31 August 2003

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.

“Quiet Space”

The back downstairs room will be prepared as a “quiet area” for reflection before Sunday worship for all who wish to use it.

Worship

During the Annual Covenant Service next Sunday there will be Acts of re-dedication of Pastoral Visitors and of acknowledgement for those associated with the Children’s Group.

New Chairs

Thanks are expressed to all those who have helped taking away the old chairs and putting the new ones in position. A very good job has been done and the Church is very grateful.

David E would still like to hear from anyone able to join the “Chair Rota” for setting out seating in preparation for Sunday worship. We hope that it will now be an easier job with the new chairs.

Plans

Preaching plans for the Quarter September – November are now available from the Vestibule table – free – please collect & distribute.

“Church Christmas Theatre Outing”

30 tickets have been purchased for Dundee Rep’s production of “Peter Pan” - matinee performance on Saturday 6th December – with the idea of tea together afterwards in Marketgait. These will be available on a “first come, first served” basis at £7.50 each – contact Elizabeth as soon as possible.

“WHO CARES”

Invitations to the Circuit Pastoral Day on Saturday 27th September are still available for return by next Sunday.

As the invitation indicates, the Planning Group hopes for representation, from each of the 5 Circuit Churches, of Class Leaders / Pastoral Visitors, Ministers, Church & Door Stewards, Flower distributors, those in caring professions, carers & recipients of care, plus anyone else who wishes to come.

The Planning Group would find it helpful to have an idea of likely numbers and interests for the Day before the final planning meeting in Dundee on Monday 15th September – completion & return of the ‘reply slip’ would assist this greatly. Jenny E represents Dundee on the Planning Group – contact her, David Firth or Helen Wareing (01986 70374) to know more.

“Cradle of Life” – Prayer Handbook

The 2003-4 Prayer handbook can be ordered now, price c £2 each - large print copies available. Through regular personal use, we are invited to join in prayer

• with Christians throughout the world
• with congregations in Britain and Ireland
• with and for all creation
• for peace and harmony.

Please contact Moriamo as soon as possible so she can place a single order for an appropriate number of copies for our use.

Meetings this week

Support other Organisations

NCH

September is designated as “curtains” month in our request for surplus items for use by the Cowan Grove and Families projects. See Margaret for more details.

There is a copy of “Children Today Summer 2003” on the table at the top of the stairs – available for anyone to read and return.

Traidcraft

Autumn Traidcraft catalogues are now available, including Christmas items. Please take one away if you are interested in ordering. Margaret will be placing her next order before 21st September. There will be no postal charges and discounts may be available.

Scottish Bible Society

Our support, through the Bible-a-Month Club, is invited in September, for work in India, especially through volunteers’ visits to hospitals and provision of book-tables in Outpatient Clinics. See library area noticeboard.

Our attention is also drawn to

• Loanhead Bible Exhibition Week, opening with an ecumenical Service today in St Margaret’s RC Church;
• enhanced distribution in Uganda through good relations with Church leaders;
• launch of 7 Bibles and New Testaments in Kenya;
• effects of high taxes on imports in Ethiopia where a new bookshop has opened at Awasa in the south;
• SBS Field Ministries Department’s South-West Regional Forum in Troon and Scottish Crusaders’ Conference both next Saturday.

Forthcoming events

Prayer Points for this week

• the President of Conference in South Africa at the induction of the Rev Ivan Abrahams as presiding Bishop;
• the Vice-President in Derby Cathedral on Sunday and the Connexional New Year Service in London on Tuesday;
• the Christian Education Publications Board meeting on Wednesday;
• the new Scotland Synod Secretary, Janet Murray;
• the Angus, Dundee & Perthshire Circuit Stewards;
• generosity and concern throughout the year (Christian Aid);
• publications in English and local languages by the Evangelical Church in Zambia, Chingola (FTM Grant List);
• Bible Society work in Scotland and in India;
• The Leprosy Mission’s Regional Field Offices;
• we pray with and for the peoples of the Caribbean Islands, French Guyana, Guyana, Suriname;
• we remember fellow Methodists in the Skipton and Grassington Circuit (West Yorkshire District), and in Kilsyth (Glasgow Circuit).

• 24 August 2003
• 07 September 2003

© 2002—2003 Dundee Methodist Church.