For Sunday 26th June 2022, 2nd Sunday after Trinity

Written by Angus on 24 June 2022.

Friends,

In a week where public transit has been in the news, I came across this reminiscence about an underground journey – not in London, but Glasgow. It comes from Elizabeth Templeton (8 June 1945 – 11 April 2015), Scottish theologian and educationalist. (Quoted in The Small Owl Calling, Peter Millar.)

“In my own fifty-odd years of existence, I can recall only one moment which stands out for me as resembling the quality of technical mystical experience - a moment of startling, out-of-the blue clarity which I cannot explain, but whichhad for me a meaning out of all proportion to its duration.

I was a student, at the University in Glasgow, going home on my normal route on the Glasgow subway, which thirty years ago was a fairly grubby and ramshackle affair. One afternoon, four people were sitting opposite me across the cigarette-strewn carriage. There was a workman with overalls and a dark blue donkey jacket. There was a wee head-scarfed housewife with a battered shopping bag, and two vacant youths with jeans and studded leather jackets. Out of one pocket of the workman’s jacket peeped the head of a small doll.

For an instant, without warning, these four people were transfigured. Nothing changed, I wasn’t thinking about them. But suddenly they were amazingly beautiful, as if all the grime and wear of their lives had gone. And then they were themselves again, ordinary passengers on this shoogling train.

I don’t think about it all that often, but against all my subsequent experience of the malice and stupidity of the world, I believe that I had in that moment a glimpse of how
creation looks to God: a glimpse of love-knowledge…” Someone who is definitely on his travels at present, is our summer attachment, candidate for ministry, David McKee. Currently in Israel with fellow theology students, check out what he is up to https://youtu.be/dHMH8Fyp6Lg. Meanwhile, safe travels, near or far, and see you on Sunday.

Angus

[Elizabeth Templeton was committed to providing education, not for theologians, but for ordinary everyday people, and after 10 year of teaching theology at New College, Edinburgh, opened a centre where people could talk about everyday problems in relation to theology. She supported the idea that education was a relational process between teacher and student, and it was essential to recognise a diversity of values, ideas and cultural backgrounds. She argued that the purpose of religious education was to enable dialogue between communities. Acknowledging the plurality of faiths enabled learners to be sensitive and empathise with a faith community. In September 2016, one of the lecture halls in New College was renamed in her honour. Wikipedia entry.]

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,
2nd Sunday after Trinity Sunday, Sunday 26th June

Hymn 50 The praises of the Lord our God (Psalm 78)
Hymn 167 Guide me, O thou great Jehovah (Cwm Rhondda)
Hymn 644 O Jesus, I have promised (Wolvercote)
Hymn And did those feet in ancient time

Anthem: Psalm 77
Musical interlude: My soul, there is a country by Parry
Organ postlude: “Andante Maestoso” (Op.101) by Stanford

Old Testament Reading: II Kings 2:1-14
Gospel Reading: Luke 9:51-62

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.

Congregational Member

As spoken of at service last Sunday, we are sorry to announce the death of St Columba’s elder, Mr Frank Taylor. He died at home on Saturday the 18th June, at the age of 99. Please keep his family, and those who have cared for him, in your prayers. Funeral arrangements will be published in due course. Rest eternal grant unto him, and let light perpetual shine upon him.

Congregational Summer Picnic, Sunday 10th July

The St Columba’s All Age/Congregational Picnic returns for 2022. Please join us on Sunday the 10th July in Hyde Park with your picnic for fun, games and a good chance to catch up with friends from church.

The venue is only a 15 minute walk away and the main group will set off from church immediately after the morning service. Maps can/will be provided. Transport available if required. Bring your own picnic and we’ll provide the games and competitions. To give an idea on numbers, please let the Church Office know if you plan to come along and if transport would be welcome. (As usual, there’s a wet weather plan B!)

Congregational Sunday Lunches, Future Dates

Future lunch dates are the 3rd July & 17th July 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.

St Columba’s Book Club

The next choice for the book club is Elizabeth Von Arnim’s novel “The Enchanted April”. For those of you who read along with the book group but don’t join us for a discussion, you may find this a lighter read that some of our recent choices. The book was written in 1922 and like our last choice (O Caledonia by Elspeth Barker) is set in a castle but there the similarities end. The castle in this book is bathed in Italian sunshine and the gardens full of gorgeous, scented flowers - a far cry from Auchnasaugh. Our next meeting by Zoom is scheduled for Wednesday 6th July at 6.30pm. New members are welcome but please let the office know so that you can be sent the joining details.

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.

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