Newsletter for Sunday 4th October 2026

Friends,

Growing up in rural Galilee Jesus was clearly familiar with the rhythm of the seasons; his parables tell of shepherds and their sheep, farmers sowing seed, and of course, harvest time. To most people in London today these images of rural life are distant and unreal and farming is a huge industry, but on Sunday we gather to celebrate our Harvest Thanksgiving. During our first hymn our young people will process around the sanctuary and bring forward their harvest gifts as many of you will remember having done when you were children yourselves.

An early harvest festival used to be celebrated on 1st August and was called Lammas, meaning “Loaf Mass”. A Lammas Fair or street market still takes place in some places around Britain and Ireland today but in days gone by farmers made loafs of bread from the newly harvested wheat which were then given to the local church as the Communion bread during a special service thanking God for the harvest.

Our modern tradition of celebrating Harvest Thanksgiving in churches began in 1843, when the Reverend Robert Hawker invited his parishioners to a special thanksgiving service at his church in Morwenstow in Cornwall and the idea of decorating the church with homemade produce spread from there. We are especially thankful to those who decorate St. Columba’s not only at harvest time but throughout the year.

In 2026 harvest is a time of year when we particularly think about what we are thankful for. Traditionally this starts by giving thanks for the harvest; all the vegetables and crops that have been gathered in, both by farmers and fishermen and from our own gardens. But we can extend this to everything we are grateful for: not just our daily food, but also the clothes we wear, our loved ones, our church family, our health – we can always think of more! Perhaps it is even a chance to say thank you for all the people and things that we’ve forgotten to say thank you for up to now!

“All good gifts around us
are sent from heaven above;
then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord,
For all his love”.
(CH4 229).

William

*Harvest photos – St Andrew’s, Newcastle’s recent food bank collection & Reverend Robert Hawker.

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)

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

Prayer for the ecumenical Season of Creation, 1st September – 4th October
(By Naomi Dornan, Church of Scotland Priority Areas Development Assistant)

God of the vineyard,
we pray for the earth:
for polluted rivers,
damaged land,
pressured oceans
and communities vulnerable to environmental change.

We pray for communities experiencing poverty and deprivation,
for people who are overlooked
and whose voices are unheard.

We pray for the Church,
especially congregations facing difficult decisions,
grieving loss or discerning new possibilities.

Give us wisdom to know what to hold,
what to release,
what to repair and
what to grow.
Amen.

UPCOMING: Curry Night – Saturday 10th October,
Lower Hall, £15.00 per person.
Arrive for 6.30pm and dinner served at 7pm
Join us for a wonderful, annual 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.

UPCOMING: Sunday 15th November, 1.30pm
Final concert of the Sounds of St Columba’s 2026 recitals: “Ein deutsches Requiem”
Choir of St Columba’s, piano duet and soloists Sophie Bevan (soprano) and Jerome Knox (baritone)
This magnificent concert is the culmination of ten years of high-quality Sunday afternoon recitals provided free, due to the generosity of visiting musicians. The ambition of the Brahms Requiem requires a significant cost to perform, so donations are greatly appreciated. Assistance offsetting this recital’s costs might be viewed as a thank you for all that has been enjoyed over the preceding years. It is also a wonderful opportunity to invite friends to visit and enjoy St Columba’s.

London St Andrew’s Book Festival,
presented by Scots in London
16th-22nd November. https://www.standrewsbookfestival.org/
The festival returns for its third year with a week of books, stories and conversation across London. This year venturing into courtrooms and newsrooms, exploring Scotland’s history, art and language, hearing tales of extraordinary adventures and getting stuck into some crime.

Among the writers and speakers joining us are Val McDermid, Jackie Kay, Carol Kirkwood, Professor Sue Black, Bill Paterson, Robert Peston, Jenni Fagan, Gavin Esler and the Maclean Brothers, alongside many more voices from Scotland and beyond. There are some intriguing conversations in store too. Professor Sue Black will sit down with Val McDermid, while Jackie Kay, Len Pennie and Hannah Lavery come together for a Poetry Showcase. The Debuts Showcase also returns, giving the stage to emerging writers and offering audiences the chance to discover someone completely new. Tickets for the 2026 the London St Andrew’s Book Festival are now on sale. https://www.ticketsource.com/standrewsbookfestival

As with the Sounds of St Columba’s Recitals, the Book Festival offers congregational members a great opportunity to invite friends or neighbours to come and enjoy our beautiful building and some of the life that goes on here.

DIARY DATE: Looking for Sleepers! CEO Sleepout, Monday 23rd November
The CEO Sleepout at Lords Cricket Ground is an annual event drawing fundraisers to St John’s Wood’s hallowed ground. 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.