Author: Justin Dyche

14th July 2024

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 20 July 2024

Good morning everyone,

Sunday promises to be an exciting day…with Baptism Services at St Columba’s in the morning and St Leonard’s in the afternoon, and that is all before the football! Please keep reading for full details of what’s happening over the next couple of weeks, the fifth and final point in our 1,2,3,4,5 Appeal, news about in person Safeguarding training for anyone who needs to update that, the latest Snippets from Tim & Carol Derbyshire and news of the Rockingham Dog Show!

SUNDAY 14th JULY
We have two services on Sunday.
In St Columba’s at 10.30am we have a service with BAPTISM by IMMERSION for Michelle Doran. This will be a good witness to those who are not regularly in church so why not invite someone along. This service will be available as a livestream here:
https://youtube.com/live/BaZowZOdL4w?feature=share
In St Leonard’s Rockingham at 3pm we have a FAMILY SERVICE which also includes a baptism.
In the evening we have the PRAYER MEETING in St Columba’s at 6pm.

1,2,3,4,5 CHURCH FINANCE UPDATE
We continue to address the prediction that our church income looks as if it will be almost £12,345 less than our expenditure with a 1,2,3,4,5 point strategy.

1. PRAYER – please can everyone connected with St Columba’s pray about this situation, if possible at 12.34 for 5 minutes. Obviously if you can’t pray at 12.34 please try and find another five minutes in your day to bring this situation to the Lord and to ask what your response might be…
2. GIVE WHAT YOU CAN NOW – and can I say a huge THANK YOU for all the extra gifts we have received over the past three weeks, if you have not yet given it is never too late, see point 4 below.
3. GIFT AID – if we as a church family give just £9876 AND it is all gift aided, the church will receive £12345 because of the tax refunded by the government, so no cost to you. You do have to pay Income Tax to be able to claim Gift Aid so not everyone will be eligible but if you do pay Income Tax PLEASE make sure that your donations to the church are GIFT AIDED.
4. 1,2,3,4,5 WAYS TO GIVE – these are:
   (i) Parish Giving Scheme – direct debit based scheme with an option for automatic inflation based increases each year (you don’t have to do this and can opt out). Good because you give if you are in church or not, we receive Gift Aid monthly, and auto increase facility means giving can go up each year.
   (ii) Envelopes – these can be used with cash or cheques which are placed in the basket in church. Again they are good because you can put money in the envelope even if you are not in church, but there is obviously no auto-increase so the real value of giving can decline over time.
   (iii) Bank Transfer – just ask for church bank details and set up a regular or one-off payment. Good because you can do it anywhere, including when you are not in church, but not so good because you have to remember to do it, as well as to increase from time to time if you are able.
   (iv) Card Reader – you choose an amount to give and tap on the machine. One disadvantage is that the technology has sometimes let us down, another is that you have to be in church to give, but you can easily make up for weeks you were not in church by increasing your donation.
   (v) Cash or Cheque in the basket – this is how many donations used to be made but with people using less cash and cheques as well as transferring to other giving methods it is in decline. The disadvantages are that you have to be in church to give and it is easier to give £10 than increase to £12.34
   Our final point is actually a source of help with any of the above:
5. INTRODUCING THE FINANCE FIVE
   The members of the Finance Committee are available to answer any questions you may have about giving or to help you set up a Direct Debit in the Parish Giving Scheme or to claim Gift Aid. They may ask if you have any questions, so don’t be alarmed if they speak with you after one of our services.
   The FINANCE FIVE are: James Ireland, John Lynch, Margaret Smith, Janet Taylor and me. If we don’t know the answer to your question we can ask someone who does (James!).
   Thank you once again to everyone who has already responded to this appeal.

SUNDAY 21st JULY – Service and Lunch
This is the date of the CONFIRMATION SERVICE for a number of people from St Columba’s at 10.30am. Please come along and support these members of our church family who are being confirmed. After the service there will be a LUNCH in the Church Hall to celebrate. The food will be provided so do plan to come along and join the Confirmation candidates in celebration. There is a SIGN UP sheet available in church to give an idea of numbers for the lunch, or you can reply to this email to say you will be there.

ROCKINGHAM COMPANION DOG SHOW
Unfortunately this clashes with our Confirmation Lunch but if you are interested it is in Rockingham Village Hall from 1pm next Sunday. There are Pedigree and Novelty classes. Judging commences at 2pm.

