Sunday 21 June 2020

SECOND SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY                                       

FATHERS’ DAY

WEDNESDAY REFLECTION   From the beginning of June, the Minister is offering a short reflection every Wednesday.   This may be accessed on our website (script and audio) or Facebook (audio).   Last week’s was entitled ‘Mouse’. Do take a look!

THE JUNE PRAYER CALENDAR for week THREE is available on the website.

PLEASE do not hesitate to let us know of anyone unwell or struggling at this time. Irene – 265794

REMEMBER – WEBSITE has lots to offer. Sermons and Prayers, New – Wednesday Reflection from the Minister, and a wealth of useful information.

DEATH: we record with sadness the passing of Ian McBride and extend our warm and sincere sympathies to Phyllis and all the family. Funeral service will be held at Masonhill at 10am on Friday 26th June

Our condolences are extended to the family of Evelyn (Eve) Smail, Ayr, who died on 1 June.  The funeral is on Monday 29 June in Masonhill at 10.00am.

And our sympathies are extended to the family of Elizabeth (Betty) Thorburn who died on 17 June.  The funeral is on Thursday 25 June in Masonhill at 10.00am

COLUMBA NEWS: your copy of the JUNE edition should be dropping on the mat any daynow. We hope you enjoy this “new look edition”. A copy is also available on the website.  Thank you Norman. Thank you too, for all the supportive email and phone calls we have received – we are glad you like the new look magazine!

CHURCH GOING FORWARD – Discussions by phone and by email, involving the Minister and the Review & Planning Committee members, have been taking place regarding the Government’s Routemap out of the current restrictions. The welfare of our members has been at the centre of these discussions and it is recognised that we will need detailed guidance from the Scottish Government and from the Committee set up by The Church of Scotland before we can make decisions regarding the opening of the Church doors for any form of worship. Thought is being given to various aspects which are likely to be involved and we will provide further information when this is available.

Bob Bartholomew, Session Clerk.

OFFERINGS: During this time when the Church building is closed, members may be considering how they can continue to give offerings to the Church. Information on this is available on the Church website https://ayrstcolumba.co.uk/options-for-offerings/ This link will take you directly to the page. Alternatively, you can contact the Treasurer (01292 443271), the Session Clerk or the Church Secretary (both at 01292 265794).

FOOD BANK: You will have seen on the news this week the stark figures that indicate how many children are going hungry during lockdown and beyond, as parents struggle to find money for food. The Food Banks are working to capacity under very severe hygiene and distancing regulations to meet this growing need. Please remember those extra food items which can be left at a number of stores around Ayr. (Asda; Tesco, Sainsbury and the Co-op – to name a few). If you are not out shopping you can make monetary donations by cheque – made out to South Ayrshire Foodbank and send to the Foodbank at New Life Church, 62 Monkton Road, Prestwick. KA9 2PA. This is the main – they deal with all donations. You can contact the Foodbank on 0759907114 they ask that you please leave a message if no one answers – this means they are busy making up boxes for distribution. We are looking at the possibility of having a drop off at the Church – but not yet – watch this space.

20’s IN THE PEWS: Please continue to save your 20’s – we will provide a very large collecting jar when we all return to Church.

MARY’S MEALS: likewise your coppers for Mary’s Meals – there will always be a great need to help.

LIFE & WORK: Pre-ordered copies of the will be hand delivered until we return to normal! If you do not subscribe but would like more information please contact the Life & Work Convenor – Hazel Steele on Tel. 861631

OASIS CAFÉ: During our enforced closure – please remember your Thursday morning friends and maybe give each other a call! 

DAILY PRAYING   May I recommend the website pray-as-you-go.org which offers a daily 10 minute reflection with music, Scripture and help with sensitive praying.    It will help you reflect on the day.  You can listen first thing in the morning, during the day or towards last thing at night.  Often, I find them very peaceful, though they differ each day.     Scott 

Books for the journey………

Rowan Williams               Luminaries:  Twenty lives that illuminate the Christian way        SPCK

Thomas à Kempis            The Imitation of Christ

Anthony De Mello           Seek God Everywhere

Esther De Waal                Seeking God

Also, you can sign up for the daily meditations of Fr Richard Rohr, Centre for Action and Contemplation.

www.cac.org/sign-up/

SERMONS ONLINE:   The text of the sermon for this week is available on the Sermons Tab.

https://ayrstcolumba.co.uk/category/sermons/

Meditative daily worship with readings, music and prayers are available from:

www.pray-as-you-go.org

Facebook – you do not require a FB account to access the Church FB page. Something new will be uploaded every day. Prayers, short video from the Moderator Revd Colin Sinclair and his wife, and the new idea – Our Church windows in Jigsaw form – pop over and have a try!

https://www.facebook.com/ayrstcolumba/

SPOTLIGHT ON FAITH – Revd. Dr. Scott McKenna in conversation with Iain Stewart of Edinburgh Inter Faith Association. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrX0YdGevd0

SUNDAY WORSHIP – in the absence of worship in our own Sanctuary may I direct you to BBC Radio 4 at 08.10am Sunday 21st June – IMAGES OF FATHERHOOD – Ben Lindsay, Guvna B and Lord Hastings explore what it means to be a ‘father’ and share their experience of fatherhood. Ben Lindsay, a Pastor in London, who also runs a charity which works to prevent knife crime will lead the service, Guvna B, an award winning grime artist will reflect on losing his father two years ago and becoming a father himself, and Lord Hastings will share his experience of becoming a father figure to young men in prison through his prison ministry.  Reading: Luke 15: 11-23 (The Prodigal Son)

WORSHIP FOR SUNDAY – BBC1 TV – 11.45 am SECOND SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY A service for Fathers’ Day from Holy Trinity Platt Church in Manchester led by the Rector, Rev Dr Paul Mathole, filmed before the closure of all church buildings was announced. With songs and hymns recorded by Songs of Praise in 2017.

REFLECTIONS AT THE QUAY (from Glasgow) – BBC SCOTLAND 12.15am.   This week, reflections from Rev Sally Foster-Fulton, head of Christian Aid Scotland and Graeme McMeekin, director of Tearfund Scotland. Music from Ross Ainsley and Tim Edey.