Dundee Methodist Church

11 December 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.

“Narnia” cinema trip - today

Those going to DCA together for the showing of “Narnia” at 1.45 pm are asked to note that the picnic lunch will take place in the back room downstairs. Please make your way there as soon as convenient so that the group can eat, clear up, and leave in good time - tickets have been obtained but seats are not reserved!!

“Momentum”

Supplies of the Autumn / Winter 2005 edition are here (in vast numbers!) Please take, read, and distribute as widely as you can.

Gift tags

Thanks to Clare, these are available on the Vestibule table - please support the Church by purchasing them.

Crèche Rota

Elaine would like to thank all the people on the Crèche rota for this past year and would welcome any new names for the new rota.

Flower Rota

Elaine would like to thank everyone on the flower rota for this past year and would welcome anyone who would like to come on the new rota.

Meetings this week

Date & timeVenueDetails
Sunday 11th December, 6 pm Dundee Congregational Church, Lower Constitution Road (map) “African Praise and Worship”led by African students. There will be an opportunity to enjoy traditional African food at the conclusion. As it would be helpful to have an idea of numbers for catering, if you hope to go please contact Alastair Keddie (tel: 566420) or Jessie Tarbet (810266). A small donation at the service towards expenses would be appreciated.
Sunday 11th December, 7.30 pm Caird Hall (map) Dundee Choral Union Concert - Bach's “Christmas Oratorio”; tickets (£13 / £10 or £5 concessions) at the door.
Tuesday 13th December to Friday 23rd December 2005 (no show Monday 19th) Whitehall Theatre www.whitehalldundee.co.uk (map) Downfield Musical Society pantomime “Cinderella”. See library noticeboard.

Support other Organisations

UNICEF Jars of Grace

Mary F reports that the sum of £169.81 has been sent for this year's Appeal.

NCH

  • It has long been our custom to support NCH during December in various ways and on different occasions. There are the following opportunities for contributing financial support this year:
    • Communion Offering today
    • under “The Tree” during All-age worship next week
    • 'Coffee money' after worship next Sunday
  • Envelopes - including Gift Aid forms - are available and may be used on any / all of the above occasions and in the weekly offering plate.
  • There will NOT be an NCH offering on Christmas Day, as usual, since this year December 25th is a Sunday.
  • News for supporters is available on the Vestibule table, together with fliers for Christmas cards - order in advance for next year? Prayer cards are also available.
  • Margaret can provide an NCH collecting box - see her.

Scottish Bible Society

Our support through the Bible-a-Month Club is invited in December for work in Sudan. See library noticeboard for more details.

Arusha, Tanzania

“3 years ago I visited a number of projects in Arusha, Tanzania. These included a home for families of leprosy patients, a centre for street children, as well as a primary school at Longido close to the Kenyan Border, where a group of blind children are being integrated.

I was able to deliver some teaching resources and advise on how the school might be supported. Spare parts are sourced to the repair of Braille typewriters and cupboards built to keep them clear of dust and insects. Last year we sent out a large tactile globe for the school. Working with a training college for teachers of the blind, we have also supported a project to develop the recording of teaching resources on tape in Swahili.

Janet and I will be visiting Arusha in February next year and will be spending time at 2 schools, but particularly at the college providing training for local staff. Used magnifiers and test charts from our service in Fife are already being shipped out ready for our visit, and some teaching at the college is planned.

What I am seeking now are second hand tape recorders, particularly the small Walkman type. These will be used by blind children as the main means of accessing textbooks, as Braille is difficult and expensive to produce. For those of you who are upgrading to CD, MP3 and other fancy gadgets at Christmas, can you please consider letting us have any machines to take out.

Alan

Prayer Points for this week

  • Pray Without Ceasing focus : Cornwall District;
  • Methodist Council meeting, tomorrow;
  • World Trade summit, Hong Kong (Christian Aid);
  • Radio Evangile Developpement, Burkina Faso (Feed The Minds);
  • The Leprosy Mission's work in Mozambique, Southern Africa & Zimbabwe;
  • Bible Society work in Sudan;
  • we pray with and for the peoples of Botswana and Zimbabwe;
  • we remember fellow Methodists in the Matlock Circuit (Nottingham & Derby District), and in Banff (North of Scotland Mission Circuit).