22 February 2009

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

Please note that there will be a United Service at 6.30 pm this evening in Meadowside St Paul's Church, when the Preacher will be the Rev Andria Benzie of Dundee Congregational Church. All are warmly welcome.

Lenten Observance 2009

• Broughty Ferry Churches Group mark the start of Lent on Wednesday with the customary Ecumenical Service of Ashes in Our Lady of Good Counsel, Westfield Road at 7.30 pm. A warm welcome is extended to all to this much valued time of worship, penitence and commitment.
• BFCG member congregations will continue their Lenten journey together with gatherings on Wednesdays at 7.30 pm, using the CTBI material “Sense Making Faith”, linked to broadcasts from next Sunday:
  • Sundays at 9.30 am on BBC Radio4.
  • Daily Service at 8.45 am on Radio4 (LW)
  • BBC local radio stations, variously.
• Worship in Marketgait is to include an agreed short liturgical act each week. There may also be Christian Aid Lenten material in the form of a news-sheet insert or item.
• Any news of Dundee City Centre Churches study groups will be intimated in the news-sheet from next Sunday.

Visit of Chair of Scotland District Synod

Next Sunday, we will welcome the Rev Lily Twist, Chair of the Scotland District Synod, to lead our worship in Marketgait. As this will be her first visit to our premises, the Church Council agreed that a Faith Lunch be held to give more opportunity for Lily and members of the congregation to meet and get to know each other. Those of us who welcomed and have worked with Lily since she came to Scotland hope that there will be a good number of other Dundee folk able to stay and share table fellowship with her. Lily herself has warmly accepted this invitation and is looking forward to worshipping and getting to know Dundee's folk. Please bring food; drinks will be provided.

The future shape of the Circuit

The Church Council invites and strongly encourages EVERYONE to take and read the insert to this news-sheet, headed “Where are we going next?” and to forward any comments, thoughts, responses or questions to either of the Ministers, in advance of the Circuit Meeting on Wednesday 18th March if possible.

Further background to this is available from the Ministers, Circuit Stewards (in Dundee, Keith Pearson), Circuit Meeting or Church Council members.

Meetings this week

Support other Organisations

Scottish Bible Society

Our support through the Bible-a-Month Club is invited in February for work in Ukraine. See library area noticeboard for more information. Our prayerful attention is drawn this week to

• preparation of new SBS catalogue, promotion of BibleWorld Experience 'Connect' scheme;
• new staff members and distribution van in Lesotho, where churches are reflecting on “Christian growth since the first missionaries arrived in 1833”;
• successful campaign against youth violence in Mauritius, use of Scripture to tackle growing divorce rate among young couples;
• effects of 'Jesus' film in Réunion, increased cooperation in distribution by churches.

Forthcoming events

Prayer Points for this week

• the President of Conference at the Forces' Chaplains Conference, Monday - Wednesday;
• preparations for the World Day of Prayer on Friday 6th March;
• Scotland District Policy Committee members;
• Pastoral Visitors and Class Leaders in the Circuit's congregations;
• work in the Northampton District (Methodist Homes);
• Bible Society work in Ukraine;
• Student Volunteers, especially in Sierra Leone (Christian Aid);
• The Leprosy Mission's work in Botswana, D R Congo, and Zambia;
• The Sheepfold's care for children with special needs in the Shepherds' Field area of Bethlehem (BibleLands);
• we pray with and for the peoples of Germany and France (WCC Prayer Calendar);
• we remember fellow Methodists in Helston and Mounts Bay (Cornwall District) and all in Mosspark Ecumenical Partnership (Glasgow Circuit).

• 15 February 2009
• 1 March 2009

© 2002—2009 Dundee Methodist Church Scottish Charity number: SC037954.