27 May 2012

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.

“Early Singing”

Please note that there will be no “early singing” in June, July and August.

Olympic Torch Relay

As the Olympic Torch journeys through Britain, please remember that on Tuesday 12th June when it reaches Balbeggie (north of Scone) en route to Dundee via Perthshire & Fife, Maurice Paterson, one of our minibus escorts, will carry it. Please think of him and his family (dad Mike is one of our drivers) as they look forward to this exciting and important event in their lives (Jenny Easson, Link Club).

Riverside Blairgowrie 125th Anniversary Celebrations

1. Organ Concert on Friday June 8th at 7.30pm when Austin Wilkie (Episcopal churches' organist) will present a programme of classical fugues, selections from musicals, and other lighter items - tickets £5;
2. A series of lunchtime organ concerts by Austin Wilkie, in course of arrangement;
3. Anniversary Weekend 25th- 26th August:
   • “Church Open Day” from 10am to 4pm on Saturday with exhibition, barbecue lunch, games …. (memorabilia for display warmly welcome)
   • Service of Renewal on Sunday

For more details please contact the Rev Jean Murrie or any Blairgowrie Steward - the support of the whole Circuit (and beyond) is warmly invited.

Methodist Tartan Ties

When Methodist Conference was held in Edinburgh in 2006, a distinct “Methodist Tartan” was created and registered. Some (men's) ties in this tartan are still available to buy at £10 each. If you wish to purchase one, please make prompt contact with Fiona Inglis in the District Office: tel 01786 820295; or fiona@methodistchurch.plus.com .
(To see a tartan tie, ask David Easson or Bill Reid about theirs!)

General Church Meeting résumé

At the meeting last Saturday the following (re)appointments were made, effective from 1st September:

• Church Stewards: Alan (Senior Steward), Chi Tak, Jenny, Fiona. The resignation of Tom was accepted, and the service of Liz, retiring after 6 years, was noted with thanks.
• Reps to Church Council: Lorna, Heather, Kate, Chris

Review: The Rev Mary Patterson presented her review of the life of the Marketgait congregation in the past year. She also expressed thanks to all who contributed to the life of the Church as office-holders, to those who assisted with the recent hosting of Synod, and to the congregation in general. In ensuing conversation, the contribution of Dundee to the worship life of the Circuit through the introduction and “export” of the Café-Service was mentioned, as was the difficulty of establishing ecumenical links with other City Centre congregations, although there was a good experience in the Broughty Ferry Churches Group.

The Financial Report by the Church Treasurer was accepted; a proposal was agreed that the Signpost International sponsorship be no longer taken from the Benevolence Fund, but join the Big Issue annual subscription in a separate heading in the outgoing funds - individuals' support would be invited and possibly other fund raising means considered.

Discussion took place on the “Single Circuit” decision at the recent Synod, next to be considered at the Extraordinary Circuit Meeting on July 10th, and then at the District Synod in Inverness in September. Comments and questions to be passed to any (Dundee) member of Synod.

Meetings this week

Support other Organisations

Scottish Bible Society

Our support through the Bible-a-Month Club is invited in May for work in Ghana and in June for work in Nicaragua.

Our prayerful attention is drawn this week to

• Uncover the Word Scripture campaign in the USA;
• increased distribution of Braille Bibles and sign language DVDs in Mexico;
• launch in 2011 of the Thai Standard Revised Version, also work on the Pwo Karen Bible and the Urak Lawoi Bible;
• support for children with cancer & their families in Nicaragua;
• sign-language translation of New Testament stories in Cuba;

Forthcoming events

Prayer Points for this week

• the President of Conference in Cornwall this weekend;
• the Rev Martyn Atkins, General Secretary (recovering from planned surgery), and his colleagues in the Connexional Team;
• conversations anent the Synod's “One-Circuit” decision;
• residents and staff in the Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury District (Methodist Homes);
• Mission Aviation Fellowship's associate, Alas de Socorro del Ecuador;
• 'More than Gold' Olympic movement (Christian Aid);
• Princess Basma Centre Jerusalem's autism support work (BibleLands);
• The Leprosy Mission's work in Chad and in Niger;
• Bible Society work in Ghana and in Nicaragua;
• we pray with and for the peoples of Botswana and Zimbabwe (WCC Ecumenical Calendar);
• we remember fellow Methodists in Streatham (The London District) and in Cockenzie (Edinburgh and Forth Circuit).

• 20 May 2012
• 3 June 2012

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