E-Newsletter- 18th September 2020
Friends,
I am in the hot seat again to guest edit this week’s newsletter. Unfortunately Angus’s daughter has some symptoms of COVID 19, so whilst he stays at home in isolation, I am afraid you are stuck with me. We wish Olivia a speedy test result and hope all is well in the MacLeod household.
Luckily for you all, I am not preaching on Sunday ☺ someone far more capable has stepped in to help out. Revd Alistair Cumming who many of you will have seen preach on the 23rd August.
Alistair is currently the Presbytery Clerk of the Presbytery of England and a well- known face to many at Pont St. He is an Auxiliary Minister which means he has a full time "day job", as Head of Learning & Development at Lidl GB. Alistair was ordained into ministry 9 years ago. He served for 4 years in the ministry team here, before taking on the role of Presbytery Clerk. We thank Alistair for stepping in at short notice.
The first 11am live streamed and attended service went very well last week. We had a larger congregation and lots of comments about how it was great to be back to some form of normal.
Rules of 6, new guidelines and endless telephone calls have been dealt with the Church Office this week. We are content that we are meeting all the government guidelines and our customers are content to carry on - which is great news, especially for the support groups who are pleased to be meeting in person (albeit distanced). It is wonderful to see so many of our “regulars” back in the building.
So although not quite as planned, we look forward to seeing you on Sunday.
Take care
Lucy
Worship at St Columba’s, Sunday 20th September 2020
For all the details about the upcoming 11am services at St Columba’s- health and safety precautions, mask wearing etc. please visit https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/worship-during-covid.
Live Streaming of Worship – Sunday 20th September 2020, 11am
The live stream service continues this Sunday at 11am. Music begins from 10.50am. The service can be watched via the church website, https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/live-stream at 11am.
To access the live stream from the homepage (front page) click the Menu button in the top right-hand side of the page and scroll down and click on “Live Stream”. This will bring up the live stream to the church. The act of worship of approximately 60 minutes, includes include prayers, a sermon and music. (Note: This will not be public worship that everyone can attend, but an offering of prayer and praise, on behalf of us all.) The words for the hymns will be on the website.
We believe it is really important to continue to live-stream the Morning Service under its current format i.e. for the benefit of those joining worship from afar or those as yet unable to make the journey to Pont Street. For those without internet, the Dial-In facility continues. Many people comment that they do have a sense of worshipping together, even if invisible to each other. While current regulation forbids singing in the pews, the live stream strongly recommends singing in the sitting room!
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 now phone in to join the Sunday service. No visuals clearly, but at least they can hear the service. Those interested should follow: Step 1: At 10.40am call phone number 0203 051 2874. Step 2: You will be prompted to enter a meeting ID. Please type (using your telephone keypad) 266 883 5072# Step 3: You will then be asked for a participant number - simply press the #. Step 4: Enjoy the service! You will hear Ben's organ music from 10.50am.
Congestion Charge
If you are travelling by car, please be aware the London Congestion Charge is now in operation throughout Sundays.
Church Office
Office Hours 9am to 4pm. Contact details;
Tel: 020 7584 2321
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.stcolumbas.org.uk
Facebook: @stcolumbaschurchpontstreet Twitter: @LondonKirk Pastoral Emergency Number (out of office hours): 07591926271
Maintaining Community and Supporting Each Other
Everybody can play a part in maintaining contact with others via telephone, e-mail or letter, especially those who are particularly vulnerable. Our Elders are encouraged to make contact with those in their districts, and church members are welcome to contact the church office to request a contact from their elder or the Minister.
“We Are Church”
Looking for something to keep you smiling during lockdown? We are creating a weekly montage of photos to share on our church social media to show that whilst the doors are closed, We Are Church. We would like photos of you relaxing in your garden, or taking exercise, home schooling, the sights around you or photos from before lockdown. We can all then enjoy spotting friends ‘across the pews”. Please send to Susan by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or sharing by text or WhatsApp 07971609034
Congregational Offerings
Details on the many ways you can support St Columba’s can be found here https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/giving/supporting-st-columbas
Harvest 2020
Due to the current restrictions our usual plans for Harvest have slightly changed. If you would like to donate items to The Upper Room, you are very welcome to do so, details below. Alternatively, if you would rather make a financial donation online to Christian Aid, details are noted below with details about the Christian Aid Harvest Resources available on the CA website.
Harvest Appeal - UR4 Meals - The Upper Room
www.theupperroom.org.uk
The Upper Room charity provides thousands of meals a year for the homeless and disadvantaged people. We are collecting tins of tuna, sunflower oil, olive oil, pasta, tinned vegetables, face masks and hand sanitisers on three Sundays, 27th September, 4th and 11th October. Collection area: Upper Vestibule, where there will be a large box for donated items. Thank you - UR4 Meals!
Christian Aid - Harvest Information
www.caid.org.uk/neighbours
There are very useful CA resources available on the above website. Financial donations will help families in Nicaragua to grow cocoa plants and also pay towards the training of technicians to assist a farming community for a month. Nicaragua is the second poorest country in Latin America and badly affected by climate change. Let's be global Harvest Neighbours!
https://www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/key-appeals/autumn-appeal/autumn-appeal-worship-page
Debt Petition
Christian Aid are running a Cancel the Debt Campaign to lobby the Chancellor to cancel debt for some of the world's poorest countries. If you would like to sign up details are on the CA link below:
https://www.christianaid.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns/cancel-debt-campaign-hub
Families’ Newsletter
Following summer break we have reinstituted the Families’ Newsletter. In the meantime, we hope all children, parents and teachers are settling into the new school year.
St Columba’s Book Club
The online St Columba’s book club is going from strength to strength with new members joining regularly. The October meeting will take place on the 12th at 7pm. This month’s book will be Human Croquet by Kate Atkinson. Please get in touch with the Church Office for details on how to join the meeting.
Glassdoor Sleepout 2020
Charities have had to be creative this year with the way they are fundraising and Glassdoor has stepped up with the Sleepout (or in) 2020. For the first time ever all the participants are brought together via live stream. Broadcasting from the Duke of York Square on the 2nd October 2020, join the likes of Colin Firth, Jim Carter and the Mayor of RBKC Gerard Hargreaves to Sleepout in your back garden, on the floor at home or something else entirely. More details can be found here https://www.glassdoor.org.uk/Appeal/sleepout-or-in-2020
St Columba's Tennis Club
The Adults' Coaching programme has been updated for this Autumn, with sessions on offer for players of every standard. A new, 6:00pm Tuesday evening session starts this week (from 15th September) for intermediate/club standard adults, while beginners/'rusty racquets' are encouraged to join the Saturday session at 1:30pm.
Saturday morning Junior coaching has been split into more groups to reflect both the standard and ages of players. This includes a new group for 11 years and over at 10:30am and a Teen Squad session (13+) from 11:15am. The first sessions started this weekend (12th September), so do contact David to book a place or email him a completed Juniors' Autumn 2020 Coaching Form.
David's full programme of coaching can be found on the Club website http://www.stcolumbastennis.co.uk/, under Tennis/Coaching. Please note that all sessions need to be pre-booked with David, as numbers may be limited.