9 November 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.

UNICEF - Jars of Grace

Jars are to be returned today during worship or in the next few weeks to Mary.

Methodist Homes

Envelopes are still available today from the Vestibule table for return via the offertory plate in the next few weeks.

Pastoral Committee

The next meeting will be on Tuesday 17th November at 7.30 pm at which the Annual Reading of the Lists will take place. Following the previous Committee meeting and the Circuit ‘Pastoral Day’, there will also be thinking about ensuring effective arrangements for the future pattern of our local pastoral care, including a ‘Visiting Policy’. The implications of the Circuit’s decision on staffing from September 2004 will also need to be considered.

IBRA

Jean will take orders for Daily Bible Reading Notes or other IBRA publications. Please see noticeboard and contact Jean.

Worship Group Report

Those meeting last Tuesday agreed :

1) general outlines for our worship during Advent / Christmas (30th November - 28th December):

• the present pattern of the Children’s Group leaving & returning will continue except for 21st and 25th December;
• Sunday 21st December will be all-age worship, including a ‘Nativity Play’;
• it is hoped that all acts of worship will enable congregational participation – ’tricia will be ‘approaching people’ and will also be pleased to hear from / of possible contributors;
• NCH envelopes will be available during Advent for return on / after 21st December, following our long custom of supporting NCH especially at Christmastide;
• there will be ‘all-age celebration’ at 11 am on Christmas Day to which all are invited – offerings for NCH.

2) “Early Singing / Music” will continue in December, January & February.

3) The Group issues a general invitation to consider future ways of celebrating Holy Communion – a gathering at 7.30 pm in Marketgait on Tuesday 27th January – ALL welcome!

4) A meeting to consider future worship patterns, including during Lent, will be at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 10th February.

Access upstairs

The stair-chair, which has served us for many years, has now been removed as it has been not possible to repair it. Moves to replace it as soon as possible are already in hand, but the supplier is currently unable to give us a firm date for installation.

Meetings this week

Support other Organisations

Traidcraft

The next stall will be on Sunday 23rd November, for purchase of food, cards and wrapping paper. Catalogues & official order forms may be taken from the Vestibule table – please return orders forms to Margaret. See Traidcraft for details of “stock held”.

NCH

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

Scottish Bible Society

In November our support is requested for Work in Thailand, where the northern highlands are home to many different tribal groups, quite distinct from the Thai majority, for whom provision of Scriptures in their mother-tongue is needed. Bibles have recently been published in the Akha & Lawa languages, and translation is proceeding in Hmong, Khmer, Lahu, Mien and Shan. (See library area noticeboard)

Link Club News

“A Link Club member, has knitted an outfit for Sarah, the doll which is on the table in the Vestibule. (Thanks to Paddy for helping Angela.) The Club is hoping to raise some money for Club funds by asking people to guess Sarah’s birthday. Each guess costs 20p and can be written in the diary beside the doll. Whoever guesses correctly will win Sarah. The Link Club would be grateful for your support – there is a box on the table for contributions.”

A reading suggestion

Nancy E has been asked to bring to the attention of our Church members, a book, “Stepping Out with God”, written by Gwen Macdougall, priced £2.50. Proceeds to Douglas House, Children’s Hospice, Oxford. Nancy can obtain and pass on books if required.

Forthcoming events

Prayer Points for this week

• The President and Vice-President of Conference at the Youth Conference Bolton, next weekend;
• The Methodist Council’s Strategy & Resources Committee meeting on Monday – Tuesday;
• The District’s ‘appraisal team’ and their work in supporting Ministers;
• publication of ‘Encuentro’ magazine by CEPALC, in Bogotá, Columbia (Feed The Minds Grants List);
• partners and projects in Senegal (Christian Aid);
• Bible Society work in Thailand;
• The Leprosy Mission’s work in Myanmar and in Thailand;
• we pray with and for the peoples of Italy and Malta;
• we remember fellow Methodists in the Upper Calder Circuit (West Yorkshire District), and all in Grahamston United Church, Falkirk (Central Scotland Circuit).

• 2 November 2003
• 16 November 2003

© 2002—2003 Dundee Methodist Church.