Dundee Methodist Church

8 February 2004

We give the assurance of our thoughts and prayers to all who are unwell, awaiting or undergoing treatment, or anxious or grieving for the loss of loved ones.

MRDF Iran Earthquake Appeal

£ 108.70 was raised last week.

Door Stewards Rota

Copies of the rota for weeks 15th February onward are now being distributed to members of existing “teams”. Warm thanks are expressed to all who participate in this very important “ministry of welcome”. Gratitude is also expressed to Bill E for coordinating the rota in recent years, now in the hands of the Church Stewards. Anyone wishing to become part of the “Door Stewards” teams is requested to contact them.

Pastoral Committee

Last week’s meeting was postponed to after the March Circuit Meeting – date to be arranged. (Jenny)

Church Council

Papers for distribution in advance of the Council on 19th February to be given to Elizabeth R, please.

Meetings this week

Date & timeVenueDetails
Tuesday, February 10th, 7.30 pm Marketgait, “L” Forum on Worship
Saturday, February 14th, 7 pm Salvation Army Visit of Govan Band to Dundee - donation ticket £5 - book early (tel: 826889). See poster for details.

Support other Organisations

Traidcraft

The New Year Sales catalogues, plus order forms, are on the Vestibule table – order items through Margaret. Next stall will be on Sunday 22nd February; contact Margaret if you wish food items before then.

NCH

February is designated as “furnishings” month in our request for surplus items for use by the Cowan Grove and Families projects. See Margaret for more details.

Christian Aid

There is a copy of Christian Aid Scotland News, Winter 2003 on Vestibule table – borrow, read, return, …

Scottish Bible Society

Our attention this week is drawn to

  • tax-exempt production & distribution of Bibles in Nicaragua
  • placing of Bibles in homes and schools of the poorer areas of Honduras where corruption and crime create difficulties
  • distribution in El Salvador, a small densely-populated country left broken by civil wars and earthquakes
  • use by over 3000 churches in Guatemala of “Faith Comes By Hearing” tapes.

Forthcoming events

Date & timeVenueDetails
Wednesday 18th February, 7 pm Dundee University T9 Lecture Hall “The Role of Education in Islam” : a programme under the auspices of the Muslim Educational Council in Scotland (Dundee Branch) and Dundee University Islamic Society as part of exploration into the provision of State-funded Islamic schools. An invitation is extended to the above event, discussion and debate. The presenter will be Ibrahim Hewitt, Head Teacher, Al Aqsa Primary School, Leicestershire. (See letter in library area.)
31st January – 28th February, Monday – Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh The Quaker Tapestry (a unique collection of embroideries portraying Quaker life through the centuries) - admission free.
Friday, February 20th, 5 pm The Martin Hall, New College, Edinburgh The Maidie Hart Lecture. Speaker – Dr Musimbi Kanyoro, General Secretary of World YWCA, Chair – Dr Alison Elliott Convener of ACTS Forum, Moderator-designate of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
Sunday, February 29th, 3 pm Gowan Park, Arbroath Service to mark the 60th Anniversary of Methodist Homes
Thursday - Saturday 18th – 20th March Gardyne Theatre Production of “Mother of All Peoples”, musical about the life of Mary Slessor. Part of the proceeds will be donated to Christian Aid. Details from Mike Gibb (01224 313113) or info@homepages.com
Saturday 20th March, 10 am (coffee) to 3 pm Arbroath Methodist Church (map)

 Circuit “Story-Telling” Workshop. The Circuit preachers invite all interested to join them in an exploration led by Linda Bandelier (Minister in Edinburgh & Forth Circuit, and a professional “story-teller”). It is hoped that this event will also be of relevance to Children’s Group / Sunday School helpers, worship leaders and participants (Readers, Drama folk, …) & all involved in communication. Further details to come soon.
Saturday 20th March, 10 am to 4 pm MacRobert Theatre, Stirling University “Getting God to Work” – Christians in the marketplace : under the auspices of CARE for Scotland and Evangelical Alliance Scotland. Keynote Speaker: Mark Greene. See noticeboard.
Sunday 21st March 2 pm - 4 pm Letham Grange Broughty Ferry Churches Youth Initiative - Curling. For further details, please contact Jenny or David E or Beth Duncan (779887). “Closing date” is 15th February.
Saturday, March 27th, 9.30 am coffee, 10 am Programme start, c 3.45pm dispersal Nicolson Square Church, Edinburgh District “Faith Resource Day”, focussing on Prayer. A warm welcome is given to everyone to each of these Days – it is likely that the others in the series will be held in the north & west respectively. See posters / yellow leaflets on table; further details from Margaret Brown (District Administrator – 01786 820295) or Janet Murray (Synod Secretary – 01383 624065).
Saturday 22nd May, 6 pm Broughty Ferry Churches Youth Initiative - Treasure Hunt Walk & BBQ. For further details, please contact Jenny or David E or Beth Duncan (779887).
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Prayer Points for this week

  • The President of Conference with Forces’ Chaplains on Tuesday;
  • meetings of the Connexional Leadership Team (Thursday) and Methodist Council (Friday – Saturday);
  • University, college and school chaplains in Scotland;
  • The Rev Jean Murrie as she prepares to “sit down” i.e. retire from ‘official’ ministry;
  • publications by ‘Diaconia’ to support work among the urban poor in north-east Brazil (Feed The Minds);
  • publications, including Bibles, hymnals, devotional & study books, and literacy programmes (Christian Aid);
  • The Leprosy Mission’s work in Nepal and Uzbekistan;
  • Bible Society work in Slovenia;
  • we pray with and for the peoples of The Philippines (especially Prechita’s family);
  • we remember fellow Methodists in the Dorchester Circuit (Southampton District), and our friends based in Riverside, Blairgowrie, (Angus, Dundee & Perthshire Circuit).