15 February 2015

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.

Visit of the Rev Nick Baker

Please note an important change to the previous arrangements for this “time to meet Nick” on Thursday. Because he has been given a school appointment at 3pm, the premises will now be open between 1pm & 2.30pm with drinks, sandwiches, etc provided. Apologies are offered to those for whom this new timing is not suitable but it is clearly important for the family to deal with the various arrangements for their move, during this visit here. Please make sure others know of this change, as appropriate.

Broughty Ferry Churches Group events

• Lent 2015:
  • The ecumenical Service of Ashes will be held in Our Lady of Good Counsel, Westfield Road on Wednesday February 18th at 7.30pm
  • Group meetings on Monday mornings (10:15 am to 11.45 am) and/or Tuesday evenings (7.30 pm to 9 pm) in St Mary's Church, during the 5 subsequent weeks, using material from Churches Together in Britain and Ireland on the theme Walking and Praying with Christians the Middle East. More information from Jenny Easson.
  • Soup Lunches on Wednesdays (12.15 pm to 1.30 pm) during Lent in the YMCA, will be provided by groups from agreed congregations, but individual volunteers to assist with setting and clearing are welcome. More information from Kate Green or David Easson.
• Christian Aid Week: a Flower Festival will be held in the New Kirk during the week of 18th - 23rd May with participation by BFCG member churches.

Unpacking Fresh Expressions

All Methodists interested in learning about and exploring new ways of are invited to an open event on Saturday 21st February in St George's Tron Church, 163 Buchanan Street, Glasgow, G1 2JX from 10.30 am to 4 pm.

The event will be led by John and Olive Fleming Drane, well known and experienced over many years in this area of church outreach; it aims to provide an opportunity to learn about the approach behind 'Fresh Expressions', to look at a range of examples (eg Messy Church), and to stimulate a series of further discussions in circuits and local congregations.

The event is free but booking is requested, as soon as possible, via the District Office: email: (fiona@methodistchurch.plus.com, or 01738 820295.

It is hoped that there will be a good number of people from the various circuits and churches throughout the District, gathering for a challenging, stimulating and interesting day together.

District Youth Weekend

This gathering for young people in Scotland Methodism is being planned for the weekend of 4th - 6th September at Dalguise, Perthshire. 2 subsidised places are available for each Circuit (offer open until Easter) and the District Advance Fund is also contributing towards the overall cost; a contribution of £25 is requested from or on behalf of each participant.

For more details contact

• Gary Williams (01413 323196)
• Hayley Gillies (01315 537877)

Please also let the Rev Mary Patterson know if you are interested so Circuit participation can be coordinated.

Dundee Methodists and Food Banks - updates

• Our continued support for the Dundee Foodbank has again received thank from its organisers.
• 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.

Church Council

At its recent meeting the Council

• re-appointed the Church Treasurer, Council Secretary, Circuit Meeting representatives, Pastoral Visitors, and the Independent Examiner;
• considered arrangements anent the forthcoming changes in Circuit ministerial staff;
• discussed reports from the Church Stewards, Pastoral Committee, Finance & Property Committee, and Worship Group;
• agreed the purchase of a glass flower vase in memory of Jean McNab;
• agreed the dates of the annual General Church Meeting for Sunday 21st June and the next Council for Thursday 1st October.

Meetings this week

Support other Organisations

Scottish Bible Society

Our support via the Bible-a-Month Club is invited in February for work in the South Pacific.

Our prayerful attention this week is drawn to

• Project Esther, working with teenage mothers, the abused, and victims of sexual exploitation in Cameroon;
• persecution of and restrictions on the Church and Christians in Kazakhstan;
• publication of the 'Adventure for Life' Bible for young people in Canada, also 'The Seed' special edition of the New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs;
• 'Gallery of Students' Heroes' project for young people in the Eastern Caribbean.

Forthcoming events

Prayer Points for this week

• the President of Conference in Uganda to Friday, the Vice-President at the Wales Synod, next weekend;
• the Connexional Team and office staff outwith London;
• Universal Day of Prayer for Students, today;
• Superintendent Ministers of the Scotland District circuits;
• Blairgowrie Church Council, Monday;
• loan and savings schemes of the Evangelical Association of Malawi (EAM) (Christian Aid);
• promotional work in the British Isles (The Leprosy Mission);
• Bible Society work in the South Pacific;
• work in Lancashire (Methodist Homes);
• work in Indonesia, Mongolia, and Timor Leste (MAF);
• BLESS supporting small businesses in Egypt (Embrace);
• we pray with and for the peoples of Belgium, Luxembourg, & the Netherlands, and of Italy, Portugal, Spain & Malta (WCC);
• we remember fellow Methodists in Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton (Plymouth & Exeter District) and in Cockenzie (Edinburgh & Forth Circuit).

• 8 February 2015
• 22 February 2015

© 2002—2021 Dundee Methodist Church Scottish Charity number: SC037954.