For Sunday 22nd September, Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
“So Matilda’s strong young mind continued to grow, nurtured by the voices of all those authors who had sent their books out into the world like ships on the sea. These books gave Matilda a hopeful and comforting message: You are not alone.” (Roald Dahl, Matilda)
This week it’s all about the books! Specifically, your chance to enjoy the week-long celebration of Scottish writers and Scottish themes at the inaugural St Andrew’s Book Festival (Monday 25th November - Sunday 1st December). Presented by the Scots in London organisation, much of the programme will take place at St Columba’s. There are an amazing range of authors and events to attend, as well as opportunities to get involved as a volunteer. For example:
- Two former Scottish Makars - Jackie Kay and Liz Lochhead
- Michael Pederson, the Writer in Residence at the University of Edinburgh • Sir Alexander McCall Smith
- Sir Ian Rankin
- Lorraine Kelly and Judy Murray with their debut novels
- History with Alan Taylor, Alistair Moffatt and Rosemary Goring • Journalism, politics and memoir with Andrew Marr, Jen Stout and Chitra Ramaswamy
- The Scottish Cookbook with the Hebridean Baker
- Landscape with Frank Rennie, James Crawford and Kat Hill
- Saltire Society First Book Award Showcase
- Social media sensation poet Len Pennie
- Harmonies in Words and Music with Malachy Tallack and Colin MacIntyre
- And many, many more!
This week, as members of St Columba’s you have a head start on the general public, to ensure you secure tickets, by utilising your priority booking password (see below).
- To book please visit: www.standrewsbookfestival.org/events
- Select your event and you will be taken to our ticketing provider Ticketsource to checkout.
- Select the number of tickets required.
- To proceed to checkout you will need to enter your priority booking password: PREBOOK24
- On completion of booking, you will receive your e-ticket via email. • If you require any further information or support, please contact the Festival organisers at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Remember, while the authors and themes may be Scottish, we aim for our audiences to be international. Please “spread the word” to your friends, neighbours and colleagues. It is a great opportunity to share our special church building and the wider life of its congregation and associated communities. I hope it will be a time of connections and discoveries – anticipated and unexpected - from the pages of the books and the passions of the people. As Alan Bennet wrote in The History Boys: “The best moments in reading are when you come across something – a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things – which you had thought special and particular to you. Now here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out and taken yours.”
Angus
Live Streaming of Worship
Services can be watched via the church website, https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/live-stream. Reminder: If you do not wish to appear on the live-stream please choose a seat in the rear half of the sanctuary. Note that the Evening Services on the 1st of the month are not live streamed as they are held 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 phone in to join the Sunday service. Those interested should follow:
Step 1: At 10.40am call phone number 0208 080 6591.
Step 2: You will be prompted to enter a meeting ID. Please type (using your telephone keypad) 884 4746 5645
Step 3: You will then be asked for a participant number - simply press the #.
Step 4: You will be asked to enter the password. Enter 838727
Step 5: Enjoy the service! You will hear the organ music from 10.50am.
THIS SUNDAY: Hymns, Music & Readings for
Morning Worship: Sunday, 22nd September 2024,
Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Hymn 1 How blest are those who do not stray (St Botolph)
Hymn 564 Jesus loves me! this I know (Jesus loves me)
Hymn 694 Brother, sister, let me serve you (Servant Song)
Hymn 622 We sing a love that sets all people free (Woodlands)
Anthem: Blessed are the pure in heart, Henry Walford Davies (1869– 1941)
Musical Interlude: O Lord, increase my faith, Orlando Gibbons (1583– 1625)
Old Testament Reading: Proverbs 31:10-31
New Testament Reading: James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a
Gospel Reading: Mark 9:30-37
Reader: Sheila Nicoll
Details on the many ways you can support St Columba’s can be found here https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/giving/supporting-st-columbas 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 member
We are sorry to announce the death of St Columba’s member Helen Givan, who died on 5th September 2024. Her funeral will be held at St Columba’s at 12 noon, Friday 27th September 2024. Rest eternal grant unto her and let light perpetual shine upon her.
