19th March 2023

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 24 March 2023

Hello Everyone,

I am writing early this week, partly because I am at the Bishop’s Bible Day tomorrow, but also because I wanted to repeat my request from last week for photos of your mums who won’t be with you in church on Sunday. This may be because they have died or simply because they live far away, but it will be great to remember them, as I will be remembering my mum, and having their photos on screen while we pray is one way we can do that. You can either send a photo attached to a reply to this email, or WhatsApp it to me on 07903 644609. It would be helpful to receive them today (Friday) but I will be able to include any photos sent before Sunday.

The young people are going to be leading our MOTHERING SUNDAY service in St Columba’s on Sunday at 10.30am, with plenty of support from the younger children, but there will be lots of variety in the service and so I do encourage you to come along whatever age you are and with your mum if possible – if not send me a photo!
For those who can’t make it to church on Sunday the service will be available to watch on youtube via this link:
https://youtube.com/live/dc7QPp6mxeU?feature=share

We also have our PRAYER MEETING on Sunday evening at 6pm in St Columba’s.

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS will be meeting on Wednesday at 10.30am and 7.30pm.

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

ANNUAL MEETING
A big thank you to everyone who helped with St Columba’s Annual Meeting and the Lunch that followed last Sunday. It is good that we have so many people willing to serve the church in so many ways. Details of the meeting are available on request, including the finance and other reports, but you may like to know that the following were elected or re-elected:
CHURCHWARDENS: John Lynch and Janet Taylor
DEANERY SYNOD: David Bavin, Steve Scholes, William Taylor
PCC: Michelle Doran, Justin Dyche, Colin Fleming, Susan Fleming, Patience Tafuma

KEEP THE CHURCH FIRES BURNING
Thanks are also due to those who give money to support the church, both regular giving and to the Keep The Church Fires Burning (KTCFB) appeal. Donations to this appeal to help with the cost of heating the church following the increases in energy costs, in addition to your regular giving, are still very welcome, either in an envelope in the offering basket, via the Card Reader, or direct to our church bank account using the reference KTCFB.

SPONSORED WALK/CLIMB up the Three Peaks
A further opportunity to give to St Columba’s is presented by John Lynch and friends (James Ireland and Colin Fleming at present) sponsored walk up Snowdon (in April), followed by Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis later in the year. Please do look out for John and his sponsor form and give what you can, both to encourage the walkers and to support the church.

ATTACHMENTS
Please find here the latest Puzzles and Other Stuff from Steve, including some Mother’s Day material as well as news of an answered prayer and lots of Puzzles. Also here is the latest update from HOPE FROM ABOVE for you to read and pray about.

May God bless you all,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

12th March 2023

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 18 March 2023

Hello Everyone,

Over the last two Sundays in St Columba’s I have spoken about a Lent Challenge, to use this season as preparation for Easter by inviting people to church. This will make our Easter, the most joyful of Christian festivals, even more joyful as we share in the joy of heaven as we see people repenting and putting their faith in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. I have mentioned in passing how the more usual Lent disciplines of prayer, fasting and Bible study may help us to meet this challenge. This was confirmed to me this week when I read:
“Serious prayer and seeking the mind of Christ through studying the Scriptures (perhaps with disciplines such as fasting) are vital if we are to engage in witness that truly brings people to life in Christ”. So may we engage in these disciplines in order that we may engage in that truly effective witness.

As a result of the snow this week we cancelled Wednesday evening’s Fellowship Group and the Afternoon Tea. The Fellowship Groups will meet again next week, on Wednesday morning at 10.30 and evening at 7.30. The next Afternoon Tea will be on Friday 31st March – earlier than usual because of Easter and Spring Harvest.

Below are details of all that is coming up tomorrow, including services at St Columba’s and at Rockingham Village Hall, as well as St Columba’s Annual Meeting and Lunch. There are also details of next Sunday’s MOTHERING SUNDAY service. You will see there a request for photos of Mums who won’t be with us on Sunday, either because they have died or simply because they can’t be there next week. Please send me the photos in advance if at all possible – full details below.

KEEP THE CHURCH FIRES BURNING
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this special appeal to help with the costs of heating the church this winter. This was the first week the appeal was open so it was encouraging to see the envelopes in the offering basket – but there is still plenty of time to contribute to help boost our income so that we can cover the hugely increased cost of gas and electricity. If you are able to give a little extra on top of your regular giving to the church please place money in an envelope marked “Keep The Church Fires Burning” or KTCFB in the Offering Basket or use the Card Reader or make a Bank Transfer with KTCFB as the reference. THANK YOU for all contributions to this fund.

