Sunday 12 July 2020

FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

WEDNESDAY REFLECTION   From the beginning of June, the Minister is offering a short reflection every Wednesday.   This may be accessed on our website (script and audio) or Facebook (audio).   Last week’s was entitled “BAT”. Do take a look!

THE JULY PRAYER CALENDAR for week TWO is available on the website.

PLEASE do not hesitate to let us know of anyone unwell or struggling at this time. Irene – 265794

REMEMBER – SERMONS and PRAYERS are available on the website. The Wednesday Reflection from the Minister, and a wealth of useful information can also be found here. https://ayrstcolumba.co.uk/

CHURCH SERVICES:  Although churches are allowed to hold restricted forms of service now that we are in Phase 3 of the government’s route map, there are no current plans for such services at Ayr St Columba. Ongoing discussions will allow us to consider when and how we can offer services which will provide good and safe experiences for our members and we will take guidance from the Church of Scotland fully into account. More information will be provided when it is available.

PRIVATE PRAYER – we were pleased to welcome 19 people who took the opportunity to sit quietly in the Sanctuary last Sunday. The Duty Team will open the doors at 10am this coming Sunday.

The Kirk Session is pleased to be able to make the sanctuary available to you for a trial period of four Sundays in July, from 10.00am to 12.00 noon, commencing on Sunday 5th July. Please be aware that the situation you will find in Church will not be how it is in normal circumstances. The maximum number of people who can enter the Church on a Sunday morning is 35. If more than that number attend, regrettably they cannot be admitted. This number has had to be reduced on advice from the Presbytery.

It is important that members take careful note of all the information on Private Prayer on the Church website which can be found here:

https://ayrstcolumba.co.uk/category/current-information/

Bob Bartholomew, Session Clerk.

SUMMER HOLIDAY CLUB at a Distance – After trying out Holiday Club at a Distance during the Easter school holidays, we are ready to go again with our replacement for what would have been Summer Holiday Club. Monday 20th – Friday 24th July each day between 10am and 10.30am on the Church Facebook pages we will be exploring faith through some fun again! There will be challenges, games, a song, a craft, a story and a prayer activity each day. Keep an eye on Facebook for further details and for information about craft packs for the week! If you have children or grandchildren or know those who do then please point them to the Facebook Page to see more information and to join in the fun!    Stuart        

STOP PRESS! In light if all the current restrictions the proposed cycle around Millport has been cancelled! We know you were looking forward to getting out your cycle clips but maybe next year!                                                                                                                                                         

OFFERINGS: During this time when the Church building is closed, members may be considering how they can continue to give offerings to the Church. Information on this is available on the Church website https://ayrstcolumba.co.uk/options-for-offerings/ This link will take you directly to the page. Alternatively, you can contact the Treasurer (01292 443271), the Session Clerk or the Church Secretary (both at 01292 265794).

FOOD BANK: You will have seen on the news this week the stark figures that indicate how many children are going hungry during lockdown and beyond, as parents struggle to find money for food. The Food Banks are working to capacity under very severe hygiene and distancing regulations to meet this growing need. Please remember those extra food items which can be left at a number of stores around Ayr. (Asda; Tesco, Sainsbury and the Co-op – to name a few). If you are not out shopping you can make monetary donations by cheque – made out to South Ayrshire Foodbank and send to the Foodbank at New Life Church, 62 Monkton Road, Prestwick. KA9 2PA. This is the main – they deal with all donations. You can contact the Foodbank on 0759907114 they ask that you please leave a message if no one answers – this means they are busy making up boxes for distribution. We are looking at the possibility of having a drop off at the Church – but not yet – watch this space.

SUNDAY WORSHIP – Sunday 12 July – in the absence of worship in our own Sanctuary may I direct you to BBC Radio 4 at 08.10am SOWING IN A TIME OF UNCERTAINTY – The parable of the sower is one of Jesus’ best known stories – and one which speaks especially clearly to a time of uncertainty. Seeds are sown into an unknown future, and the conditions in which they will grow are something we can’t always predict. As the end of a most unusual term approaches this year students, pupils and teachers across the UK will be wondering just what kind of fruit may lie ahead.

Rev Dr Rosa Hunt, co-principal of the South Wales Baptist College reflects on the message Jesus parable offers today in a service led by Rev Dr Craig Gardiner and including contributions from staff and students at the College.

COLUMBA NEWS – JUNE edition. We hope you enjoy this “new look edition”. A copy is also available on the website.  Thank you Norman. Thank you too, for all the supportive email and phone calls we have received – we are glad you like the new look magazine!

20’s IN THE PEWS: Please continue to save your 20’s – we will provide a very large collecting jar when we all return to Church.

MARY’S MEALS: likewise your coppers for Mary’s Meals – there will always be a great need to help.

LIFE & WORK: Pre-ordered copies of the will be hand delivered until we return to normal! If you do not subscribe but would like more information please contact the Life & Work Convenor – Hazel Steele on Tel. 861631

OASIS CAFÉ: During our enforced closure – please remember your Thursday morning friends and maybe give each other a call! 

DAILY PRAYING   May I recommend the website pray-as-you-go.org which offers a daily 10 minute reflection with music, Scripture and help with sensitive praying.    It will help you reflect on the day.  You can listen first thing in the morning, during the day or towards last thing at night.  Often, I find them very peaceful, though they differ each day.     Scott 

Books for the journey………

Rowan Williams               Luminaries:  Twenty lives that illuminate the Christian way        SPCK

Thomas à Kempis            The Imitation of Christ

Anthony De Mello           Seek God Everywhere

Esther De Waal                Seeking God

Also, you can sign up for the daily meditations of Fr Richard Rohr, Centre for Action and Contemplation.

www.cac.org/sign-up/

SERMONS ONLINE:   The text of the sermon for this week is available on the Sermons Tab.

https://ayrstcolumba.co.uk/category/sermons/

Meditative daily worship with readings, music and prayers are available from:

www.pray-as-you-go.org

Facebook – you do not require a FB account to access the Church FB page. Something new will be uploaded every day. Our Church windows in Jigsaw form – pop over and have a try! https://www.facebook.com/ayrstcolumba/

SPOTLIGHT ON FAITH – Revd. Dr. Scott McKenna in conversation with Iain Stewart of Edinburgh Inter Faith Association. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrX0YdGevd0