SAFEGUARDING TRAINING
Amie Freeman from the Diocesan Safeguarding Team will be delivering six training sessions during August 2024 for Basic Awareness, Foundation and Domestic Abuse, one of each in person and one via Microsoft Teams. This will be the last opportunity for many months to attend in person training so if you need to complete any of these courses and online training is not your thing do make the most of these opportunities. The details are:
Basic Awareness
5th August 2024 2-4pm IN PERSON @ Bouverie Court
5th August 2024 6-8pm Online via Teams
Foundations
12th August 2024 2-4pm IN PERSON @ Bouverie Court
12th August 2024 6-8pm Online via Teams
Domestic Abuse
19th August 2024 2-4pm IN PERSON @ Bouverie Court
19th August 2024 6-8pm Online via Teams
To book a space please visit:
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/safeguarding-training-2391149?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=creatorshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=odclsxcollection&utm-source=cp&aff=escb

SNIPPETS FROM THE SHIRES
It was good to have Tim and Carol with us last month and they have written another Prayer Letter following their trip to Germany. This is here for you to read and pray.

Don’t forget to pick up a copy of the latest PRINT edition of SCaNS if you were not in church last Sunday.

Best wishes,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

7th July 2024

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 13 July 2024

Hello everyone,

The General Election has happened and we must all now pray for our new government, whichever way we voted I’m sure we would agree they need our prayers. Please also pray this weekend for the Church of England’s General Synod as they meet in York with important decisions to be made that could have an impact on the future of the Church and therefore on us.

1,2,3,4,5 CHURCH FINANCE UPDATE
We continue to address the prediction that our church income looks as if it will be almost £12,345 less than our expenditure with a 1,2,3,4,5 point strategy. The first three points are:

1. PRAYER – please can everyone connected with St Columba’s pray about this situation, if possible at 12.34 for 5 minutes. Obviously if you can’t pray at 12.34 please try and find another five minutes in your day to bring this situation to the Lord and to ask what your response might be…
2. GIVE WHAT YOU CAN NOW – because everyone’s circumstances are different it is impossible to say what you should give. One off gifts of £123.45 would help, but even better would be increases in weekly/monthly giving, perhaps 12.345% more! Can I say a huge THANK YOU for all the extra gifts we have received over the past three weeks.
3. GIFT AID – because of this the target is less than we thought! In fact if we as a church family give just £9876 AND it is all gift aided, the church will receive £12345 because of the tax refunded by the government, so no cost to you. You do have to pay Income Tax to be able to claim Gift Aid so not everyone will be eligible but if you do pay Income Tax PLEASE make sure that your donations to the church are GIFT AIDED.
   Today I can reveal the fourth point:
4. 1,2,3,4,5 WAYS TO GIVE – there really are 1,2,3,4,5 ways to give to the church, but some are better for us than others, mostly because of either their regularity (if you give £10 every week we receive £520 in a year, but if you only give £10 three weeks out of four we only receive £390), or because it is not easy to change the amount you give (so you continue giving £10 a week for ten years, but because of inflation, instead of covering £10 of costs it will only cover £7.57).
   The five ways to give are:
   (i) Parish Giving Scheme – direct debit based scheme with an option for automatic inflation based increases each year (you don’t have to do this and can opt out). Good because you give if you are in church or not, we receive Gift Aid monthly, and auto increase facility means giving can go up each year.
   (ii) Envelopes – these can be used with cash or cheques which are placed in the basket in church. Again they are good because you can put money in the envelope even if you are not in church, but there is obviously no auto-increase so the real value of giving can decline over time.
   (iii) Bank Transfer – just ask for church bank details and set up a regular or one-off payment. Good because you can do it anywhere, including when you are not in church, but not so good because you have to remember to do it, as well as to increase from time to time if you are able.
   (iv) Card Reader – you choose an amount to give and tap on the machine. One disadvantage is that the technology has sometimes let us down, another is that you have to be in church to give, but you can easily make up for weeks you were not in church by increasing your donation.
   (v) Cash or Cheque in the basket – this is how many donations used to be made but with people using less cash and cheques as well as transferring to other giving methods it is in decline. The disadvantages are that you have to be in church to give and it is easier to give £10 than increase to £12.34
   Please ask for more details of any of these five ways to give.
   The final point in our 1,2,3,4,5 point strategy will be revealed next week.

SUNDAY 7th JULY
There are two services at St Columba’s on Sunday:
10.30am ALL AGE WORSHIP with activities for children. This service will also be available as a livestream here:
https://youtube.com/live/xnp-GZttArA?feature=share
6pm HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s, a quieter service to which everyone is welcome, and an option for anyone who is not able to join us in the morning. Because of this service there will be no Prayer Meeting this week.

LADIES AFTERNOON TEA
Next Friday, 12th July, we have the next Afternoon Tea for ladies in St Columba’s Church Hall at 3pm. Do come along and join in the conversation and enjoy tea, sandwiches and cakes, and hear the latest episode of Linda’s story of faith.

