For Sunday 15th May 2022, 5th Sunday of Easter

Written by Angus on 12 May 2022.

Friends,

Christian Aid (CA) was founded in 1945 by British and Irish churches to help refugees after the Second World War. From its outset, the charity worked with partner churches to alleviate suffering by raising the equivalent of £3 million plus, in today’s money. CA supported, equipped, and enabled partner churches in mainland Europe to provide what people needed. Nearly 80 years later, it does the same.

At this week’s zoom coffee morning, Laura Mead, Church Engagement and Fundraising Officer from CA, explained how the organisation prioritises collaboration with local partners. For example, in 2010, following the devastating earthquake in Haiti, CA made modest financial grants to local food suppliers. Familiar food, prepared by known people, conveyed a sense of safety, and something approaching normality – far more effective than unfamiliar foodstuffs airlifted at great expense. The small grants from CA helped retain people’s dignity, sense of agency and vital economic activity. Cash for work is now adopted as the industry standard. Laura contrasted this with well-intentioned, but unhelpful, sending of huge amounts of donated clothes from churches in the USA. Costly to transport, and seasonally inappropriate, much of it either ends up in landfill, or poses a threat to local garment industries. Clearly, what is most helpful on the ground, is best assessed by those, on the ground. Laura designates it: “Survivor and community-led response.”

So today, CA focuses on working with in-country, local partners, facilitating self-help and collective action, drawing on the natural resilience and dignity of disaster survivors. In turn, the message Laura is repeatedly asked to convey from local partners, back to UK congregations and donors: “Thank you for your support, it means a great deal.”

You can hear Laura’s excellent talk via https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/coffeemornings/. May it inspire you to understand more of what, and why, CA does what it does. May it inspire you to support the charity in any way you can, perhaps starting with our CA Cake Sale, on Sunday – preparing, or purchasing, something sweet, to convey a heart for the poor and a belief in life before death.

Angus

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, 5th Sunday of Easter
Sunday – 15th May 2022

Hymn 104 The Lord of heaven confess (St. John (Havergal))
Hymn 522 The Church is wherever God’s people are praising (The Bard of Armagh)
Hymn 120 God we praise you (Ode to joy)
Hymn 710 I have a dream, a man once said (Repton)

New Testament Readings: Acts 11: 1-18 & Revelation 21: 1-6
Gospel Reading: John 13: 31-35
Anthem – I saw a new heaven (Bainton)
Musical Interlude – Expectans expectavi (Wood)

Organ Postlude – Valet will ich dir geben BWV 735” by J.S. Bach.

Worshipping at St Columba’s & COVID Precautions.

From this Sunday, we are leaving it to individuals to decide if they would like to wear a face covering in the building or not. Please continue to respect those who wish to maintain social distancing. There is plenty of space in the sanctuary for everyone.

The sanctuary is well ventilated and hand sanitiser is available throughout the building. We continue with the enhanced cleaning programme.

In all our arrangements our aim is to keep everyone confident and safe.

Christian Aid Week: 15th to 21st May (www.christianaid.org.uk)

The focus this year is on Zimbabwe and the effect climate change is having there, particularly for the families that rely on farming to survive. Your donations will help fund the purchase of drought resistant seeds/crops and better water storage facilities for when it does rain.

Sunday 15th May - Amy Lonsdale

Christian Aid Campaigns Support Volunteer will talk about this year’s Appeal during the morning service. We hope to welcome her with the sight of a…. Cake Sale!

Calling all cake bakers!

If you would like to bake/buy & donate a cake(s) for the sale, please bring it in to the Upper Hall before service on Sunday 15th May or leave it with the Church Office during the week commencing 9th May. Please label cake packaging with what type of cake it is. Cakes can then be purchased after the service. All money raised will go to Christian Aid Week. Please do come and buy a cake, or even have a slice of cake with your coffee in the Upper Hall.

