16 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 or as soon as possible to Mary – many thanks for your support which has so far raised over £80.

Methodist Homes

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

IBRA

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

Traidcraft

There will be a stall next Sunday 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”.

Meetings this week

Support other Organisations

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.

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.

Scottish Bible Society Calendar-a-Month Club Updates

Further details have been sent about countries featured in the 2003 calendar:

• Russia (Jan) – Siberian Branch staff report that Scriptures were received with delight among the Telemut minority community; the only school for deaf-blind children, outside Moscow, has received two brand new Braille books;
• Bolivia (Feb) – indigenous Aymara and Quechua-speakers experience feelings of inferiority vis-à-vis urban Spanish–speakers: the effect of reading the Scriptures in their own tongue is powerful;
• China (Apr) – Bible Society production since January reached 1 million in May; despite the SARS crisis, work continues, with distribution vans visiting rural areas;
• Mexico (May) – the Chanalho dialect of Tzotzil translation of the Bible arrived timeously after the violence in the area of Chiapas during which innocent church leaders were imprisoned following a period of turmoil.

Forthcoming events

Prayer Points for this week

• The President of Conference at the European Parliament to Wednesday and in the Cornwall District next weekend;
• The Connexional Stationing Matching Group, Monday – Tuesday;
• ‘Safeguarding’ in the life of Scotland’s churches & organisations;
• the Rev Jean Murrie as she prepares to “sit down” (‘retire’);
• use of a hymnbook in the Lhukonzo language in the Diocese of South Rwenzori, Uganda (Feed The Minds Grants List);
• partners in the Philippines, especially MuCard, the Muslim–Christian Agency for Rural Development (Christian Aid);
• The Leprosy Mission’s promotional work in Bangladesh, Scandinavia, Germany, Hungary and Slovakia;
• Bible Society work in Thailand;
• we pray with and for the peoples of Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal;
• we remember fellow Methodists in the Holmfirth (West Yorkshire District), and in Wallacestone (Central Scotland Circuit).

• 09 November 2003
• 23 November 2003

© 2002—2003 Dundee Methodist Church.