Everyone is most welcome to come along to any of our services. Refreshments are served after every Sunday morning service and after Evensong. Do join us!Wednesday 2nd April at 7 p.m. - Compline for LentThe ancient office of Compline derives its name from a Latin word meaning ‘completion’ (completorium). It is above all a service of quietness and reflection before rest at the end of the day. Do join us for the fifth of our series of Compline services: a brief time of calm in the busyness of life as we progress through the penitential season of Lent.Sunday 6th April at 6.30 p.m. - Choral Evensong [Fifth Sunday in Lent]Our service of Evensong, led by the choir, is taken from the Book of Common Prayer, with readings from the Authorized Version of the Bible (the King James Version). The congregation sings the hymns, and the choir will sing settings of Psalm 126 by John Foster (1752–1822); the Fauxbourdon setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis by Thomas Tallis (1505-1585); the Preces and Responses by William Byrd (c1543-1623); and the beautiful choral anthem "Drop, drop, slow tears" - a penitential poem by Phineas Fletcher (1582-1650) set to music by Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625), a composition best known as a madrigal to the words "The Silver Swan". A glass of wine and nibbles will be available after the service. All are very welcome.Wednesday 9th April at 7 p.m. - Compline for LentThe ancient office of Compline derives its name from a Latin word meaning ‘completion’ (completorium). It is above all a service of quietness and reflection before rest at the end of the day. Do join us for the fifth of our series of Compline services: a brief time of calm in the busyness of life as we progress through the penitential season of Lent.Sunday 13th April at 10.45 a.m. - Holy Communion & distribution of palm crosses [Palm Sunday]Do join us for our service of Holy Communion for Palm Sunday, marking the beginning of Holy Week. During the service we re-tell the story of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, and palms are blessed and distributed. Our celebrant will be Rev Robert Williamson. There will be refreshments and a chance to chat after the service.Wednesday 16th April at 7 p.m. - Compline for LentDo join us for the sixth and last of our series of Compline services for Lent. The ancient office of Compline derives its name from a Latin word meaning ‘completion’ (completorium). It is a service of quietness and reflection before rest at the end of the day: a brief time of calm in the busyness of life as we progress through Holy Week to the celebration of Easter.Saturday 19th April at 7 p.m. - Easter Vigil and Choral Eucharist for Easter [Easter Eve]Revd Robert Williamson will be our celebrant for this special service for Easter, to which all are most welcome. The Easter Vigil is the first official celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus. It is a dramatic service held after sunset, and begins outside the church with the lighting of the Easter fire. With the church in darkness the Paschal candle is blessed and then lit, representing the light of Christ coming into the world. As it proceeds through the church, the candles of the congregation are lit from the Paschal candle and the "Exsultet" or Easter Proclamation is chanted, before the service continues with readings, the renewal of baptismal vows, and the administration of Easter Communion. The choir, led by Linda Hewlett, will sing movements from the mass and an anthem, and there will be congregational hymns. Do come and join us.Sunday 20th April - [Easter Sunday] There will be no service at St. Columba's today.N.B. The PCC has undertaken all relevant risk assessments in the light of Covid-19 guidance over the past 5 years, and these are reviewed regularly. All restrictions have now been lifted.In colder weather please dress warmly; the heating is on but the church is a large building. Please note that at Communion services we have reintroduced Communion in two kinds, i.e. sharing the chalice. If you have any problem with this do mention this to the sidesman or churchwarden before the service. Should you prefer not to receive Communion, do come to the chancel for a blessing, indicating this perhaps by keeping your hands to your sides. Everyone is most welcome, but if you have any doubts about coming to join us do please check here or contact John Phillips (01845 577034) beforehand for further information; every effort will be made to accommodate you. Access is not ideal, as the path is steep, but a temporary ramp can be provided for wheelchair entrance to the church; do let us know if you need this in place.THANK YOU - WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU.
I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39FUNERALSChristian funerals can take place in church, at the graveside or at the crematorium. Before the FuneralPreliminary meetings between the bereaved and the person taking the funeral (officiant) may be held by telephone or in person. If you have queries during our current vacancy, please contact the Area Dean, Revd Mary Rolls via the Inbox or email revmaryrolls@hotmail.com, or call the Churchwarden, Chris Hewlett on 01845 524426.Planning the FuneralThe officiant will explain what kind of service is available, and will discuss individual details and any special requests with the family. Any changes to the normal service will be explained by the officiant. During the Funeral Please follow the directions of the officiant and funeral director.After the FuneralIf you are organising the funeral of a loved one, we are acutely aware of what a difficult time this will be. We will do our best to explain any changes or delays that may be an inevitable consequence of any current restrictions, but we are here to support you and to ensure a Christian funeral and burial can still be provided. If planning to arrange a wake or other gathering after the funeral, please consult the officiant or funeral director regarding any current recommendations.If you have further queries during our current vacancy, please contact the Area Dean or the Churchwarden (see contact details above).I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