SUNDAY 12th MARCH
This will be a busy day so here are all the timings:
10.30am HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s with ENERGIZE groups (who will be preparing for the Mothering Sunday Service on 19th March).
For anyone who can’t be in church you can watch the service via this link: https://youtube.com/live/j_xGyWVCfeE?feature=share
12.00noon (approx) St Columba’s ANNUAL MEETING in the Church Hall (see below)
1pm (approx) BRING & SHARE LUNCH (think main meal with main course and dessert!) also in the Church Hall
2pm (approx) Short PCC meeting at St Columba’s to elect officers for the year ahead.
3pm FAMILY SERVICE in Rockingham Village Hall
6pm PRAYER MEETING at St Columba’s.

ST COLUMBA’S ANNUAL MEETING
We will meet in the Church Hall at about 12 noon. We will be electing Churchwardens to serve us over the next 12 months, Deanery Synod representatives to serve for three years and one third of our PCC members who also serve for three years, plus one casual vacancy for one year. If you would like to be considered for one of these roles please do ask me for a nomination form (all roles require the person nominated to be proposed and seconded by two people entitled to vote at the meeting).
The revised ELECTORAL ROLL is on display at the back of church, along with the formal notices about the meeting (strictly speaking it is two meetings, one for electing churchwardens and one for the rest of the business).
Any questions please do speak with me.

BISHOP’S BIBLE DAY
This is taking place at Northampton High School next Saturday 18th March from 9.30am to 4pm. It is a day for everyone to explore the Bible together, with a focus on the Psalms. The keynote speaker, Revd Dr Isabelle Hamley, will be looking at Psalms 23 and 137, and there are a range of workshops. You can book tickets (there is no charge for the day, which includes a cold lunch, but donations are welcome) and find details of all the workshops here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bishops-bible-day-tickets-503194848337

MOTHERING SUNDAY 19th MARCH
We have a special All Age Celebration for all mums so do come along and bring your mum if you can. If your mum has died, or is not able to be with you next Sunday, please could you send me a photo of her. This could be as an email, sent via WhatsApp to me on 07903 644609, or bring a photo along to church with you next Sunday. I don’t need photos of Mums who will be in church. The children and young people will be helping to lead the service and so it will be a great help if they are able to come along this Sunday (12th March) to prepare during their ENERGIZE groups.

PRAYING FOR M&H
Many of you will remember M&H visiting us last summer with their children. They were featured in the CMS Prayer Diary this week. I would like to have shared the prayer request with you, but sensitivities about their location mean we can’t put anything in emails. Do look at the Notice Board at the back of St Columba’s to see the prayer request from CMS.

AND FINALLY
Please find here the latest Puzzles and Other Stuff from Steve with an inspiring story of an eighteenth century preacher and a Northamptonshire Quiz. I think I was right with half of the answers, which isn’t bad for someone who has only lived here for ten years! In fact it will be ten years on Friday since my licensing as Vicar of St Columba’s – thanks be to God for all that has happened over those ten years, but oh how quickly they have gone!

Hoping to see you at church on Sunday and for the Annual Meeting and Lunch afterwards.

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

5th March 2023

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 11 March 2023

Hello everyone,

I hope you have had a good week and been thinking about the Lent Challenge I shared in my sermon last Sunday. This was to invite people to church so that we can use Lent to prepare for the joy of Easter by sharing the joy of heaven when people come to faith! For those who missed it you can watch back by going to this link: https://youtube.com/live/OqHDf3V35_0?feature=share
I will be sharing more this coming Sunday so do come along to find out about the help that is available to us.

KEEP THE CHURCH FIRES BURNING
Last week I launched an appeal to help with the costs of heating the church this winter. As we all know energy prices have gone up so much, and the church is considered a commercial building so is not entitled to as much help as we receive for our homes. As a result the church budget is not balancing as our predicted income is considerably less than our predicted expenditure. Sadly there is not much we can do to limit expenditure, so we thought we would try and boost income by asking those people who are able to give a little extra on top of their regular giving to a special fund called KEEP THE CHURCH FIRES BURNING. This will be used to cover heating costs and is therefore different from last year’s HEATING FUND which has covered the cost of replacing and repairing the heaters in the church.
Contributions to this fund can be made by placing money in an envelope marked “Keep The Church Fires Burning” or KTCFB in the Offering Basket or via the Card Reader or making a Bank Transfer with KTCFB as the reference. THANK YOU for any contributions to this fund.

SUNDAY’S SERVICE
We just have the one service on Sunday, MORNING WORSHIP in St Columba’s church at 10.30am with ENERGIZE groups. This service is available to watch on Youtube either as a livestream or afterwards via this link: https://youtube.com/live/yyPtEfT1R_w?feature=share
We will also have the PRAYER MEETING at 6pm.
There is a special evening service at 6pm at Christ the King in Kettering with JOHN COLES (one of the founders of NEW WINE) speaking on the subject “From meeting God to serving God”.

