Newsletter - 15th March 2020
Welcome to the St Columba's Weekly Newsletter. If you are visiting us to worship, attending a concert or afternoon talk, or simply to enjoy the beautiful building- welcome.
Please join us for Poetry and Silent Prayer at 10.15am for Lent. Revd Angus MacLeod will be preaching at our 11am Morning Service.
Sunday's reader is St Columba's elder, Donald Johnson.
Lunch (£3.50 per person) is available in the Lower Hall and coffee in the Upper Hall. You are most welcome to join us.
The Sounds of St Columba's series continues on Sunday at 1.15pm in the Upper Hall. This week we are joined by soprano Melissa Davies.
Hymns This Week
Hymn 69 - Just as a father shows his love (Kilmarnock)
Hymn 722 - Spirit of God come dwell within me (Leaving of Lismore)
Hymn 540 - I heard the voice of Jesus say (Kingsfold)
Hymn 348 - Praise the one who breaks the darkness (Joel)
Hymn 608 - Spirit of truth and grace (Down Ampney)
Choir Anthems
Introit Jesu, dulcis memoria - Tomás luis de Victoria
Solus ad victimam - Kenneth Leighton (1929-88)
God so loved the world - Bob Chilcott (b. 1955)
Readings
Gospel Reading I: John 4: 1-26
Gospel Reading II: John 4: 27-42
Elders on Duty
| Team Leader | Donald Johnston |
| Deputy Team Leader | Hamish Henderson |
| Entrance Vestibule |
Henry Sherriff Rona Black Katherine Payne |
| Wheelchair Lift | Hamish Henderson |
| Upper Vestibule |
Fiona Gardner Sheena Clark |
| Hymn Books |
Helen Miller Fiona Lang Elizabeth Maliphant Fraser Stockton |
| Central Aisle |
Catriona Sutherland-Hawes |
| Duty Beadle | Ronald Prince |
Covid-19 & St Columba’s
The health and wellbeing of congregation, staff, volunteers and the many
individuals and groups who visit our building throughout the week, is of the utmost importance. We are currently following all government guidelines and recommendations. We have been working with our cleaners to ensure they are following guidelines in the church that touched surfaces (such as door handles) are made a priority.
Worship services will continue, including the weekly short celebration of Holy Communion in the London Scottish Chapel – however, the common cup will not be in use. We are currently scoping plans to live stream the 11am morning service so that those who feel they cannot attend would be able to join us via the church website. More detail to follow.
To support us in protecting our church community we ask you to:
- Do not attend church if you are feeling unwell.
- Do not attend if you have recently travelled to a high risk area and have not self-isolated for 14 days.
- Continue to wash your hands before any service/coffee/lunch etc
- Consider how you can offer practical and prayerful support to those more vulnerable.
We will continue to be vigilant with hygiene and safety and aim to maintain an open and welcoming building for prayer, worship and our many regular activities.
Dear God our Shield and our Defender, guide and protect my neighbour in this time of health emergency; deliver them from all harm and may your love and care ever grow in this place. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Amen.
THIS SUNDAY
Flower Guild
Flowers today are sponsored by Rona, in loving memory of her husband James Whyte Black.
Poetry & Silent Prayer for Lent
During the Sundays of Lent, beginning on Sunday 1st March a time of Poetry/Scripture & Silent prayer is offered in the London Scottish Chapel, led by the Minister, 10.15-10.30am. All welcome.
Sounds of St Columba’s - Sunday 15th March 2020
On Sunday March 15th at 1:15pm, we are joined by Soprano Melissa Davies. Melissa will sing Handel, Purcell, Schumann (Frauenliebe und - Leben) and Rosenthal. The recital will last about 45 minutes and will take place in the Upper Hall. At the conclusion there will be a retiring offering for the upkeep of the recital series.
Discipleship
TODAY - Lent Appeal 2020 - 500 Miles
www.500miles.co.uk (a Scottish Registered Charity)
500 Miles was established in 2008 by Olivia Giles, a quadruple amputee herself, after suffering a severe form of septicaemia. Olivia created and runs the 500 Miles charity to help others in Africa (Malawi and Zambia) to live full lives with the provision of prosthetic limbs, as it says on the website getting people moving.
