30 Northumberland Square | North Shields | NE30 1PW
Weekly Update #108 15th May 2022
From Andrew Christian Aid Week 15-21 May 2022
For many people around the world, the last few years have not been easy. Climate change is bringing drought, forest fires, storms and floods to different areas. The pandemic and regional conflicts have disrupted markets and food supplies. It can be hard to keep up with the rate of change.
Some people may turn inwards and put self-interest first, but we can show another way, without neglecting our own needs. Churches around North Shields and throughout the country are taking part in Christian Aid week. We can show compassion as Christians together, loving our neighbours far and near, praying, raising funds and speaking up for those in need.
Generous God, have mercy on your world, that needs may be met. Bless the work of Christian Aid. Help us to play our part as Christians, to love our neighbours as Jesus does. Amen.
WORSHIP SERVICES AT ST COLUMBA’S
Sunday 15 May at 10.30 a.m. Service led by Trevor Jamison, marking the beginning of Christian Aid Week. Sunday 15 May at 6.30 p.m. Churches Together Service for Christian Aid Week at St Columba’s Hosted by Saint Columba’s, and led by members of our congregation.Sunday 22 May at 10.30 a.m. Service led by Jack Macadam.
Bible readings for this week Bible readings for Sunday Fifth Sunday of EasterActs 11: 1-18 Paul reports how God showed him that Gentiles were included
Psalm 148 All creation praises God
Revelation 21: 1-6 The new Jerusalem
John 13: 31-35 A new commandment: love one another
We thought we knew where we were… until the rules changed.
Church, and daily life, had a comforting familiarity until 2020. But then, it all changed. Ever since, we have had so many different sets of rules to follow. And now we have settled into a new way of doing things. It’s a bit different from before, and some of the old things have come to an end. So what should church look like in the future? Are there new things that we could be doing, meeting the needs of today? Or indeed are there things we are doing that are actually getting in the way? (Acts 11: 17)
Peter thought he knew the rules, but found that God was making all things new. Peter was brave enough to admit he had been wrong, and to try the new thing that God showed him. Are there lessons for us to learn? Perhaps God has some surprises in store for us too.
Ruth and Joy Everingham sing A New Commandment, based on John 13: 34-35.
News and Notices
Minutes from the Annual Church Meeting
Minutes from our Church Meeting of 1 May are attached to the email version of the Weekly Update.
Ministers’ Gathering
Two hundred and fifty ministers of the United Reformed Church have been meeting this week in Staffordshire for worship, reflection and fellowship. You can read more about it on the URC’s website, including a talk by the General Secretary, the Revd Dr John Bradbury, on the URC at 50.
From May 24th – No Longer Jew or Greek, Slave or Free, Male and Female Three meetings, exploring and celebrating being diverse people, united in one Church – Tuesdays on Zoom, repeated in-person on Thursdays The Apostle Paul wrote, ‘in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith … There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.’ (3:26, 28) In three ninety-minute conversations, led by Trevor Jamison, we’ll discover how being united in following Jesus involved demolishing three great divisions that characterised Paul’s world, and ask what that means for being Church in today’s world and relating to each other. Image by Gerd Altmann from PixabayMeetings on Zoom, Tuesday May 24th, 31st and June 7th at 7.15 p.m.
T0 Join Zoom Meeting Click Here
Meeting ID: 868 3008 2761 To join by phone: 0131 460 1196
Meetings in-person, Thursday May 26th and June 2nd and 9th at 7.15 p.m.
at Saint Columba’s United Reformed Church, North Shields
Sunday 29 May Messy Church
Saturday 2 July – Trip to Beamish
Northern Synod are holding a Celebrate Together event at Beamish Museum on Saturday 2nd July to mark the 50th anniversary of the URC. Entry to Beamish is free on the day. Please click here for further details. A list will be placed on the noticeboard in the Church Hall for anyone interested in going. Please put your name on the list if you would like to go. Alison is organising the booking for St Columba’s, so please do not book directly. If enough people sign up, transport may be organised.
Keeping in Touch
You can contact your Elder, the Minister, or Church Secretary.
For many people around the world, the last few years have not been easy. Climate change is bringing drought, forest fires, storms and floods to different areas. The pandemic and regional conflicts have disrupted markets and food supplies. It can be hard to keep up with the rate of change.