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS
We were blessed with 12 people at the evening group last week which was great, although we had an equally good discussion with just four people the following morning. Do come along, even if you have not been before. Both groups this week are on Wednesday 8th March at 10.30am and 7.30pm

AFTERNOON TEA
The Ladies Afternoon Tea will be happening next Friday, 10th March at 3pm in the Church Hall. Do come along if you are able and enjoy tea and sandwiches, cakes and conversation!

NEXT SUNDAY 12th MARCH
This will be a busy day so here are all the timings:
10.30am HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s with ENERGIZE groups (who will be preparing for the Mothering Sunday Service on 19th March).
12.00noon (approx) St Columba’s ANNUAL MEETING in the Church Hall (see below)
1pm (approx) BRING & SHARE LUNCH (think main meal with main course and dessert!) also in the Church Hall
3pm FAMILY SERVICE in Rockingham Village Hall
6pm PRAYER MEETING at St Columba’s.

ST COLUMBA’S ANNUAL MEETING
We will meet in the Church Hall at about 12 noon please do try and come along. We will be electing Churchwardens to serve us over the next 12 months, Deanery Synod representatives to serve for three years and one third of our PCC members who also serve for three years, plus one casual vacancy for one year. If you would like to be considered for one of these roles please do ask me for a nomination form (all roles require the person nominated to be proposed and seconded by two people entitled to vote at the meeting).
The revised ELECTORAL ROLL is on display at the back of church, along with the formal notices about the meeting (strictly speaking it is two meetings, one for electing churchwardens and one for the rest of the business).
Any questions please do speak with me.

NAT WHITE’S BAND IN CONCERT
Nat White’s band MID LIFE CRISIS are performing at St Giles church Northampton on Saturday 11th March at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10 (concessions £7) and details of how to buy them are on the poster. They are raising money for “Baby Basics, Northampton”. If anyone is planning to go and has space to give someone a lift please let me know.

BISHOP’S BIBLE DAY
This is taking place at Northampton High School on Saturday 18th March from 9.30am to 4pm. It is a day for everyone to explore the Bible together, with a focus on the Psalms. The keynote speaker, Revd Dr Isabelle Hamley, will be looking at Psalms 23 and 137, and there are a range of workshops. You can book tickets (there is no charge for the day, which includes a cold lunch, but donations are welcome) and find details of all the workshops here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bishops-bible-day-tickets-503194848337

AND FINALLY
No Puzzles etc from Steve this week but there is another HOPE FROM ABOVE UPDATE so please do read it and pray for the matters highlighted.

With best wishes for this coming week,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

26th February 2023

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 4 March 2023

Hello everyone,

Just a quick email with details of tomorrow’s services and other events happening in the next few weeks as well as attaching a mini SCANS from Steve, which I thought deserved to be first on the email this week rather than at the end – thank you Steve.

SUNDAY 26th FEBRUARY
We have a choice of three services tomorrow:
9am HOLY COMMUNION at St Leonard’s, Rockingham
10.30 HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s, Corby with ENERGIZE groups for children and young people and a live stream for anyone unable to be in church via this link: https://youtube.com/live/OqHDf3V35_0?feature=share
5pm HEALING SERVICE at St Columba’s – do come along if you or someone you know needs prayer for healing, or simply to join us in praying for those in need.
Please note because of the Healing Service there will be no PRAYER MEETING tomorrow.

ALPHA – will be meeting again this week at 7.30pm

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS Tuesday 28th February at 7.30pm and Wednesday 1st March at 10.30am
Do think of these as a Lent Group and join us even if you have not been before. The evening group is meeting on Tuesday for this week to avoid a clash with PCC.

ST COLUMBA’S PCC
This will meet in church at 7.30pm on Wednesday 1st March.

NEXT SUNDAY 5th MARCH
We have just the one service next week: MORNING WORSHIP at St Columba’s at 10.30am with ENERGIZE (please note the All Age Service next month will be on Mothering Sunday 19th March).
However there is a special evening service at 6pm at Christ the King in Kettering with JOHN COLES (one of the founders of NEW WINE) speaking on the subject “From meeting God to serving God”.

