St Columba’s Parish Church, Knock is registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland reference NIC 102541
© Copyright – St. Columbas, Knock, Belfast
SCOUTS UPDATE MARCH 2025
SCOUTS
A busy spring term for Scouts at St Columba’s saw the investing of 12 new Scouts into the troop in a time-honoured investing ceremony. The new scouts are put through the Scout Promise and Law in the presence of all the other scouts as well as ’emotional’ parents and siblings with the Scoutmaster seeking to ensure that all assembled are well versed with their new responsibilities. We were delighted to have Canon Auchmuty in attendance to keep and eye on proceedings and welcome the new scouts to the troop and to the Parish.
On a lighter note, 46 Scouts and 4 leaders enjoyed a night at the Belfast Giants ice hockey match at the SSE Arena against the Cardiff Devils. The Giants ran out eventual 4-1 winners on the night although it was tight until the very end. Huge buckets of popcorn and trays of cheesy nachos were consumed by Scouts seemingly in an effort to display an ability eat their own body weight to disgust of the hungry leaders who forgot to bring pocket money.
Our Scouts have been delighted to assist the Church with parking duties guiding parishioners to the newly acquired facilities at Bloomfield Collegiate School car park off Knockhill Park. It is a lesson for the Scouts to appreciate their own input in assisting the Parish for so willingly hosting us during the building programme at Knock Presbyterian Church. Scouts were also pleased to provide waiter service for those attending the Parish ‘Lent Lunch’ and after a briefing from Emma which was something akin to organising the ‘D’ Day landings, the Scouts set about their tasks with rigour and keen spirit. As Scoutmaster, I was delighted to hear the feedback from those attending at how well mannered and helpful the scouts had been throughout the lunch and how careful they had been during service.
We are currently preparing for the East Belfast District Centenary Parade from Stormont to Campbell College School on 23rd March where two of our Scouts will play a prominent role in reading the scripture lesson and renewing the Scout Law to the assembled congregation. Thereafter we have camp over the weekend before Easter in Saintfield, a Centenary camp at Crawfordsburn in May and the summer camp trip to North Wales.
Iain
Scoutmaster 4th and 24th Belfast Scouts
Lent Lunch Sunday 2nd March Photos
It was joyful to experience the great fellowship and friendship being expressed in so many ways throughout the Lent Lunch on Sunday 2nd March. The conversations around the hall were buzzing as everyone shared delicious food, friendly fellowship and much laughter together.
Thank you to our hard working and conscientious Catering Committee for organizing a most successful Lent Lunch. The Hall was full!
Thank you also to all the willing volunteers who assisted in so many ways with the preparations and the tidying up afterwards. It was lovely to see many of our young people enthusiastically serving everyone so efficiently.
Thank you also to our Scouts who assisted with the parking and directing to Bloomfield Collegiate car park, under the careful supervision of their leader Iain Hall. Great job well done!
Order of St John Service Investiture and Awards
It was a wonderful privilege to host the Order of St John Service, Investiture and Awards Service in St Columba’s on Sunday 26th January.
Here are some photos of the event!
FIRST SCOUTS, NOW WE WELCOME CUB SCOUTS TO ST COLUMBA’S!
We are delighted to welcome the 4th Belfast Cubs to St. Columba’s on Wednesday 15th January 2025 and hope they will settle quickly into their new surroundings.
The Rector warmly greeted their Akela, Gareth McAuley along with the Scout Leader, Iain Hall. It is a great delight that we now have both Cubs and Scouts availing of our Halls.
The Cubs Scouts meet on Wednesday evenings, 6.45pm – 8.15pm in the church hall, led by their Akela, Gareth McAuley ( 07884 411354 )
Scouts meet on Thursday evenings, 7.30pm – 9.30pm in the church hall, led by Scout Leader Iain Hall (07799 474111)
New members always welcome!
Sunday School Dates
January
5th ALL AGE WORSHIP
12th SUNDAY SCHOOL & CRECHE
19th SUNDAY SCHOOL & CRECHE
26th SUNDAY SCHOOL & CRECHE
February
2nd ALL AGE WORSHIP
9th NO SUNDAY SCHOOL – HALF TERM
16th NO SUNDAY SCHOOL – HALF TERM
23rd SUNDAY SCHOOL & CRECHE
March
2nd ALL AGE WORSHIP
9th SUNDAY SCHOOL & CRECHE
16th SUNDAY SCHOOL & CRECHE
23rd SUNDAY SCHOOL & CRECHE
30th SUNDAY SCHOOL & CRECHE
April
6th ALL AGE WORSHIP
13th SUNDAY SCHOOL & CRECHE
20th NO SUNDAY SCHOOL – EASTER SUNDAY
27th NO SUNDAY SCHOOL – EASTER BREAK
St Columba’s Packs of Notelets for sale
The Ladies Guild have provided packets of 5 notelets for sale.
They are a series of beautiful photos taken around the church, and would make an excellent gift!
Limited stocks, so get them while you can!
Packets of 5 notelets for £5
Hospital Visiting
It is always a wonderful privilege for the Rector to visit parishioners when they are in hospital. This is only made possible by keeping the Rector or the Parish Administrator informed of when people are admitted, which ward they are in, and when they are discharged.
PLEASE HELP US TO HELP YOU by keeping us up to date. While we appreciate that this can sometimes slip parishioner’s minds in the stress of hospital life and illness, it is important that we are kept up to date so we can schedule visits. St Columba’s has a wonderful church family which we always want to help, and this is only made possible when we are kept informed of changing circumstances.
Contact:
The Rector: Tel 02890 471517 or email rector.knock@down.anglican.org
or
Karen Patterson: Tel 02890 656891 Mon- Fri, 9am-1pm or email office.knock@down.anglican.org
Thank you.
Car Parking at our Parish Church
St Columba’s Parish Church has a small car park located on the church grounds, which fills quickly during busy services.
We have a small car park on the church grounds which fills quickly during busy services.
We ask that you use it to maximum capacity by carefully parking.
We respectfully request that parishioners and visitors to our parish park in a considerate way by not blocking entrances to the homes of our neighbours.
It is also very important to leave a clear road available for emergency vehicles which may need to pass at speed while a service is taking place.
Cones have been placed to assist with considerate parking and we ask that they are not moved.
PLEASE make sure that vehicles can pull out of driveways safely and have enough space to see each direction, and do not park tight to the hedge as pedestrians legally need the space of a double buggy to walk past parked vehicles.
Police can leave tickets on badly parked vehicles.
Remember – being late for church is not a viable excuse for poor parking!
Thank you.
