Dundee Methodist Church

17 April 2005

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.

Visit of the President and Vice-President of Conference

The Rev Will Morrey and Deacon Myrtle Poxon will visit our Circuit on Wednesday 4th May and the Circuit Leadership Team is now making detailed arrangements for them to be taken on a (rapid) tour of our five congregations.

Their itinerary will start in Perth at lunchtime and proceed via Blairgowrie, Montrose, Arbroath (including High Tea), with arrival at Dundee timed for 7 pm. It is suggested that each congregation “converse” with Will and Myrtle about its own situation and concerns. For Dundee Methodists this will take place at 7 pm, prior to a more open Circuit gathering in Marketgait from c 7.30 to c 8.45 pm (refreshments available).

It is hoped that as many as possible will come to the venues and thus enable the President and Vice-President to fulfil their wish to “meet people”, as well as giving them a brief insight into where and how we worship, work and witness.

UK General Election

Material has been sent to us from the Christian social action charity, CARE, which has launched a campaign called “Make the Cross Count”. The booklet, which is in the “Service & Mission” red tray in the Office, gives a guide to the election, Bible Studies, and suggestions about engaging in the political process. The Circuit Team Ministers each have a copy – please consult the one in the Office if it would be of use / interest.

Offerings for General Fund

Since some of our offerings are now being given by Standing Order, they do not feature in the weekly figures. Accordingly David will publish around the middle of the month (when the Bank Statement is received) the total figure given the previous month. We continue to be grateful for all giving.

Christian Aid – Tay Road Bridge Crossing

This annual event takes place this year on Saturday, 30 April, 2.00 - 5.30 p.m. David Firth intends to join in again, and is seeking sponsors - please see form on table at top of stairs, and sign up!! Other walkers are welcome. Sponsor forms can be obtained from Mr Hugh Peterkin, 111 Seafield Road, Broughty Ferry, Dundee, DD5 3AP.

Meetings this week

Date & timeVenueDetails
Wednesday, 20th April, 7.30 pm Dundee Methodist Church, “L” Service and Mission Committee
Saturday 23rd April, 10.30 am to 1 pm Scottish Churches House Dunblane www.scottishchurcheshouse.org “Nurturing House Groups” : an initiative to explore the nurturing of existing Groups and possible creation of new ones is being undertaken by Helen Wareing (District Training & Development Officer) and Jean Murrie. Please contact Jean if you are interested in going.
Saturday 23rd April, 3 pm Dundee Methodist Church, upstairs Marriage blessing

Support other Organisations

Email or pen-pal wanted

A letter has been sent to us from a volunteer for the Association for the Blind in Gloucestershire, on behalf of Carrie, a blind young woman, who is seeking to become an email or pen-pal of other young women, aged 30 to 45, who are also Christians. She has a computer through which she can communicate with others, by email, typed letters or Braille letters. Her interests are Church, music and singing, playing keyboard and Autoharp, reading, meeting and communicating with people, cooking, going to the theatre, etc. If you can help, she will be very grateful.

Please see library area noticeboard for the letter giving more details.

Forthcoming events

Date & timeVenueDetails
Saturday, 30th April, 2.00 ­ 5.30 pm Tay Road Bridge Sponsored cross for Christian Aid. Sponsorship forms from Mr Hugh Peterkin, 111 Seafield Road, Broughty Ferry, Dundee, DD5 3AP.
Thursday 12th May, 11 am to 4 pm Scottish Churches House, Dunblane www.scottishchurcheshouse.org “Occasional Seminars on the Ecumenical Movement”. God, in your Grace, Transform the World : looking to the theme of the World Council of Churches 9th Assembly in Brazil in 2006, led by the Rev Alan Falconer, former Director of WCC Faith and Order Commission. Details on the notice board, contact SCH (01786 823588) - Jenny has already registered if you wish to go and have company!
Friday 27th and Saturday 28th May. Doors open at 6.30 each night for a 7 pm start Mark Henderson Centre, Ann Street, Dundee (map) CROWDS - Christian Rock gig in aid of charity. The bands playing wil be Quench, Titus and Mowglee. All profits to go to Make Poverty History, Signpost International and The Attic. Tickets £4 and £6. More information and tickets are available at www.crowdsindundee.co.uk. Ticket order form on library area noticeboard, with letter.
Saturday 18th June, 10.30 am to 4 pm Wallacestone Methodist Church, Shieldhill Road, Reddingsmuirhead, Falkirk (map) District Networking Day (formerly “Officers’ Day”). This is open to “anyone who is interested in sharing what is happening locally and nationally in the Methodist Church in Scotland”. Soup and sandwich lunch provided – an idea of numbers for catering would help (Jenny E will act as ‘link’) but “all are very welcome”. More information will come soon from the District Office in Dunblane, please note the date now.
Monday 20th June, 11 am to 4 pm Scottish Churches House, Dunblane www.scottishchurcheshouse.org “The Role of the Churches in the European Project”, led by the Rev Rudiger Noll, Director of the Church and Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches (CEC). Details on the notice board, contact SCH (01786 823588) - Jenny has already registered if you wish to go and have company!
Tuesday 7th March to Saturday 11th March 2006 Whitehall Theatre www.whitehalldundee.co.uk (map) Dundee Operatic Society, “Guys and Dolls”. DOS has sent details of a special offer to church groups and other local clubs and societies for special block booking rates for their production of “Guys and Dolls”. The offer is of a block booking at 2005 prices if made by September 2005. DOS indicate that they have been fortunate in securing the Performing Rights to this musical which is shortly to be staged in London and thus permission for amateur performances may be withdrawn. More details re booking via David Smart, DOS secretary - tel: 01382 477035 or smartdavid@blueyonder.co.uk.
Is this something worth taking up as a “social outing” for us as a church community??

Prayer Points for this week

  • the President and Vice-President in Wales this week;
  • Christian Aid anniversary worship, Tuesday;
  • World Day of Prayer Scottish 75th anniversary worship in Glasgow today, and in Inverness next Saturday;
  • AGM of Gowan Park Methodist Home Arbroath, Thursday;
  • partners in Democratic Republic of Congo (Christian Aid);
  • material in various languages for use by refugees in local Anglican churches in Northern Zambia (Feed The Minds);
  • The Leprosy Mission’s work in Indonesia, Timor Leste, and Papua New Guinea;
  • Bible Society work in Pakistan;
  • we pray with and for the peoples of Brazil;
  • we remember fellow Methodists in the Torbay Circuit (Plymouth & Exeter District) and ecumenical work in Granton, especially the Waterfront Project (Edinburgh & Forth Circuit).