Training – Alwin Kaponda (bench worker at 500 Miles, Malawi)
The target is to raise between £4K - £5k and Lent Appeal donations will help towards the cost of diploma training for Alwin Kaponda, who has been a bench worker for the past three years at the 500 Miles Prosthetics and Orthotics Centre at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi. Alwin will greatly benefit from specialist training to diploma level. Money raised will help towards the cost of 500 Miles sending Alwin to either the Cambodia School of Prosthetics and Orthotics in Phom Penh, or to the Mobility India in Bangalore to study for an internationally recognised diploma. 500 Miles will need to pay Alwin’s training school fees and his subsistence costs, plus travel. Donations will help towards the cost and attract supplementary funding for Alwin’s first year. To have Alwin trained to diploma standard will benefit so many amputees, providing them with prosthetic limbs and orthoses (supports for limbs) to help them lead full lives, get them mobile and on the move again…life changing. White Lent Appeal envelopes for donations are available in the pews. Mission Committee.
Safeguarding Training at St Columba’s - Sunday 22nd March 2020
All volunteers, staff and Elders are required by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland to undertake safeguarding training every 3 years. If you work with the crèche, Sunday School or are a pastoral care visitor you should attend the training course provided, the next session will be on Sunday 22nd March at London: St Columba’s 1:30pm. The programme will begin with the session for all to attend. This is approx. 1 -1 ½ hours, then volunteers and staff can leave. Specific training for elders then follows. Please inform our Safeguarding Coordinator, Fiona Lang which session you are attending.
Lent Bible Study - Tuesday 17th March 2020
The Lent Bible Study runs from Tuesday evenings throughout Lent, from 3rd March for 5 weeks. We are studying the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent Book - “Say Yes to Life” by Ruth Valerio(books priced at £7.00 available from the Church Office). 6:30 for 6:45 pm start. Please sign up by emailing Lucy in the Church Office on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 0207 584 2321 or simply come on any evening.
Assembly & Presbytery Committee Talk - Sunday 29th March 2020
1.15pm, Sunday 29th March, Revd Andrew Anderson, talks about the Church of Scotland’s Radical Action Plan, agreed at the General Assembly last year.
Readers for Easter 2020
Please contact the office if you would like to read at any of the following seasonal services:
5 April 11am Palm Sunday Service X 2
9 April 8pm Maundy Thursday Service X 2
10 April 11am Good Friday Service X 4
Easter Lilies
Members of the congregation can purchase lilies in memory of loved ones . These flowers will be used to decorate the Church on Easter Sunday. The cost will be £3 each and names and money can be given to Liz Maliphant (0208 650 5149 ) or left in the office in an envelope . Please be sure to write the name to be remembered clearly. Lists of names will be in the Church on Easter Sunday. This is a lovely way to remember people, who have been special in your life, on a special day.
Easter Experience - Sunday 19th April 2020
During morning worship on Sunday 19th April (the Sunday after Easter) Sunday School & Crèche children have the chance to travel together round the church building, exploring the Easter story through varied activities. We hope many families will stay for lunch together afterwards. Families intending to do so, please sign up via the Office for “Easter Experience Families’ Lunch” before Easter Sunday. It is hoped to take photographs during the morning. If any parents do not wish their child to be photographed and who have not already signed a disclaimer form please see Fiona Lang at the start of the service.
Annual Congregational Meeting - Sunday 26th April 2020
The Annual Congregational Meeting will take place on the 26th April 2020, 1.30pm in the Upper Hall. It is a good opportunity to hear more about the past year and what lies ahead. It is the chance to ask questions and to say thank you to a variety of people who do so much to maintain and enhance the life of our congregation.
Local Church Review - Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd May 2020
The Local Church Review, that was due to take place in February, is now rescheduled for Saturday 2nd May (elders) and Sunday 3rd May (members of the wider congregation.) Further detail will published nearer the time.
Christian Aid Week - 10th - 16th May 2020.
Volunteer station collectors for Friday 15 May
The focus for Christian Aid Week (www.caid.org.uk) this year is on the desperate need for water and to help those affected, particularly in Kenya, to be able to save and store water. Due to climate change and drought, many families are having to walk miles just to collect water, crops are failing creating food shortages and loss of livelihood. Donations will enable better water resources and help towards the building of earth dams to store precious water. Make every last drop count.
