05 September 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.

New Stewards

Thanks are expressed on behalf of the whole church community to those whose term of office ended on

Wednesday – David E as Senior Church Steward and Sandy as Church Treasurer. Warm appreciation and assurance of prayerful support is given to those taking up office – Mary F and Denise joining the Church Stewards Team, and David E succeeding Sandy as Church Treasurer.

Ministry in our Church

As intimated last week, changes to the arrangements for the work of our Circuit Ministers took effect from last Wednesday, 1st September. A leaflet outlining these changes and giving details of Dundee Methodist Church office-holders and contact people has been prepared and is being distributed from today. It would be helpful if copies could also be taken to those unable to come to Marketgait, for whom the information would be useful.

Letter from David Firth

Dear Friends,

As we begin a new Methodist Year I am writing to explain some important changes that will be taking place in the way in which we order our life together.

As you probably already know, the retirement of Jean Murrie means that the Circuit will now only have 2 Ministers to cover 5 churches. It has been decided by the Circuit Meeting that Mary Patterson and myself will operate a team ministry with both of us having joint pastoral charge of each of the churches. However, for this to work there will still have to be some division of responsibilities.

At Dundee this will mean that Mary will have chief responsibility for pastoral care and will be the minister with whom you should make initial contact. Her number is 01674 672373. She will also have oversight of finance and property matters.

I will continue to be responsible for outreach and for ecumenical relations. We will have joint responsibility for the areas of worship and spiritual growth.

In practical terms this means that when a Minister calls to see you it will most likely be Mary. Also, you will see rather more of Mary on Sundays but less of me.

As always, these changes will take some getting used to as we see people filling unfamiliar roles. However, I am sure that if we continue to work together seeking God’s guidance the future will be full of hope for us.

If you are unsure about anything contained within this notice please do not hesitate to contact any of the Ministers or Church Stewards.

With best wishes

David Firth

Harvest

The recent Focus on Worship agreed that this year’s Harvest worship on Sunday 26th September be the culmination of work in advance at two workshops:

• after worship on Sunday 19th September
• on the morning of Saturday 25th September

It is hoped that as many people as possible will contribute to Harvest worship – through workshops, contributing resources & items … Please note this now – more details to come – ’tricia is acting as overall coordinator.

Link Club – Enable Bowling Challenge

Thursday 7 October from 7 pm

As part of their 50 year anniversary celebrations Enable is encouraging everyone to bowl over 50 miles as a joint effort across Scotland. The Link Club, which is a Special Interest Branch of Enable, will be taking part at Megabowl in Dundee.

* Would anyone else like to participate by putting together (or being part of) a team of 5?

• All ages and abilities are welcome and more than one team is possible.
• Expertise is not required. The point is to take part and have fun.
• Megabowl is allowing participants to bowl for free and gold medals will be presented all participants.
• However it is a money-raising event and a minimum of £50 sponsorship is required per team. If you can’t bowl, perhaps you could sponsor someone.

Lorna, who will be “managing” the Link Club team, has more information.

Communion Worship Books

It has been suggested that members of the congregation who may wish to have a personal copy of the Communion Service in the (new) Methodist Worship Book could do so through a “bulk order” at a cost of £5 per copy. If you wish to place an order through Sandy, please sign the list on the Vestibule table during the next three weeks (ie up to Sunday 19th September).

From the Rev Jean Murrie

“I very much appreciated the support from the Dundee congregation at my Farewell Service last Saturday. It was a wonderful occasion which I can never forget. The generosity of the circuit was overwhelming and I am very grateful for all the love and support I’ve received from the Dundee folk over the years. I look forward to our continuing friendship. Many, many thanks, Jean”

“Quiet Room”

The downstairs back room is prepared as a place for quiet reflection & personal prayer before worship on Sundays.

Preaching Plans

Free copies of the circuit plan for September – November are on the Vestibule table.

Library News

New to our book shelf: - “WHEN YOU WALK” by Adrian Plass, published by the Bible Reading Fellowship. Review says “Laughter, & Tears abound in this book”; “it is company and encouragement for ordinary followers of Jesus who sometimes find the going a bit tough”

If you need help to locate this book or any others we have by this author and others, see Clare

Meetings this week

Support other Organisations

Traidcraft

Winter 2004 catalogues are now on the Vestibule table – please fill in order forms or contact Margaret.

Forthcoming events

Prayer Points for this week

• the President and Vice-President of Conference at Hope University, Liverpool, on Wednesday;
• Scotland District Superintendents’ Meeting, Wednesday;
• Perth Methodist Church Pastoral Committee meeting, Monday;
• relief and development work in Sudan, especially in Darfur and Malakal (Christian Aid);
• development of a Faculty of Protestant Theology in the state University of Cluj, Romania (Feed The Minds);
• The Leprosy Mission’s work in South-east India – Andhra Pradesh;
• Bible Society work in Uganda;
• we pray with and for the peoples of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico;
• we remember fellow Methodists in the Sheffield (East) Circuit (Sheffield District), and in Barrhead (Ayrshire & Renfrewshire Circuit).

• 29 August 2004
• 12 September 2004

© 2002—2003 Dundee Methodist Church.