Dundee Methodist Church

22 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.

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
Forms (named) are on the table at the back of the worship area – please take yours today, read, complete & return it to David E, if possible within the next 2 weeks. Many thanks!

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!

Meetings this Week

Date & timeVenueDetails
Tuesday, 24th June, 7.30 pm - 9 pm (“with a cuppa provided”) Marketgait, “B” Summer Bible Study: ‘The Woman with the Ointment’, based on Luke 7, 36-50 An open invitation is given to EVERYONE interested to come and share together in a time of “creative insight”.
Wednesday 25th June, 6 pm Marketgait, “small room” Synod Planning group
Wednesday 25th June, 7 pm Marketgait, “L” Circuit Leadership Team
Saturday 28th June, 11.45 am Discovery Point Scale–Up for Trade Justice - A nation-wide mass lobby of Parliamentary representatives in their constituencies as part of the on-going campaign undertaken by development agencies including Christian Aid. MPs and MSPs are to be at Discovery Point at 11.45 am to receive postcards and letters expressing concern at current world trade rules, a photo-opportunity follows at 12 noon. See noticeboard for details.

Support other Organisations

Scottish Bible Society

Our prayerful and financial support is requested for 2 new ‘flagship’ projects to be opened in September – The Bibleworld Experience and The Bible Resource Centre.

SBS is also concentrating on work among poor and disadvantaged children in Scotland and also on asylum-seekers now living here.

Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust – Jersey Zoo

Through her membership of the Trust, Jenny has a “free ticket” for Jersey Zoo (valid to 31 December 2003). If you are to be in Jersey this year and could use it, please let her know.

Forthcoming events

Date & timeVenueDetails
Wednesday 2nd July;Thursday 10th July; Friday 18th July, 7.30 pm — 9 pm Marketgait Bible study
Saturday 27th September, 10 am to 4 pm Marketgait Circuit Pastoral Day ‘Who Cares for Me?>“See how these Christians love”. For ALL Class Leaders / Pastoral Visitors, Ministers, Church & Door Stewards, Flower Distributors, folk in caring professions & situations and recipients of care, & those interested ……… in each of our 5 Circuit congregations.
The Planning Group will meet again on Friday 8th August to finalize details but it is envisaged that the day will include
  • exploration of what we understand by ‘pastoral care’
  • how we do (and don’t!) carry it out
  • helpful resources
  • how to support each other
The morning session will be “all-together” and the afternoon in “congregational groups” so there can be thinking about & planning for practical outcomes and “follow-up”.
Planning Group : Helen Wareing (District Training & Development Officer), Jenny Easson (Circuit & Dundee), Janice Swankie & Shirley Manknell (Arbroath), Margaret Wright (Perth), Maureen Moir (Montrose), Perth reps to be appointed. Please let Jenny or David Firth have any comments or suggestions - and note the date!

Prayer Points for this week

  • The President & Vice-President of Conference at the Chairs’ meeting and Methodist Conference, Llandudno, from Wednesday;
  • Ministerial Session of Conference Thursday–Friday, Diaconal Session Friday, Representative Session Saturday onwards;
  • the process of inviting a Presbyter to the Circuit from Sept 2004;
  • water and sanitation projects (Christian Aid);
  • replacement after fire damage to the Cairo studio of the Christian Satellite television service Sat-7(FTM Prayer List);
  • Bible Society work in Turkey;
  • The Leprosy Mission’s work in Mozambique, Southern Africa and Zimbabwe;
  • we pray with and for the peoples of Benin, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Togo;
  • we remember fellow Methodists in the Cannock Chase Circuit (Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury District), and in Pollokshaws (Glasgow Circuit).