28 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.

United Service

The Revs David Firth & Maudeen McDougall to cancel this evening's United Service in view of other commitments and family / health circumstances involving the Ministers and others.

Homelessness Sunday : today

The theme for 2007 is “Justice for homeless people”

In our affluent consumer society we are all encouraged to think of our dwellings as monetary assets rather than as the heart of family life, as places of comfort and safe refuge, and as key components of our identity.

In contrast Homelessness Sunday focuses on some of the injustices that are linked with homelessness

• affordability
• shortage of social housing
• rural homelessness
• homeless and destitute asylum seekers
• problems faced by Central European nationals in Britain who are not entitled to welfare benefits.

Scottish Churches Housing Action brings together the main Churches in their work to eliminate homelessness in Scotland; SCHA connects the Churches with a major social problem, affecting some 80,000 people in Scotland each year. It aims to link local problems of homelessness with national means of tackling them. The January 2007 (issue 44) edition of the Newsletter of Friends of Scottish Churches Housing Action is on the Vestibule table.

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 ....

Some NCH projects, as heard at last week's Coffee Matinée, deal with the effects of homelessness on young people.

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 me 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.”

“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 and in February for work in Puerto Rico. See library area noticeboard.

Our prayerful attention is drawn this week to

• training of new translators in The Gambia;
• launch of the Bible in Sérère for Senegal, also the Pular project and a requested translation into Mandjak;
• development of special Scriptures for the hearing-impaired - “a first in India”;
• imminent launch of first full Bible in a local language (Kpele) in Guinea;
• increasing use of audio Scriptures in Sierra Leone, also response to HIV / AID awareness materials.

Forthcoming events

Prayer Points for this week

• Methodist Council, High Leigh, Tuesday - Wednesday;
• Local Preachers in the Scotland District;
• Perth Family Committee meeting, Monday;
• Astha, organisation working with the handicapped in northern India (Christian Aid);
• The Leprosy Mission's work in central India - Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Orissa;
• Vinnarasu Vidya Kendra's work with marginalised people in India (Feed The Minds);
• Bible Society work in Armenia and in Puerto Rico;
• we pray with and for the peoples of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden;
• we remember fellow Methodists in the Glossop Circuit (Manchester and Stockport District), and all in Rosyth Ecumenical Partnership (Edinburgh & Forth Circuit).

• 21 January 2007
• 04 February 2007

© 2002—2007 Dundee Methodist Church.