For Sunday 9th November 2025, Twenty Second Sunday after Pentecost

Friends,

This week a substantial package arrived at St Columba’s. Sent by church member, David MacLean Watt, the package contained a plethora of World War I related documents and letters of David’s grandfather, the Very Reverend Lauchlan McLean Watt. Lauchlan MacLean Watt (1867–1957) was a distinguished Church of Scotland minister, poet, author, and hymn writer, famous for his writings about his World War I experiences as an Army chaplain. He later became minister of Glasgow Cathedral (1923-1934) and in 1933 Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. Educated at the University of Edinburgh he was ordained to the charge of Turriff in 1897, moving four years later to Alloa and, in 1901, to St Stephen’s, Edinburgh, a congregation which sent nearly 900 men on active service during the First World War.

MacLean Watt spent two periods working closely with the troops: initially at the Base Camps in France with the YMCA and later, in 1916-17, as an Army Chaplain with the Gordon Highlanders at the Somme, and with the Black Watch at Ypres. At the Base Camps, he described his role as “a roving missioner, with my bagpipes for companion.” A fellow officer noted that “he knows exactly how to handle the men’” – fellow clergy as well. On one occasion, his Roman Catholic colleague complained that the padre had conducted the funeral of one of his flock. MacLean Watt put his hand on the shoulder of the priest and said, “Well, Christ will have sorted that out by now.” In general, the Presbyterian got on so well with his Catholic counterpart, that the tent they shared was referred to as “the Incorporated Society of St. Peter and St. Andrew” – a fact, he said, which would “amaze our domestic bigots”.

MacLean Watt’s written accounts of his stint at the Front, “In Time of War” (1915) and “In France and Flanders” (1917), became best sellers, and on his return he was engaged to speak at a round of recruitment meetings. In February 1918 he undertook a tour to the USA and Canada to rally support for the war effort, via subscriptions to a bond scheme known as the Liberty Loan fund. Between February and July, he travelled thousands of miles, addressing some 200 meetings in fifteen States and in half of Canada. One particularly memorable gathering resulted in pledges of over £25,000 being received. On another occasion, the organisers, not fully understanding his previous role with the Gordon Highlanders and Black Watch, billed him as “Major Watt of the Black Death Department of the Gordon Highlanders.”

Aside from the humour and camaraderie, MacLean Watt found he had much to learn in “the school of suffering in the Land of War.” To say little, for example, at the bedside of dying men – simply to be there. Communion services were particularly meaningful. He described one service, held in the courtyard of a small farm, punctuated by the sound of the guns; there, he said, the words of the twenty-third Psalm took on “a meaning as deep as eternity.”

This Remembrance Sunday, as we recall previous generations (and currently serving personnel and their loved ones) let us be reminded of things, that those under fire, found important. As Maclean Watt observed: “Out of the land of war, dogma has become like the burdensome kit which a soldier flings away from him as he enters the stern conflict where death jostles life, in close contest for the victory. You have neither time nor room for the trimmings of faith.”

Traditionally, we are joined this weekend (Note: Morning Service 10.45am) by non-regulars, because it is Remembrance. I hope we will make them feel welcome. We also look forward to welcoming the London Scottish Regiment for their Remembrance Service at 3pm. Their Pipes & Drums marching down Pont Street is a sight not to be missed.

Angus

THIS SUNDAY: Hymns, Music & Readings for Sunday, 9th November 2025, Twenty Second Sunday after Pentecost

Hymn 1: 6 God shall endure for aye; (Psalm 9) (Stroudwater)
Hymn 2: 260 Eternal Father strong to save (Melita)
Hymn 3: 159 Lord, for the years your love has kept and guided (Lord of the years)

Introit: I will lift up mine eyes, Walford Davies (1869-1941)
Anthem 1: Greater love, Ireland (1879-1962)
Anthem 2 Lacrimosa (from Requiem) Mozart (1756-1791)

Old Testament Reading: Micah 4: 1-8
Gospel Reading: Luke 1:68-79
Reader: Rona Black

THIS SUNDAY: Sunday 9^th November 2025
10.00am Congregational Prayer Group, London Scottish Regimental Chapel
10.45am Remembrance Sunday Morning Service & Sunday School
3.00pm London Scottish Regimental Remembrance Service Members of the serving company, cadets and Regimental Association members march behind the Pipes & Drums to attend their annual Service of Remembrance. All welcome.

