For Sunday 29th September, Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Friends,
I love cinema, especially old films such as Citizen Kane, Casablanca, and The Third Man. The golden age of Hollywood also produced biblical epics such as The Ten Commandments, starring Charlton Heston, and more recently, Risen, starring Joseph Fiennes was a very effective retelling of the Easter story. I can't help thinking that the story of Esther which we read in our Old Testament lesson this week would make a wonderful film. Esther was a Jewish woman, married to Ahasuerus, King of Persia. Esther was chosen as queen following a "beauty contest" when the king was looking for a new wife although Ahasuerus did not know of her Jewish heritage.
In time she learned of a plot by her husband's chief adviser, Haman, to wreak revenge by murdering her fellow Jews. Risking her life Esther courageously stood up for herself and her family and friends and in the end, it was Haman who was punished for his deviousness.
In the Jewish faith the feast of Purim is still celebrated in March each year in commemoration of this deliverance. Modern Persian (Iranian) Jews are known as "Esther's Children".
Famously, the Book of Esther is the one book of the Bible in which God is not mentioned. But it is clear that like Esther we are challenged to recognise God-given opportunities to work with him in saving all people, both in spiritual and practical ways. We are called to act boldly and to speak up in the face of prejudice, cruelty and injustice at home and abroad.
William.
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 Holy Communion: Sunday, 29th September 2024, Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Hymn 147 All creatures of our God and King (Lasst Uns Erfreuen)
Hymn 351 Jesus' hands were kind hands (Au clair de la lune)
Hymn 782 Lord of life, we come to you (Eriskay Love Lilt)
Hymn 19 Ye gates lift up your heads on high (St George’s, Edinburgh) Psalm 24
Hymn 333 Now, Lord! according to thy word (Paraphrase 38) (Land Of Rest)
Anthem: Beati quorum via, Charles Villiers Stanford (1852–1924)
Communion Anthem: Let thy merciful ears, Thomas Mudd (c. 1619–1667)
Old Testament Reading: Esther 7: 1-6, 9-10, 9: 20-22
Gospel Reading: Mark 9: 38-50
Reader: Ian Russell
For those worshipping online, you may wish to prepare bread and wine (or equivalent) in order to share the communion at the appropriate time. Alternatively, you may wish simply to prayerfully watch as the elders serve the congregation.
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 Ian Aitchison. A Service of Thanksgiving for his life will be held at St Columba’s, Pont Street at 2pm, on Friday 18th October 2024.
Rest eternal grant unto his and let light perpetual shine upon his.
THIS FRIDAY: 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.
THIS SATURDAY: Visit-My-Mosque Open Day, Saturday 28th September 1pm to 5pm, 244 Acklam Road, W10 5YG
The purpose of the event is to introduce all friends from any faith or no-faith backgrounds, women and men, to the Al Manaar Mosque and Centre in Notting Hill, as well as to the different activities that take place therein. We have received a lovely welcome there previously. The Al Manaar community responded superbly at the time of the Grenfell fire. The setting is very informal. Visit anytime between 1:00 - 5:00.
THIS SUNDAY: Holy Communion Service followed by Congregational Lunch in the Lower Hall
THIS 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.
THIS 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.
NEXT WEEK: Midweek Prayers, Wednesday 2nd October, 1pm, London Scottish Chapel
NEXT SATURDAY: 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.
NEXT SUNDAY: Harvest Festival Morning Service, Sunday School and Baptisms, 11am, Sunday 6th October.
A day to celebrate the gifts of the Harvest and welcome three families bringing their children for baptism.
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!
NEXT SUNDAY: St Columba’s Craft Group, Kirk Session Room, 1.30pm-3.30pm
Many of us are knitters and crocheters of varying levels of experience; others are embroiderers spinners and patchworkers, so whatever your interest is you will find a welcome with us. For more details contact Susan Pym or Fiona Lang via the church office.
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, Macmillan Coffee Morning after service
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 Brooklyn by Colm Toibin.
For those of you who like to read ahead, we shall be reading The Phone Box at the Edge of the World by Laura Imai Messina. The date for that discussion will be fixed at our next meeting. The meeting will be by Zoom 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
Glass Door Night shelter at St Columba’s will start on Sunday 10th November in the Upper Hall. We always need volunteers to run the shelters and ensure the best possible experience for guests. Register your interest with Stef at the Church office This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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.
ST ANDREW’S BOOK FESTIVAL: 25th November to 1st December 2024, various venues
The box office is now open for the inaugural St Andrew’s Book Festival in London. The 25th of November to the 1st of December 2024.Seven days celebrating all things literary, featuring a star-studded line up of authors, riveting discussions, and exclusive book signings. Whether you're an avid reader or a budding writer, this festival is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the world of books and creativity. Check out the website for a full author A to Z listing and book tickets from here: https://www.standrewsbookfestival.org/
There is an excellent article on the Church of Scotland website promoting the Book Festival, with special reference to the visit of guest preacher, Revd Neil Glover to the Festival Service at St Columba’s on Sunday 1st December. Enjoy the message and pass on the word!
Minister joins Scottish literary stars at book festival | The Church of Scotland
Office Hours
The church office is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
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Website: www.stcolumbas.org.uk
Facebook: @stcolumbas churchpontstreet.
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Pastoral Emergency Number (out of office hours): 07591926271