20 November 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.

World AIDS Day - Vigil

The September Synod agreed that the Scotland District should adopt, as its District Project, a five-year focus on HIV/AIDS as our response to the Connexional campaign “The Body of Christ Has AIDS”. All Circuits, congregations, and individuals are urged to support this awareness-raising project resourced by Christian Aid. The Dundee Church Council decided that our premises would be open on Thursday 1st December, World AIDS Day, for a Vigil from 2 pm to 4 pm. Mary Patterson, Jenny, and Heather are making arrangements for this. If you are able to give help, please contact one of them.

Gift tags

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

“Narnia” - suggested cinema trip

Following the successful visit to BibleWorld and news on the Methodist WebPages of the release of the Narnia film coinciding with material for children at Christmas time, the idea has arisen that a “church group” might go and see the film together in Dundee Contemporary Arts, Perth Road, on Sunday 11th December. Anyone wishing to go is asked to sign the paper on the Vestibule table (a provisional allocation of 30 tickets has been obtained) as soon as possible and by next Sunday at the latest. Those going would have a picnic lunch in Marketgait after worship, and then walk to DCA (transport provided if needed). The cost of tickets is £4.40 (adults) and £3.50 for children and over-60s, although it is being suggested that the Church meet the cost for children (which sounds like a good idea to the Treasurer - Church Council members please nod in David's direction!).

Conference in Edinburgh 2006 : “Our Methodist Identity”

Rev Angy Long (Glasgow Circuit) is inviting us to take the opportunity of co-hosting Conference next year to reflect on what it means to be Methodists in Scotland. She has prepared a (simple) questionnaire and would appreciate as many returns as possible. Copies are available - please take & complete as best you can, then return via the box on the Vestibule table (in a sealed envelope if you wish) or post direct to Angy if you prefer.

Meetings this week

Support other Organisations

Scottish Bible Society

• Our support is invited in November for work in Panama. See library noticeboard for more details.
• Prayerful attention is drawn this week to
  • Development of Intranet to enable collaboration between partner churches
  • Growth of 'New Horizons' programme in Uruguay, visiting over 40 towns and cities
  • Sahel Project developing work in West African countries, including Guinea Bissau, Cape Verde Islands, and Mauritania
  • Current appeal for material to fill boots of vehicles supplied 3 years ago.

Traidcraft

Copies of the autumn catalogue, including Christmas cards as well as goods, are now available on the Vestibule table. Please place orders through Margaret.

“Children Today”

A copy of the latest issue from NCH is on the upstairs table: borrow, read, return!

Publicity has been received for the following - see posters:

• Christian House Exchange Fellowship - Maurice Hately, the contact, is a Methodist Local Preacher, formerly in Aberdeen who highly recommends the organisation. Website http://www.thisengland.co.uk/pw.htm
• 'The Famous Bervie' Chipper Restaurant, adjacent to Signal Tower Museum, Arbroath; details of “Senior Citizens Special 3 Course Menu” on poster. Map of The Famous Bervie' Chipper Restaurant in Arbroath

Forthcoming events

Prayer Points for this week

• Pray Without Ceasing focus: Chester & Stoke District;
• President & Vice-President of Conference in the Birmingham District next weekend;
• prisoners, their families and those who care for them;
• members of the Circuit Leadership Team;
• UN International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women - Friday (Christian Aid);
• Radio programmes on reconciliation, by 'Kundane' organisation in Burundi (Feed The Minds - see leaflet on library noticeboard);
• The Leprosy Mission's work in Chad, Guinea, and Niger;
• Bible Society work in Panama;
• we pray with and for the peoples of Afghanistan and Pakistan;
• we remember fellow Methodists in the South Derbyshire Circuit, (Nottingham & Derby District), and in Cullen (North of Scotland Mission Circuit).

• 13 November 2005
• 27 November 2005

© 2002—2003 Dundee Methodist Church.