SUNDAY 14th JULY
We have two services next Sunday.
In St Columba’s at 10.30am we have a service with BAPTISM by IMMERSION for Michelle Doran. This will be a good witness to those who are not regularly in church so why not invite someone along.
In St Leonard’s Rockingham at 3pm we have a FAMILY SERVICE.
There will also be a PRAYER MEETING in St Columba’s at 6pm.

SUNDAY 21st JULY – Service and Lunch
This is the date of the CONFIRMATION SERVICE for a number of people from St Columba’s at 10.30am. Please come along and support these members of our church family who are being confirmed. After the service there will be a LUNCH in the Church Hall to celebrate. The food will be provided so do plan to come along and join the Confirmation candidates in celebration. There is a SIGN UP sheet available in church to give an idea of numbers for the lunch, or you can email ianpullinger@btinternet.com to say you will be there.

SCaNS
There is a new PRINT edition of SCaNS, no 162 a 28th birthday issue, available in church so please pick one up on Sunday or when you are next in church. It includes the story of the Hebrides Revival which started in 1949 following prayer by some more little old ladies!

Best wishes,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

30th June 2024

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 7 July 2024

Dear Friends,

It was wonderful to see so many of you in our garden last Sunday for the Vicarage Tea Party. Thank you so much for being there and sharing that special time together. We managed a few games of croquet and finished by having our Prayer Meeting in the garden as well.

1,2,3,4,5 CHURCH FINANCE UPDATE
We continue to address the prediction that our church income looks as if it will be almost £12,345 less than our expenditure with a 1,2,3,4,5 point strategy. The first two points are:

1. PRAYER – please can everyone connected with St Columba’s pray about this situation, if possible at 12.34 for 5 minutes. Obviously if you can’t pray at 12.34 please try and find another five minutes in your day to bring this situation to the Lord and to ask what your response might be…
2. GIVE WHAT YOU CAN NOW – because everyone’s circumstances are different it is impossible to say what you should give. One off gifts of £123.45 would help, but even better would be increases in weekly/monthly giving, perhaps 12.345% more!
   Can I say a huge THANK YOU for all the extra gifts we have received over the past two weeks, responding to these first two points.
   Today I can reveal the third point:
3. This is GOOD NEWS – the target is less than we thought! The reason for this is because of GIFT AID. If we as a church family give just £9876 AND it is all gift aided, the church will receive £12345 because of the tax refunded by the government, so no cost to you. You do have to pay Income Tax to be able to claim Gift Aid so not everyone will be eligible but if you do pay Income Tax PLEASE make sure that your donations to the church are GIFT AIDED. If you have questions about Gift Aid please do ask, in fact point 5, which will be revealed in a couple of weeks, will tell you how to find answers to ALL your questions about giving to St Columba’s.
   The fourth point will be revealed next week.

SUNDAY 30th JUNE|
There is just one service on Sunday:
10.30am MORNING WORSHIP at St Columba’s with ENERGIZE groups. There will be a Livestream of this service available at the following link:
https://youtube.com/live/BQY5Xi3s4Sc?feature=share
We will once again have the PRAYER MEETING in church at 6pm.

GENERAL ELECTION
Please keep praying about the General Election and for the new government who will be elected. When you vote in person don’t forget you need to take photographic identification with you. A list of acceptable forms of ID is on the back of your Poll Card. Please note expired documents (eg Passports) are acceptable as long as the photo is still a good likeness.

SUNDAY 7th JULY
There are two services next Sunday:
10.30am ALL AGE WORSHIP at St Columba’s
6pm HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s, so no Prayer Meeting next week.

LOOKING AHEAD
We have two special services coming up in July. On 14th July we have a BAPTISM by IMMERSION for Michelle Doran which will be very exciting. Then on Sunday 21st July we have a CONFIRMATION SERVICE for a number of people all from St Columba’s at 10.30am so please come along and support all those members of our church family who are being confirmed. After the service there will be a LUNCH in the Church Hall to celebrate. The food will be provided so do plan to come along and join the Confirmation candidates in celebration. There will be a SIGN UP sheet available in church so we have an idea of numbers for the lunch, or you can reply to this email to say you will be there.

Best wishes,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

23rd June 2024

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 29 June 2024

Hello again everyone,

I am pleased that the weather has improved just in time for our VICARAGE TEA PARTY on Sunday afternoon from 3pm. More details are below but do please come along and share in this special time together.

