Newsletter - 16th February 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.
Revd Nicola Frail will be preaching at our 11am Morning Service.
Sunday's reader is St Columba's member, Ruth Kattumuri.
Lunch (£3.50 per person) is available in the Lower Hall and coffee in the Upper Hall. You are most welcome to join us.
After lunch please join us in the Upper Hall at 1.15pm for the next Sounds of St Columba's recital. This week we are joined by the very talented Jonathan Radford (Saxophone) and Ashley Fripp (Piano).
Hymns This Week
111 - Holy, holy, holy, Lord God almighty! (Nicaea)
356 - Meekness and majesty, manhood and deity (This is your God)
500 - Lord of creation, to you be all praise! (Slane)
551 - In heavenly love abiding (Penlan)
153 - Great is ty faithfulness, O God my Father (Faithfulness)
Choir Anthems
My soul, there is a country - Charles Parry
Like as the hart - Herbert Howells
Readings
Old Testament Reading: Deuteronomy 30: 15-20
New Testament Reading: I Corinthians 3: 1-9
Gospel Reading: Matthew 5: 21-37
Elders on Duty
Team Leader | Elizabeth Fox |
Deputy Team Leader | Susan Pym |
Entrance Vestibule |
Hazel Forbes Gillian Smith Anne Wilson Heather Farwell |
Wheelchair Lift | Roderick Buchanan |
Upper Vestibule |
Susan Pym Betsy Wilkie |
Hymn Books |
Jill Steele Hugh Pym Alison Buchanan Catherine McDonald |
Central Aisle |
Stuart Steele |
Duty Beadle | Ronald Prince |
Sunday’s Guest Preacher
The Revd Nicola Frail joined the Royal Army Chaplains’ Department in 2006 as a Territorial Army Chaplain, serving initially with 205 (Scottish) Field Hospital and then later with 225 (Scottish) Medical Regiment. Nicola was ordained as a minister of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 2000 and worked as a pastor in rural Nebraska before transferring her ordination to the Church of Scotland. She served as a minister of parishes in Kirkcaldy and rural Perthshire before being commissioned as a regular army chaplain in 2012. Nicola has deployed to Afghanistan and South Sudan and currently is posted to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as an assistant chaplain. She moves to HQ 1 Armoured Infantry Brigade after Easter to take on the role of Brigade Senior Chaplain.
SUNDAY Sounds of St Columba’s– 1.15pm, Upper Hall
This afternoon we will be joined by classical saxophonist Jonathan Radford and pianist Ashley Fripp. Both are award winning musicians who will play a wonderful programme of Schumann , Debussy, Albeniz, Puazzolla and Gershwin. Please come and support the series. Retiring offering.
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.
Discipleship
Women’s Fellowship Group
Meets on Wednesdays at 10.15am. Coffee, chat and Bible study. For further details contact Susan Pym: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Safeguarding Training at St Columba’s & Crown Court Church
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 one of the dates listed:
Sunday 1st March at London: Crown Court 1:30pm
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.
Assembly & Presbytery Committee Spring Talks 2020
Sunday 1st March 2020, Olivia Pyle, Communications and Mentoring for Restart talks about the Friday night drop in at St Columba’s and the charity.
Sunday 29th March, Revd Andrew Anderson, talks about the Church of Scotland’s Radical Action Plan, agreed at the General Assembly last year.
Poetry & Silent Prayer for Lent - Sunday 1st March 2020
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.
Lent Bible Study - Tuesday 3rd March 2020
This year’s Lent Bible Study begins on Tuesday 3rd March for 5 weeks. We will study the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent Book- “Say Yes to Life” by Ruth Valerio(books priced at £7.00 available from the Church Office from the 18th February). 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.
World Day of Prayer - Friday 6th March 2020
The 2020 World Day of Prayer (formerly, Women’s World Day of Prayer) has been prepared by the women of Zimbabwe. to be celebrated in over 170 countries, in more than 60 languages and 1000 dialects around the world. This year’s theme, is “Rise – take your mat and walk.” Friday 6th March 2020 at St Mary the Boltons, The Boltons, London, SW10 9TB, 11am - Noon, followed by refreshments. All are welcome to attend.
New Members’ Enquiry - Sunday 15 March 2020
Are you interested in learning more about the life and work of St Columba’s, the wider work of the Church of Scotland and our Presbyterian tradition? Or in understanding what being a member of St Columba’s means? If so, please sign up with the Church Office by Friday 6th March 2020 for the New Members’ Enquiry, to be held at St Columba’s on Sunday 15 March 2020, 2.00pm – 4.30pm. The Service for Admission of New Members, 11am, Sunday 12 April 2020 (Easter Sunday).
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. The Easter Experience is repeated for adults at 1.15pm.
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 - 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.
Clothing Donations - Glassdoor and Restart
Thank you to everyone who has donated recently to Glassdoor and Restart. Both charities now have more than enough clothing for guests and cannot accept any donations currently. We will intimate when donations will be taken again. Thank you.
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.
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
Church Quiz - Saturday 29th February 2020
The St Columba’s Church Quiz will take place on the 29th February 2020 where teams will compete for the James Black Shield, which can be admired in the Upper Hall. Tickets on sale after the service in the Entrance Vestibule. Please think about gathering together 6-8 friends who can represent a Church group e.g. a lunch team, country dancers or simply good friends.
Congregational Scrabble - Tuesday 3rd March
Would you like an afternoon of scrabble and fellowship? On Tuesday 3rd
March, 2.30-4.30pm in the Library, we host the next scrabble afternoon. Tea and coffee provided. For further information contact the Church Office.
Happy Hour - Wednesday 4th March 2020
Happy Hour returns to The Cheshire Cheese, 5 Little Essex Street WC2R 3LD on 4 March, 6.30pm - 8.30 pm. (reservation under Kate). With old pilgrimage routes in the UK gaining new popularity and new routes being developed, our theme is 'Walking and talking in faith'. All welcome, just turn up on the night.
Tea Together - Daffodil Tea, 7 March 2020, 2-4pm
Saturday 7th March will see the first of 2020’s much loved afternoon socials. Meet friends old and new, and enjoy some super musical entertainment and a tasty tea of homemade sandwiches and cakes. All are welcome. Bring a friend.
If you are unable to make our spring event, then please note your diaries for the following Saturday dates in 2020.
Strawberry Tea 20 June 2020
Chrysanthemum Tea 12 September 2020
Christmas Tea 5 December 2020
If you or someone you know would like to come along, please contact
Stephanie Eadon on 07729 854986.
Sounds of St Columba’s - Sunday 15th March 2020
On Sunday March 15th at 1:15pm, we are joined by Soprano Meilissa 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.
St Columba’s Craft Group
Meets in the Library on the third Wednesday of every month. Bring a sandwich. Tea/coffee provided. See Susan Pym or Fiona Lang on Sundays for more details or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Next meeting, 19th Feb 2020.
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 Dancers
The St Columba’s Dancers meet every Monday, except Christmas and Bank
Holidays, until May 2020. For more information contact Valerie Strachan on 02086935335, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit the website,
stcolumbasdancers.org.
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.
Knightsbridge Choral Festival
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.
Next Week at St Columba's
23rd February 2020
11.00 a.m. - Morning Service
Preacher - Revd Craig Lancaster 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..