29th March 2026
By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 3 April 2026
Hello everyone,
I am delighted to report that we raised over £22,000 on our Gift Day last Saturday plus money that has come in since. THANK YOU so much if you made a contribution to that total, whether large or small we are grateful for all gifts. Please do give thanks to God for inspiring people to be generous, you may like to join us for the PRAYER MEETING on Sunday when we will be especially giving thanks for answers to our prayers for the day.
It is not too late to give if you have not yet done so, donations can either be brought to church and placed in the box, made on the Card Reader (please ask Justin or me to switch it to Gift Day rather than General Funds), or you can make a bank transfer (details were on the Notice sent out last week) using the reference GIFT DAY. All these gifts will enable us to proceed with our CHURCH IMPROVEMENT PROJECT to install an accessible toilet (do look at the progress that has been made with this next time you are in church), and also a servery and new heating in the church.
Thank you also to everyone who has been to the Discipleship Explored course over the last two months. There are different gatherings to reflect on the events of Holy Week during the next week (see below) and a new course will be starting after Easter. We are also hoping to run an ALPHA course after Easter, so if you, or someone you know, is interested in exploring what we believe, and why, do let me know or look out for more details.
Remembering Loved Ones
JEFF ISON’S CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE is in St Columba’s on Saturday 28th March at 1.30pm followed by refreshments in the Church Hall. Lynn says there is no dress code, come however you feel most comfortable.
ISOBEL WASSON’S funeral will be on Tuesday 14th April at 11.30am in St Columba’s and everyone is welcome to attend. If you come please don’t wear dark clothes as Isobel loved bright colours, and as she is now enjoying life in heaven, where everything will be brighter than we can imagine, this is so appropriate. The service in church will be followed by a Cremation and then refreshments in the Church Hall and everyone is welcome to both of these.
Details of all the upcoming events are as follows:
Sunday 29th March
10.30am – HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s with ENERGIZE groups for children who will be preparing for our special Easter services, the Hot Cross Bun Feast on Good Friday and Easter Day Celebration so it would be great to have a good number of children and young people. For those unable to be in church the service will be available on YouTube here: https://youtube.com/live/z2JEYRwep2A
6pm – PRAYER MEETING at St Columba’s – everyone welcome.
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SERVICES
Please do try and attend as many of these special services as you can. There is a variety of different formats so hopefully something for everyone, but this is also a great opportunity to try something different.
UNSEEN WITNESSES To help us all set aside 45 minutes three times during the week to reflect on the events of Holy Week we have a series of reflections on less well known characters from the Passion narratives. You are welcome to all or any of the sessions, but please note the morning session is repeated in the evening of either the same or the following day as follows:
First Reflection “The Donkey” Monday 30th March 10.30am and Tuesday 31st March 7.30pm
Second Reflection “The Man with the Water Jar” Wednesday 1st April 10.30am and 7.30pm
Third Reflection “Peter’s Accuser at the Fire” Thursday 2nd April 10.30am and Good Friday 3rd April 7.30pm
MAUNDY THURSDAY HOLY COMMUNION with Hand Washing at Rockingham * – 2nd April at 7pm
HOT CROSS BUN FEAST in St Columba’s Church Hall – Good Friday 3rd April at 10am
Also on Good Friday the Corby Churches will be gathering at 11am in the Town Centre (between McDonalds and Paletto Lounge) to celebrate the greatest act of love the world has ever known. Hear the story of Jesus’ journey to the Cross and join in singing accompanied by a live band.
EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE at Rockingham * – Easter Day 5th April at 6.30am. This is always a very special time to gather, initially round a fire outside the church, before lighting candles and moving to the font, then into the church for a short sermon and Communion accompanied by Easter hymns.
EASTER DAY ALL AGE CELEBRATION with COMMUNION at St Columba’s – Sunday 5th April at 10.30am
* Access to Rockingham church is via the main entrance to Rockingham Castle. The gate will open as you approach if you stop level with the keypad, then drive down to the Castle Tower Gateway and park on the grass going down the hill to the right, then walk on down to the church. Do contact me if you need further directions.
ST COLUMBA’S ELECTORAL ROLL
The Electoral Roll is our membership list and was completely updated last year. You can check if your name is on the Roll by looking at the list in church. If you are not on please complete a form, also at the back of church, by Easter Sunday. You will then be able to vote at the ANNUAL MEETING on Sunday 26th April.
SPRING HARVEST
There are two groups going to Spring Harvest from St Columba’s this year. The first will be leaving on Monday 30th March and going to Skegness, and the second going to Minehead on Monday 6th April.
If you are not part of one of those groups you can still join in with the Minehead week (6th – 10th April), either by buying a Spring Harvest Home ticket for £24.95 which gives you access to five days of worship, teaching, community, encouragement, and inspiration. Please note the price goes up to £29.95 on 30th March. You don’t even have to watch live, with a Spring Harvest Home ticket, you can catch up when it suits you and watch it all until the 10th May.
To buy a ticket go to: https://ecevents.uk/shhm26/reg/Site/Register
If you don’t want access the whole week there is an opportunity to watch just one day from Minehead, Tuesday 7th April, for FREE! This will be on the Spring Harvest YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@SpringHarvest
PRAYER OF THE WEEK:
This week I would like you to pray for Spring Harvest:
- for the teaching and worship, for adults, children and young people, to be a blessing to all those who go along;
- for the two groups going from St Columba’s to have safe journeys and good times of fellowship;
- also, give thanks for the Spring Harvest Bursary Fund and charitable giving from St Columba’s that has helped some people to attend;
- and pray for those who will be watching at home, especially that the technology does not let them down.
Please do try and join us for the special services happening during Holy Week – I hope to see you there.
Ian
01536 400225
07903 644609