21 January 2007

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.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2007

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is a worldwide movement of Christians of many denominations, languages, and great diversity of race and culture, who are engaged in praying and working for the unity of Christians in the service of the wider redemption, unity and peace of all peoples.

Every year the dates are the same, 18th to 25th January, regardless of the days of the week.

The theme for 2007 is 'He even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak', based on Mark 7, 31-37.

This theme was chosen by the Churches of South Africa, at the request of the International Committee, which represents Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches, and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

Broughty Ferry Churches Group Pulpit Exchange

This exchange of pulpits, which in recent years has taken place during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Octave, will, this year, be on 3rd June (Trinity Sunday) because of over-riding commitments in several member churches on Sundays in or near the Octave.

Holy Communion “going forward”

Next Sunday, those taking communion will be asked to come forward to receive; the elements will be taken to those members of the congregation preferring to remain on their seats. It has been suggested that an agreed 'rota' for the different methods of administering communion would be helpful and the Worship Group will consider this at its next meeting on 1st February.

Homelessness Sunday : next Sunday

• the theme for 2007 is “Justice for homeless people”
• please see the Vestibule table for the January 2007 (issue 44) edition of the Newsletter of Friends of Scottish Churches Housing Action
• we now receive 2 copies of “The Big Issue” to which we subscribe as a congregation; copies are in the library area - for borrowing, reading, lending, responding to, ….

Door Steward, Coffee and Chair Rotas for March - August.

Grateful thanks are extended to everyone who helps provide a welcoming atmosphere by carrying out these duties week by week. In particular, may I express appreciation to the small band of people who see to the setting-out of chairs.

It would assist in the making up of the rota for the six months from the beginning of March, if those involved would let Paddy know of any weeks they do not expect to be available. If anyone feels they are unable to continue on these rotas, please do not hesitate to let me know, and if there is anyone not already involved in these activities, but feels they would like to help, please speak to Paddy.

• Counters will receive a separate form
• Church Stewards & Counters - please pick up your form, for “dates available” for March-August.

“Songs of Praise” - Dundee

Tern TV is to record a “Songs of Praise” in Dundee during February, with the congregational hymn-singing taking place on the nights of Tuesday 20th and Wednesday 21st February in St Paul's Episcopal Cathedral under John Bell as conductor.

Commitment to both evenings is requested so it may “look and sound as absolutely good as it can”.

Sound recording only will be done on the first night, with recording of singing to pre-recorded sound on the second night.

Past experience has demonstrated that the hard work required has been enriching, not least through John Bell's contribution to learning about hymns and worship through the singing. Tickets will be required - “ to avoid turning people away at the door” - please let Paddy know if you hope to take part.

Meetings this week

Support other Organisations

Scottish Bible Society

Our support through the Bible-a-Month Club is invited in January for work in Armenia. See library area noticeboard.

Our prayerful attention is drawn this week to

• meeting of United Bible Society major grant-making countries in Geneva;
• growth of Bible work in seven West African countries making up the Sahel Project;
• Christians and new political leaders in Mauritania;
• political stability in Guinea-Bissau;
• more opportunities to supply Bibles to Cape Verde Islands.

Forthcoming events

Prayer Points for this week

• The President and Vice-President in the Nottingham and Derby District, Thursday - Monday;
• Rev Bill Gates with 45 RM Commando in Afghanistan; all forces chaplains on active duty;
• Methodist Lay Staff Pension Scheme Board meeting, Thursday;
• District's Conference representatives' briefing meeting, Saturday;
• Perth Stewards' meeting, Wednesday;
• Arbroath Gift Day, Saturday;
• the challenge to injustice (Christian Aid);
• The Leprosy Mission's work in China, Korea and Laos; UGANDA
• re-opened Bishop Balya Theological College, Fort Portal, Uganda, near DR Congo border (Feed The Minds);
• Bible Society work in Armenia;
• we pray with and for the peoples of Algeria, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia (WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle;
• we remember fellow Methodists in the Hyde and Denton Circuit (Manchester and Stockport District), and in Nicolson Square, Edinburgh (Edinburgh & Forth Circuit).

• 14 January 2007
• 28 January 2007

© 2002—2007 Dundee Methodist Church.