Hello everyone,

There is lots to look forward to over the next couple of weeks with Bishop John joining us on Sunday morning and for our Harvest Lunch, then the Romans Course starting on Wednesday, before our Harvest Service next Sunday. Details of all those can be found below. I would also like to look slightly further forward to Advent, only just over 3 months away, as there is a sale on FAIRTRADE DIVINE CHOCOLATE ADVENT CALENDARS which are now available for £5.60 rather than the usual £6.50. However this offer is only available this weekend so if you would like to order a calendar please email ianpullinger@btinternet.com or speak to Miriam on Sunday. You won’t need to pay until the calendar is delivered but orders must be placed this weekend.

SUNDAY 28th SEPTEMBER

9am HOLY COMMUNION at St Leonard’s, Rockingham

10.30am HOLY COMMUNION at St Columba’s with Bishop John on his last Sunday in the diocese before he retires. ENERGIZE will be meeting to plan for next Sunday’s Harvest Service so all children are especially welcome. The service will be available to watch on Youtube here: https://youtube.com/live/pZ2tjPwK5OQ?feature=share

Please join us for the service and afterwards in the Church Hall for our HARVEST LUNCH. Bishop John will be at the lunch before returning to Peterborough for his Farewell Service in the Cathedral at 3.30pm.

Please note there will not be a PRAYER MEETING this evening.

ROMANS COURSE
Everyone who completed the BIBLE COURSE before the summer holidays will be pleased to know that we are starting the ROMANS COURSE on Wednesday 1st October with sessions at 10.30am and 7.30pm in church. Rather than looking at the big picture of the whole Bible this course concentrates on just one book, St Paul’s letter to the Romans. There are ten sessions in this course so we will finish before Christmas. Please book out your Wednesday evenings and plan to join us for what should be another fascinating course with teaching on video once again by Dr Andrew Ollerton. Please do come along, whether or not you attended the Bible Course.

SUNDAY 5th OCTOBER
10.30am HARVEST ALL AGE SERVICE at St Columba’s. Please remember to bring a contribution to our Harvest Collection for the Food Bank. The most needed items at the present time are: Tinned Spaghetti in Sauce, Tinned Tomatoes, Tinned Vegetables, Tinned Meat, Tinned Fish, Tinned Fruit, Tinned Custard, Tinned Rice Pudding, Coffee, Long Life Juice, UHT Milk, Disposable Razors, Shampoo, Shower Gel, and Toilet Rolls.
6pm SONGS OF PRAISE – Trevor now has a good list of song requests, so do come along to hear why people have chosen particular songs, and to sing God’s praise.

STEWARDSHIP REVIEW
Thank you to everyone who has returned a Stewardship Review Response Form, and apologies to those who have not received their form as yet. Please could you return the form even if there are no changes as it helps us to know that people have considered the challenge facing the church, and saves you from being asked if you have done so. Don’t forget you can ask the person who gave you the form (or Justin, James or me) any questions about the information in the Review leaflet before you complete your Response Form.

CHARITY OF THE WEEK – HOME FOR GOOD
This week’s charity is Home for Good who have merged with another charity we have supported in the past, Safe Families. Together they hope for a society where no family feels alone, and every child has a home where they can flourish. They empower and support parents, carers and hosts to build positive connections and relationships so children and families can flourish. They work to inspire and equip churches as they create communities of care, hospitality, and belonging. They are passionate about influencing systemic change for children and families and amplifying the voices of children to offer hope and promote a loving and just society.
Home for Good’s particular focus is to mobilise the Church in the UK to respond to the needs of children through families stepping forward to foster, adopt or provide supported lodgings for teenagers and churches wrapping around families with support, and to influence wider society through advocacy and engagement to create systemic change.

On the subject of Charities, the PCC will be considering at their meeting on 7th October, which charities St Columba’s will support with our giving this year. If you have suggestions please speak to a PCC member or email ianpullinger@btinternet.com.

AND FINALLY
I am pleased to promote PINK PARTIES TRUST, a charity able to support men or women over 18 years old from Corby and the surrounding villages who are suffering from a health condition (physical or psychological) and finding it hard to cope in some area of their lives. The funds are for individuals who cannot access services from any other avenue. They can give small grants, up to £1,000, and to apply just email pinkpartiestrust@outlook.com for an application form before 23rd October 2025.

Best wishes to all,

Ian

01536 400225
07903 644609