Newsletter For Sunday 8th March 2026, Third Sunday of Lent

Friends,

“Who do you think you are?” is a very popular BBC television programme in which celebrities, actors, sportsmen and women, politicians and others explore their family tree. There is an Irish saying that you should never shake a family tree because you don’t know what will fall out and one subject on “Who do you think you are?” was horrified to discover that his ancestor had been enslaved in the Caribbean and having been “given” his freedom then became a slave owner himself. Boris Johnson and Alexander Armstrong both discovered royal ancestry, while others have uncovered bigamy and other crimes. Genealogy is endlessly fascinating although Margaret Thatcher when asked by a journalist what class she was replied in typically robust fashion that we are all descended from someone none of us have heard of so it doesn’t really matter. Her own ancestry was a mixture of Welsh and Irish. My cousin’s project during lockdown was to trace our family tree. We thought that we were almost entirely Scots, possibly like many Scots having one branch of the family tree reaching across to Ireland but were surprised to discover that in the 1500’s our 11 times great grandfather was church warden of St. Margaret’s Westminster. That may explain why I have always had such great affection for this city!

In our gospel lesson this week Jesus meets a Samaritan woman collecting water from the well. After first seeing herself as an outsider, she learns that Jesus’ gift of “living water” is also offered to her. In a scenario that is defined by much division – gender, race and religion, Jesus brings a new, united identity for all as the people of God.

So, this week we consider the question “Who do you think you are?” Throughout, the gospels wonder who Jesus is. In this passage from St. John 4: 5-42, the Samaritan woman wonders the same, and, as she discovers more about who Jesus is, she also discovers more about herself and we read “Many Samaritans … believed in him because of the woman’s testimony” (John 4:39).

William

Lent Book Discussion Group. Rooted in biblical accounts and historical insight, Notes on an Execution, written by Rhidian Brook brings fresh life to a story that has shaped the world for two thousand years. Meetings are via zoom. Sign up via church office either for Wednesdays at 7.30pm or Fridays at 10am.

Presbytery Lent Bible Study There is an additional group discussion opportunity offered by the Presbytery of England & the Channel Islands Training and Development Committee. A warm invitation is extended across the Presbytery to join. Come to one or come all of the Thursday evening Zoom sessions
7.00 – 7.30pm, from 19th February – 26th March. To register, contact Revd Carolann Birnie Cbirnie@churchofscotland.org.uk

Lent Appeal 2026 – Arukah Network. Registered charity 1162564

https://www.arukahnetwork.org/
The charity was founded by Dr Ted Lankester in 2004, Co-Founder and Custodian, while working and living in the Indian Himalayas. Ted saw the need to bring small organisations together to collaborate effectively and he set up the Cluster approach. Clusters work together to empower communities and local organisations to work together in friendship and collaboration to help solve problems and improve local services and the lives of others. Each Cluster identifies its own priorities and the Arukah Network works alongside them and advises on coaching, training, information, social media, podcasts, blogs etc.
This year’s Lent Appeal – donations will be used for:

1. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as many people are in desperate need of emergency disaster/survival funds. The Arukah Network already have one Cluster group and are forming a second. The emergency supplies are the basics to help people survive, basic food, shelter, clothing.
2. Seed Fund: Available to Clusters in any of the countries that the charity works with. Primarily they do the training first and the Cluster can apply for financial help, funding to help people get started e.g. chicken or pig farm.

To hear about the Arukah Network, speakers during the morning service on:
Sunday 15 February: Donald Johnston (from Mission Committee).
Sunday 29 March (Palm Sunday): Dr Ted Lankester, Co-Founder and Custodian, Arukah Network.

For donations: a) White Lent Appeal envelopes will be available in the pews (Gift Aid if you are eligible).
b) For any contactless payments on the card machine in Upper Vestibule, please also complete a white Lent Appeal envelope, giving your details (+ gift aid if eligible) and make a note on the envelope that you have made a contactless payment for £…..amount. We can then link the payment specifically to the Lent Appeal.
c) For bank transfers direct to the St. Columba’s Church bank account, please use the payment reference as Lent Appeal. Any cheques sent by post via Church Office, cheque made payable to St. Columba’s Church but please add a note on it saying Lent Appeal.

Easter Lilies
The Flower Guild would like to offer the opportunity to remember a loved one this Easter. You can purchase one or more lilies costing £4 each which will then be used to decorate the church on Easter Sunday. There will be a list of the names of those remembered in the Church on Easter Sunday. Please put cash or cheques in an envelope clearly marked with the name of the person you wish to remember and hand it in to the office, or give it to Patricia Clarke or Kate Payne. You can do this anytime up to Sunday 29 March.

UPCOMING: Monday 16th March at St Paul’s Cathedral. Rendezvous 11 a.m. at Ludgate Hill, London EC4 We are fortunate in having Sheila Nicoll, of our Kirk Session to help us, and The Very Revd Andrew Tremlett, Dean of St Paul’s to lead our tour. Closest Tube Station is St. Paul’s.

The London St Andrew’s Book Festival, presented by Scots in London, 17th – 22nd November 2026

The London St Andrew’s Book Festival, presented by Scots in London is delighted to announce that it will be returning on 17 – 22 November 2026, offering a week-long celebration of Scottish writers and culture in the heart of London. Expect international bestselling authors, moving live poetry and rising debut stars. Please put the dates in your diaries, more details will be coming soon. With best wishes, The London St Andrew’s Book Festival team.