For Sunday 14th August 2022, 9th Sunday after Trinity
Dear Friends,
David’s summer placement here at St. Columba’s is drawing to a close and this is his last Sunday with us.
It has been a pleasure getting to know him and I’m sure that everyone has been impressed by the energy and commitment with which he has embraced life in London.
We were also fascinated to learn about his study visit to Israel-Palestine. We wish him and his family well as he begins his final year at Glasgow University and look forward to seeing them again before too long.
On Sunday 24th July David was preaching and Angus celebrating so I took the opportunity to visit another church – it is always good to see how other people do things and in London we’re spoilt for choice! I decided to join the congregation of St Giles-in-the-Fields, just off Charing Cross Road and very close to another of my favourite places in London - Foyles Bookshop. I had not met the rector, the Revd Tom Sander, but he has a lively presence on Twitter so I was familiar with his ministry.
There has been a church on this site since at least 1101. The first recorded church on the site was a chapel of the parish of Holborn attached to a monastery and leper hospital founded by Matilda of Scotland, Queen Consort of Henry 1 and daughter of Malcolm Canmore and St. Margaret.
The current church building is the third on the site, a beautiful Palladian structure dating from 1731.
St Giles have maintained the tradition of using the Book of Common Prayer for all their services and I described worship there as pre-Oxford Movement Anglicanism. Whatever label one applies, and labels are rarely helpful, looking around the congregation it was obvious that worship at St. Giles attracts more young people than most churches.
Like St. Columba’s, St. Giles works in partnership with several specialist organisations which work with homeless people. I was especially interested to learn about the lending library provided by Quaker Homeless Action for people who would not otherwise have access to books.
We can always learn from others and our ministry can be enriched in the process –
“Now there are varieties of gifts,
but the same Spirit;
and there are varieties of services ,
but the same Lord;
and there are varieties of activities,
but it is the same God who activates
all of them in everyone”.
(1 Corinthians 12: 4-6).
I hope you continue to enjoy our very warm summer,
William
Live Streaming of Worship
Services can be watched via the church website,
https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/live-stream.
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. 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.
Reminder: If you do not wish to appear on the live-stream please choose a seat in the rear half of the sanctuary.
Please note that the Evening Services on the 1st of the month will not be live streamed as they will take place in the London Scottish Chapel.
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 the organ music from 10.50am.
Hymns, Music & Readings,
9th Sunday after Trinity Sunday, Sunday 14th August
Hymn 189 Be Still (Be Still)
Hymn 694 Brother Sister let me Serve You (Servant Song)
Hymn 513 Courage Brother do not stumble (Courage Brother)
Hymn 530 One more step along the world (Southcote)
Anthem: Gaelic blessing (Rutter)
Musical interlude: Cantate domino (Pitoni)
Postlude: Offertoire (Couperin)
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 5: 1-7
New Testament Reading: Hebrews 11:29 – 12:2
Gospel Reading: Luke 12: 49 – 56
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
Would anyone wishing to contribute to St Andrew's, Newcastle please contact the Session Clerk on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for bank details or other means of donating.
St Columba’s Members
A Service of Thanksgiving for the life of St Columba’s member, Duncan Lang, will be held at St Columba’s, Pont Street on Tuesday 16th August 2022 at 3pm.
We are sorry to announce the death of Catherine Freeman (known as Lena). Lena died on the 1st August in St Mary’s Hospital. Lena’s funeral will take place on Friday 26th August, 12.30pm at St Columba’s Church followed by a private cremation.
Rising Living Costs: Help at Hand
We are aware that with the cost of living and fuel costs rising that some of our community may be struggling financially. If you, or someone you know, are in need of help, please do get in touch with the Church Office or the Ministers. All conversations will be held in the strictest of confidence.
Congregational Sunday Lunches, Future Dates
Future lunch dates are the 21st August & 4th September in the Lower Hall. Coffee will continue to be served every Sunday as usual in the Upper Hall. These Hospitality Services are much valued in supporting Fellowship.
Hospitality “Give Away” – Entrance Vestibule Sunday 14 August 2022
Ahead of a “stocktake” of our equipment in September, hospitality is clearing out various pieces of inherited new / unused equipment that is of no use to them and offering it free of charge to anyone who would like any of the following -
∙ Larger round glass bowls
∙ Large wooden serving spoons
∙ Large knives and forks (might be suitable for use at a barbecue)
∙ Tall Glasses
Update - Lent Appeal 2020 donation - 500 miles charity - Training of Samuel Mkomera
www.500miles.co.uk
For information, Olivia Giles (CEO of 500 Miles charity) advised that there was a change of plan regarding the recipient of the Lent Appeal 2020 funding for training (and approved by the Kirk Session). The whole amount that was so generously donated has been reallocated for furthering Samuel Mkomera's training. The donation will be used towards the cost of upgrading Samuel Mkomera’s training from his diploma to a bachelor degree (orthopaedic technology, prosthetics and orthotics), a two-year residential international course at Mahidol University in Thailand. Samuel is currently a highly regarded Assistant Manager at the 500 Miles Centre in Lilongwe, Malawi and their “best Malawian student they have had on their hands at any time”. Samuel will be flying to Bangkok during the first week of August and returns to Malawi in August 2024. Updates on Samuel’s training in Thailand will be received via Olivia Giles.
As background, attached is the link to an article that Samuel wrote for the 500 Miles newsletter about his experience of studying for his diploma in Cambodia -http://www.500miles.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Samuels-training-updateFeb20.pdf
We wish Samuel good luck with his progression to a degree course and look forward to hearing all about it.
Congregational Prayer Group
After a long pause, the prayer group is recommencing on Sunday, 11th September from 10-10.15am and we would love you to join us to speak to God in prayer and to hear from God in the Bible.
We meet in the London Scottish Chapel every second Sunday of the month and we look forward to seeing you to pray for our world, our church and ourselves. See you then!
PHILIPIANS 4: 6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
St Columba’s Book Club
The next book club will be on Monday 5 September at 6.30pm (by Zoom) when we will be discussing Fire Road: The Napalm Girl's Journey through the Horrors of War to Faith, Forgiveness and Peace. It is as the title suggests a non-fiction book by Kim Phuc Phan Thi and is autobiographical.
Friends of St Columba’s Dumfries and Surroundings
There is still time to “sign up” to the Friends of St Columba’s trip to Dumfries and the surroundings in September 2022.
The itinerary includes the original home of the TSB, founded by a Church of Scotland minister, a visit to Ruthwell Church with its 8th century cross, Robert Burns heritage sites and possibly the early Christian settlement at Whithorn.
Booking: the Church Office regarding dates and accommodation. Two options: The Powfoot Inn (£115 double bed and breakfast; £95 single) or The Queensberry Arms Hotel, Annan (starts at £48/night).
Preference is given to Members of the Friends – but it’s very easy to join! Only £10 annual and £50 Life Membership.
Payment by BACS: Sort Code 16-00-42; Account No: 00269670; RBS (Please use your name and subscription as description of the payment), or by cheque made payable to Friends of St Columba’s to the Honorary Treasurer, Alan Lennox c/o The Church Office.
Sir Walter Scott 250: The Annual Caledonian Lecture
Thursday 15th September 2022, 6.00pm, at the Caledonian Club Guest speaker: Professor Sir Tom Devine. There is a warm invitation from the organisers to attend the lecture and dinner. It is open to all. To book, or for more information, contact the Caledonian Club's Event's Office at
caledonianclub.com
Office Hours
The church office is open from 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
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