1,2,3,4,5 CHURCH FINANCE UPDATE
Last week I revealed that our church income looks as if it will be almost £12,345 less than our expenditure. This is a significant amount and a situation that we felt needed to be addressed immediately and so we launched a 1,2,3,4,5 point strategy. The first point was revealed last week:

1. PRAYER – please can everyone connected with St Columba’s pray about this situation, if possible at 12.34 for 5 minutes (12,345 the amount of our shortfall). Obviously if you can’t pray at 12.34 please try and find another five minutes in your day to bring this situation to the Lord and to ask what your response might be…
   Today I can reveal the second point:
2. GIVE WHAT YOU CAN NOW – because everyone’s circumstances are different it is impossible to say what you should give. One off gifts of £123.45 would help, but even better would be increases in weekly/monthly giving, perhaps 12.345% more! As we only have six months left in the year it feels like a huge mountain to climb, but climbing a mountain always starts with the first step, and I must thank the people who have already given.
   The third point will be revealed next week.

SUNDAY 23rd JUNE
There are two services on Sunday:
9am HOLY COMMUNION at St Leonard’s, Rockingham
10.30am MORNING WORSHIP at St Columba’s with ENERGIZE groups for children.
Tim and Carol Derbyshire will be with us for both these services, sharing why they are in the UK for an extended period of time, the difference Jesus makes to our world view, the need to proclaim the gospel to others and the importance of prayer, which fits in very well with our Year of Prayer.
I am sorry the livestream cut off half way through the service last week. There will not be a livestream of tomorrow’s service because of the sensitive nature of some of the people and places Tim and Carol may speak about.

VICARAGE TEA PARTY
We also have a VICARAGE TEA PARTY tomorrow, Sunday 23rd, starting at 3pm. As well as enjoying cakes and drinks, conversation and games, there will be the opportunity to meet with Tim & Carol and find out more about their work. With the good weather forecast to continue this will be held in the Vicarage Garden, you can use either the side gate by the garage or knock on the front door. We would love to see you there.
We will have a TIME OF PRAYER at the end of the TEA PARTY rather than our regular meeting in church, so do be sure to join us if you you would like to pray, or stay on if you have never been to the Prayer Meeting and wonder what it is like.

GENERAL ELECTION HUSTINGS
Tresham College on Oakley Road will be hosting a hustings event for candidates standing in the upcoming General Election for Corby on Monday 24 June from 4-6pm. All candidates have been invited to attend to answer questions from the local constituency on what matters to them.
Please click the link to book a free seat in the audience for the Question Time style event: www.eventbrite.co.uk

UNSUNG HERO film at Savoy Cinema this week
A number of people from church went to see this film last week and thoroughly enjoyed it. It tells the true story of David Smallbone who, when his music company collapses, moves his family from Australia to the States, searching for a brighter future. Struggling to make ends meet, the couple soon realize the talents of their children, who would go on to become two of the most successful acts in contemporary Christian music.
You can watch it on the following days and times:
Tuesday 8pm
Wednesday 11am (parent & baby screening) and 8pm

SUNDAY 30th JUNE
There is just one service next Sunday:
10.30am MORNING WORSHIP at St Columba’s with ENERGIZE groups.
We will once again have the PRAYER MEETING in church at 6pm.

STEVE’S PUZZLES AND OTHER STUFF 115
In this issue… a remarkable trail of how a Sunday School teacher in 1858 chased up a missing boy – led him to Christ (DL Moody) – he then led millions – one of whom led someone else… who led someone else….who then led someone else… all the way to Billy Graham who led at least two million to Christ – all thanks to that one man who cared enough for one missing boy. Each of us is called by God to be a simple cog in His wheel… and we may never know who we are blessing down the years. You may be the one person who brings someone to church who God will use to cause an avalanche of blessing. Don’t let anyone put you down – God loves you and has chosen you. There are a lot of funny anecdotes in this issue some of which I have compiled from back numbers of SCaNS – one urging us to keep a notebook of sayings, sermon points, things we hear maybe on TV or at work which gets us thinking that we don’t want to forget. As is my tradition, mags will now be fortnightly during the summer until September, with a new SCaNS in two weeks.

I look forward to seeing you at the VICARAGE TEA PARTY on Sunday,

Best wishes,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

16th June 2024

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 22 June 2024

Hello again,

I am pleased to say that Kath Wade is much better than this time last week and may even be discharged from hospital this weekend. Thank you for all who prayed for Kath, Trevor and their family – please give thanks to God for answering prayer and continue to pray for a complete recovery.

Less encouraging is the news we heard on Tuesday at a Finance Committee meeting where our Treasurer, James, reported that as things stand, almost half way through the year, we look as if our income will be almost £12,345 less than our expenditure. This is a significant amount and a situation that we felt needed to be addressed immediately and so we have a 1,2,3,4,5 point strategy. These five points will be revealed over the next five weeks, both in these emails and in Sunday services, beginning today with:

1. PRAYER – please can everyone connected with St Columba’s pray about this situation, if possible at 12.34 for 5 minutes (12,345 the amount of our shortfall). Obviously if you can’t pray at 12.34 please try and find another five minutes in your day to bring this situation to the Lord and to ask what your response might be…
2. will be revealed next week.

