30 Northumberland Square | North Shields | NE30 1PW Weekly Update # 212 – 21st July 2024
From the Minister So near and yet so far … So the England men’s football team fell just short of emulating their female counterparts who won the Euros back in 2022. Perhaps it will be better luck next time around in 2028 when the matches will be played in venues across the UK and Ireland. I wonder what it is that makes football so important to some people, whilst others could not care less about it, or any sport. Some of us are in awe of those who can do something with their bodies which is so out of the ordinary. Or maybe it’s about the capacity for groups of people (teams) to cooperate in bringing about a shared goal. Then there’s the appeal to a sense of competition, the tension of an unknown outcome – even those with little interest in football may feel it when a game goes to penalties. But for others it’s just twenty-two people chasing a ball around a field. I fall somewhere between the fan(atic)s and those who are just not interested. Many years ago someone called Irenaeus (born 130 AD) said that the “glory of God is a person fully alive.” Maybe when we are in awe of athletes performing at the top level its because we catch a little glimpse of something divine. Of course, though, this can apply to any area of human life that is lived to the full, not just to sport. Anyway, roll on the Olympic Games in Paris later this month. Trevor Image: Angelo.romano,, via Wikimedia Commons
ps This week’s Update includes a photo which features a St Columba’s member. Can you identify them? If so, tell Trevor Jamison in order to receive no prize whatsoever.
Prayer
O God, you gave us bodies – as well as minds and hearts – with which to praise and worship you. Give us strength, endurance, courage and agility, and keep us safe and healthy as we celebrate our physical and mental skills in sport, and in the rest of life. Amen. Adapted from a Marquette University prayer https://www.marquette.edu/faith/prayers-sports.php
Worship Sunday 21st July
10.30 a.m. “If there’s a God what are they like and why does it matter?” The first in a series of five Sunday morning services, led by Trevor Jamison, addressing “big questions”, and with an opportunity for those who wish to do so to chat about it together after the service.
Livestreamed Worship from Saint Columba’s
To watch the morning service live, catch up with it later in the week, or view previous services,
10.30 a.m. “Why is there so much trouble and suffering in the world, and what can be done about it?” The second in a series of five Sunday morning services, led by Trevor Jamison, addressing “big questions”, and with an opportunity for those who wish to do so to chat about it together after the service.
Bible readings
Jeremiah 23:1-6 Political leaders are like shepherds who are accountable to God
Psalm 23 The LORD is our shepherd
Ephesians 2:11-22 Jesus comes to those near to God and those who are far away
Mark 6:34, 53-56 Jesus sees a crowd who are ‘like sheep without a shepherd’
Reflection on the Readings
All of our Bible readings have allusions to or echoes of shepherds and shepherding. In Jeremiah, the nation’s leaders are divinely appointed shepherds, tasked with looking after the nation/flock. In Psalm 23 we discover those leaders are being asked to emulate God who is the shepherd of us all: ‘the LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.’ (23:1) In Ephesians we’re told that Christ came to those who were far from God, not just those who were close (2:13, 17), which sounds very like Jesus’s parable about a shepherd who goes looking for a lost sheep (Matthew 18:12-14; Luke 15:3-7). Then in this week’s Gospel reading from Mark, when Jesus sees the crowd, he perceives them as being ‘like sheep without a shepherd.’ (6:34) He feeds them, first with his teaching (6:34), then with bread and fish (6:41-42), after he has sat them down on the ‘green grass’ (6:39), just like God our shepherd, who makes the people ‘lie down in green pastures.’ (23:2) So the good news is that Jesus sustains people with what’s needed for life; but he is also threatening to some. If political leaders are shepherds and now Jesus is taking on the role of shepherd, what does that say to and about them, and how might they react? Image: Bedu shepherd near Palmyra, Syria. James Gordon from Los Angeles, California, USA, via Wikimedia Commons
News and Notices 1 John Bible Conversations Begin
Our Bible conversations about 1 John begin on Monday 22nd July, The first session is offered in-person at St Andrew’s URC, Monkseaton at 2.00 p.m. and on Zoom at 7.15 p.m. It is then repeated in-person at St Columba’s on Thursday 25th at 7.15 p.m. No previous knowledge of 1 John is required. Come along and bring and friend.