ST COLUMBA’S ANNUAL MEETING Sunday 12th March after the Morning service
We will meet in the Church Hall at about 12 noon for our meeting after which there is a BRING & SHARE LUNCH to which everyone is invited. Please do try and come along to the meeting and stay for lunch.
This meeting is the time when we elect Churchwardens to serve us over the next 12 months, Deanery Synod representatives to serve for three years and one third of our PCC members who also serve for three years, plus one casual vacancy for one year. If you would like to be considered for one of these roles please do ask me for a nomination form (all roles require the person nominated to be proposed and seconded by two people entitled to vote at the meeting).
The revised ELECTORAL ROLL is on display at the back of church, along with the formal notices about the meeting (strictly speaking it is two meetings, one for electing churchwardens and one for the rest of the business).
Any questions please do speak with me.

NAT WHITE’S BAND IN CONCERT
Nat White’s band MID LIFE CRISIS are performing at St Giles church Northampton on Saturday 11th March at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10 (concessions £7) and details of how to buy them are on the poster. They are raising money for “Baby Basics, Northampton”. If anyone is planning to go and has space to give someone a lift please let me know.

BISHOP’S BIBLE DAY
This is taking place at Northampton High School on Saturday 18th March from 9.30am to 4pm. It is a day for everyone to explore the Bible together, with a focus on the Psalms. The keynote speaker, Revd Dr Isabelle Hamley, will be looking at Psalms 23 and 137, and there are a range of workshops. You can book tickets (there is no charge for the day, which includes a cold lunch, but donations are welcome) and find details of all the workshops here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bishops-bible-day-tickets-503194848337

With best wishes for this coming week,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

19th February 2023

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 25 February 2023

Hello again,

Let me begin with some good news and answers to prayer. I visited both Margaret Freeland and Pam Williams in the last few days, both are now at home after lengthy stays in hospital, both are doing well and grateful for prayers from the church family. Those who are still in need of prayer will be a particular focus of the Healing Service at St Columba’s on Sunday 26th February. Please do come along to this service to pray for them, to bring your own request for healing (either for yourself or someone you know), or simply to enjoy fellowship with the church family at 5pm.

THIS SUNDAY
Please join us at St Columba’s tomorrow, 19th February, for a service of MORNING WORSHIP with ENERGIZE groups for children and young people. David is leading this and Linda preaching on Matthew 17 v1-9 and 14-23. If you can’t make it to church you can watch online by following this link:
https://youtube.com/live/oAnJ9TOdIAc?feature=share
We also have our PRAYER MEETING at St Columba’s at 6pm on Sunday evening.

ASH WEDNESDAY
Lent starts this week and it is always good to mark the beginning of this special season in the life of the church with worship. We have two identical services of HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s, at 10.30am and 7.30pm. These will be in place of Fellowship Groups for this week, but the Groups will be back next week – perhaps one of your Lent disciplines could be joining one of them? I do encourage you to think of ways in which you might observe Lent this year, and if you don’t have any ideas come along on Wednesday and next Sunday to be inspired!

NEXT SUNDAY
We have a choice of three services next Sunday. At St Leonard’s, Rockingham there is a service of HOLY COMMUNION at 9am and at St Columba’s there is COMMUNION at 10.30am with ENERGIZE groups, and, as mentioned above, a HEALING SERVICE at 5pm. You would be most welcome to any or all of these.

ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING
St Columba’s ANNUAL MEETING this year is on Sunday 12th March and will be held after the morning service in the Church Hall at about 12 noon. It will be followed by a BRING & SHARE LUNCH to which everyone is invited. Please make sure you have made a note of this date, and do try and come along to the meeting, even if you can’t stay for lunch.
This meeting is the time when we elect Churchwardens to serve us over the next 12 months, Deanery Synod representatives to serve for three years and one third of our PCC members who also serve for three years. If you would like to be considered for one of these roles please do ask me for a nomination form (all roles require the person nominated to be proposed and seconded by two people entitled to vote at the meeting).
The revised ELECTORAL ROLL is on display at the back of church, along with the formal notices about the meeting (strictly speaking it is two meetings, one for electing churchwardens and one for the rest of the business).
Any questions please do speak with me.

BISHOP’S BIBLE DAY
This is taking place at Northampton High School on Saturday 18th March from 9.30am to 4pm. It is a day for everyone to explore the Bible together, with a focus on the Psalms. The keynote speaker, Revd Dr Isabelle Hamley, will be looking at Psalms 23 and 137, and there are a range of workshops. You can book tickets (there is no charge for the day, which includes a cold lunch, but donations are welcome) and find details of all the workshops here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bishops-bible-day-tickets-503194848337

ATTACHMENTS
Please find here the latest PRAYER UPDATE from HOPE FROM ABOVE in Australia and STEVE’S PUZZLES & OTHER STUFF. Steve tells me there are some new types of puzzle, some great stories and aahhhs! As a football fan I was struck by the front page article about Sadio Mane, the former Liverpool striker, do have a read even if you don’t support Liverpool. There is also an article by Bishop John with ideas about what we might do during Lent.

