08 May 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.

Christian Aid

David Firth did 6 “Tay Bridge Crossings” last Saturday. Do remember to hand over money if you sponsored him (or even if you didn’t!). So far he has raised over £170.

Are you interested in being a Church Steward?

After many years as a Church Steward, Clare has decided to take a break (from September). We all extend our thanks to her for her dedication as she has contributed to the life of the church in this office.

If YOU would be interested in finding out what is involved in being a Church Steward (or if you have already been a Steward and feel ready for a second term), please speak to any of the Stewards before the General Church Meeting on 29th May 2005.

‘Alpha Guide to Christian Accommodation’

Free copies of the 2005 edition are on the Vestibule table - uplift.

Evangelism – Sharing Our Faith

Are they important? Who’s responsible?

An opportunity as a Circuit, to share thoughts, views and concerns, on a priority for the Methodist Church in Scotland at Dundee Methodist Church, Wednesday 11th May, 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm - 9 pm.

This invitation is from Grahame Lockhart, District Mission Enabler, as part of a series of gatherings around the District. Each meeting is open to everyone interested. For more information, contact Grahame.

Meetings this week

Support other Organisations

Traidcraft

Thanks to all who support the Traidcraft stall. There are new catalogues available on the Vestibule table to take away and browse. Any orders to Margaret; there are order forms if you wish to use them.

“Feed The Minds” Appeals

1. “Books for Life”
   • This Appeal, supported by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, is intended to provide for “hungry minds” which need “food for thought”. In the developing world few can afford the books they need – students are hungry to learn, but have no coursebooks. “Imagine training for the ministry when the textbooks you need will cost three months’ wages” “A paperback can cost as much as a month’s wages”
2. “Action on AIDS”
   • More than 40 million people around the world are living with HIV. Nearly two-thirds of them live in Africa, where in the two hardest hit countries, two out of every five people are HIV positive. Children born in Botswana will live on average, just 39 years. Before the outbreak of HIV/AIDS, average life expectancy was 30 years longer. FTM is working through selected partners to communicate and educate, promote safe behaviour, inform and equip the Church to take action.

See the leaflets on the library area noticeboard or contact Feed The Minds, 36 Causton Street, London, SW1P 4AU; tel: 08451 21 21 02; www.feedtheminds.org

Scottish Bible Society

In May the Bible-a-Month Club invites our prayers and support for work in Siberia. See library area noticeboard for details.

Our attention is particularly drawn this week to

• Mission organisations in Scotland meeting in Dunblane on Wednesday
• Opportunities in Honduras in situations of social upheaval and growing poverty
• Protection of workers and outreach to children and teenagers in El Salvador
• Translation and other work in Nicaragua in a context of an ailing economy, political conflict, and natural disasters
• Building of a Bible Museum and encouragement of reading among school-children in Costa Rica.

Forthcoming events

Prayer Points for this week

• the Rev Will Morrey and Deacon Myrtle Poxon in the Channel Islands and West Yorkshire, respectively, from Thursday;
• Connexional Strategy & Resources Committee meeting Monday;
• reflection in our Circuit and its congregations, following the visit of the President and Vice-President;
• partners and projects in Ethiopia; preparations for Christian Aid Week (15 – 22 May) (Christian Aid);
• production by CEDEPECA (The Evangelical Centre for Pastoral Studies in Central America) of a newsletter addressing issues such as domestic violence (Feed The Minds);
• The Leprosy Mission’s promotional work in Scandinavia;
• Bible Society work in Siberia;
• we pray with and for the peoples of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland;
• we remember fellow Methodists in the Plymouth Methodist Mission Circuit (Plymouth & Exeter District), and all in the Livingston Ecumenical Partnership (Edinburgh & Forth Circuit).

• 01 May 2005
• 15 May 2005

© 2002—2003 Dundee Methodist Church.