Saint Columba’s Contributions to “A Quilt of Dreams” Liz M writes,“Following my request for material squares to contribute towards a Quilt of Dreams at this year’s Greenbelt Festival, I was bowled over by how many I received. As the deadline approached there were knitted, crocheted, sewn and embroidered contributions, making the total sent away as 102. This is a fantastic response from everyone at St Columba’s. Over the last few weeks this project has provoked many interesting conversations, discovering along the way many hidden talents. So, a massive thank you from me to all who took part and I look forward to seeing the completed quilt at the festival which takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend.” https://urc.org.uk/greenbelt/Photo: LM
2024 URC Community Project Award winners announced
For twenty six years outstanding URC community have been recognised. This year’s winners were all projects which are food providers. To read more and watch short videos about each project https://urc.org.uk/2024-community-project-award-winners-announced/
Next Update – Sunday 28th July
Trevor Jamison will edit the next Update. Please get your information to him by Tuesday 23rd July.
Keeping in Touch
You can contact your Elder, the Minister, or Church Secretary.
So the England men’s football team fell just short of emulating their female counterparts who won the Euros back in 2022. Perhaps it will be better luck next time around in 2028 when the matches will be played in venues across the UK and Ireland. I wonder what it is that makes football so important to some people, whilst others could not care less about it, or any sport. Some of us are in awe of those who can do something with their bodies which is so out of the ordinary. Or maybe it’s about the capacity for groups of people (teams) to cooperate in bringing about a shared goal. Then there’s the appeal to a sense of competition, the tension of an unknown outcome – even those with little interest in football may feel it when a game goes to penalties. But for others it’s just twenty-two people chasing a ball around a field. I fall somewhere between the fan(atic)s and those who are just not interested. Many years ago someone called Irenaeus (born 130 AD) said that the “glory of God is a person fully alive.” Maybe when we are in awe of athletes performing at the top level its because we catch a little glimpse of something divine. Of course, though, this can apply to any area of human life that is lived to the full, not just to sport. Anyway, roll on the Olympic Games in Paris later this month.
To watch the morning service live, catch up with it later in the week, or view previous services,
All of our Bible readings have allusions to or echoes of shepherds and shepherding. In Jeremiah, the nation’s leaders are divinely appointed shepherds, tasked with looking after the nation/flock. In Psalm 23 we discover those leaders are being asked to emulate God who is the shepherd of us all: ‘the LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.’ (23:1) In Ephesians we’re told that Christ came to those who were far from God, not just those who were close (2:13, 17), which sounds very like Jesus’s parable about a shepherd who goes looking for a lost sheep (Matthew 18:12-14; Luke 15:3-7). Then in this week’s Gospel reading from Mark, when Jesus sees the crowd, he perceives them as being ‘like sheep without a shepherd.’ (6:34) He feeds them, first with his teaching (6:34), then with bread and fish (6:41-42), after he has sat them down on the ‘green grass’ (6:39), just like God our shepherd, who makes the people ‘lie down in green pastures.’ (23:2) So the good news is that Jesus sustains people with what’s needed for life; but he is also threatening to some. If political leaders are shepherds and now Jesus is taking on the role of shepherd, what does that say to and about them, and how might they react?
Liz M writes, “Following my request for material squares to contribute towards a Quilt of Dreams at this year’s Greenbelt Festival, I was bowled over by how many I received. As the deadline approached there were knitted, crocheted, sewn and embroidered contributions, making the total sent away as 102. This is a fantastic response from everyone at St Columba’s. Over the last few weeks this project has provoked many interesting conversations, discovering along the way many hidden talents. So, a massive thank you from me to all who took part and I look forward to seeing the completed quilt at the festival which takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend.” 
The URC General Assembly took place from 12th to 15th July. You can read the round-up of each day’s business