May God be with you in this coming week, and especially may He inspire you to do something special during the season of Lent.

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

12th February 2023

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 18 February 2023

Hello everyone,

It has certainly been quite a week, with the Church of England General Synod’s debates occupying much time and attention, and not a little space on Facebook. If you would like to talk to me or Kevin about anything, either from the debates themselves, or from the comments made in response to those debates, please do get in touch.

Of course, the people of southern Turkey and northern Syria have had the worst possible week with the utter devastation caused by the earthquakes. I am sure many of you have been moved by the pictures of people being rescued from under the rubble, but this is only the beginning of a long journey to recovery, and there is much that they need to survive the cold winter nights. If you would like to support the relief effort can I encourage you to give direct to a Christian charity such as Tearfund who are already working in Syria. You can give to Tearfund by following this link:

https://www.tearfund.org/get-involved/donate/donation-forms/donation-form?appeal={4DE36746-C78E-49F5-8E5D-CE559F8BD692}&tf_source=224930

PRAYER NEWS

I am pleased to be able to share the good news that Pam Williams was due to come out of hospital today. While this is a cause for thanksgiving please continue to pray for Pam to regain her strength.

Please also pray for Sue Scholes who passed out yesterday morning. She did not injure herself but was clearly shaken, as was Steve, and with her other medical conditions Sue really does need God’s healing.

SUNDAY SERVICES

We have two services tomorrow. HOLY COMMUNION at 10.30am at St Columba’s, with my final sermon on the book of Ezra and ENERGIZE groups for children and young people. Then in the afternoon at 3pm there is a FAMILY SERVICE in Rockingham Village Hall. If you have not been before the Hall is on the left as you drive through Rockingham from Corby, before the Sondes Arms and there is a small car park up the lane by the old telephone box. Everyone is welcome to either or both of these services, but if you can’t make it then there is  livestream link to the St Columba’s service here: https://youtube.com/live/RF5qaYXe0uw?feature=share

PRAYER MEETING

There will be the usual Sunday evening Prayer Meeting at St Columba’s tomorrow at 6pm. Do come along and join in us in an hour of prayer for our Hope Into Action House and Tenant, for the Church and the World, especially those affected by the earthquake, and for one another, especially those in need.

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS

We continue our studies in the book of Colossians, this week looking at chapter 2 v6-23. The groups meet on Wednesday morning at 10.30am and evening at 7.30pm. Once again everyone is welcome and it doesn’t matter if you have not been to the previous studies.

NEXT SUNDAY

On Sunday 19th February we just have the one service of Morning Worship at St Columba’s at 10.30am.

ASH WEDNESDAY

Lent begins on 22nd February and to mark the beginning of this special season in the life of the church we will have two services of Holy Communion at St Columba’s at 10.30am and 7.30pm, in place of Fellowship Groups.

AND FINALLY

There are no Puzzles etc from Steve this week but there are still printed copies of SCANS in church. And also if anyone lost an earring in St Leonard’s church Rockingham at Christmas please do let me know.

May God bless you and watch over you,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

5th February 2023

By Kevin Montgomery in Sunday Service on 11 February 2023

Hello everyone,

I was at the panto last night and it was a really good show so, if you have not yet booked your tickets, why not come along. There are seats available on Sunday at 3pm but I’m sure you could be squeezed in today, also at 3pm. Tickets cost £7 for adults and £5 for children with a family tickets (2 adults & 2 children) for £20. You can buy them on the door, or reserve them by contacting me.

PRAYER NEWS
James Robb is now out of hospital and at home with Jim & Debbie where he is progressing well although he still has a long way to go. The hardest part for him is managing his recently diagnosed diabetes with testing and injections. Debbie thanks everyone for their love and support.
Rosie has asked me to say that her operation on Thursday went well, she is recovering at home and is grateful for all the prayers and offers of help.
Roy Tosh is still in hospital but almost ready to be discharged. Please pray that the right residential home is found for him and that Jess is able to resist pressure for him to come home before a place is ready.
Pam Williams is still in hospital and had a setback in the week and was very poorly again, she is feeling a bit better now but still has a long way to go so please continue to pray for Pam.

