07 November 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.

Preparing for Worship

The downstairs back room is no longer being used as a “quiet room” for meditation and prayer before worship upstairs. Some people appreciate a period of calm preparation before the start of worship, and so we are all asked to observe a time of quietness from 10.40 am.

Advent / Christmas Worship : 28th November - 26th December

Please note that

• Margaret is currently coordinating arrangements for this (in the absence of ’tricia)
• There will be the lighting of Advent Candles at the start of worship and a subsequent Placing of Symbols *
• The Children’s Group will follow its practice of going downstairs and returning, on the first 3 Sundays
• On Sunday 19th December there will be “all-age” worship, followed by a Cold Buffet Celebration Lunch (under the auspices of the Pastoral Committee)
• Worship on Christmas Day at 11 am, led by Jenny Easson, will include the culmination of the lighting of the Candles and placing of Symbols – the offering will be for NCH.

* If anyone would like a large-print copy of the Wording (Litany) for these, please contact Jenny or David.

IBRA

International Bible Reading Association material for 2005 (eg daily Bible study notes) can be obtained through Jean; please see her to place an order now.

The Methodist Church Appointment of a part-time Tutor in Scotland

A new Connexional appointment is being made, offering an opportunity to contribute creatively to lay and ordained ministerial formation. Details of the appointment are on the library noticeboard or from Methodist Office (Tutor), Scottish Churches House, Dunblane (01786 820259). Closing date for applications – November 19th. Please consider / publicise this intimation – thanks.

Orthodox Thanks

Thanks for the use of our premises for their worship during the summer have been expressed to us in a card sent by members of the Greek Orthodox community in Dundee - see Vestibule table.

Network News No 2 2004

Copies are on the Vestibule table.

Meetings this week

Support other Organisations

UNICEF “Jars of Grace”

This year’s UNICEF Appeal “to help bring malnourished children back to health” focuses on therapeutic feeding. Jars and contents are to be returned during worship today, or to Mary as soon as possible.

Methodist Homes

Envelopes were distributed last Sunday and are still available from the Vestibule table in support of this year’s Appeal: “Every crowd has a silver lining” (see last week’s news-sheet for more information). Envelopes may be returned via the Offerings plate today or in the coming weeks.

Scottish Bible Society

Our prayerful attention is drawn this week to

• Translation work on the revised Somali Bible - a transitional parliament was sworn-in during August as part of the peace process
• Bible Society programmes concerning HIV-AIDS relating to the work of The Regional Centre for English-speaking African countries, based in Kenya
• Provision of ‘New Reader’ Scripture portions & associated literacy work for Madagascar’s prisons
• Annual conference of SBS Area Coordinators and Speakers, next weekend in Aberfoyle.

Forthcoming events

Prayer Points for this week

• the President and Vice-President of Conference in the North London Districts this week;
• Chaplains to the Forces;
• outcomes of District Policy Committee meeting;
• Property Stewards for the Circuit and its congregations;
• aid and development work in Iraq (Christian Aid);
• training of pastors by the Episcopal Church in Sudan (Feed The Minds);
• The Leprosy Mission’s work in Myanmar and Thailand;
• Bible Society work in China;
• we pray with and for the peoples of Italy and Malta;
• we remember fellow Methodists in the Sheffield (West) Circuit (Sheffield District) and in Aberdeen (North of Scotland Mission Circuit).

• 31 October 2004
• 14 November 2004

© 2002—2003 Dundee Methodist Church.