14 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 10.55 am.

UNICEF “Jars of Grace”

This year’s UNICEF Appeal is “to help bring malnourished children back to health” focussing on therapeutic feeding. Jars and contents are to be returned to Mary F as soon as possible, please – thanks.

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

We are asked to note and support the following

• 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 McN.

Meetings this week

Support other Organisations

Mary Slessor Foundation

An acknowledgement has been received for the proceeds from our Jigsaw Evening.

“We are intrigued by the novel way in which the sum was raised. What an excellent idea!”

There was also an update on the progress in Nigeria.

“It is a very busy time at the moment, with the internal work continuing in the Medical Centre, the second well having to be re-bored. A third set of machines has been ordered for the Palm / Cassava Processing Unit. A VSO volunteer has arrived to teach Carpentry and related subjects in the Skill Centre and a Fabric Arts Instructor is being sought. None of this would be possible without the wonderful help and support received … Thank you so much.”

Methodist Relief & Development Fund

Thanks for our recent Harvest gift has been received. MRDF, in harvest season, has emphasised thinking about the land and those who farm it - 70% of those who live in poverty are farmers:

“Miriam lives in Cameroon and depends on the land for her livelihood. Her small plot of land provides food to her and her family, and, when she manages to grow a small surplus, an income to pay for her clothes and school fees. Miriam is also growing medicinal plants which she uses to treat malaria, diarrhoea, typhoid and headaches, but she is very modest about her work; “There are no hospitals here”, she says, “I am a Christian so this is what I do to help people.”

See also ‘Funds in Focus’ in library area.

Forthcoming events

Prayer Points for this week

• the President and Vice-President of Conference at the Methodist Youth Conference in Basingstoke next weekend;
• procedures for ‘stationing’ of Ministers next year;
• the staff of ACTS and Scottish Churches House;
• preparations for our Circuit Workshop on Prayer next year;
• projects and partners in Brazil (Christian Aid);
• development of training material in French by Formation Biblique et Théologique à Maurice (FBTM) in Mauritius (Feed The Minds);
• The Leprosy Mission’s work in South India – Kerala, Tamil Nadu;
• Bible Society work in China;
• we pray with and for the peoples of Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal;
• we remember fellow Methodists in the Teignmouth Circuit (Plymouth & Exeter District) and in Peterhead (North of Scotland Mission Circuit).

• 07 November 2004
• 21 November 2004

© 2002—2004 Dundee Methodist Church.