Hymns Books and Bibles Mending:
If you find any of these books need attention, please kindly put them on the bookcase on the left-hand side of the sanctuary as you leave or give them to an elder after the service.
THIS SUNDAY: Morning Service followed by Coffee and Tea in the Upper Hall
THIS SUNDAY: Congregational Outing to St Columba’s Tennis Club, Sunday 22nd September, 2.00 – 4.00pm
Come and enjoy an afternoon of activity at our very own tennis club. We have two courts booked for those feeling active, with club coach on hand. Alternatively, just enjoy an afternoon at a hidden gem of west London. The club is a ten-minute walk from Acton Town tube. We will provide tea and cake during the afternoon.
https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/StColumbasTennisClub.
NEXT WEEK: Midweek Prayers, Wednesday 25th September, 1pm, London Scottish Chapel
NEXT WEEK: St Columba’s Kirk Session meets Friday 27th September at 6.35pm, Kirk Session Room.
As always, non-elders are welcome to attend as observers.
NEXT SUNDAY: Congregational Talk, Sunday 29th September, 1.30pm, Upper Hall
Viv Dickensen, the CEO of Crossreach will give a talk on the work of the organisation. Crossreach is the social work arm of the Church of Scotland and is a key major contributor to social work in Scotland. At a time when the Scottish government is struggling with budgetary constraints and the Church itself is unsettled due to major changes, its work is more important than ever. Please come and hear about this vital but often under-advertised work.
NEXT SUNDAY: Sunday 29th September at 7pm, Crown Court.
You are invited to a book launch for the newly published ‘Oh all right then: Stories from a Varied Ministry’ by The Rev Dr Marjory MacLean. Marjory is a well-known and respected figure in the Church of Scotland, currently serving as a Parish Minister in Orkney, and formerly in various parishes as well as Depute Principal Clerk to the General Assembly. Her newly published book draws upon a wealth of experience in ministry to reflect on the call to ministry within the Church of Scotland. Of interest to any considering a call to the Ordained Ministry, but also to members of the Kirk at large, Marjory reflects on parish ministry with her trademark light-hearted humour, as well as serious and important reflection. Crown Court Church is delighted to host the London launch of her book on Sunday 29 September at 7 pm followed by book signing and refreshments. Please let us know if you are able to come by RSVPing to Laura Daniels our Church Administrator This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
UPCOMING: Harvest Church Decoration Saturday 5 October 1.30 - 3pm.
Flower Guild members will be decorating the church for Harvest on Saturday 5 October from 1.30 - 3pm, followed by tea and cake. Newcomers with or without any experience are very welcome to join us either to help, watch or just enjoy tea! We are also seeking volunteers to take away vegetables following the service to make soup which will then be used in the Night Shelter. For more information please contact Patricia; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Harvest Appeal 2024 - The Upper Room (UR4 Meals)
Harvest is approaching and we will be collecting again for The Upper Room (UR4 Meals). The charity provides thousands of meals a year to the homeless and disadvantaged people. UR4 Meals provides around 160 meals and take away meals each day. Your food donations will contribute to such a valuable meal service.
We will be collecting: ground black and white pepper, vegetable stock cubes, sunflower or vegetable oil, tinned chopped tomatoes, pasta (preferably penne), rice (preferably basmati), spaghetti, biscuits, instant coffee, tea bags (not loose tea).
Collection point: Upper Vestibule by the Harvest Display Board, on Sundays 22nd, 29th September and 6th October (culminating at the Harvest Festival Service).
Thank you in advance, UR4 Meals!
UPCOMING: New Members’ Conference & Service, Wednesday 16th October & Sunday 24th November.
