5th October 2025
By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 12 October 2025
Hello everyone,
I just wanted to begin this week’s email with a word about the attack at the synagogue in Manchester. I know many of us struggle as we watch the scenes of destruction in Gaza, and are earnestly praying that the latest peace initiative brings a lasting peace for both Israel and the Palestinians, but it is vital that we separate our disapproval of the actions of the state of Israel and attitudes to Jewish people. As has been said many times this week there is no place for anti-Semitism. This is universally applicable, so we should not hold negative attitudes to Muslim people because of the action of the perpetrator of this attack, or the many attacks on Christians around the world. Rather we should pray for them, because we know that the only way of having peace with God is through the Lord Jesus Christ, and the only way people will hear about Jesus is through Christian people talking about him, and the only way to talk to people about Jesus is by having relationships with them.
The apostle Paul explains my final point above in Romans 10 v13-15, which reminds me that we have just begun our ROMANS COURSE on Wednesdays, morning and evening at church – see more details below.
A couple more comments before listing all the upcoming activities. THANK YOU to everyone involved in making our Harvest Lunch such a success last Sunday. I know Bishop John enjoyed the occasion, other than not being able to eat apples, but we found him some ice cream so he was happy! And for those who ordered Advent Calendars (and thank you to those who pointed out that Advent is only two months away, not three as I said last week!) they are available to collect from Miriam AFTER the service tomorrow.
SUNDAY 5th OCTOBER
10.30am HARVEST ALL AGE SERVICE at St Columba’s. This service will be available to watch on Youtube here: https://youtube.com/live/GZbiwr2bphc?feature=share
Please remember to bring a contribution to our Harvest Collection for the Food Bank. The most needed items at the present time are: Tinned Spaghetti in Sauce, Tinned Tomatoes, Tinned Vegetables, Tinned Meat, Tinned Fish, Tinned Fruit, Tinned Custard, Tinned Rice Pudding, Coffee, Long Life Juice, UHT Milk, Disposable Razors, Shampoo, Shower Gel, and Toilet Rolls.
6pm SONGS OF PRAISE – We have a good list of song requests, what we need now is a good congregation to come along and sing those songs, and to hear why people have chosen particular songs.
ROMANS COURSE
We began the new ROMANS COURSE last Wednesday and had 27 people evenly spread across the morning (10.30am) and evening (7.30pm) sessions, which means there is room for more people to join the course and, as last week was an introduction, you won’t have missed too much if you join this week.
AFTERNOON TEA
Our monthly gathering of ladies for AFTERNOON TEA is happening again this coming Friday 10th October at 3pm in the Church Hall. All ladies are welcome for tea or coffee, sandwiches, scones, and cakes and plenty of good conversation as well as a talk from Carol Derbyshire telling how God has led her from the UK to Tanzania, Australia and now back to the UK.. See below for details about Carol and Tim being with us next Sunday as well.
SUNDAY 12th OCTOBER
10.30am HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s with Tim and Carol Derbyshire, mission partners who work with HOPE FROM ABOVE (HFA), previously in Australia but for the last 18 months back here in the UK establishing a branch of HFA here. Do come along and here how they have been getting on and, more importantly, how HFA are helping to take the gospel to some of the most difficult to reach places on earth. There will be ENERGIZE groups for children and young people.
3pm FAMILY SERVICE at St Leonard’s, Rockingham
6pm PRAYER MEETING at St Columba’s which Carol and Tim will be joining us for so we can pray in depth for them and the work of HFA.
CHARITY OF THE WEEK – CORBY FOOD BANK
This week’s charity is Corby Food Bank, although you might also want to include all the Food Banks in the UK, 1700 run, like the one in Corby, by Trussell Trust and over 1100 independent Food Banks. Please give thanks for all those who donate to Food Banks, not just at special times of year like Harvest but all through the year, and for those who volunteer to put together food parcels for those who need them. Pray too for all those who need the help of a Food Bank, and for change to happen so that Food Banks are no longer needed.
On the subject of Charities, the PCC will be considering at their meeting on 7th October, which charities St Columba’s will support with our giving this year. If you have suggestions please speak to a PCC member or email ianpullinger@btinternet.com.
Best wishes to all,
Ian
01536 400225
07903 644609