07 August 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.

Pastoral arrangements

Please note that until Tuesday, the Rev Gerald Bostock (01738 625828) and the Rev Tony Pepper (01828 686471) should be contacted if urgent Ministerial care is needed. [Please also intimate these emergencies and any other pastoral concerns to Jenny E and / or a Pastoral Visitor or Church Steward.]

Roadworks

Usual vehicular access to our premises is being disrupted by work which was scheduled to be completed within 13 weeks of 18th July. The effect of this on traffic is

• closure of Nethergate between South Tay Street & West Marketgait
• closure of northbound lanes in West Marketgait (ie those nearest our premises) from Nethergate to Westport Roundabout, with a contraflow on southbound lane.

Other works may also be scheduled to take place!!

See letter & map on the downstairs noticeboard.

Rotas

It is time to make up the rotas for the next 6 months. Letters are available on the Vestibule table for all those who help in this valuable way. Please take and reply as promptly as possible.

Thanks are expressed to Arthur and Brenda who are retiring as Door Stewards. If YOU would like to contribute to Sunday Worship by joining the Door Stewards or Coffee Rotas, please let Paddy know as soon as possible.

A Possible Church Social Outing?

Information comes to us, from time to time, of shows in Dundee for which advance group booking is possible, with reduced prices.

• Dundee Operatic Society wrote some time ago with a “Special Offer to Church Groups and other local Clubs and Societies” anent their production of “Guys and Dolls” in the Whitehall Theatre from Tuesday 7th - Saturday 11th March 2006. The offer was for a block booking at 2005 prices if made by 30th September 2005. Paddy has offered to look into bookings if there is sufficient interest - please indicate this by signing the form on the Vestibule table or contacting Paddy direct as soon as possible.
• We have also heard from Downfield Musical Society of possible reduction for block booking (20+) at “Summer Holiday” in the Whitehall Theatre on Tuesday 20th September. Tickets are now also available for their pantomime “Cinderella” in the Whitehall Theatre from Tuesday 13th - Friday 23rd December (no show Monday 19th). Paddy also has the letter about this - or see copy on library noticeboard.

Support other Organisations

Christian Aid Appeals

Zimbabwe

For details of the critical and worsening situation in Zimbabwe and of the Churches' response through Christian Aid and its partners, see letter on noticeboard - donations will be welcome.

Niger and West Africa Crisis

Christian Aid, as a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee, is appealing for support “to meet people's immediate need for food and help stave off widespread famine in West Africa”.

• In Niger, Christian Aid is working with international partner Action by Churches Together to reach 50,000 people in the Tahoua and Madai provinces.
• In Burkina Faso, drought and locust plagues slashed the harvest in areas by up to 90% - 450 tonnes of food have been provided, but more is needed.
• In Mali, prices are soaring so that more than 1 million people need aid. Work includes distribution of food and seeds, as well as forming task forces to prevent future outbreaks of locust plague.

See letter on noticeboard, website www.christianaid.org.uk, or Margaret for donation envelopes.

Scottish Bible Society

Our prayerful attention is drawn in particular this week to

• participation in Edinburgh Festival Fringe through children's shows
• work in Libya where there have been recent positive political and social changes
• on-going translation work in Morocco
• translation in progress in New Zealand, into Maori and Tokeluan languages

Forthcoming events

Prayer Points for this week

• John Bell, Vice-President of Conference, at the Black Methodist Youth Conference in Dorset, Wednesday - Thursday;
• meeting anent the future of Scottish Churches House, Dunblane on Wednesday;
• promotion of 'Pray Without Ceasing' in Scotland District;
• circuits in Scotland experiencing change of Ministerial staff;
• pastoral ministry in our Circuit's 5 congregations;
• partners and projects in Malawi, where food shortage is an immediate and also long-term problem (Christian Aid);
• The Leprosy Mission's work in Central India - Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Orissa;
• we pray with and for the peoples of Australia, and Aotearoa-New Zealand;
• we remember fellow Methodists in the Melton Mowbray Circuit (Oxford & Leicester District), and in Girvan (Ayrshire & Renfrewshire Circuit)
• 31 July 2005
• 14 August 2005

© 2002—2005 Dundee Methodist Church.