SUNDAY’S SERVICE
Tomorrow at 10.30am at St Columba’s we have an ALL AGE SERVICE with contributions from children and young people, and, I hope, adults. Do come along to learn together and be inspired by our youngest members as well as by our wonderful God. All Age services probably don’t come across so well online, but for those who can’t be there in person the link to watch this week is: https://youtube.com/live/zwhnSe6S_5k

TRAIDCRAFT STALL
Years ago when C&A closed they had a slogan “Goodbye Good Buy”. Today we might change that to “Farewell Fair Trader” because, sadly, after 40 years supporting a fairer trade system in the world, Traidcraft has fallen victim to the recession and has ceased trading. Miriam will be ordering Fairtrade supplies for use in church from other suppliers so that we remain a Fairtrade Church. There will be a stall after church tomorrow selling food and household products, so do have a browse and see if you can make some final purchases. The Stall will be back before Christmas with cards and craft products that Miriam still has and she may be able to buy Advent Calendars and Christmas Cards to order. Do speak with Miriam if you would like to know more.

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS
These will be meeting again on Wednesday at 10.30am or 7.30pm. We had a good time this week in both groups and I do encourage you to come along and join in the discussion, as well as having fellowship with other people from church.

AFTERNOON TEA
The Ladies Afternoon Tea will be meeting again on Friday 10th February at 3pm in St Columba’s Church Hall. It is helpful for Sheila to know if you are coming along, but do feel free to simply turn up and enjoy some tea and sandwiches, cake and conversation.

MEN’S GROUP
Men’s Group will be meeting on Saturday 11th February from 9am to 11am in St Columba’s Church Hall for breakfast. All men are welcome, including any guests you would like to bring along with you.

NEXT SUNDAY 12th FEBRUARY
There are two services next week: HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s at 10.30am with ENERGIZE groups for children and young people, and a FAMILY SERVICE at Rockingham Village Hall at 3pm. Everyone is welcome to either or both of these services.

ADVANCE NOTICES
I advise details of two events coming up next month in Northampton:
A concert by Nat White’s band MID LIFE CRISIS at St Giles church Northampton on Saturday 11th March at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10 (concessions £7) and details of how to buy them are on the poster. They are raising money for “Baby Basics, Northampton”.

The BISHOP’S BIBLE DAY at Northampton High School on Saturday 18th March from 9.30am to 4pm. This is a day for everyone to explore the Bible together, with a focus on the Psalms. The keynote speaker, Revd Dr Isabelle Hamley, will be looking at Psalms 23 and 137, and there are a range of workshops. You can book tickets (there is no charge for the day, which includes a cold lunch, but donations are welcome) and find details of all the workshops here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bishops-bible-day-tickets-503194848337

There should be a new print edition of SCANS in church tomorrow so do look out for that if you are there. As a result there are no Puzzles & Other Stuff on here.

May God bless you, and especially those people mentioned in the Prayer News above, in this coming week,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

29th January 2023

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 4 February 2023

Hello everyone,

I hope you have all had a good week as I did up in North Wales at Gladstone’s Library.

PRAYER NEWS
Some of you will have heard that Roy Tosh had a fall on Monday and had to go into hospital. He is still there, having had a number of tests. Roy will not be able to return home when he is discharged so while we continue to pray for him to recover we also need to pray for a suitable residential place for him, and for Jess as she comes to terms with this new situation.
James Robb is continuing to improve although he struggles to understand everything, especially that he has now been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes so needs insulin and regular blood tests. He may be allowed home next week, but only to Jim & Debbie’s so please pray that his condition improves enough to allow this, as well as for a full recovery.
Pam Williams is also still in hospital but doing ok. She is now eating a little and has targeted anti-biotics. Her family have been able to visit her and she is most grateful for all our prayers, but please do continue to pray for Pam’s recovery and that she is able to return home soon.

SUNDAY 29th JANUARY
We have two services at St Columba’s, Corby tomorrow. At 10.30am there is HOLY COMMUNION celebrating the Presentation of Christ in the Temple and during that service there will be ENERGIZE groups for children and young people who will be preparing for next week’s All Age Service. If you are not able to attend the service then it will be available as a livestream by going to this link: https://youtube.com/live/1a8HNLzmpcQ
Then at 5pm we have a SONGS OF PRAISE service. A big thank you to those people who have chosen songs and hymns for this service. Do come along if you like a good sing, or if you would like to hear why the songs are special to different people in our church family. After the service there will be a time of prayer.

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS
Our Fellowship Groups continue on Wednesday at 10.30am and 7.30pm. This is a great opportunity to meet with other Christians to read God’s word together and learn from one another. We have just started a new series looking at Colossians and everyoine is very welcome.

PANTOMIME – Dick Whittington
This week we are looking forward to performances by the Great Easton Little Theatre Company of theor 2023 Pantomime, DICK WHITTINGTON. This is happening in the Church Hall on Friday 3rd February at 7.30pm, Saturday 4th February at 3pm and Sunday 5th February also at 3pm. Tickets cost £7 for adults, £5 for children and £20 for a Family Ticket (2 adults & 2 children) and are available either after the services tomorrow, by phone to 01536 400225 or by email to gelttickets@gmail.com
I understand there are plenty of tickets for Friday evening and Sunday afternoon while Saturday afternoon is selling fast but there are tickets available. Do plan to come along, bring family and friends with you, and tell everyone you know.

