NINTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
RESUMPTION OF CHURCH SERVICES: The Kirk Session is pleased to announce that Church Services will take place in Ayr St Columba Church on Wednesday afternoons at 2.00pm from 19th August onwards and on Sunday mornings at 10.00am from 6th September onwards. The Services will last for approximately 30 minutes.
PRIVATE PRAYER – For the remaining Sundays in August, members and friends are welcome to sit quietly in the Sanctuary between 10.00am and 11.00 am. However, from 6th September onwards, these sessions will cease and Sunday Services will resume.
It is important that members take careful note of the information on coming into Church on the Church website. Hand sanitisers have been placed at the doors and you are now required to wear a face covering. Please bring a written note of your name, address and telephone number with you – this is needed as a trace measure. Full information can be found on the website at this address: https://ayrstcolumba.co.uk/category/current-information/
Bob Bartholomew, Session Clerk.
RECORDING OF SERVICES – discussions are ongoing regarding the equipment required. We are currently finalising plans to upload a Worship Service to the website. We expect to announce starting dates very soon. The website will be updated when we have this information.
AUDIO SERMON – an Audio version of the sermon is available on the website.
DIAL-A-SERMON It is now possible to access Scott’s Wednesday Reflection and Sunday Sermon by using your telephone; no internet is required. All you need do is call 01292 851074. The call is charged according to your landline or mobile phone package. This service is in addition to the Wednesday Reflection already available on the website (in both script and audio) and Facebook page (in script and audio) as well as the Sunday Sermon (in script) on the website.
WEDNESDAY REFLECTION: The Minister continues to offer a short reflection every Wednesday. This may be accessed on our website (script and audio) or Facebook (audio). Last week’s was entitled “ROSE OF SHARON”. Do take a look!
THE AUGUST PRAYER CALENDAR for week TWO is available on the website.
WE continue to pray for all our bereaved families and for the Ministers and Office bearers as they continue to seek a way forward for our Church that will be safe for all.
PLEASE do not hesitate to let us know of anyone unwell or struggling at this time. Irene – 265794
COLUMBA NEWS – the next edition is in hand. Elders will receive an email shortly regarding the distribution of the Magazine.
THANK YOU: Daisy Milne thanks the Minister, Congregation and her friends for their support, the lovely cards and the beautiful flowers she received on the death of her daughter, Margo. They were appreciated by all the family.
REMEMBER – SERMONS and PRAYERS are available on the website. The Wednesday Reflection from the Minister, and a wealth of useful information can also be found here. https://ayrstcolumba.co.uk/
SCHOOL CLOTHING BANK: a huge “Thank You” to those who have already donated a superb array of school uniforms. If you are able please think about a few items in support of the School Clothing Bank. As with everything else COVID- 19 has brought increased hardship to so many families. Please think about supporting this amazing charity by purchasing a few items of school clothing. If you are able to help please phone me on 01292 265794 to arrange a dropping off point. Thank you so, so much!
LIFE & WORK: Pre-ordered copies of the L&W 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
FLOWERS: many thanks to our Flower Convenor Anne (Drennan) for the beautiful arrangements that are gracing the Sanctuary during our time of Private Prayer.
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).
SUNDAY WORSHIP – Sunday 9 August – in the absence of worship in our own Sanctuary may I direct you to BBC Radio 4 at 08.10am – THE CROSS AND BLACK LIBERATION – Chine McDonald, a writer on race and faith, leads a service exploring the cross as a symbol of black liberation
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.
OASIS CAFÉ: During our enforced closure – please remember your Thursday morning friends and maybe give each other a call!
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.
SERMONS ONLINE: The text and an audio tape of the sermon for this week is available on the Sermons Tab on the website. https://ayrstcolumba.co.uk/category/sermons/
FACEBOOK – you do not require a FB account to access the Church FB page. Something new will be uploaded every day. Our Church windows in Jigsaw form – pop over and have a try! https://www.facebook.com/ayrstcolumba/
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.
Meditative daily worship with readings, music and prayers are available from:
SPOTLIGHT ON FAITH – Revd. Dr. Scott McKenna in conversation with Iain Stewart of Edinburgh Inter Faith Association. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrX0YdGevd0