For Sunday 6th February 2022, 5th Sunday after Epiphany
When the earth totters, with all its inhabitants,
it is I who keep its pillars steady. Psalm 75:3
Friends,
Our newsletter this week borrows from the wisdoms of retired Church of Scotland minister and writer, Revd Tom Gordon.
It is well worth regularly visiting his daily offerings at https://swallowsnestnet.wordpress.com Recently, inspired by the unusual design of Kilarrow [pronounced kill-a-roo] Parish Church, in Bowmore, Islay, where Tom is currently offering some locum support, he has mused on the expression, a “pillar of the Kirk.” Thank you Tom for allowing us to borrow your thoughts today.
“In Scotland we talk about a “Pillar of the Kirk”, someone who is solid and dependable, without whom, it seems, the Church couldn’t function. The ancient Greeks would often use pillars in human form, such as in temple buildings in the Acropolis. One modern architect has described the pillar as “monumental of our own stance in the landscape.” So, to be described as a “Pillar of the Kirk” seems an appropriate metaphor.
Kilarrow Parish Church is an iconic building at the top of Bowmore’s Main Street, and it’s known as “The Round Church”, because … well … it’s round. Being round, its roof is supported by a massive central pillar, the kind of thing you see in a circular marquee, holding everything together, the source of the church’s stability. Familiar with the metaphor of “Pillars of the Kirk”, I remarked to a local worthy how impressive and important this pillar was. He smiled at me and said, “Aye well.
But there’s a problem. If you find you’re sittin’ behind it, you cannae see a thing, an’ you cannae move it oot o’ the way either.”
Pillars matter for strength and support. I’m sure a local worthy knew this was the case in the church too. But he also identified a problem: pillars can be in the wrong place if you want to see things differently; they can be static and immovable when purpose, style and character need developing. “Pillar of the Kirk”? Yes, a good metaphor, but only if that solid pillar in the middle of a church isn’t always getting in the way.
A prayer for today
Lord, make me strong and supportive when I need to be,
flexible and accommodating when I should be,
and give me the wisdom to know the difference. Amen
Angus
Worshipping at St Columba’s & COVID Precautions.
While Government guidance has changed, we recommend that the existing arrangements for worship at St Columba’s remain unaltered for the moment. Unless you are exempt from wearing a face mask, we ask you to wear a face mask in the building and maintain social distancing in the pews. You may wish to complete a negative lateral flow test no more than 24 hours prior to Sunday service. We suggest dressing warmly as we try to keep the sanctuary well ventilated. In all our arrangements we recognise that people are at various stages on the pandemic journey – our aim is to keep everyone confident and safe. (Our arrangements are under constant review, and we will publicise any changes as promptly as possible, should the need arise.)
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, 6th February 2022 - 11am
Special welcome this Sunday to the family and friends of Alexander Louis Holgate & James Bernard Hastings who will be baptised during the 11am service. Also, to our Sunday School families who gather this week and Dr Anna MacDonald, co-founder of Play for Progress, the charity we supported via the 2021 Lent Appeal. (See Mission Committee note.)
Hymn 103 Fill your hearts with joy and gladness (Rhuddlan)
Hymn 485 Dear Lord and Father of mankind (Repton)
Hymn 632 Our children, Lord, in faith and prayer (Belmont)
Hymn 465 Be thou my Vision (Slane)
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 6: 1 - 13
Gospel Reading: Luke 5: 1 - 11
Anthem - O Lord, make thy servant Elizabeth (Byrd)
Musical Interlude - Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace (Wesley)
Organ Postlude - Crown Imperial (Walton)
Sunday 6th February - Return Visit - Dr Anna MacDonald - Play for Progress (Lent Appeal 2021)
We look forward to welcoming back Dr Anna MacDonald, Co-Director and Head of Support Services, from the charity Play for Progress, who will be providing an update on how last year's Lent Appeal donation is being utilised. The charity delivers therapeutic educational music and arts programmes for traumatised and socially-isolated unaccompanied minor refugees. Mission Committee.
Congregational Sunday Lunch on Sunday 6th February & Future Dates
This Sunday we offer a fine congregational lunch after service. (The next lunch dates are 6th February & 20th February in the Lower Hall unless circumstances change.) Those taking lunch and /or coffee are asked to wear masks until they find a seat and wait to be served.
A reminder that due to the reduced number of available lunch teams (9 down to 5), lunches will only be served on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month, and on the 5th Sunday where there are 5 Sundays in any month. Coffee will continue to be served every Sunday as usual in the Upper Hall. These Hospitality Services are much valued in supporting Fellowship.
Evening Service, 5pm, Sunday 6th February 2022 & Future Dates
The monthly 5pm evening service restarts, on a trial basis, on the first Sunday of the month. Future evening services dates are Sunday 6th February, 6th March & 3rd April. They are held in the London Scottish Regimental Chapel. [Please note they are not live-streamed.]
Evening Service: Readings & Music for Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, 5pm, Sunday 6th February 2022
Hymn 19 Ye gates, lift up your heads on high (St George’s, Edinburgh) Hymn 473 Thy kingdom come – on bended knee (Irish)
Hymn 52 How lovely is thy dwelling place (Harrington)
Hymn 688 By cool Siloam’s shady rill (Belmont)
Hymn 286 Tell out my soul (Woodlands)
Old Testament Reading: Malachi 3:1-4
New Testament Reading: Hebrews 2:14-18
Gospel Reading: Luke 2:22-40
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
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.
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.
The Nail: Lent Study Group
This year we have chosen The Nail as our Lent Study book. Written by the current Archbishop of York it offers imaginative reflections on Christ's crucifixion. Via a specific passage of scripture, each of the seven chapters is focused on a different key character, who describes his or her experience of the Passion. The nails used to crucify Christ are used as a jumping off point for their reflections. The weekly sessions will be introduced by/include a short film made by Rev Christopher Rowe, minister of Colston Milton Parish Church, Glasgow. The study groups will meet on Wednesday evenings 7-8pm or Thursday mornings (10.30-11.30am.) The first meetings are Wednesday 2nd March & Thursday 3rd March. To sign up, please contact the office. Attendees are asked to provide their own copy of the book.
St Columba’s Book Club
The next online meeting of the St Columba’s Book Club is the 28th of February at 7pm. The book this month will be Our Lady of the Nile by Scholastique Mukasonga. The joy of the St Columba’s book club is that is all on Zoom so you can join from anywhere in the world in the comfort of your own home.
Stamps
If you would like to leave stamps for Royal National Institute of Blind People, please pop them into the Church Office on Sundays.
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.