NEXT SUNDAY 5th February
We have a service of ALL AGE WORSHIP at St Columba’s next Sunday morning at 10.30am and everyone is welcome as we celebrate the wonderful world God created for us.

MEN’S GROUP
The next meeting of the Men’s Group will be on Saturday 11th February from 9am to 11am in St Columba’s Church Hall for breakfast. All men are welcome, including any guests you would like to bring along with you.

AND FINALLY
Steve has taken a well deserved week off from Puzzles & Other Stuff, in order to concentrate on producing a printed edition of SCANS! Here is a prayer update from HOPE FROM ABOVE so do make use of that.

May God be with you all,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609

22nd January 2023

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 4 February 2023

Hello again everyone,

I begin with some NEWS FOR PRAYER.
Last week we heard about Jim & Debbie’s son James who is in Northampton Hospital after suffering a stroke. He is only 35yrs old. I have heard from Debbie today that James is showing some improvement but it is going to be a long road. She adds that she has a permanent headache from worry but that otherwise she and Jim are ok. Please pray for complete healing for James and peace for Jim and Debbie.
Please also pray for Pam Williams who is Kettering General Hospital with abdominal issues. This has led to Pam not eating and so she is also very much in need of our prayers.
On a more positive note Margaret Freeland was moving back into her bungalow today after a stay in the Community Hospital since before Christmas. Let us give thanks for this and pray that Margaret settles in to the new routine with more carers coming in each day.

GIVING TO THE CHURCH
Thank you to everyone who responded to the letters our Treasurer James sent out last year asking people to review their giving. There are some people who said they would increase or round up their giving via the PARISH GIVING SCHEME (PGS) but have not yet contacted PGS to change their Direct Debit. Unfortunately James cannot do this for you and you have to contact PGS either via their website where you can log in to your account: https://www.parishgiving.org.uk
You can also contact PGS by post to: 76 Kingsholm Road, Gloucester, GL1 3BD
Phone: 0333 002 1260
or Email: info@parishgiving.org.uk
If anyone else would like to increase their giving, or start giving, to the church please do speak with James who will be able to provide all the details you need.

SERVICES ON SUNDAY
There are two services on Sunday. At St Leonard’s, Rockingham there is HOLY COMMUNION at 9am and at St Columba’s MORNING WORSHIP (with ENERGIZE groups) at 10.30am.
We also have our regular PRAYER MEETING at 6pm in St Columba’s.

WARM SPACES
Thank you to everyone who helped with the Warm Spaces for our Community on Tuesday and Wednesday last week. There is still space for others to help out, especially on a Wednesday, so do look out for the SIGN UP SHEETS at church again tomorrow. The Green Room in the Church Hall will be open again this week from 2-4pm on Tuesday and 12-4pm on Wednesday for anyone who wants to spend some time out of the cold and to enjoy some tea, cake and friendly conversation so do spread the word of you know anyone who may benefit.

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS
Our new season of Fellowship Groups started last week with an introduction to the book of Colossians. The groups both meet on a WEDNESDAY, either in the morning from 10.30 to 12 noon (after which you could join the Warm Space for an hour or so) or the evening from 7.30 to 9pm. Please do come along, it won’t matter that you missed the first session as we are looking at Colossians 1 this week.

SONGS OF PRAISE
Next Sunday at 5pm we have a Songs of Praise service but we still need you to suggest more songs that you would like to sing in the service, and that you would be prepared to introduce, saying why it is a favourite. You can do this either by replying to this email, or by speaking to Trevor or me at church tomorrow.

SUNDAY MORNING
Our morning service at St Columba’s next Sunday at 10.30am will be HOLY COMMUNION with ENERGIZE groups for children and young people.

PANTOMIME
We are delighted to once again host the Great Easton Little Theatre Company’s Pantomime, which this year is DICK WHITTINGTON. This will be happening in the Church Hall on Friday 3rd February at 7.30pm, Saturday 4th February at 3pm and Sunday 5th February also at 3pm. Tickets cost £7 for adults, £5 for children and £20 for a Family Ticket (2 adults & 2 children) and are available either after services at St Columba’s, by phone to 01536 400225 or by email to gelttickets@gmail.com
I understand there are plenty of tickets for Friday evening and Sunday afternoon while Saturday afternoon is selling fast but there are tickets available. Do plan to come along, bring family and friends with you, and tell everyone you know.

