At the conclusion of the final Lent bible study organised this year by the Presbytery of England & the Channel Islands, Revd Carolann Birnie, minister of St Columba’s, Jersey https://stcolumbas.je/, closed the discussions with a parting prayer. It offers a window into the significant days we have now enterred – the events that constitute the foundation stones of our faith - Maundy Thursday to Easter morning. Our own services on Thursday, Friday and Sunday (plus the recorded devotions, via https://www.stcolumbas.org.uk/lent/daily-devotion/) will echo Carolann’s words. When asked, Carolann explained the source of her words as “primarily from online, books and my own thoughts... All inspired by God's Spirit.” Wherever you mark these momentous days, may they too be inspired by that same Spirit.
In preparation for his entry into Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday, Jesus sent his disciples to find a colt that had never been ridden. A colt is a male donkey, less than four years old - not the obvious choice for the Messiah. As he entered the city, riding down the path from the Mount of Olives, Jesus was acclaimed by the crowds gathering for the Passover festival later that week. They seemed to recognise him as the long awaited Messiah, crying out "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord" (Psalm 118:26). The Pharisees objected, but Jesus refused to silence his followers, telling them that if they were to be silent even the stones would shout out.
With the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East it is vital that we keep in our prayers the ministers and congregations of St. Andrew's Jerusalem and Tiberias, Stewart Gillan and Muriel Pearson, as well as the staff and students of Tabeetha School in Jaffa.
For Sunday 30th March 2025, Fourth Sunday of Lent and Mothering Day
Written by Angus on .
Sunday’s Gospel reading is perhaps Jesus’ most famous parable, that of the Prodigal Son. The late Henri Nouwen, Dutch Roman Catholic priest, writer and theologian authored “The Return of the Prodigal Son”. It offers an extended reflection on the Rembrandt picture housed in the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg. The picture depicts the moment the prodigal son returns and is embraced by the father – while the elder brother watches from the shadows. Nouwen invites his readers to consider which character in the story we most identify with. He further suggests that at different stages in our lives, we can/may display the characteristics of all three.
Over thirty years ago, when I was first ordained, I knew a lovely lady who had a very hard life. Yet somehow she remained strong, a real matriarch, holding her troubled family together. Sometimes, when a new problem arose, she would sigh and say, "I don't know what I'm paying for, but I hope it was worth it!" Of course it's an age-old question, "Why do bad things happen to good people?".
From the Old Testament’s Second Book of Kings comes the tale of “passing the mantle” – the symbolic handing of the prophet’s task and talent, from Elijah to Elisha. While the former departs heavenward in a chariot of fire, the latter, who has earlier requested a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, collects the discarded cloak and uses it to cross the Jordan again on dry land. This week the there was another passing of the mantle (or apron). St Columba’s elder Ben Gourlay stepped down from his role after twelve years as Hospitality Convener and some five decades of providing hospitality at St Columba’s. A contribution beyond measure.
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St Columba’s is located on Pont Street in Knightsbridge in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The Church is within easy reach of three London Underground stations – Knightsbridge (Piccadilly Line), South Kensington (Piccadilly, Circle and District Lines) and Sloane Square (Circle and District Lines).
St. Columba's Pont Street London SW1X 0BD
+44 (0)20-7584-2321
office@stcolumbas.org.uk
Getting here by tube
Knightsbridge Station
Take the Harrods exit if open (front car if coming from the East, rear car if coming from the West). Come up the stairs to street level, carry on keeping Harrods on your right. Turn right into Basil Street. Carry straight on into Walton Place with St Saviour’s Church on your left. At the traffic lights, St Columba’s is to your left across the street. If the Harrods exit is closed, take the Sloane Street exit, turn right into Basil Street. Carry straight on past Harrods with the shop on your right, into Walton Place as before.
South Kensington Station
Come up the stairs out of the station and turn left into the shopping arcade. Turn left again into Pelham Street. At the traffic lights at the end of Pelham Street cross Brompton Road, turn left then immediately right into the narrow street of Draycott Avenue. After just a few yards turn left into Walton Street. Carry on walking up Walton Street until the traffic lights at the corner of Pont Street. Turn right and after a few steps you will be at St Columba’s!
Sloane Square Station
Cross over the square into Sloane Street. Walk along Sloane Street until the traffic lights at the corner of Pont Street. Turn left into Pont Street. St Columba’s will then be in sight.
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