31 March 2013

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.

Easter Offerings Appeal

Donations are invited in support of the work of the church world-wide through this annual Appeal. Envelopes are available for today or for return in the next few weeks.

The Easter Offerings Appeal dates from a collection of pennies by women in Manchester at Christmas 1883, extended to an Easter collection through envelopes in London in 1884, thence 'to all country chapels' in 1903 and eventually into the annual Women's Work Appeal. It is now an annual connexional Appeal, still often organised by women.

This year's theme is 'Beyond the Harbour Wall' with an image of journeying into the unknown.

“Through gifts great and small, the Easter Offering has become a significant feature of the World Church.”

For more information, contact 'tricia Laurie.

Divine Poetry Competition

This year, aspiring (and established) poets of all ages are invited to submit a poem on the theme 'Chocolate is something to cherish'. The official entry form can be downloaded from The Divine website and entries must be submitted by 30th April 2013.”

Superintendent Minister's availability

The Rev Mary Patterson has given the Circuit an indication of her expected holiday dates until September and that she hopes to have Wednesday as her “official weekly day off” when she should only be contacted in an obvious emergency.

Please note that one of her planned holidays is this week.

Farewell and Welcome Services

At its recent meeting, the District Policy Committee agreed the following dates for a Service of Farewell to the retiring Chair of Synod, Rev Lily Twist, and a Service of Welcome for the Rev Dr David P Easton, currently Chair-designate. Please note the dates now - details of venue and time will be intimated once confirmed.

• Service of Farewell - Saturday 27th July
• Service of Welcome - Saturday 31st August.

Learning and Development activities

Helen Wareing, as National L&D Officer, intimates the following:

• offer of a series of local discussion groups on how we respond to God's call to care for the vulnerable and engage with the poorest communities in Scotland - to be facilitated by Garry Williams, one of the two Regional L&D Officers. We are invited to contact Gary as soon as possible, by phone 0141 332 3196 or email at methodist_scottishchurches@btinternet.com
• Methodist presence at the SOLAS Festival at The Bield on June 21st - 23rd. For details of the Festival see www.solasfestival.co.uk or for Methodist input, contact Sally Robertson (the other Regional L&D Officer) by phone 01350 723275 or email sally.robertson@methodist.org.uk

Rev Maudeen MacDougall (Meadowside St Paul's) is drawing attention to the new John McIntyre Scholarship Fund, especially commending it to New College and other Edinburgh University alumni.

Support other Organisations

Christian Aid Tay Bridge Cross

The 2013 sponsored Tay Bridge Cross will take place on Saturday 4th May from 10am to 1pm prompt. (Please note this morning start.) Last year's Bridge Cross raised over £17,000 “in spite of the temperamental Scottish weather”. Support is again invited. Registration form.

A Guide and Order Form are also on the Vestibule table.

The Forth Bridge Cross will be on Saturday 20th April and the Erskine Bridge Cross on Saturday 27th April, both starting at 2pm.

The Cumbrae Challenge (walk or cycle the 10 miles round the Isle) will take place on Saturday 15th June from 10.30am.

Scottish Bible Society

Support through the Bible-a-Month Club is invited in April for work in Senegal. Our prayerful attention is drawn this week to

• street-children in Senegal, begging so as to raise money for their education;
• planned publication in 2014 of the Bible in Plain Dutch by the Netherlands Bible Society;
• Commissioning Service for Amity Teachers in Edinburgh on Friday, prior to their serving in Chinese colleges and universities;
• awareness-raising in Germany for support of the work of Bible Societies nationally and world-wide.

Forthcoming events

Prayer Points for this week

• the President and Vice-President of Conference at the Equipping, Calling, Going Conference in Scarborough during the week;
• celebrations of Easter throughout the world-wide church;
• the future representation of connexional Methodism in Scotland;
• support of work with children and young people in Tanzania (MAF);
• The Leprosy Mission's promotional work;
• work of The Shams el Birr Centre in Egypt through its residential villa for children with cerebral palsy (Embrace);
• projects in the Northampton District (Methodist Homes);
• food crisis in areas of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger (Christian Aid);
• Bible Society work in Senegal;
• we pray with and for the peoples of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam (WCC Ecumenical Calendar);
• we remember fellow Methodists in Ripon and the Lower Dales (York and Hull District) and in Inverness (Inverness Circuit).

• 24 March 2013
• 7 April 2013

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