bread and wine. For pastoral reasons the wine is non-alcoholic, and gluten free bread is available. The elders serve the communion to the congregation in the pews. If you wish to receive either gluten free bread or the wine from the chalice/common cup, please just indicate to one of the serving elders. At conclusion, please leave your communion glass on the pew shelf. For those watching at home you may wish to prepare bread and wine (or equivalent) and share at the appropriate moment.

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:

1. 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.
2. 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. 

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.

PARKING RESTRICTIONS OVER EASTER WEEKEND:
Residents’ Bays & Pay-by-Phone: Free to use on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday. Single Yellow Lines: Not enforced on Good Friday and Bank Holidays, unless causing an obstruction. Important: Single yellow lines do apply on Sundays, including Easter Sunday, unless otherwise signed.
Double Yellow Lines: Always strictly enforced.