Newsletter for Sunday 27th September 2026

Friends,

“Buy the ticket, take the ride.”

It has been a week of ticket chatter – plans for upcoming Curry Night, with talks on “Island Life”(Saturday 10th October); discussions about an “Informal Burns Night” (Saturday 23rd January 2027); our linked charge of St Andrew’s, Newcastle sending through their autumn poster of events; and the official launch of the 3rd London St Andrew’s Book Festival, presented by Scots in London. Very varied offers and occasions – some requiring a ticket, others the invitation “to simply show up”. Whether your taste is for the National Bard and haggis, something spicier, the worship services of Harvest, Remembrance or Advent, or close encounters of a literary kind, there is undoubtedly much on offer.

That these things take place is the result of many people giving time, talent and resource towards a common purpose. To those who do that hard work, largely unseen and perhaps too rarely thanked, we owe enormous gratitude.

At the Book Festival launch, after we had heard about the range of speakers, venues and events, there was a final plea. “The Box Office is now open. Once you have had a good look at the programme, please book your tickets. Tickets sold well in advance are a great encouragement to organisers – they show us that we are on the right track.” You can understand the sentiment.
In the Gospel reading for Sunday (Matthew 21:23-32) Jesus tells the story of a father and two sons – the Yes & No brothers. When asked to labour in the vineyard, one son says yes, I’ll go – then doesn’t. While the other son says no – but later changes his mind and goes to the task. It is a “stretch” to say that the parable is a manifesto for selling tickets to Burns, biryanis or author interviews, however, if and when we can offer our yes, supporting these congregational ventures, we shouldn’t underestimate what this contributes. Such occasions, in sanctuary and beyond, are precious opportunities to share and enjoy our communal life – eating, singing, praying, listening, laughing together – cementing existing friendships, and perhaps most importantly – making real a welcome to those who may be visiting our churches for the first time.

So, as the wild American journalist Hunter S. Thompson advised: “Buy the ticket. Take the ride.” It could be a lot of fun.

Angus

Communion arrangements: in person & livestream This Sunday we celebrate communion/the Lord’s Supper. It is Christ’s table and open to any whose tradition it is to receive the bread and wine. For pastoral reasons the wine is non-alcoholic, and gluten free bread is available. The elders serve the communion to the congregation in the pews. If you wish to receive either gluten free bread or the wine from the chalice/common cup, please just indicate to one of the serving elders. At conclusion, please leave your communion glass on the pew shelf. For those watching at home you may wish to prepare bread and wine (or equivalent) and share at the appropriate moment.

Sunday Service Readers We are always looking for additional readers to share the scriptures chosen each Sunday. It is a central and vital act of worship within any service. We are not looking for proven skill or experience – just a willingness to offer and an appreciation of the importance of reading the scriptures. We offer some training to assist. If interested, please get in touch with Nicky at the church office – office@stcolumbas.org.uk

Harvest Appeal 2026 – The Upper Room (UR4 Meals)

https://theupperroom.org.uk/
Harvest is approaching and we will be collecting again for The Upper Room (UR4 Meals). The charity provides thousands of meals a year to homeless and disadvantaged people. Your food donations will contribute to such their valuable meal service.
We will be collecting: tuna, mixed herbs, curry powder or paste, paprika, vegetable stock cubes, sunflower or vegetable oil, chopped tomatoes, basmati rice, biscuits, instant coffee, tea bags (not loose tea) and sugar.
Collection point: Upper Vestibule by the Harvest Display Board, on three Sundays 20th, 27th September and 4th October (culminating at the Harvest Festival Service).

UPCOMING: Churches Together in Kensington & Chelsea with Churches Together in Notting Hill,
Season of Creation 2026 Ecumenical Service,
Thursday 1st October, 7.00p.m.
St Luke’s Parish Church, Sydney Street, SW3 6NH.
Everyone is warmly invited.

Prophets of a Future Not Our Own:
A Meditation for the Season of Creation

It helps now and then
to step back and take the long view.
The Kingdom of God is not only beyond our efforts,
it is even beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime
only a fraction of the magnificent enterprise
that is God’s work.
Nothing we do is complete,
which is another way of saying
that the Kingdom always lies beyond us.

That is what we’re about.
We plant the seeds that will one day grow.
We cannot do everything,
and there is a sense of liberation in realising that.

This enables us to do something and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning.
A step along the way,
an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results.
We are ministers not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own.
(Bishop Ken Untener of Saginaw)

Curry Night – Saturday 10th October, Lower Hall,
£15.00 per person.
Arrive for 6.30pm and dinner served at 7pm
Join us for our annual wonderful evening of delicious food
and great company.
All profits will be donated to the Nepal Flood Appeal.
Starter: Dhal Main course: Saffron rice, Roti, curried lamb and stewed chicken Dessert: Banana Bread and Coconut ice cream.
Vegetarian option available.

London St Andrew’s Book Festival,
presented by Scots in London
November 18th-22nd.
London St Andrew’s Book Festival box office is now open. Top Scottish authors including Val McDermid, Carol Kirkwood and Bill Paterson will appear at venues including St Columba’s – November 16th-22nd.
Tickets available at https://www.standrewsbookfestival.org/

DIARY DATE: Looking for Sleepers! CEO Sleepout, Monday 23rd November
The CEO Sleepout at Lords Cricket Ground is an annual event drawing hundreds of fundraisers to St John’s Wood’s hallowed ground, where participants bed down in the stands, sleeping between the seats with a sleeping bag and little else. Participants don’t have to be a CEO to take part, just a supporter that wants to combat homelessness. It’s a rewarding event, with great camaraderie and sense of achievement the following day. This year Angus hopes to recruit a team of six (or more) from St Columba’s who would sleep out to support our Scots in London partner organisation, ScotsCare. If interested, please contact Angus via the Office

Elgar concert at Royal Hospital Chelsea, Friday 2nd October, 7pm.
Wren Chapel, Royal Hospital Chelsea
Part of the 2026 Chelsea History Festival and the Elgar Society’s 75th anniversary celebrations
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Elgar Society, the Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea gives a concert of his finest sacred and secular choral music. The Choir’s recent recordings of Elgar on the SOMM label, The Reeds by Severn Side and Light out of Darkness, have been widely acclaimed, Gramophone noting that ‘these are heartfelt, careful, tastefully interpreted performances which eminently bear repeated listening.’ Interval drinks will be served in the Great Hall and are included in the ticket price. Doors open at 6:30pm and the concert will conclude by approximately 8:45pm.
Tickets: £40 (box seats) | £30 (pew seats) | £20 (under 25s – any area) from:
Concert: Choral Music of Edward Elgar – Chelsea History Festival | Royal Hospital Chelsea