30 Northumberland Square | North Shields | NE30 1PW Weekly Update #250 – Sunday 18th May 2025
From the Minister A Quiet Revival?
After many decades of numerical decline is the Church in England and Wales beginning to grow again? That’s the finding in research from YouGov, which has recently been published by the Bible Society. It finds that at the forefront of such growth, churchgoing (once per month or more) has risen among “Gen Z” people (those aged 19-25) – 20% of the same group claim to read the Bible, and almost 25% to pray daily. Is a revival really taking place? If so, where can we see it in North Shields or at Saint Columba’s? We’re hardly packed out with 19-25s at 10.30 a.m. each Sunday morning! Maybe that’s to look in the wrong place, though. Come to our Messy Church and more 19-25s begin to appear in our congregation’s life. Alternatively, look at the recently launched Songs and Stories at St Andrew’s URC, Monkseaton, with young parents bringing their children along and participating in Bible story, song, craft and a prayer. Maybe there is a quiet revival taking place, in which we play a part when we are flexible in how we understand “church” and provide different ways for people to participate.
Trevor Jamison will be away, first at a Synod Ministers’ May School, and then on holiday, from Monday 19th May, returning on Monday 2nd June. Pease contact the Church Secretary if you have a significant and urgent concern.
Prayer
O God, fill us with your Holy Spirit, that through us your Word may be spread among all people. Use us to speak the truth about yourself, and give us confidence and courage to speak the words that give you honour. Amen.
(Scottish Episcopal Church – altd.)
Worship Sunday 18th May
10.30 a.m. A service led by the Revd Dr Trevor Jamison – God’s inclusive vision for the future of us all.
Immediately following the service we will be having another of our Leading Your Church Into Growth meetings, reviewing progress and having a practice at inviting each other to a church event: “This is happening, it’s going to be good, I’m going, would you like to come too?”
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. A service led by the URC Northern Synod Moderator, the Revd Kim Plumpton. 6.30 p.m. A service led by Dr Ann Sinclair, of St Andrew’s URC, Monkseaton.
Bible readings
Acts 11:1-18 The Church discovers that God wants to admit Gentiles
Psalm 148 All creation is called upon to praise God
Revelation 21:1-6 A vision of a new city and the world remade by God
John 13:31-35 Love one another, just like Jesus loved us
Reflection on the Readings
In one of last week’s readings (John 10:22-30) Jesus referred to his followers as sheep: ‘my sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me.’ (10:27) This week, in another reading from the same Gospel, Jesus refers to his followers as little children: ‘little children, I am with you only a little longer.’ (13:33) The setting for Jesus’s comment is the Last Supper, so it is true that soon Jesus will be leaving them. It’s a bit like the first time parents leave their children in the family house by themselves. It marks a moment when the children are deemed to be ready for responsibility. It is usually accompanied by a number of instructions and reminders about what they should and should not do while the parents are absent! Here, Jesus issues one simple, but challenging instruction to the “children”: ‘I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.’ (13:34) Whilst Jesus is away, we in the household of God should love one another.
Church Prayer Space – This week: The Lord’s My Shepherd
The church prayer space, available on Sunday and Tuesday mornings, allows for quiet reflection and prayer.
This week, following close upon the heels of “Good Shepherd Sunday” – Psalm 23.
Lord Jesus, when we feel like frightened sheep, Good Shepherd, protect us; when we feel like lonely sheep, Good Shepherd, call out our name; when we feel like unloved sheep, Good Shepherd, give us a hug; when we make others feel left out, Good Shepherd, challenge us. Today and every day, Good Shepherd, watch over us. Amen.
Image: Photo by CC.
Thursday 5th June, 4.00 pm – Family Movie Night
Save the date for our next family movie night at St Columba’s: girl reunited with Maui ancestors to face a journey unlike any other! Come along with family and friends to enjoy the movie, with popcorn, snacks and drinks provided. Contact Irene Frith for more information on 07350 397770.
Saturday 7th June, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm St Columba’s Strawberry Fayre
Coinciding with the YMCA Picnic in the Park event in Northumberland Square, St Columba’s will be running our Strawberry Fayre. At the same time, reflecting the North Shields 800 celebration, the church will be open to visitors, featuring a Past, Present and Future exhibition. Volunteers needed: If you are available to steward, serve or bake please put your name on the lists on the hall noticeboard, or contact Norma. Also, items for the tombola (preferably wrapped) are sought – please contact Evelyn.
To find out what’s happening across the churches in the URC Northern Synod and wider afield go to the latest edition of the Northern Synod newsletter. To receive future issues in your inbox click the “subscribe” button at the bottom of the newsletter.
Next Update – Sunday 25th May
Please get your information to Andrew Atkinson, who will be trialling a slimline edition of the Update for us,by Tuesday 20th May.
Keeping in Touch
You can contact your Elder, the Minister, or Church Secretary.
After many decades of numerical decline is the Church in England and Wales beginning to grow again? That’s the finding in research from YouGov, which has recently been published by the Bible Society. It finds that at the forefront of such growth, churchgoing (once per month or more) has risen among “Gen Z” people (those aged 19-25) – 20% of the same group claim to read the Bible, and almost 25% to pray daily. Is a revival really taking place? If so, where can we see it in North Shields or at Saint Columba’s? We’re hardly packed out with 19-25s at 10.30 a.m. each Sunday morning! Maybe that’s to look in the wrong place, though. Come to our Messy Church and more 19-25s begin to appear in our congregation’s life. Alternatively, look at the recently launched Songs and Stories at St Andrew’s URC, Monkseaton, with young parents bringing their children along and participating in Bible story, song, craft and a prayer. Maybe there is a quiet revival taking place, in which we play a part when we are flexible in how we understand “church” and provide different ways for people to participate.
To watch the morning service live, catch up with it later in the week, or view previous services,
The church prayer space, available on Sunday and Tuesday mornings, allows for quiet reflection and prayer.
Coinciding with the YMCA 
o find out what’s happening across the churches in the URC Northern Synod and wider afield go to the