30 Northumberland Square | North Shields | NE30 1PW Weekly Update #255 – Sunday 22nd June 2025
From the Minister Everyone’s Welcome
A few weeks ago, as part of my work for the URC Northern Synod, I paid a visit to the St Cuthbert’s Centre on Holy Island. I was there, along with a couple of others, to meet with the minster and members of the management team to discuss their current work and future plans. Holy Island, also known as Lindisfarne, is a major destination for visitors. There are more than half a million of them per year. Some come as religious pilgrims, but even the “tourists” arrive with an expectation of seeing something “holy.” And a good number of them come into the URC’s Saint Cuthbert’s Centre. During our meeting, which took place in the Centre, people were wandering in every few minutes or so, and this was before the “high season” gets underway. On Holy Island the URC “congregation” consists of the minster, some volunteer helpers, and a stream of visitors. Where possible, every person through the door was greeted and invited to explore what the Centre had to offer. It was all very intentional. Every church I know says that it is welcoming to everyone. My observation, though, is that usually some are more welcomed than others. If we rely just upon our goodwill we find it easier to welcome people like ourselves. Welcoming the others requires a conscious commitment, and the Saint Cuthbert’s Centre has lessons for us all in that regard.
O God, make the door of this house wide enough to receive all who need human love and fellowship; narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and strife. Make the doorway of this house the gateway to your eternal kingdom. Amen.
From a prayer by Thomas Ken (1637-1711).
Worship Sunday 22nd June
10.30 a.m. A service led by the Revd Dr Trevor Jamison – this service will be followed by a Church Meeting.
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 Revd Louise Sanders, from St Andrew’s URC, Monkseaton.
From 3.30 p.m. “Summer In The Square” – our outdoor worship event and picnic in Northumberland Square. Follow a trail of six simple activities, based on the first six days in creation in Genesis 1, then on the “seventh day” gather for a 15-minute worship, followed by a picnic, accompanied by summer-themed music.
Bible readings Isaiah 65:1-9 Being a prophet to a rebellious people.
Psalm 22 Praising the God who does not abandon us.
Galatians 3:23-29 All children of God through faith.
Luke 8:26-39 Jesus heals a man (but it’s not good news for a herd of pigs).
‘Before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law … now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian.’ (Galatians 3:23, 25) Can Christians just ignore the rules? If, as Paul writes, we ‘are all children of God through faith’ (3:26) then, as long as we believe, will God treat us as though we were righteous: ‘we might be reckoned as righteous by faith.’ (3:24) Some people have believed that; a view known as “antinomianism”, but things don’t turn out well when people follow through on such beliefs. Also, it can’t be the meaning Paul intended his readers to take from what he wrote. Can you imagine, for example, that Paul thought people did not need to follow the Ten Commandments? Following rules and regulations does not put us into a right relationship with God. God makes that happen through Jesus Christ, and we’re invited to respond with faith. Faith, though, is both about what we believe and what we then do on the basis of our beliefs. And in deciding what we should do (and what not to do) rules/laws, which arise from shared wisdom are a helpful guide to individuals, including believers, and a necessary protection for society.
Church Prayer Space – this week: Faith Brings Freedom (Galatians 3:23-9)
This space in the church is available for personal prayer on Tuesday and Sunday mornings.
Father, we are humbling ourselves today in your presence. Help us Lord, to listen to your voice. Open our hearts and minds so that your will can be done in our lives. Thank you for granting us forgiveness. Thank you for accepting us as your children. Amen.
Photo by CC.
Café 2.21 on holiday for a week
Café 2.21 will be closed for one week’s holiday on Tuesday 24th June and will re-open Tuesday 1st July.
Wanted – Volunteer DBS Document Checker
Proper safeguarding practices require several of us at St Columba’s to obtain a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) certificate. St Columba’s is seeking a volunteer who is willing to check and confirm ID documents of those applying. This is done through a simple online process. If you are interested in undertaking this task please contact Alison Drew.
Next Update – Sunday 29th June
Please get your information to Trevor Jamison by Tuesday 24th June.
Keeping in Touch
You can contact your Elder, the Minister, or Church Secretary.
A few weeks ago, as part of my work for the URC Northern Synod, I paid a visit to the St Cuthbert’s Centre on Holy Island. I was there, along with a couple of others, to meet with the minster and members of the management team to discuss their current work and future plans. Holy Island, also known as Lindisfarne, is a major destination for visitors. There are more than half a million of them per year. Some come as religious pilgrims, but even the “tourists” arrive with an expectation of seeing something “holy.” And a good number of them come into the URC’s Saint Cuthbert’s Centre. During our meeting, which took place in the Centre, people were wandering in every few minutes or so, and this was before the “high season” gets underway. On Holy Island the URC “congregation” consists of the minster, some volunteer helpers, and a stream of visitors. Where possible, every person through the door was greeted and invited to explore what the Centre had to offer. It was all very intentional. Every church I know says that it is welcoming to everyone. My observation, though, is that usually some are more welcomed than others. If we rely just upon our goodwill we find it easier to welcome people like ourselves. Welcoming the others requires a conscious commitment, and the Saint Cuthbert’s Centre has lessons for us all in that regard.
To watch the morning service live, catch up with it later in the week, or view previous services,
This space in the church is available for personal prayer on Tuesday and Sunday mornings.