30 Northumberland Square | North Shields | NE30 1PW Weekly Update #201 – 5th May 2024
From the Minister
If you had a question for Jesus what would it be? That’s something we will be asking at our special Church Meeting on Sunday, following the morning service. Sustained by cakes, we will be following up on our previous meeting about the ‘Leading Your Church Into Growth’ series. Last time we learned about the seven-step process, and looked at our church’s life in terms of ‘Prayer’ (for growth), ‘Presence’ (in the community), ‘Proclamation’ (of the basis gospel message), and ‘Persuasion’ (conversations that help people grow in faith). We agreed it would be good to follow up on that meeting. So this time, in a fun way, we’ll get to ask Jesus questions and suggest some answers (being able to do this among ourselves equips us do the same with others). Also, we’ll take time to consider how we can appropriately add spiritual value to our presence in the community.
God of Mission Who alone brings growth to your Church, Send your Holy Spirit to give vision to our planning, Wisdom to our actions, joy to our worship, and power to our witness. Help our church to grow in numbers, in spiritual commitment to you, And in service to our local community, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
10.30 a.m. A service led by Trevor Jamison, marking the beginning of Christian Aid Week, and also including ordination and induction of Elders for service at Saint Columba’s.
6.00 p.m. Churches Together Christian Aid service at North Shields Methodist Church.
Bible readings
Acts 10:44-48 Gentiles as well as Jews will be part of the Church
Psalm 98 The whole earth praises God
1 John 5:1-6 We love God when we are loving others
John 15:9-17 Jesus’s friends are those who love others like he loved them
Who are the limits to who can become part of the Church? That was a significant question for the Church in its early days. Last week we heard about a eunuch being baptised (Acts 8:26-40). Usually, eunuchs would have been excluded from full membership of religious groups. This week the question is more general: could a movement composed of Jews accept Gentile members? Confronted with the evidence of their eyes and ears (Acts 10:45-46) that Gentiles had received the Holy Spirit, the ‘circumcised believers’ (45) had to agree with Peter when he ordered that these people be baptised. (48) Perhaps there were already clues that this should be the case. After all, Psalm 98 works on the basis that the whole of creation (not just humankind) is capable of praising God: ‘Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth …’ (98:4) Are there individuals or groups of people that we would be reluctant to have as members of the Church? If so, what might these Bible passages be saying to us about that?
Funeral of Olive Malcolm – 15th May
We are sad to report the death of our fellow church member, Olive Malcolm. A service of thanksgiving for her life will be held at Saint Columba’s at 10.45 a.m. on Wednesday 15th May, led by Trevor Jamison. This will be followed by a reception in the Lishman Hall.
From the 2024 Annual Church Meeting
The Minister’s reflection on the previous twelve months and the list of office holders agreed at our Annual Church Meeting are available here and in the email version of the Weekly Update.
Pioneer Worker Appointment
Following a recent interview Irene Frith has been offered and accepted the role of Synod Pioneer Worker, working with Saint Columba’s and St Andrew’s, Monkseaton on a 50/50 basis. Irene is due to commence work at the end of July, focusing on helping us to connect effectively with families, children and young people in North Shields. More news to follow …
Eco Team – What Happens to Our Recycling – The Answers Joel Barrow, Community Project Manager with Ground Work NE and Cumbria spoke at both a Sunday morning service and a meeting of HANDS in early March. He answered many questions people had about recycling in North Tyneside, and went away promising to find out the answers to others. Joel has now come back to us with those additional answers, and you can read them here.
Image: Recycling Symbol, Users Cbuckley, Jpowell on en.wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Christian Aid Week, 12-18 May 2024 – envelopes, coffee morning, worship Envelopes will be available from the beginning of May, which can be given to family, friends and neighbours. They will also be in the Church Hall and in the Church Worship Area.
Also, the Christian Coffee Morning will take place at Christ Church on Saturday 11th May, 10.00 a.m. – 12.00 p.m.
The Churches Together Christian Aid service will be at Hawkey’s Lane Methodist Church, Sunday 12th May at 6.00 p.m.
You can find a leaflet about these events to share here.
Messy Church – 2nd June – appeal for materials
Messy Church will take place on Sunday 2nd June.
In an effort to reduce costs and be more ecologically minded please would you rummage through your cupboards for the following:
Old mugs (either plain coloured, flowery or with insect designs!)
Plain coloured paper cake cases.
Paper plates.
Plastic containers from fruit, veg etc
A box will be placed in the hall for any contributions.
Strawberry Fayre – 8th June The next social event at St Columba’s will be the Strawberry Fayre on Saturday 8th June. We are looking for items for the tombola stall, preferably wrapped. If you have anything suitable for the stall, please see Evelyn.
Lost and Found
Following the Sunday evening service on 28th April, a hearing aid was found on the ground just outside the church premises. Please contact Norma for further information.
Next Update – Sunday 12th May
John Drew will edit the next Update. Please get your information to him by Tuesday 7th May.
Keeping in Touch
You can contact your Elder, the Minister, or Church Secretary.
If you had a question for Jesus what would it be? That’s something we will be asking at our special Church Meeting on Sunday, following the morning service. Sustained by cakes, we will be following up on our previous meeting about the ‘Leading Your Church Into Growth’ series. Last time we learned about the seven-step process, and looked at our church’s life in terms of ‘Prayer’ (for growth), ‘Presence’ (in the community), ‘Proclamation’ (of the basis gospel message), and ‘Persuasion’ (conversations that help people grow in faith). We agreed it would be good to follow up on that meeting. So this time, in a fun way, we’ll get to ask Jesus questions and suggest some answers (being able to do this among ourselves equips us do the same with others). Also, we’ll take time to consider how we can appropriately add spiritual value to our presence in the community.
To watch the morning service live, catch up with it later in the week, or view previous services,
Joel Barrow, Community Project Manager with Ground Work NE and Cumbria spoke at both a Sunday morning service and a meeting of HANDS in early March. He answered many questions people had about recycling in North Tyneside, and went away promising to find out the answers to others. Joel has now come back to us with those additional answers, and you can read them 
Envelopes will be available from the beginning of May, which can be given to family, friends and neighbours. They will also be in the Church Hall and in the Church Worship Area.
The next social event at St Columba’s will be the Strawberry Fayre on Saturday 8th June. We are looking for items for the tombola stall, preferably wrapped. If you have anything suitable for the stall, please see Evelyn.