Various ways to donate:

• There will be red CA collecting buckets in the Upper Vestibule after the service on Sunday 8th, 15th and 22nd May. The main CA collection Sunday will be on Sunday 15th May and ∙ CA envelopes will be available on a table in Upper Vestibule, and a tick box for those eligible to Gift Aid their donation.
• Online: We now have our own church online giving page for Christian Aid Week (GiveStar). Please click on the link: https://giving.give-star.com/online/christian-aid/chelsea-st-columba%20christian-aid-week-appeal

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.

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.

Evening Service, Sunday 5th June, 5pm

Evening services are held on the first Sunday of the month, at 5pm. Future evening services dates are 5th June and then the 4th September. They are held in the London Scottish Regimental Chapel. [Please note they are not live-streamed.]

St Columba’s Songs of Praise – Choose a hymn!

Our Songs of Praise Evening Service is on Sunday 5th June 2022. It is definitely for those who enjoy a good sing. To suggest a hymn please inform the Church Office of your choice and a brief explanation for your choice, by Friday 20th May 2022, or via flip chart at the sanctuary door.

Congregational Sunday Lunches, Future Dates

On Sunday, 15th May there will be a fine congregational Sunday lunch served in the Lower Hall after the service. Future lunch dates are the 29th May & 5th June 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.

There will be a very special “street party” lunch on Sunday the 5th of June to celebrate the Queens Jubilee. If you are planning on attending the after service “street party” on the 5th June can you please indicate to the office (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) how many your party will be so we can ensure all are catered for? Lunch that day will be £3.50 as normal and hospitality are providing prosecco to make the occasion very special.

50 Days of Prayer: Easter to Pentecost

Those able to attend services in person will be offered a copy of the newly published 50 Days of Prayer: Easter to Pentecost 2022. It is a beautifully produced volume created by St Columba’s member, Revd Andrew Anderson. For each day between Easter and Pentecost, Andrew provides a verse of scripture, a short meditation, and a prayer. Originally inspired by his idea of prayers for busy people, it is a wonderful contribution towards the life of the congregations in London and Newcastle. For those currently unable to attend services in person, please request a copy via the church office.

Sounds of St Columba’s

Join our continuing ‘Sounds of St Columba’s recital series on Sunday 19th June, with an organ recital from our very own Catherine Olver.

Catherine will perform a varied programme commencing at 1:15pm. A retiring offering will be taken in support of the church’s musical provision.

St Columba’s Coffee Mornings

We are looking forward to seeing many faces on the Zoom Screen!

• 14th September 2022- Revd Scott Rennie the new Minister at Crown Court will be joining us. An opportunity to meet him and hear about his time in the ministry.
• 13th October 2022- In prisons week, Jake Tily, Creative Programmes Director at the Irene Taylor Trust will talk to us about The Lullaby Project where they have collaborated with the Royal Philharmonic orchestra to write lullabies for prisoners’ children.

St Columba’s Book Club

The May book of the St Columba’s Book Club will be “O Caledonia” by Elspeth Barker. It is a coming of age novel set in a draughty crumbling castle in the wilds of Northern Scotland and has great reviews. We shall be meeting on Monday 30th May at a new time of 6.30 pm and welcome new members. The joy of St Columba’s Book Club is it takes place on Zoom so you can do it from the comfort of your own front room.

Friends of St Columba’s 2022 Programme

Please do join us for our 5 events planned for the summer and autumn:

1. Saturday May 14: “Explore the City of London: 2,000 years of ceaseless growth and change”. A historical walking tour of “The Square Mile”, led by a qualified London Blue Badge Guide. The maximum number is 10, and the cost £10.
   
   
2. Friday June 3 at 11 a.m. Visit to Fenton House, Windmill Hill NW3 6RT, (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/fenton-house-and-garden). Free for NT members, otherwise £10 for adults and £5 for children). Beautiful C17 house with magnificent orchard and garden.
   
   
3. Sunday June 12 St Columba’s Service, followed by AGM and Celebration Tea.  Please do forward to the Secretary any special items which you would like to see included (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). A chance to mix, mingle, catch up with old friends and make new ones.
   
   
4. Friday 23-Sunday 25 September: visit to Dumfries and its surroundings led by Hugh Pym. 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: contact Hugh asap via 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.

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

Please note the office will be closed on the 16th May. We will reopen at 9am on the 17th May.