14 December 2014

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.
We send the assurance of our love and understanding to all for whom Christmas is a time of memories and mixed emotions.

Ministerial Cover

Whilst the Rev Mary Patterson is on holiday from December 22nd to 29th, Sue Marshall-Jennings asks that we contact her in the first instance should a Minister be required.

Flower Rota

The 2015 rota is now available from Elaine.

Preaching Plan

The Plan of Preachers appointed to lead worship for the quarter December 2014 - February 2015 has been distributed electronically and there are several print copies on the vestibule table as ordered and for general uplift.

If you wish your name added to the email or printed lists, please let David Easson know.

Note that on Sunday January 18th worship will be led by Marcia Mackenzie in place of Heather Dean who has decided not to lead full Acts of Worship though she will participate through readings, leading prayers, etc.

ACTS Advent material

The devotional material prepared each year on behalf of ACTS (Action of Churches Together in Scotland) is now available for download from the ACTS website, under the title “The Advent Mix”. The material has been prepared this year by the Rev Gordon Jamieson, a former Minister of Barnhill St Margaret's Church of Scotland and a good friend to Ferry Methodists in the Broughty Ferry Churches Group.

Ministerial Family Visit

The Rev Nick Baker (to be stationed in this circuit from September 2015) is hoping to come to Dundee with his family around February 16th to familiarise themselves with the area, facilities, and people. Please note this now, as some form of “get together” may be arranged.

Dundee Methodists and Food Banks - updates

• Our continued support for the Dundee Foodbank has again received thank from its organisers.
• Donations of seasonal (Christmas) items (especially for children) will be appreciated.
• Please place items in the large bucket on the upstairs landing - clean plastic bags are also welcome.
• Our thanks to Liz Kay - contact her for more information.

Dundee Worship Sunday 28th December

Following conversation in the recent Worship Group, an invitation was sent to the congregations of Meadowside St Paul's Church of Scotland and Dundee United Reformed Church, to again join Methodists in worship on the Sunday after Christmas. As this is not a “fifth Sunday”, it will not take the form of a Café Service (as in the last 2 years) but will be followed by the serving of suitable refreshments and a time of informal conversation. Both congregations have now replied, thanking us for and accepting our invitation. Mrs Jenni Whittle, who is planned to lead worship then, has also been consulted, as has the Rev Mary Patterson who is pleased that we are able to maintain and build up our ecumenical links in this way.

“A Gift of Christmas”

This title, in the series of small pocket booklets published by Methodist Publishing, is available from Norwich Books and Music (0845 817 220) or through resources@methodistchurch.org.

Meetings this week

Support other Organisations

Scottish Bible Society

Our support via the Bible-a-Month Club is invited in December for work in Indonesia.

Our prayerful attention in coming weeks is drawn to

• Good News for Youth Bible distributed by the Bible Society of Mauritius;
• launch of the Sango Bible in the Central African Republic, also construction of a new HQ after last year's rebel attacks;
• outreach projects in Uganda especially those for women and young people;
• literacy project in South Sudan, also Zande Bible translation project;
• new office for the Zimbabwe Bible Society in Bulawayo, translation of the Chikunda Old Testament and Shona Study Bible;
• Bible Society relationships with churches and other partner organisations in Kenya;
• progress on translation projects in Russia;
• funding for distribution work in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Copies of the SBS magazine “Alive and Active” are on the vestibule table. For a regular copy, contact Jenny Easson.

Forthcoming events

Prayer Points for this week

• Connexional Team Carol Service, Wednesday 17th December;
• celebration of Christmas by and with our ecumenical partners;
• community health work with mothers-to-be in Kenya (Christian Aid);
• work in Mozambique (The Leprosy Mission);
• Bible Society work in Indonesia;
• work in the Darlington District (Methodist Homes);
• EpiscoCare's development centres in Egypt (Embrace);
• work in the Far East (MAF);
• we pray with and for the peoples of Benin, CÔte d'Ivoire, Togo, and Ghana (WCC);
• we remember fellow Methodists in Bideford (Plymouth & Exeter District) and our colleagues in Scott Street, Perth (Angus, Dundee & Perthshire Circuit).

• 7 December 2014
• 21 December 2014

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