Dundee Methodist Church

28 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.

Advent Worship

For next Sunday, we are invited to continue reflecting in advance on news items & headlines which have an impact on us & to bring (small) newspaper cuttings to be placed by the Crib. Next week’s symbols will be about ‘things we are sorry for and wish to be freed from’.

If anyone wishes a large-print copy of the wording and responses to be used during Advent, please contact Jenny or David Easson, or a Church Steward.

Flower Rota

Elaine writes, “As Flower Co-ordinator I would like to thank all the people on the Flower rota for this past year and the Flower rotas for 2005 will be available from early December.”

Thanks are expressed to Elaine, Tom, and all who provide & arrange the flowers to decorate our premises, give focus to our worship and provide a sign of our pastoral care. Gratitude is also expressed to Jean and those who, with her, regularly ‘take the flowers out’ – a ministry which is much valued by all.

Preaching Plans for December 2004 – February 2005

Now available - free - from the Vestibule table. Information / changes for the subsequent Plan to David Firth by or soon after 1st December please.

Meetings this week

Date & timeVenueDetails
Sunday, 28th November, 6.30 pm St Mary’s Scottish Episcopal Church, Queen Street, Broughty Ferry (map) Broughty Ferry Churches Group. Advent Worship - a Service of hymns and readings. A warm welcome is given to all. A rehearsal for choral singers, who are invited to join the Choir, will take place at 4.30 pm (break for tea/refreshments at 6 pm) – see David E for details of music.
Wednesday, 1st December, 7 pm Dundee Methodist Church, “L” Circuit Preachers’ Meeting
Thursday, 2nd December, 7.15 pm to 9.15 pm Dundee Methodist Church “Come as You Are”. ALL are welcome to the seventh in this series of meetings. The 10-week course explores issues of faith and what it means to belong to the Methodist Church in particular.

Support other Organisations

Christmas decorations from Bethlehem

Margaret has samples of embroidered decorations, priced £1 each, produced by women in Bethlehem working from home or in cooperatives. See her today if you wish to order.

UNICEF Jars of Grace

Mary F is pleased to announce that this year’s total (shortly to be sent off) is £175.88. She expresses thanks to all who have generously contributed.

Scottish Bible Society

In December we are invited to support work in Kenya where the Abanyore people have just received the complete Bible in their Lunyore language. See library noticeboard for details.

Our attention is drawn this week to

  • ending of the ‘Bible drought’ which occurred in the Seychelles because of internal economic problems
  • provision of Scriptures to former street children now living in a centre in Djakarta, Indonesia
  • meeting of the SBS Board on Tuesday
  • support of work through the Bible-a-Month Club prayer calendar (current month page on library noticeboard).

Feed The Minds

The ecumenical literacy agency of the Churches has recently moved its office, shared with SPCK in London, to

36 Causton Street, London SW1P 4ST; tel 020 7592 3900 fax: 020 7592 3939; website: www.spck.org.uk

FTM has been celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and expresses thanks to all who support its work. This includes provision for people in areas affected by war where loved ones, homes and livelihoods have been lost – “with books destroyed, education devastated and many people still living in fear.” FTM’s Lent 2005 appeal will invite support under the theme “Rebuilding lives”.

(Jenny E is the Scotland Synod’s link with FTM, Scotland)

Forthcoming events

Date & timeVenueDetails
Sunday 5th December 7.30 pm St Aidan’s Church, Brook Street, Broughty Ferry (map) Broughty Ferry Churches Group present “Carol Swing” – an evening of Christmas music in ‘Big Band Style’ with Les Dalziel and The Connexion Collective Big Band. A collection will be taken for The Seven Arches Trust (a recently formed Charity to support work with young people in schools in The Ferry & Monifieth). All are warmly welcome – see posters & flyers – publicise – come!!
Sunday 5th December 7.30 pm St Paul’s Cathedral map Dundee University Music Society - Beatlecracker! (including works by Lennon / McCartney, Wilkinson, Tchaikovsky, Vaughan Williams, & ‘Big Band Favourites’). Tickets £7/£5 from City Box Office/ at the door.
Saturday 11th December 7.30 pm Younger Hall, St Andrews (map) St Andrews Chorus – performance of Mendelssohn’s “Elijah”. Tickets at £8 and £6 from Margaret.
Sunday, 12th December, 6.30 pm United Reformed Church, Salem St (off Constitution Road, north of Marketgait inner ring road) (map) United Ecumenical Worship
Sunday 12th December 7.30 pm Caird Hall (map) Dundee Choral Union Concert - Handel’s ‘Messiah’; tickets from David E, Matthew or Hilary.

Prayer Points for this week

  • the President and Vice-President of Conference at the Asian Pacific Consultation in Hong Kong this week;
  • Connexional Stationing Matching Group on Tuesday;
  • Prison chaplains and Visitors;
  • “The ministry of flowers” in the Circuit’s five congregations;
  • projects and partners in Zambia (Christian Aid);
  • Theological Education by Extension (TEE) course run by the Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt since 1985 (Feed The Minds);
  • The Leprosy Mission’s work in South India - Kerala, Tamil Nadu;
  • Bible Society work in China, and in Kenya;
  • we pray with and for the peoples of India and Sri Lanka;
  • we remember fellow Methodists in the Ringsash Circuit (Plymouth & Exeter District) and in Findochty (North of Scotland Mission Circuit).