30 Northumberland Square | North Shields | NE30 1PW
Weekly Update #78 10th October 2021
From the Minister Rise to the Moment – Make a Prayer Boat! The climate crisis is a storm we all face, though we are not all in the same boat. As part of supporting those meeting at the COP26 climate change conference at the end of this month, we are creating a prayer installation at St Columba’s, which will be used in our morning worship on 24h October. It will feature handmade paper prayer boats, and you are invited to become a boat builder. Write a prayer concerning creation and/or the world’s climate crisis on your piece of paper. Next make your boat (see below for a link to instructions, or pick up a paper copy of instructions at church on Sunday 10th). Then deliver the boat to church on October 17th, so we can create the display during the following week (though we’ll still accept any late-running boats on the 24th). Enjoy your boat building and prayer making! Trevor
Lord Jesus, who travelled in boats, and taught from a boat, be with us as we sail through life. Protect us through the storms and bring us safely home. Amen.
WORSHIP FOR SUNDAY – 10th October 2021
10.30 a.m. – at Saint Columba’s, led by the Reverend Trevor Jamison Including celebrating the URC Commitment for Life Programme
It is so nice to be able to see the children in person at church on Sundays. Junior church will be short and sweet until further notice, spending about 15 minutes in church and then moving to the Lishman Hall for 20 – 30 minutes.
Everything the children use is sanitised before and after use. Play equipment is minimal, and mainly for babies and toddlers.
The children engage in Bible based games and craft activities.
CONTINUING TO STAY SAFE IN WORSHIP
Click Here to remind yourselves of how things work at this time to keep people safe in the building.
Options for worshipping at home on Sundays
Radio 4 Sunday Worship 8.10 a.m. OnlineURC audio service https://devotions.urc.org.uk/ 10.00 a.m. Television BBC 1 Songs of Praise 1.15 p.m. DISCLAIMER: tv and radio schedules can change, so check the timings are correct!
Bible readings for this week
Job 23:1-9, 16-17 When life is hard, and God is nowhere to be found
Psalm 22:1-15 ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’
Amos 5: 6 – 7 10 – 15 ‘Seek good, and not evil that you may live’
Psalm 90: 12-17 Asking God for at least as many good days as bad ones
Hebrews 4:12-16 Jesus, the ‘high priest’ who does things on our behalf
Mark 10:17-31 Very challenging ‘good news’ for wealthy people (like us) You can read the Bible passages online at https://www.biblegateway.com/
Reflection on the Readings
‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me’ is a very familiar cry. Originally, it comes from Psalm 22, but that’s not where most of us know it from. We know it because these are the words Jesus cried out from the cross with a loud voice (Mark 15:34) (Elsewhere in the psalm we also read, ‘they divide my clothes among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots’. (22:18)) The psalmist cries out that they are deserted (2), reduced to the status of a worm (6), scorned and surrounded by enemies (7, 12),and left in the dust to die (15). At the same time, though, they can’t forget that it is God who saves (5), is their hope of rescue (8), the one who gives life and keeps us safe (9). Linking the psalm to Jesus on the cross reminds us that when all has gone wrong with humankind, even when all seems lost, God is at work to put things right, no matter what the cost.
Song that responds to the readings – Psalm 90
Steve Bell sings Satisfy us, Lord, in the morning with your love
After no less than thirty-two years in operation, it has been decided that Square Table will be closing after the lunch on Thursday, 14th October. Many thanks to all who have led, helped and supported the lunches during that time.
Hundreds Raised for Macmillan Cancer Support
Audrey Stenhouse writes, ‘Many thanks to everyone who donated to Macmillan through our collection, which this year replaced the coffee morning, which could not take place due to COVID. We have raised the fantastic sum of £307 this year.’
Joel and Obadiah – Two Bible Exploration Meetings October 14th and 21st
Trevor Jamison will lead explorations of two of the smaller Old Testament books on Thursday 14th and 21st at 7.15 p.m. at the church. What might these prophets say to us today? Come along and find out, even if you have never read them, or need to look at the contents page first to find them in the Bible!
New Chair for Square Building Trust
St Columba’s URC member, Peter Matthew, has been appointed Chair of the Square Building Trust. http://squarebuildingtrust.co.uk/ The Trust’s mission is to provide affordable, well-maintained homes for rent in North Tyneside, and currently it owns over one hundred and twenty properties. Peter joined the Trust committee in 2002 and served as Vice-Chair, prior to being appointed Chair at the Trust’s AGM on September 28th, succeeding William Southern. Fellow St Columba’s members Keith Armstrong, Claire Constantine, and Trevor Jamison also serve on the Trust’s committee.
Meeting Euro Pilgrims Due to Land at North Shields on 12th October
A group of pilgrims from churches in Europe are walking from Poland to Glasgow, in time for UN Climate Change Conference, which begins at the end of October. They are due to arrive on the ferry in North Shields on the morning of 12th October. Members from churches in North Shields will walk with them from the ferry terminal to St Cuthbert’s Roman Catholic Church for a reception. After that, everyone’s invited to accompany them on part or all of their first day’s walk, to Whitley Bay and then to Blyth. Details of the day are here If you are interested in walking or simply being at the reception please contact Trevor Jamison (though you can just come along on the day).
For a short video about the importance and purpose of the COP26 climate change conference, due to take place in Glasgow at the end of this month: Please Click Here
Keeping in Touch
You can contact your designated Elder, the Minister, or Church Secretary.
The climate crisis is a storm we all face, though we are not all in the same boat. As part of supporting those meeting at the COP26 climate change conference at the end of this month, we are creating a prayer installation at St Columba’s, which will be used in our morning worship on 24h October. It will feature handmade paper prayer boats, and you are invited to become a boat builder. Write a prayer concerning creation and/or the world’s climate crisis on your piece of paper. Next make your boat (see below for a link to instructions, or pick up a paper copy of instructions at church on Sunday 10th). Then deliver the boat to church on October 17th, so we can create the display during the following week (though we’ll still accept any late-running boats on the 24th). Enjoy your boat building and prayer making!
For the instructions please 
A group of pilgrims from churches in Europe are walking from Poland to Glasgow, in time for UN Climate Change Conference, which begins at the end of October. They are due to arrive on the ferry in North Shields on the morning of 12th October. Members from churches in North Shields will walk with them from the ferry terminal to St Cuthbert’s Roman Catholic Church for a reception. After that, everyone’s invited to accompany them on part or all of their first day’s walk, to Whitley Bay and then to Blyth. Details of the day are