For Sunday 20th February 2022, 7th Sunday after Epiphany
Dear Friends,
I love the cinema and thoroughly enjoyed “Belfast”, directed by Kenneth Branagh and based partly on his childhood in that city at the beginning of “The Troubles” in the 1960’s. Very cleverly the film begins with colour shots of the vibrant city of Belfast today and then the main story is filmed in black and white. Perhaps our memories are black and white. This is a film about a particular time and place but I suspect has a universal appeal with its themes of community and belonging.
As I write this we are all still very uncertain about the future of the Ukraine. Some commentators have said that we are on the brink of conflict in mainland Europe for the first time since the Second World War but of course this is not true - in the 1990’s the civil war in Yugoslavia had terrible ramifications far beyond the borders of that country and was a sharp reminder of how quickly a country can descend into chaos with neighbour turning against neighbour in communities where they had lived side by side for generations. The prospect of conflict between Russia and Ukraine with implications for neighbouring Belarus is frightening; we may be tempted to think that Ukraine is “a faraway country of which we know nothing” but we know that in the 21st century that is less true than it ever was.
So what can we do? We can make it our business to be as well informed as we possibly can be about what is happening in the world. We can pray about the situation – on Sunday our Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession are prayers for the church and the world. And we can work for peace. Few of us are called to be diplomats or politicians, although we can pray for those who are, but we can work for peace in our own church, our own community, our own workplace, indeed in our own lives. If we do so we may find that just as when we throw a small stone into a pond the ripples spread far and wide, our efforts to spread peace and goodwill may reach much further than we imagined possible.
“Almighty God,
Your Son came to be the Saviour of the world
And the Prince of peace.
Give us grace to follow in his ways
And to fulfil our calling
As peacemakers in his name.
May his Holy Spirit
So move in the hearts of all people
And among the nations of the world,
That the barriers of fear, suspicion, and hatred
Which separate us may crumble and fall,
And the peoples of the world
Be united in justice and peace;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen”.
(B.C.O. 1994)
William.
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, 20th February 2022 - 11am
Hymn 462 The King of Love my Shepherd is (Dominus Regit Me)
Hymn 522 The Church is wherever God’s people are praising (The Bard of Armagh)
Hymn 162 The God of Abraham praise (Leoni)
Hymn 738 Glorious things of thee are spoken (Austrian Hymn)
Old Testament Reading: Genesis 45: 3 – 11, 15
New Testament Reading: I Corinthians 15: 35 – 38, 42 - 50
Anthem – Panis Angelicus – Cesar Franck
Musical Interlude – Never weather- beaten sail – Charles Wood
Organ Postlude – Allegro Maestoso in C – Felix Mendelssohn
Congregational Sunday Lunch & Future Dates
This Sunday we offer a fine congregational lunch after service. (The next lunch dates are 20th February & 6th March 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 Services
Evening services are held on the first Sunday of the month, at 5pm. Future evening services dates are 6th March & 3rd April. They are held in the London Scottish Regimental Chapel. [Please note they are not live-streamed.]
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
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.
Happy Hour
What’s happening post COP26 to address climate change? We’ll share news about Glasgow’s new initiatives, London Transport’s plans, St Columba's plans -and our personal responses. Do join us at our new venue, The Carpenters Arms 12 Seymour Place W1H 7NE (upstairs room) on Wednesday 2 March at 6.30pm for discussion and fellowship. No booking required - a modest cash contribution on the night to cover refreshments.
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.
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.
St Columba’s Coffee Mornings
The St Columba’s Coffee Mornings will return in March! We are looking forward to seeing many faces on the Zoom Screen!
- 16th March 2022- Alasdair MacKenzie (member of St Columba’s) will tell us about this year’s Lent Appeal charity Collaboration Santé Publique Burkina Faso (http://cspb.cagnes.pagesperso-orange.fr/)
- 20th April 2022- The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, The Lord Wallace of Tankerness will join us to talk about his moderatorial year.
- 11th May 2022- TBC
- 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 lullaby’s for prisoners children.
Sounds of St Columba’s
The Sounds of St Columba’s returns on Sunday 20th February with former organist at St Columba’s, Will Mason’s organ recital. 1.15pm in the Sanctuary. On the 20th March, The Choir with No Name will join us for a concert also to be held in the Sanctuary from 1.15pm. The Choir with No Name now rehearse weekly at St Columba’s and you can find more details on them here https://www.choirwithnoname.org/