UPCOMING: 75^th Anniversary of the Laying of the Foundation Stone Service, Sunday 16^th November 205, 11am Seventy-five years ago, the foundation stone of the “new” St Columba’s was laid. From the ashes of war, a sign of hope, a loyalty to an unknown future. Since then so much life takes place here, every day of the week – school pupils play, support groups welcome, homeless guests find shelter, dancers twirl, food is cooked, music performed, and prayer offered. We are very grateful for all of that.

NEXT SUNDAY: GlassDoor Night Shelter Season On Sunday 16^th November we host our first Sunday of the new Night Shelter season. As part of one of the three circuits of seven churches in west London, co-ordinated by GlassDoor, St Columba’s volunteers will host up to 35 guests each Sunday night throughout the winter. Guests receive an evening meal, bed down for the night in the Upper Hall, have breakfast, before an early departure on Monday morning. Please keep charity staff, volunteers and guests in your prayers this week as this vital provision is once prepared and offered. If you would like to get involved, please contact church office.

THIS SUNDAY: Sunday 9^th November, 1pm, Lower Hall
St Columba’s Church has been, for decades, the centre of Scottish dancing in London and we’re delighted that we are able to bring children’s classes back to the Lower Hall from this month. If you’ve ever wished to draw your children, grandchildren or family friends into the joys of dance – now is your chance. Working together with St Columba’s Church, RSCDS London has offered two Sunday classes this term, with more to come in 2026. The classes are aimed mainly at primary school children (4 and above, but do let us know if you have interested teenagers as we would love to encourage that age group too) and will run 1pm – 2.15pm on Sunday 28 September and Sunday 9 November. There is a nominal fee of £10 per term per child (capped at £20 per family) and more information about the classes, plus registration link, may be found at https://www.rscdslondon.org.uk/children. Any questions, please contact classes@rscdslondon.org.uk

UPCOMING: Parliamentary Service in the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft, Houses of Parliament. The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Rt Revd Rosemary Frew will preach at the Parliamentary Service, 10:15am on Wednesday 19th November. For security reasons, if you wish to attend please give your name to the church office by COP Tuesday 11th November.

St Andrew’s Book Festival 2025
The St Andrew’s Book Festival team are delighted share the newly published Book Festival Programme (attached with your emailed Newsletter.) St Columba’s becomes venue for the second Book Festival. For four days we host well known authors, new writers and schools’ events. You can contribute towards its success by attending your talks of choice, recommending the Festival to friends and/or volunteering to act as festival stewards.

See https://www.standrewsbookfestival.org/ for full programme and tickets

Talks include Nicola Sturgeon, Val McDermid and Irvine Welsh. On Friday 28^th November, broadcaster and author Sally Magnusson, speaks at a special literary lunch celebrating her spellbinding new novel The Shapeshifter’s Daughter. Book now to avoid disappointment.
See https://www.standrewsbookfestival.org/ for more information.

UPCOMING: Lent Appeal 2026: Small UK registered charity (that provides help overseas) Over the last five years, thanks to your generosity, we have raised a total of £36,929 for small registered charities as a direct result of our Lent Appeals; this is a major part of our work on Mission. The Mission Committee would be grateful for any suggestions you may have for a small UK registered charity, that provides help overseas, that could be considered for the St. Columba’s Lent Appeal 2026. For more information, please contact Naomi Donaldson, naomi.60@live.co.uk (or via the Church Office). Deadline for applications is Wednesday 12 November.

UPCOMING: St Columba’s Book Club: Monday 10^th November Next book choice, “Hello Beautiful” by Ann Neapolitano, a novel inspired in part by Little Women. After that we shall be reading “Free – Coming of Age at the End of History” by Lea Ypi, which promises to be very interesting, as are all our choices. For details of how to join the book club, please contact the church office.

