30 Northumberland Square | North Shields | NE30 1PW Weekly Update #234 – 26th January 2025
From the Minister Something Fishy Going On
At our Church Meeting last Sunday morning we took a look ahead into 2025 and asked ourselves what was coming that was significant and something in which we would want to get involved as a church. One answer was, “North Shields 800”*. This year is the 800th anniversary of the town of North Shields, and a whole host of events and activities are planned to take place across the year: aparade of boats and a blessing of the fishing fleet, a parade along the Fish Quay, exhibitions, street art murals, heritage projects, community events and performances. Churches Together in North Shields have been having conversation about what we could do as part of these celebrations. There’s talk about a possible street party, and involvement in a wall mural project. There are also plans for a church “yarn-bombing” initiative, creating and sharing woollen fish with a positive message from the churches attached. Already St Columba’s folk have got knitting and more contributions are welcome (see notice below). 2025 gives us a great opportunity to thank God for the place where we live and to celebrate together with others.
Lord of our life and God of our salvation, we ask for your blessing on all that is best about us and about this town. Help us to celebrate the greatness of the past, the hopes of the present, and the call to higher things in the future. Amen.
(Adapted from a prayer for civic occasions in Book of Common Order of the Church of Scotland, 1996)
Worship Sunday 26th January
10.30 a.m. Service led by the Revd Dr Richard Firth from the Methodist Church. (Trevor Jamison is leading worship at the Church of Scotland congregation in Newcastle).
6.30 p.m.Our monthly evening service, led by Dr Ann Sinclair from St Andrew’s URC, Monkseaton.
Livestream of morning services 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. Service led by the Revd Dr Trevor Jamison, focusing on Church as “one body, many parts”.
3.00 p.m. Messy Church – all ages together in crafts, art, games and worship. Come along and bring friends to this highly popular event.
This month: “Caring For and Repairing God’s World”.
Bible readingsNehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 Listening to scripture together and interpreting it
Psalm 19 God’s creation and God’s law revive the soul
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a ‘You are the body of Christ’
Luke 4:14-21 Jesus quotes Isaiah to explain why he is here
Reflection on the Readings
Three out of four of today’s readings feature people reading from or referencing scripture. In Nehemiah the Jewish people, having returned from exile, and being engaged in rebuilding Jerusalem, are now instructed to gather to hear ‘the book of the law of Moses read to them.’ (8:1) In Psalm 19 the writer begins by extolling God’s work in creation: ‘the heavens are telling the glory of God.’ (19:1) They then go on to declare that ‘the law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul.’ (19:7) Then, centuries later, in the Nazareth synagogue, Jesus read from the Jewish prophet Isaiah. (4:18) It’s not all just about reading scripture, though. All three passages also involve interpreting it. In Nehemiah those who have knowledge help others: ‘so they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation.’ (8:8) In the psalm, readers are invited to have God’s activity in creation in mind (19:1-6) as they come to read scripture (19:7-14). Then Jesus not only reads the verses from Isaiah, but also interprets them with reference to himself: ‘today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’ (4:21) Every time we read or hear the Bible read to us we don’t just see or hear the words. We also interpret them in the light of our situation, and it’s right to do so: ‘the highest authority for what we believe and do is God’s Word in the Bible, alive for his people today through the help of the Spirit.’ (From The Nature, Faith and Order of the United Reformed Church)
Love Lets Go Of Power – first conversation begins the series
Our first of five sessions discussing how to be a better church commences this coming week: Monday 27th at 2.00 pm at St Andrew’s URC, Monkseaton; repeated on Zoom at 7.15 pm that night; then once again in-person at St Columba’s, North Shields, at 7.15 pm on Thursday 30th.
You can find the handout for the first meeting here.
Led by Trevor Jamison and Louise Sanders, these are conversational meetings and open to anyone from any church (or none) who wishes to come along to take part.
Tea, Coffee, Cake, and Growing Church meeting on Sunday 9th February
In 2024 we held two enjoyable, positive meetings after our Sunday morning service, exploring growing as a church in faith, service and numbers. We plan to hold another two meetings this year. Once again the conversation will be fuelled by an array of cakes! At our first meeting, on 9th February, first we’ll recap on where we have got so far. Then we’ll make a map of our connections with others, and identify which are the church events where we are most confident to invite someone to come along.
Fishy Busy-ness
2025 is the year when we celebrate North Shields 800. One of St Columba’s contributions is to provide fish for a “bombing” around North Shields this summer. We’ve got until March to fill the tank (hopefully) at the back of the church. Already there are quite a few ‘swimming around’, we even have an octopus! Thank you everyone who has knitted/crocheted, so far. Let’s keep those needles working and see if we can get a tank full.
Image from LM.
Church Family Dining Project Seeks “Chefs”
Our Synod Pioneer Worker, Irene Frith, is planning a family dining experience project, connecting with local families. She is looking for volunteers, and thanks those who have made offers of help. We still need volunteers to work in the kitchen. If you, or someone you know, might be interested in serving in this ministry please contact Irene: irene.frith@urc-northernsynod.org or 0735 0397770.
Donations to Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade
At our Sunday morning service on 19th January, Dave Bell spoke to us about the work of Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade, receiving donations from the church and Café 2-21.
Photo by LM.
Next Update – Sunday 2nd February 2025
Please get your information to John Drew by Tuesday 28th January for the next edition.
Keeping in Touch
You can contact your Elder, the Minister, or Church Secretary.