23 March 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.

Observance of Lent

The season of Lent will be marked during worship in Marketgait by the inclusion in Sunday worship of a Lenten Liturgy.

This year, it has been agreed that, as a change from the last two years' absence of a floral arrangement during Lent (as is customary in some of our partner churches), there will be a small vase of flowers on or near the Communion Table each week.

The Broughty Ferry Churches Group extends an invitation to the following Lenten Group meetings this week

• in St Mary's Episcopal Church, Queen Street, Broughty Ferry, at 10.15am Monday led by Jenny Easson;
• in Our Lady of Good Counsel, Westfield Road, Broughty Ferry, at 7.30pm on Tuesday.

The study material will be “Parables and Possessions” prepared by the Church of Scotland for Churches Together in Britain and Ireland; this week's topic is 'forgiveness' based on the Parable of The Prodigal Son and his Brother.

Traidcraft

The new catalogue is out and available on the vestibule table. Margaret is happy to receive orders.

Dundee Methodists and Food Banks

We support the Dundee Foodbank by bringing in any of the suggested items from the Shopping List (on the table on the upstairs landing) and placing them in the large blue Bucket provided nearby. An explanatory slip is also available. There is also need for plastic carrier bags of suitable size; please place any spares by the Bucket. Monetary donations are also welcome. Contact Liz Kay for further information.

End Hunger Fast is encouraging people to fast on Friday 4th April, in support of those who cannot afford to eat.

Important Parking and Traffic News

The former Salvation Army premises in West Marketgait are being demolished (expected to finish by Wednesday). As a result, the Debenhams Car Park is out of use and this weekend the east side of West Marketgait (ie the 'far side' from our premises) is expected to be closed to traffic. “Our” side is still just one way “up”. Please note this and advise others.

Request for Assistance with Research Project

We have been approached by Mariel Symeonidou, a postgraduate student at the University of Dundee, who is currently undertaking research for a dissertation in the field of Development Psychology, under the supervision of Dr Josie Booth. The research includes looking at “the possible associations physical activity might have with mental ability, academic performance and weight” particularly focusing on “primary children aged 7-11, with and without ADHD”.

If you feel you might assist with this research or wish for more information, see the flyer on the noticeboard or contact Mariel: m.z.symeonidou@dundee.ac.uk.

Meetings this week

Support other Organisations

Scottish Bible Society

Our support via the Bible-a-Month Club is invited in March for work in Galilee, northern Israel; Nazareth is the ministry base of the Arab Israeli Bible Society.

Our prayerful attention is drawn this week to

• completion of Bible Society Headquarters in Yaoundé, Cameroon;
• “Learning through Literacy” programme for rural communities in Cambodia;
• Christians in North Korea in conditions of persecution;
• More Than Gold team and supporters preparing for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the arts events to be hosted in St George's Tron, and distribution of Penny Gospels by Scottish Churches;
• reception of Children's Bibles distributed through the One in Love programme in Bali, Indonesia.

Forthcoming events

Prayer Points for this week

• the President of Conference in the Chester and Stoke District to Wednesday and then in the Wolverhampton District;
• Connexional Candidates Selection Committee this week;
• Brother Stephen Smyth, departing General Secretary of ACTS, and his successor, Rev Matthew Ross;
• the District's Safeguarding training officers and programme;
• our circuit's congregations, each facing change and challenge;
• refugees in Cairo, especially those from Sudan supported by Refuge Egypt (Embrace);
• medical and community development volunteers in Bangladesh (MAF);
• residents, staff and supporters in the Channel Isles ( Methodist Homes);
• agriculture in Burundi ( Christian Aid);
• Bible Society work in Galilee, northern Israel;
• we pray with and for the peoples of China, including Hong Kong and Macau;
• we remember Methodists in Salisbury (Southampton District) and in Tranent (Edinburgh and Forth Circuit).

• 16 March 2014
• 30 March 2014

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