RESTART LIVES annual Winter Resource Fair is coming up – taking place on Friday 14 November.

Calling our supporters at St Columba’s
At this time of the year, temperatures drop and the weather can become more challenging for our homeless guests. Please help us provide essential kit and keep homeless people safe and warm and help make their rough sleeping conditions a little more bearable. We’d gratefully receive items such as hats, gloves, scarves, warm socks (those would need to be brand new) or rucksacks (second hand accepted but in good condition only). Thank you so much in advance. We expect 50-100 guests at this Fair and will do all we can to meet demand. Thank you to the church as well for helping us collect and store donations for this event and hosting the space so that we can distribute essentials and support guests to make it through the Winter safely.
Donations will need to be brought in the church office between Sunday 26^th October to Sunday 9^th November.
You can also donate directly on https://www.restartlives.org/donate (please make sure that you mention this is for the Resource Fair so donations can be allocated accordingly).

UPCOMING: Scottish Singing Competition, Saturday 15^th November, The Caledonian Club, 9A Halkin Street, London SW1X 7DR

Talented young singers from across the UK and beyond will be competing for the Meikle trophy along with cash prizes and opportunities to sing for London audiences in the year ahead. You are invited to support and enjoy these young people and see the emerging talents in the field of Scottish Song.
1:00-1:50pm Reception, 2:00-5:00pm Competition

UPCOMING: ScotsCare Ceilidh, Saturday 15^th November
The second ScotsCare Ceilidh will take place on 15th November 2025, at St. Columba’s Church, Pont Street, London SW1X 0BD at 7pm (doors open 6:30pm).
We loved hosting the Scots and not-so-Scots community for a night of dancing and fun, which helps to raise money for ScotsCare’s frontline services. This year will feature again live music and the odd speech, as well as a raffle, food included and very reasonably priced bar.
Everyone is welcome to join in the fun – friends, family and colleagues. We will have a caller to guide dancers, step by step so everyone can join in regardless of experience.

Tickets cost £25. https://tinyurl.com/ynnt3j2j Evening will start promptly at 7pm (doors open 6:30pm).We look forward to seeing you on what will be a festive and memorable evening.All profits go to supporting Scots in need across London.

On Sunday 16th November we celebrate that anniversary milestone. We are specifically sending invitations to the many groups who know and love this special building to join us that morning. It is also opportunity for congregational members to invite family members and friends.

11.00 am Morning Service. All welcome (No ticket required)
12.15 pm Catered lunch by The Passage £7.50
(Tickets via Eventbrite for a 2 course meal:
Menu – vegetarian option available upon request
Sausage, Mash, Onion Gravy & Peas
Chocolate Fudge Cake & Cream)
1.30pm Choir of St Columba’s, sing Rheinberger Cantus Missae and other works – All welcome (no ticket required)

UPCOMING: Firefly International – Echoes of Peace Concert at St. Columba’s Church, Saturday 13^th December, Doors Open 5.45pm. Concert 6.15pm to 8.15pm. Firefly International was supported by our Lent Appeal in 2024. Join us for a special concert marking 30 years since Firefly was founded and peace was declared in Bosnia. While the war there has ended, peace remains a fragile and unfinished promise. This powerful evening of live music, spoken word, and film invites us to reflect on the legacy of conflict – and the urgent need to protect and nurture peace in today’s fractured world. The concert features violinist Bassel Hariri, blending the beauty of Arabic traditions with global sounds; filmmaker Aleksandra Bilić and her mother Maja, sharing their deeply moving film and music about their journey as refugees from Bosnia; and the One World Orchestra, fusing diverse musical traditions from around the globe into a euphoric and uplifting celebration of multi-cultural Britain. Tickets: Book here – https://echoes-of-peace.raiselysite.com/

Scots in London November newsletter.
For a variety of events and activities of interest see https://mailchi.mp/scotsinlondon.org/scots-in-london-november-newsletter2025. 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.

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.

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: @LondonKirkPastoral
Emergency Number (out of office hours): 07591926271

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