On Sunday 26 April, Kathy Childress, Legacy and Regional Church Co-Ordinator, from Christian Aid will speak during the service to provide information on this year's CA Week.
Collectors needed for:
Friday 15 May: Green Park Tube Station
Between 7.00am and 7.00pm
Friday 15 May: Victoria Station (Mainline, Network Rail)
Between 7.00am and 7.00pm
If you are able to help collect, please contact Naomi Donaldson as soon as possible on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via the Church Office. Many thanks.
Women’s Fellowship Group
The Women’s Fellowship Group is currently on hiatus. Keep an eye out for further news.
Used Stamp Collection
All those British and overseas Christmas stamps can raise money for CrossReach. Please drop them into the basket which is on the Welcome Desk in the Lower Vestibule any Sunday. All gratefully received.
Hospitality - Sunday Lunch & Coffee Teams
2020 and another New Year, and another appeal for help. We have maintained the provision of lunch and coffee Sunday by Sunday for the past 60 years. We cannot do it without volunteers. We have nine lunch and coffee teams, each led by a Team Leader.
Three lunch teams are very short handed. Team members assist in the laying of tables, serving or helping in the kitchen. Whatever your skills, we have a place for you. Come and join us – it can be fun! One coffee team will soon need help – just a couple of hours every 8 weeks. Could you help? This much valued service contributes greatly to St Columba’s fellowship. If you are interested in finding out more about ways to help please contact me on: 01206 795244 or by e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via the church office. Thank you.
Ben Gourlay, Convener of Hospitality Committee, February 2020.
Social
Friends of St Columba's Spring Trip - Saturday March 28th, 2020
The Friends of St Columba's Spring visit will be to Fenton House, Hampstead. A hidden gem in London, this 17th century house has fascinating collections of porcelain, furniture and needlework. There will also be time to visit the nearby, 2 Willow Road, the modernist home designed by Ernö Goldfinger. Nearest Underground Station, Hampstead (Northern Line.) The visit to commence at approximately 11.00 a.m. Those present are welcome to share lunch at a local venue.
The Friends are also visiting the Dumfries area of Scotland, from September 18th-20th 2020. Itinerary includes the original home of TSB, (founded by a Church of Scotland minister) a visit to Ruthwell church, with its 8th Century Cross and possibly the early Christian settlement at Whithorn.
Those interested in attending either trip should e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
St Columba’s Craft Group
The St Columba’s Craft Group is currently on hiatus. Keep an eye out for further news.
St Columba’s Dancers
The St Columba’s Dancers meet every Monday, except Christmas and Bank Holidays, until May 2020. For more information contact Valerie Strachan on 020 8693 5335, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit the website, stcolumbasdancers.org.
Happy Hour - Wednesday 1st April
Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 1 April at the Cheshire Cheese Little Essex Street WC2R 3LD from 6.30pm (reservation name Kate). The theme reflects our earlier popular session on memorable poems and is An A-Z of women Hymn writers. All welcome, just turn up on the evening.
Congregational Scrabble - Tuesday 7th April
Would you like an afternoon of scrabble and fellowship? On Tuesday 7th April, 2.30-4.30pm in the Library, we host the next scrabble afternoon. Tea and coffee provided. For further information contact the Church Office.
Knightsbridge Choral Festival - Saturday 27th June
On the afternoon of Saturday 27 June 2020 St Columba’s will host the Knightsbridge Choral Festival. All singers from the congregation are invited to participate in a ‘big-sing’ including Handel’s Zadok the Priest and Parry’s I was glad. The afternoon will also feature various individual performances from choirs across London.
For more information or to register your interest please contact the Director of Music, Benedict Lewis-Smith on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Scots in London - Communications & Events Co-Ordinator
Vacancy
The newly formed Scots in London group, of which St Columba’s is a founder member, is looking to recruit a part-time Communications & Events Co-Ordinator. This is likely to be for 25-35 hours per month. For further information please contact Lucy Llewellyn in the Church Office.
Next Week at St Columba's
22nd March 2020
10.15 a.m. - Poetry and Silent Prayer for Lent (London Scottish Chapel)
11.00 a.m. - Morning Service
Preacher - Revd Angus MacLeod MA BD
Don't forget that you can contact the Church Office with any queries or questions on 0207 584 2321 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..