3rd August 2025
By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 8 August 2025
Hello everyone,
Thank you for your prayers for Kath Wade. I am pleased to say that Kath had her operation on Thursday and arrived home late in the day, still in some pain which meant very little sleep last night – please pray for a better night tonight. Also pray for John Pender who had a fall on Wednesday and broke his hip, he is having an operation as I write, so please pray that goes well and he makes a full and swift recovery.
The summer holidays are proving to be a busy time here at St Columba’s as you will see from all the activities listed below. However there is one activity that is not happening this month, there will be no Afternoon Tea on Friday 8th August, but we do encourage everyone who would have been at the Tea to come along to the International Food Fair the next day.
STEWARDSHIP REVIEW
Our annual Stewardship Review has also started and there are leaflets ready to be distributed to all active church members. This year we are hoping that a member of the Finance Committee will be able to hand you a copy of the leaflet, and then, either immediately or later, answer any questions you have about the financial needs of St Columba’s and how you can respond. The leaflet includes a RESPONSE FORM and I do encourage you to prayerfully consider your response before completing the form and returning it. I know there are many people who would not consider themselves active members of the church, and so you will not be receiving a leaflet, but that does not mean you are not welcome to give! If you would like to know more please email ianpullinger@btinternet.com and I can send you a form.
SUNDAY 3rd AUGUST
10.30am ALL AGE WORSHIP at St Columba’s, which Jason, our potential new curate (from July 2026) and his family will be attending. There will be lots of activities in this service for children so it would be great to see lots of children in church. The service will also be available to watch on Youtube here:
https://youtube.com/live/aG8B1feogPo?feature=share
After the service, and our usual coffee, there will be a BRING YOUR OWN PICNIC LUNCH, which we have decided will have to be in Church Hall because of the weather forecast – but do still come. Please come along to this if you are not on holiday to give Jason an opportunity to get to know more of us. Don’t forget to bring your own lunch and cold drinks – we will provide tea and coffee as well as games. Please also still come to the International Food Fair (see below) the following week – it is not ideal having these two events less than a week apart, but various factors meant 3rd August was the best date for Jason and us.
Then at 6pm we have our PRAYER MEETING in St Columba’s.
INTERNATIONAL FOOD FAIR Saturday 9th August 12 noon to 4pm
Following the success of our first International Food Fair last summer we are having a second this year. Once again there will be food from five different countries available to buy as well as desserts and cakes. It is really helpful if people can buy tickets in advance so that the team have an idea of how many they are catering for, although the nature of this event is that people can just drop in and buy food, and it is therefore an opportunity to witness to the community. To help with this we have an inflatable that will hopefully attract people to the Fair.
Tickets are on sale after church and cost £10 for all five meals, or £2.50 for one. Help will also be needed to set up from 8am on Saturday 9th August, please speak to Riaan if you can help with this.
SUNDAY 10th AUGUST
10.30am HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s when we have a preacher from CMS and there will be children and young people’s groups in the Hall for a special activity thinking about the world church.
3pm TEA, CAKE & HYMNS at St Leonard’s, Rockingham. If you are coming to this service just tell the person at the kiosk that you are going to church.
SHOWSTOPPERS SUMMER SHOWCASE – THURSDAY 14th AUGUST 10am
This is a special summer activity morning for all children who were at Primary School last term, you don’t need to have been to the Easter Holiday Club to attend. No need to register in advance, just turn up, sign in, and join the fun with plenty of songs, games, crafts, and a new Bible story to learn.
CHARITY OF THE WEEK – TIM & CAROL DERBYSHIRE with Hope From Above
Here is the latest Prayer Letter from Tim and Carol so do have a read and pray for them.
Lots to look forward to over the next few weeks. I hope many of you will also be able to enjoy some time away, as I said last week…don’t forget to pack your Bible!
Best wishes to all,
Ian
01536 400225
07903 644609