PUZZLES
Please find attached a BIG ISSUE of Steve’s Puzzles and Other Stuff. This not only refers to the mushroom pictures, but also the puzzles! However Steve says there won’t be an edition next week as he is working on the next print edition of SCANS, so you have a fortnight to complete them!

I won’t be around this week as I am taking a Reading Week, but Kevin is here and can be contacted on 07512 822422.

May God bless you all in this coming week.

Ian

15th January 2023

By Justin Dyche in Sunday Service on 21 January 2023

Hello Everyone,

Can I begin by thanking you all for your prayers over the last few weeks while I have not been well, I am pleased to say that they have been answered and I am almost back to 100%, although after doing next to nothing for three weeks it is taking a little longer than I would like to be fully fit! The lesson I learnt from my experience is that I should have had the flu jab, and will definitely be doing so in future!

There are details of everything that is happening over the next few weeks below, so please do have a read and take note of all that is going on.

WARM SPACE
Before Christmas St Columba’s signed up with the Council to open as a warm space for people who needed somewhere safe and warm to go during the winter. We have not started this yet, but with the weather turning colder next week now seems to be the perfect time to do so. We have advertised that we are open on Tuesday afternoon from 2-4pm and on Wednesday from 12 noon to 4pm. Both of these sessions will make use of the Green Room in the Church Hall and on Wednesday we will offer soup as well as tea & coffee. We need volunteers to help with the sessions, which might just be sitting in the Green Room for an hour or two, or might involve making drinks and chatting with people who come in. There will be a SIGN UP SHEET in church tomorrow so if you are available at any of these times, even if it is just for an hour, please do put your name down. If we have lots of volunteers we may have a rota so people do not need to help every week.
Please note that we chose those times because there will already be, or have been, heating on in the Hall, and that some of the PCC’s charitable giving last year was set aside to fund projects to help with the cost of living crisis which we will use to help with the cost of heating.
THANK YOU if you are able to help with this important initiative.

SONGS OF PRAISE
We have planned a Songs of Praise service in two weeks time on Sunday 29th January at 5pm. In order to do this we need you to suggest songs that you would like to sing in the service, and that you would be prepared to introduce, saying why it is a favourite. You can do this either by replying to this email, or by speaking to Trevor or me, as soon as possible and definitely by next Sunday (22nd January) morning.

SUNDAY 15th JANUARY
This week sees the return of ENERGIZE groups for children and young people after the Christmas break, so please do encourage those you know to come along and join in. The service in St Columba’s tomorrow at 10.30am is HOLY COMMUNION, including a sermon by David Bavin on John 1.29-42. If you are not able to come to church then the service can be watched via the following Youtube link: https://youtu.be/tLVPtuBJUC8

PRAYER MEETING
This will meet again on Sunday at 6pm and everyone is very welcome to join us for an hour of prayer.

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS
I am pleased to announce that Fellowship Groups will be starting again this week. They will both be meeting on a WEDNESDAY, either in the morning from 10.30 to 12noon (after which you could join the Warm Space for an hour) or the evening from 7.30 to 9pm. The groups will be a simple Bible Study (more like the Advent Course on Wednesday morning) which will hopefully mean that different people can be involved in leading them each week. Please do come along, even if you have not been to one of these groups before you would be most welcome.

PRAYER REQUEST
I have received an urgent prayer request from Debbie & Jim Robb as follows:
“Please can I ask the church family to pray for our son James. He is in Northampton Hospital after suffering a bleed on the brain, a stroke. He is very poorly. At only 35yrs old this has been very unexpected. Any help from our Lord will be most valuable.”
Please do pray for James, and Debbie & Jim.

PUZZLES AND OTHER STUFF
Here is Steve’s Puzzles and Other Stuff, with thanks as ever to Steve for preparing these.

NEXT SUNDAY
There are two services next Sunday 22nd January. At St Leonard’s, Rockingham there is HOLY COMMUNION at 9am and at St Columba’s MORNING WORSHIP (with ENERGIZE groups) at 10.30am.

AND FINALLY…it’s PANTO TIME
We are delighted to once again host the Great Easton Little Theatre Company’s Pantomime, which this year is DICK WHITTINGTON. This will be happening in the Church Hall on Friday 3rd February at 7.30pm, Saturday 4th February at 3pm and Sunday 5th February also at 3pm. Tickets cost £7 for adults, £5 for children and £20 for a Family Ticket (2 adults & 2 children) and are available either after services at St Columba’s, by phone to 01536 400225 or by email to gelttickets@gmail.com
I understand there are plenty of tickets for Friday evening and Sunday afternoon while Saturday afternoon is selling fast but there are tickets available. Do plan to come along, bring family and friends with you, and tell everyone you know.

May God bless you all in this coming week,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609