SUNDAY 16th JUNE
We have just the one service on Sunday: 10.30am HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s with ENERGIZE groups for children and young people.
There will also be a PRAYER MEETING in St Columba’s at 6pm on Sunday when one of the topics will no doubt be our financial challenge.

UNSUNG HERO film at Savoy Cinema this week
This film tells the true story of David Smallbone who, when his music company collapses, moves his family from Australia to the States, searching for a brighter future. Struggling to make ends meet, the couple soon realize the talents of their children, who would go on to become two of the most successful acts in contemporary Christian music.
You can watch it on the following days and times:
Saturday 8.40pm
Sunday 8.10pm
Monday 2.30pm and 8.40pm
Tuesday 2.30pm
Wednesday 11.30am (silver screen), 2.30pm and 8.40pm
Thursday 2.30pm and 8.40pm

SUNDAY 23rd JUNE
There are two services next Sunday:
9am HOLY COMMUNION at St Leonard’s, Rockingham
10.30am MORNING WORSHIP at St Columba’s.
Tim and Carol Derbyshire will be with us for both these services, sharing why they are in the UK for an extended period of time, the difference Jesus makes to our world view, the need to proclaim the gospel to others and the importance of prayer, which fits in very well with our Year of Prayer.

VICARAGE TEA PARTY
We will also have a VICARAGE TEA PARTY on Sunday 23rd starting at 3pm. As well as enjoying cakes and drinks, conversation and games, there will be the opportunity to meet with Tim & Carol and find out more about their work. We will move this to the Church Hall if the weather is not looking good so one way or another it will go ahead.

GENERAL ELECTION
Don’t forget to pray about the General Election. The CARE Prayer Diary continues and can be found on CARE’s General Election website engaGE24:
https://care.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cac2598c12e2df2b412ce6f4&id=b8b701c040&e=06fd42ddb3
where you can also find an interactive quiz that helps you identify which party best reflects your priorities. This will have been updated following the launch of the Party manifestos this week.

One other point about the election. Don’t forget that you need PHOTOGRAPHIC IDENTIFICATION to vote. A list of acceptable documents is on your Poll Card and includes Passport, Driving Licence and Older Person’s Bus Pass. If you don’t have any of the listed documents you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate online at https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate before 5pm on 26th June. If you need help with this please ask me and I can arrange this.

MINI SCANS 42
Please find here the latest mini SCaNS. Steve writes: “This is linked to the forthcoming Olympics and the last war with two amazing stories. One of a friendship that developed between black athlete Jesse Owens at the 1936 Olympics and German athlete Lutz Long who would be sent off to war as the enemy three years later. Ironic, really, because the US was still anti-black and segregated, and Luz was your classic blond German. Despite his achievements as a national hero, Owens was still a black man in a deeply divided and racially segregated United States. He faced discrimination and aggression when he returned home. Even as a gold-winning Olympic athlete, he wasn’t allowed to ride in the front of a bus. President Roosevelt never publicly acknowledged Owens’ triumphs—or the triumphs of any of the 18 African Americans who competed at the Berlin Olympics. Luz disagreed with Hitler’s policies and became Owens’ close friend. Though separated after the Games, Owens and Luz wrote to each other regularly. I have included his very moving final letter, when he knew he was likely to die in battle. From it, it is clear that Luz had found God simply through Owen’s simple witness of kneeling to pray at the games, and no doubt their letters. Then there are another two amazing old ladies (!) (I seem to be collecting them) who helped Jewish refugees escape Hitler in a very imaginative way – one of whom wrote 125 Mills and Boon romances! Lots of other puzzles and fun things to enjoy.”
Thank you Steve.

God bless you all,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

9th June 2024

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 22 June 2024

Hello everyone,

This week we have been praying for Kath Wade who was rushed to hospital on Wednesday. Kath remains in KGH and is undergoing tests, so still in need of our prayers.
St Columba’s PCC met on Tuesday and established an Environment Group. If you would like to be part of this small group developing the Environment Policy of the church and helping us build on the work we have already done to be a more environmentally friendly church please email ianpullinger@btinternet.com.
I saw Kevin on Monday and he is well and enjoying his ministry, although facing the challenge of not having a PCC at one of his churches.
Keep reading for news of all the events coming up in the life of the church.