If you would like to learn more about what becoming a member of St Columba’s would involve, you are warmly invited to an evening of food and discussion on Wednesday 16th October 2024, 7.00pm. For those who would then like to become members there will be a Service of Welcome on Sunday 24th November – which is the day we celebrate Christ the King. For more information speak to either of the ministers and please sign up via the Church Office.
IONA COMMUNITY RETREAT 2025
Are you feeling in need of going ‘On Retreat’? St Columba’s Nurture Committee has been looking at Retreat Weeks offered by The Iona Community for 2025. We suggest either Columba Week from 7th to 13th June 2025, following St Columba’s footsteps on Iona; or The Celtic Wheel from 25th to 31st October, exploring the spiritual gifts of this post-harvest time.
Details of these and other Retreats can be found on www.iona.org.uk/visit-and-stay/iona-abbey stay, and select the 2025 Programme.
If you are interested in attending, please contact Kate Macnish on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further details and to register your interest so that we can get an idea of numbers.
UPCOMING: Sunday 13th October, 1pm, Lower Hall
We are delighted that RSCDS will bring back Scottish Country Dancing for children. The class will take place once a month on Sunday afternoons (3rd Sunday of the month) taught by Rose Kreloff. Children should be at least primary school aged (typically 4-12) but dancers in their early teens also welcome. Please book into the class by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. advising your child's name and age, to help to prepare the class.
UPCOMING: St Columba’s Book Club, Monday 28th October
The Book Club met on Monday 9 September when we discussed Tracey Chevalier's A Single Thread. Everyone enjoyed Lilias Gillies' choice very much and felt it gave an insight to the predicament of the many women whose lives were altered by the terrible death toll of WW1. Our next meeting will be on Monday 28 October when we shall be discussing The Phone Box on the Edge of the World by Laura Imai Messina - a novel based on a real phone box in Japan. The meeting will be by Zoom and new members are welcome. For details, please contact the Church Office.
UPCOMING: SCOTSCARE CEILIDH, Saturday 16th November 2024, Lower Hall 7pm – 10.30pm
ScotsCare are excited to announce that they will be hosting their first ever Ceilidh on Saturday 16th November at St Columba’s Church, from 7.00 to 10.30pm (doors open from 6.30pm). The ScotsCare St. Andrew’s Festival Ceilidh will have live entertainment provided by the Craigievar Ceilidh Band and London Scottish Pipes and Drums. Everyone is welcome to join in the fun! We will have a caller to guide dancers, step by step so everyone can join in regardless of experience. Tickets include light bites, and a bar will be available to purchase drinks. All profits from the evening will go back into ScotsCare’s services. We look forward to seeing you on what a festive and memorable evening will be. Tickets are £20 each and can be bought via this link:
www.scotscare.com/project/scotscare-ceilidh/.
The first 50 tickets only are available at an early bird price of £17.50 (until the end of September).
UPCOMING: Saturday 26th October, SWV Rollicking Reels.
All abilities are welcome to join us, but some experience is preferable. Public lessons/socials will be held on 17th September and 8th October at St Columba’s Church, run by London Reels, should you wish to brush up! Tickets can be purchased at
www.SWVreels2024.eventbrite.co.uk
Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you require more information.
Glass Door's annual Sleep Out, Friday, 4 October 2024.
Participants give up their bed for one night to give someone a chance to find a pathway out of homelessness. Find out more and sign up at www.glassdoor.org.uk/sleep-out
RESTART’s Annual Sleep Out, Friday 6th December 2024, outside St Columba’s Church.
Every year the staff, volunteers and supporters of Restart Lives spend one night outside. Although there is much that separates the experience of the controlled environment of the Sleepout from that of a person living life on the streets, we hope the event will help all those who participate to imagine what London's homeless have to contend with.
We can only accommodate 80 sleepers at this event, so if you would like to reserve your spot, don’t delay and sign up now
Office Hours
The church office is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.stcolumbas.org.uk
Facebook: @stcolumbas churchpontstreet.
Twitter: @LondonKirk
Pastoral Emergency Number (out of office hours): 07591926271