15 JUNE 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.

Thanks are expressed to all who contribute to our worshipping together – appointed preachers, readers, music-makers, symbol-providers, cake-bakers, stewards...

News from the Church Council

Last Thursday’s Council noted / considered / decided the following:

• arrangements are being made / looked into for visits to other churches (Denise & Andrew), theatre trips (Elizabeth R)
• there are still vacancies on the Church Stewards’ Team, please contact the Minister or a Church Steward to know more or to suggest someone who might be approached
• a “quiet space” will be provided on Sunday mornings in the back room downstairs for individual reflection, meditation, prayer, etc., before worship upstairs
• planning continues for the Circuit Pastoral Day in Dundee on Saturday 27th September – more details next week
• Harvest Celebration will be on Sunday 28th September; the next Worship Group on Tuesday 12th August
• David E is offering to become Church Treasurer from 1 September 2004 when his term a s Senior Church Steward ends - a replacement Finance Committee Convener will then be needed (and a Church Steward replacement!!)
• The Communion Offering in November will be for The Dundee International Women’s Centre
• Jim Kelly will speak on his NCH work on Sunday 13th July, during worship conducted by the Rev Grahame Matthews
• Alastair Chisholm has accepted an invitation to tell us of the Mary Slessor Foundation on Sunday 14th September when the format will be

  10 am - 10.30 am Coffee

  10.30 am – 10.45 am Opening worship

  10.45 am – 11.45 am Presentation by Alastair Chisholm

  11.45 am – 12 noon Closing worship.

  It has been suggested that our follow-up to the presentation be a topic for an “early Sunday-morning discussion”.
• Future Council meetings planned for Thursday 2nd October and Thursday 19th February.

Chairs

It has been agreed that we proceed with buying new chairs. There is one example here for us to “sample” today: please try it & let Norah know how you find it.

Synod asks our help ….

Following the re-patterning of District structures and ways of working, Church Stewards in each congregation in the Scotland District have been asked to distribute a (simple) form to everyone in their local church. This details how the work of the Methodist people in Scotland is now allocated (into 4 networks, each with a coordinator) and it invites response to show our interest in different areas of life and witness in church and society. The replies can indicate

(A) a wish to be involved

(B) knowledge or experience

(C) desire to be kept informed and in touch

Setting out of chairs

As the NSF is no longer regularly meeting, it is necessary for us to have some regular means of setting out the chairs for Sunday worship. The Church Council agreed that this be by a rota of 5 groups of people (at least 2 individuals in each) willing to do this on a monthly basis.

They would ensure that the chairs were set out by 10 am on a Sunday morning – if there were a difficulty, responsibility would pass to the duty Church Stewards. The setting out of the “quiet space” (see below) would also be included.

Those able to help are asked give their names to the Senior Church Steward (David E) as soon as possible so that a system may be put in place: thanks!

Late News

We have learned that Jane Petty (Mission Partner in Zambia) was involved in a road accident in early May, in which her ‘neighbour and boss’, the Rev Elisabeth Silishebo, died. Jane was flown to South Africa for treatment of spinal and other injuries; she is now making good progress. We will assure her of all our thoughts and prayers.

Meetings this Week

Support other Organisations

Traidcraft Stall

There will be Traidcraft items for sale today – tea, coffee, honey, biscuits, chocolate, Geobars, and lots more …There is a full list of items available - Traidcraft stock list. Please let Margaret know if there is anything specific you would like her to bring.

Forthcoming events

Prayer Points for this week

• The President & Vice-President of Conference at the Wesley Tercentenary Celebrations in Epworth & Lincoln, Tuesday;
• UNCHR Refugee week (tomorrow – week on Monday);
• congregations in Perth & Blairgowrie during Jean Murrie’s sabbatical;
• The Trade Justice Movement campaigns this week (Christian Aid);
• coordination of the United Church Highlands Region in Papua New Guinea’s literacy programmes (FTM Prayer List);
• Bible Society work in Turkey;
• The Leprosy Mission’s work in South India - Kerala, Tamil Nadu;
• we pray with and for the peoples of Cape Verde, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Senegal and The Gambia;
• we remember fellow Methodists in the Stafford Circuit (Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury District), and all in the Livingston Ecumenical Parish, (Edinburgh & Forth Circuit).

• 8th June 2003

© 2002—2003 Dundee Methodist Church.