SUNDAY 9th JUNE
We have two services on Sunday.
St Columba’s have a special COMMUNION SERVICE for ST COLUMBA’S DAY at 10.30am with ENERGIZE groups.
This will be available as a LIVESTREAM via this link: https://youtube.com/live/JphVdFoHTJQ?feature=share
In St Leonard’s, Rockingham at 3pm there will be a FAMILY SERVICE.
And we have the PRAYER MEETING in St Columba’s at 6pm.

LADIES AFTERNOON TEA
On Friday 14th June we have our next Afternoon Tea for ladies in the Church Hall at 3pm. All ladies are welcome to this monthly get together, with sandwiches, scones, cakes and tea/coffee. There is no need to book just turn up and enjoy!

SUNDAY 16th JUNE
Next week we have just the one service, HOLY COMMUNION in St Columba’s at 10.30am with ENERGIZE groups.

LINKS
Please find here STEVE’S PUZZLES & OTHER STUFF 114. Steve writes: “Part of the issue is focused on more of God’s secret agents – this time Angels. Some great stories and a picture to wonder at. If you have any stories/experiences of them, please send them to me for a future issue. Also, as we celebrate D-Day I came across a moving story of a US Navy Seal called Murph who was killed in Afghanistan along with most of his team. On the day of his funeral, as they drove away, his mother was shocked to get a delayed text message from him saying, “Mom, I’m home safe and sound. Mike”. How would you have reacted? She startled her husband so much he slammed on the brakes! A message of safe arrival in heaven, arranged by God? There’s also the usual fun stuff, puzzles etc. Hope you not only enjoy but are truly blessed.

Also here is the latest PRAYER UPDATE from Hope From Above in Australia. Don’t forget Tim & Carol Derbyshire will be with us on Sunday 23rd June for our Morning Service and a VICARAGE TEA PARTY in the afternoon.

With best wishes to everyone,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

2nd June 2024

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 8 June 2024

Hello everyone,

Here we are at the beginning of June, although it is certainly not flaming June at the moment!
Things will, no doubt, warm up in the General Election campaign as we draw closer to 4th July. In the meantime I do encourage you all to be praying about the election, and to help you with that here is a Prayer Diary from CARE which started last Tuesday and continues until just after the election. There are a limited number of printed copies of this in church.
The Prayer Diary can also be found on CARE’s General Election website engaGE24:
https://care.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cac2598c12e2df2b412ce6f4&id=b8b701c040&e=06fd42ddb3
where you can also find an interactive quiz that helps you identify which party best reflects your priorities.

SUNDAY 2nd JUNE
We have two services at St Columba’s tomorrow:
10.30am ALL AGE WORSHIP and I do encourage all children in the church family to come along, as there will be opportunities to join in, with craft activities and some small parts in the service.
This service will be available to watch via Youtube at: https://youtube.com/live/esMOQSkZF3c?feature=share
6pm HEALING SERVICE – everyone is welcome to this service of prayer for healing. You may need prayer yourself or know someone who needs that prayer or you may simply want to share in a quieter service of prayer and worship.
There won’t be a Prayer Meeting on Sunday because of the 6pm service.

PCC
St Columba’s PCC will be meeting on Tuesday evening and, among other matters, will be thinking about having an Environment Policy to help us face the challenges of Climate Change and moving to Net Zero. If this is something that you are interested in or concerned about please do let me know as we may establish a small group to help us think about these issues and that group could have a wider membership than just PCC members.

D-DAY PARTY IN THE PARK
The Friends of Coronation Park are organising this event on Saturday 8th June from 12 noon to 6pm with music, dancing, singing, stalls, kids crafts, street food and a pop-up Bar, all with a 1940’s theme. Do go along if you are able to support this local event.

NEXT SUNDAY
On 9th June in St Columba’s at 10.30am we have a special COMMUNION SERVICE for ST COLUMBA’S DAY with ENERGIZE groups.
That afternoon in St Leonard’s, Rockingham at 3pm there will be a FAMILY SERVICE.
And we will have the PRAYER MEETING in St Columba’s at 6pm.

LOOKING AHEAD
On Sunday 23rd June we are looking forward to a visit from Tim & Carol Derbyshire who will be telling us about the work of Hope From Above in Australia and their plans for establishing a network of supporters and supporting churches in this country. As part of their visit we will have a VICARAGE TEA PARTY that afternoon, so please book the date now. As this is timed to be part of Tim & Carol’s visit we will have the Tea Party in the Hall if it is wet.

With best wishes to you all,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

26th May 2024

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 1 June 2024

Good morning everyone,

I must begin by thanking Riaan and David for organising our Half Night of Prayer yesterday which was an encouraging time. Thank you if you joined us, especially towards the end! I know a number of people are on holiday this weekend, which might lead to an increase in viewing figures for the livestream, which, I’m pleased to say, worked last Sunday so hopefully the problems have been sorted out.

