30 Northumberland Square | North Shields | NE30 1PW
Weekly Update #20: Sunday 2nd August 2020
From the Minister
I was in a meeting with other North Shields church leaders today. We shared our churches’ experiences of recent months – many things in common and some interesting variations. We also talked about local challenges made worse, or more apparent, by lockdown. One was the pressure on carers, especially those caring for a loved one with dementia. Another was the incidence of food poverty in these challenging economic times. That spoke to me, particularly since our Gospel reading this week is about Jesus feeding people who are hungry. So it was good also to be reminded that NiteBite, our local church provider is getting through large quantities of tinned food each week, and that if you wanted to donate some, Helen Saunders is happy to come to collect them from you!
Image: Moloney, Helen. Loaves and Fish, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. [retrieved July 29, 2020]. Original source.
Prayer
O God who in your Son, Jesus Christ,
Fed a great crowd of people,
Make me grateful for the food I receive each day.
Keep me mindful of those who go without,
And supportive of those who help the hungry.
Amen.
St Columba’s URC – Worship online on August 2nd at 10.30 a.m.
Continuing with the pattern of a Zoom service on the first Sunday of each month, we meet online for worship on Sunday August 2nd at 10.30 a.m. This service, which includes communion, will be led by Trevor Jamison, with a reflection on the Bible readings from URC Northern Synod Moderator, Dave Herbert. A recording of the service will be available for those unable to make it on the day.
To join with the service online, when the time comes click here.
“Struggling with faith”: how do you read that phrase? For you, is it about the struggles you have concerning faith, or is about the faith that enables you to keep up the struggle? In the Genesis reading, Jacob wrestles or struggles with someone, but it’s not clear with whom. Perhaps it’s with a fellow human being, but they bring a message from God, so maybe it’s an angel. But then Jacob concludes he has seen (and struggled with) God face to face. This struggle leaves Jacob limping but also enables him to continue his journey. That’s how it is with us: sometimes circumstances cause our faith in God to struggle, but it’s that gift of faith from God that enables us to struggle on successfully through life.
For further reflections and prayers relating to the readings, including on sharing food, click here.
Information request about local conservation work
Are you to have you recently been involved in any local nature conservation activities e.g. local litter picks, beach cleans, RSPB or similar organisations? If so, please just let Trevor Jamison know (contact details below). This is part of the information-gathering being undertaken by our congregation’s Eco Church Group, and we would love to hear from you.
St Columba’s Coffee and Conversation – Saturdays at
10.00 a.m.
Join the conversation on the day by clicking here.
Meeting ID: 889 3371 5497, Password: 798702
To join by telephone, dial this local rate number: 0203 051 2874
To join, when the time comes click here.
Meeting ID: 840 3791 6073 Password: 011762
PLEASE NOTE: There will be no online prayer gathering on Sunday 23rd August. Meetings will resume on 30th August
Bible Exploration Meetings
Bible exploration meetings are taking a break for August, returning in September.
Keeping in Touch
We will keep in touch with each other. Elders will have a list of members and friends to contact each week, both to provide information and to ensure that people are safe and well. You can contact your designated Elder, the Minister, or Church Secretary.
