For Sunday 29th May 2022, 7th Sunday of Easter

Written by Angus on 27 May 2022.

Friends,

Every year there is much under discussion at the annual General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, held in Edinburgh. This year’s Assembly has just concluded, with several St Columbans present and involved. One significant vote that has taken place is to allow Church of Scotland ministers and deacons to marry same-sex couples. The General Assembly voted by 274 votes to 136, to change a standing church law, to allow the right to apply to become an authorised celebrant to conduct same-sex ceremonies. The decision enables ministers and deacons to opt-in to a new scheme. It came after a majority of presbyteries – 29-12 - approved the “Solemnisation of Same Sex Marriage Overture.”

Rt Rev Dr Iain Greenshields, Moderator of the General Assembly, said: “The Church of Scotland is a broad church and there are diverse views on the subject of same sex marriage among its members. There has been a lengthy, prayerful and in-depth discussion and debate about this topic for many years, at all levels of the Church, to find a solution that respects diversity and values the beliefs of all. The Church is committed to ensuring that debates on this subject are held in a spirit of humility and grace, the tone and tenor of discussions are civil, and people are respectful of those who hold opposing views.”

Reported in the Guardian this week, the Rev Scott Rennie, newly inducted minister at Crown Court, London, told the General Assembly he was heartened that despite the fear and uncertainty surrounding the proposal, it now had majority support. “Marriage is a wonderful thing,” Scott said. “My marriage to my husband, Dave, nurtures my life and my ministry, and frankly I do not think I could be a minister of this church without his love and support. It is always there in the background. Same sex marriage is like opposite-sex marriage and it has its joys and sorrows, its glories and its tensions. It’s pretty normal, really.”

The Moderator explained that no minister or deacon would be required to participate in the solemnisation of, or be involved in the arrangements for, a same sex marriage unless they explicitly wished to do so. Under the terms of the legislation, an individual (minister or deacon) requires to apply to the Principal Clerk's office to become a celebrant and an application is then made to the Registrar General for Scotland on their behalf.

Celebrants will require to renew their status every three years. These arrangements cover Scotland but not yet Church of Scotland ministers operating in England. The Presbytery of England & the Channel Islands will give guidance in due course.

I believe we have only received one request for a same-sex marriage or blessing at St Columba’s in the last ten years. I trust it won’t be ten years before another one is made.

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, 7th Sunday of Easter, Sunday 22nd May 2022

Hymn 446 Lift up your hearts, believers! (St Theodulph)
Hymn 57 The Lord doth reign (Stroudwater)
Hymn 577 Christ be beside me (Bunessan)
Hymn 438 The Head that once was crowned with
thorns (St Magnus)
Anthem – God is gone up (Finzi)
Musical Interlude – Ascendit Deus (Philips)
Organ Postlude: Prelude in E flat Major BWV 552 (J S Bach)

New Testament Reading I: Acts 1:1-11
New Testament Reading II: Acts 16:16-34

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 Sunday Lunches, Future Dates

On Sunday, 29th May there will be a fine congregational Sunday lunch served in the Lower Hall after the service. Future lunch dates are the 5th June & 12th 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.

Sunday 5th June, Platinum Jubilee Celebrations

The 11am Morning Service will celebrate the Jubilee theme with some celebratory royal music. The “street party” lunch in the Lower Hall follows and the day concludes with Songs of Praise at 5pm.

Sunday 12th June, Celebrating St Columba

Rev Prof Ian Bradley, authority on the life of St Columba is our guest preacher at the 11am Service of Holy Communion. It is also a Sunday School Sunday, congregational lunch and active afternoon. At 1.30pm Prof Bradley will give a congregational talk, Argyll: The Making of a Spiritual Landscape. That is followed by the AGM & Tea of the Friends of St Columba’s. Much to look forward to.

Christian Aid Week - 2022

Your incredible generosity has helped raise a total of £3,096 for Christian Aid Week. Thank you so much for supporting it by various ways: financial donations via the red CA buckets after Sunday services, our church CA Week online giving page, baking, selling and buying of cakes at the Cake Sale, all of which made our CA Week a big success. The money raised will help the families who are struggling to survive in Zimbabwe, particularly those that rely on farming and who are suffering as a result of climate change and drought. The money will enable them to buy more drought resistant seeds/crops, have better water storage for when it does rain and taps. Your kindness and generosity will be a huge help to them and will give the families hope for the future. Thank you again for supporting Christian Aid Week.

Happy Hour

Happy Hour‘s Summer Social will he held at The Carpenters Arms 12 Seymour Place London W1H 7NE on Wednesday 1 June from 6.30pm in the upstairs room. This is our last gathering before the summer break and we invite past attendees - and newcomers - to come along for a couple of hours of social fellowship. As the pub doesn’t provide food, we‘ll use outside catering so it would be helpful to know numbers in advance. Please email the office or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like to join us.

Former St Columba’s Members

The funeral of former St Columba’s elder, Evelyn Lovie will take place on Wednesday 1st of June 2022, at 11.30am at Baldarroch Crematorium, Banchory

James (Jimmy) Nicholson’s funeral will take place on Thursday 16th June, 10.15am at Colchester Crematorium, Mersea Road, Colchester, CO2 8RU. All welcome.

A Service of Thanksgiving for the life of George Potts will take place at St Columba’s, Pont Street on Friday 24th June 2022, at 2pm.

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.

Musical congratulations.

Friend to St Columba’s and classical saxophonist, Jonathan Radford, who is due to marry fellow musician, Emily Sun later this year at St Columba’s, recently received a lovely 5* review from Michael Beek, BBC Music Magazine, for his debut album, The Saxophone Craze https://www.jonathanradfordsaxophone.com/discography - “I’m not sure I’ve ever appreciated how lovely the saxophone can sound until hearing this. Warmth, character and joy abound.”

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. 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.
   
   
2. 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.
   
   
3. 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

Fiona Gardner will be covering the office Monday 30th May to Wednesday 1st June. Lucy Llewellyn will return on Monday 6th June.

Please note that the office will be closed on Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd June for the bank holidays.