EASY FUNDRAISING
If you shop online, please could you sign up to #easyfundraising and help St Columba, Corby raise free donations with all your favourite brands? Every time you use the easyfundraising website or app to shop online with over 7,500 websites including big names like Expedia, Just Eat, John Lewis & Partners, Argos, Uswitch and eBay, we’ll get a donation. It won’t cost you a penny and it will really make a difference to us. Thank you!
You need to go to this link to register: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/st-columba-corby
All you need do then is enter your email address, a password and your name and then shop as normal but remember to click the button to get a donation.
Thank you to James for setting this up and to everyone who signs up and makes use of it.

SUNDAY 26th MAY
We have two services tomorrow:
9am Holy Communion at St Leonard’s, Rockingham
10.30am Morning Worship at St Columba’s, Corby with ENERGIZE groups. This service will also be available to watch online at:
https://youtube.com/live/Pdw0gB5_fmE?feature=share
At 6pm in St Columba’s we have our regular PRAYER MEETING, just for one hour, not six!

GENERAL ELECTION
You can’t have missed the fact that we have a General Election on 4th July. CARE have launched a new website engaGE24 dedicated to the 2024 General Election, equipping Christians to think, act, and pray before they vote. You can access it here:
https://care.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4cac2598c12e2df2b412ce6f4&id=b8b701c040&e=06fd42ddb3

NEXT SUNDAY
We have two services at St Columba’s:
10.30am ALL AGE WORSHIP and I do encourage all children in the church family to come along, if possible on 26th May to help prepare for this service but also on 2nd June to join in.
6pm HEALING SERVICE – do come along if you would like prayer for healing, if you know someone who needs that prayer or if you simply want to share in a quieter service of prayer and worship.

Mini SCaNS
Please find here the latest mini SCaNS, Steve writes: Here is a special Mini–SCaNS which tells the remarkable story of Tommy Barnett and how God led him to minister in a church he didn’t want to go to, and with the help of two little old ladies, started an outreach that grew the church from 76 to 4000…and needed 47 buses to bring them all in each Sunday! It’s a great story…and I have been rather struck by how God loves to use little old ladies to bring revival because I found a story about another two – one aged 98 and blind, the other aged 92 and disabled – who God used to bring revival to the Hebrides. Their story will be in the next SCaNS. Who are OUR little old ladies whom God can use? I have prayed for revival ever since I came to Corby in 1977. You are never too old to be used by God. Then there is the remarkable story of how singer George Michael loved to secretly donate money to people in need. Puzzles, quizzes and funnies await you… and thanks to the kind people who gave me a word of encouragement during the last week.

May God bless you all in the week ahead.

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

19th May 2024

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 25 May 2024

Hello everyone,

I hope you have all had a good week. I certainly enjoyed the evening of fellowship and stories of faith at Rockingham on Monday, as well as a Pentecost assembly at Rockingham Primary School and our Confirmation Preparation and Get Closer (young people) groups. On the subject of Pentecost I am looking forward to our Pentecost themed service of Holy Communion at St Columba’s tomorrow, as well as our Night of Prayer on Friday – details of both of those and more news of what is happening can be found below.

SUNDAY 19th MAY
We have a service of HOLY COMMUNION for Pentecost at St Columba’s tomorrow, starting with a time of worship from 10.15am and with the opening prayers at 10.30am. I will be livestreaming this service, using this link:
https://youtube.com/live/sirG0WtoT5c?feature=share
If it does not work I hope to be able to upload a recording of the service to youtube later.
There will also be ENERGIZE groups for children and young people.
In the evening we have our regular PRAYER MEETING at 6pm in St Columba’s.

PRAYER NIGHT – Friday 24th May 6pm to midnight
It is expected that people will come and go during this evening, perhaps attending for specific topics (see below) or for part of the time – please feel free to use the evening however works for you. There are lots of opportunities during the evening to pray for requests from the congregation, so please do make use of the box at the back of church to give us your prayer requests, or let me know by email.
The plan for the evening looks like this:

6:00 – 6:20pm = Praising God Alone (Psalm 146)
6:20 – 6:30pm = Prayer Request / Songs / Prayer – Forgiveness
6:30 – 6:50pm = Longing for Continual Cleansing (1 John 1)
6:50 – 7:00pm = Prayer Request / Songs / Prayer – All who are struggling ( Financial, health, mentally, grieving, etc )
7:00 – 7:20pm = Being Thankful for that which Covers All Iniquities ( Romans 3: 10-20 )
7:20 – 7:30pm = Prayer Request / Songs / Prayer – Marriage, parents and children
7:30 – 8:00pm = Song / Meditation / Reflection
8:00 – 8:20pm = Living Like We Are Really Awake ( Romans 13: 8-14 )
8:20 – 8:30pm = Prayer Request / Song / Prayer -The Church ( as a whole ) & St. Columba
8:30 – 8:50pm = Seeking To Be A Blessing ( Galatians 6: 1-18 )
8:50 – 9:00pm = Prayer Request / Song s / Prayer – Schools & Teachers
9:00 – 9:20pm = Approaching God When Dismayed ( Psalm 42-43 )
9:30 – 9:30pm = Prayer Request / Song / Prayer – War & catastrophes
9:30 – 10:00pm = Song / Meditation / Reflection
10:00 – 10:20pm = Being Delivered From Darkness To Light ( Colossians 1:1-18 )
10:20 – 10:30pm = Prayer Request / Song / Prayer – King Charles, our government and all other world leaders
10:30 – 11:00pm = Intercessory Prayer ( Silent prayer )
11:00 – 11:30pm = Song / Carrying Out The Great Commission ( Matthew 28 )
11:30 – 12:00pm – Song / Yearning For Constant Worship ( 1 John 2:20-29 ) / Thanks giving & the Blessing / Song

SUNDAY 26th MAY
9am Holy Communion at St Leonard’s, Rockingham
10.30am Morning Worship at St Columba’s, Corby with ENERGIZE groups

SNIPPETS AND PUZZLES
Please find here the latest Snippets from the Shires sent out by Tim & Carol Derbyshire, now in this country and coming to St Columba’s next month. Also here is the latest Puzzles and Other Stuff from Steve, who writes:
Be gobstruck at the thought that at the moment you were just a one–cell fertilised egg GOD KNEW YOU and already had plans for you! That if all the chemicals you are made from were mixed and cooked by any scientist they could never create life, because life comes from God and can ONLY be passed on from one living being to another. Then read Clint Walker (Cheyenne)’s amazing testimony about how he was fatally injured on a ski–slope, experienced amazing light radiating from his body, and God’s answer to his prayer for help – and how his sharing all this to newsmen blessed many. There’s lots of great pics, funnies and puzzles. Enjoy, and I pray, be blessed.

Next week I will be telling you about a new fundraising scheme that doesn’t cost you a penny! I hope to see many of you in church tomorrow to celebrate God’s gift of the Holy Spirit to each and every one of us.

God bless you all,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

12th May 2024

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 19 May 2024

Hello everyone,

I hope you have all enjoyed the good weather this week. God has certainly been good to Miriam and me who chose this week to be away in the Peak District. Here are the essential details of what is happening over the next couple of weeks

But first can I say to PCC members that you should have received the minutes of last week’s meeting by email from Justin on Tuesday. If you didn’t please check your Spam folder and if you have still not received them contact Justin (or me) for a replacement set.

Sunday 12th May
There is a service of MORNING WORSHIP at St Columba’s on Sunday at 10.30am with a sermon from Riaan. Unfortunately we have had some problems with the livestream over recent weeks and so this won’t be available.
In the afternoon there is a FAMILY SERVICE in St Leonard’s, Rockingham at 3pm.
And at 6pm the PRAYER MEETING will be happening in St Columba’s – several regular attenders are away so do try and go along if you can.

Deanery Event with the Bishop
On Monday 13th May there is a special event at Rockingham Castle with Bishop Debbie and a team from the diocese who are walking round the diocese between Ascension Day and Pentecost and sharing stories of faith. They will be walking from Oakham to Rockingham on the 13th May and there will be a special celebration evening at Rockingham Castle, with the doors opening at 7pm for light refreshments of tea/coffee and cake. Numbers are limited but if you would like to attend please let me know.

Murder Mystery Evening
On Saturday 18th May we are opening our doors for murder, acted out by the Great Easton Little Theatre Company, but they need our help to solve the crime, so do come along and work out whodunnit! Tickets cost £5 and are available in church tomorrow and include a Fish & Chip supper – a great value night out which starts at 7.30pm.

Sunday 19th May
We have a service of HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s at 10.30am

Night of Prayer
On Friday 24th May we will be holding a half night of prayer from 6pm to midnight. It is not expected that people will stay for the whole six hours but come in and out during the evening. Listen out for more details but do put the date in your diary now.

Spring Harvest 2025
We booked some accommodation for next year’s SPRING HARVEST at Skegness from 7th to 11th April while we were at this year’s event. If you would like to go next year and have not told Miriam, or need more information before making a decision, please reply to this email and Miriam will get in touch.

SCaNS
There will be a new printed edition of SCaNS available in church on Sunday. If you enjoy this please let Steve know as it has been a labour of love overcoming technical issues while producing this.

With best wishes to you all for this coming week

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609