Dundee Methodist Church

21 May 2006

Next Sunday

11 am
Worship led by Mrs Jenny Easson

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.

The General Church Meeting

This will take place on Sunday 4th June. Following a suggestion at last year's GCM, worship led by the Rev Mary Patterson will commence at 10.45 am to include opportunity for shared conversation and formal GCM business. This will include nominations and elections of Church Stewards and representatives to the Church Council, plus brief reports from the Senior Church Steward, Treasurer, and Property Convener.

Coffee Morning for the Link Club

The Link Club is in the process of replacing their Minibus and some of us felt that the congregation would like an opportunity to show their support by helping with the fund-raising. So, a Coffee Morning has been arranged for Saturday 10th June at 10 am. Please come along and support this event and enjoy a coffee (or tea) and a chat. Items (wrapped) for a Cake / Candy stall run by Jean or a bookstall run by Clare would be appreciated.would be appreciated. Tickets on sale NOW from Lorna or other Helpers. If anyone would like to make a cash donation to this project, please see Lorna, Jenny or Paddy.

Crèche Location

It has been suggested and generally agreed that the crèche on a Sunday morning now meet in the back downstairs room, to provide more space for “the wee ones”.

Support other Organisations

Scottish Bible Society

    Our support through the Bible-a-Month Club is invited in May for work in Thailand. See library area noticeboard for details.

    Our prayerful attention is drawn this week to
    • Visit to General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland
    • Church-run literacy projects in Bangladesh and high demand for Scriptures
    • SBS Trustees' AGM on Wednesday
    • Plans to register the Bible Society in Nepal, progress with non-print formats, and Tibetan Common Language Bible translation.

    Trade Justice Movement- Do Your Bit!!

    The Company Law Reform Bill, to be debated this Spring, gives MPs the opportunity to require companies to report on their social and environmental impacts, and afford to people overseas harmed by the activities of a UK company a hearing in a UK court.

    Please take an MRDF / TJM postcard home with you, sign it, and send it to your MP, asking him / her to support these amendments.

    HIV / AIDS Ribbons

    “Glittery” ribbons have been obtained from South Africa via “Rainbow Turtle” in Paisley - see Vestibule table. Donations of £1 per ribbon requested.

    Forthcoming events

    Date & timeVenueDetails
    Wednesday 31st May, 7.30 pm Dundee Methodist Church Forum on Worship
    Saturday 3rd June from 11 am (coffee from 10.30 am) to 3.30 pm Stirling Methodist Church, Queen St (map) “Children” : a conference to look at the place of children's' work in the Methodist Church in Scotland and the wider Connexion, including lunch & reimbursement of travel costs. It will be led by Connexional personnel :
    • Steve Pearce - Children's Secretary
    • Doug Swanney - Children's Development Officer
    • Helen Wareing - (Scotland) Training Officer.
    This event is for
    • all who are working with children in our churches
    • Ministers, Deacons, Local Preachers
    • those with small numbers -“we need your input especially”.
    In a relaxed & informal gathering, there will be opportunities to
    • share ideas, hopes and concerns
    • meet others engaged in similar work.
    Encouragement is given for all churches to be represented - registration by 20th May through the District Office: tel : 01386 820295; email : meth@scottishchurcheshouse.org. See leaflets on Vestibule table.
    Sunday 4th June, 2.30 pm St Luke's & Queen Street Church of Scotland, West Queen Street, Broughty Ferry (map) Pentecost Prayer Walk. Broughty Ferry Churches Group invite you to join the Walk at St Luke's & Queen Street at 2.30 pm and returning there for refreshments c 3.30 - 4 pm. Prayers will be led at appropriate stages of the walk which can be joined or left at any point. Further details from Anne Anderson, tel (01382) 738620.
    Sunday 4th June the Tay Scottish Churches Housing Action - sponsored white water rafting on the Tay - - see leaflet on downstairs noticeboard or http://www.churches-housing.org/fundraising.php; contact valscotchho@ednet.co.uk.
    Friday 9th - Sunday 11th June Rosyth Methodist Church, Queensferry Road (map) The One Weekend. This youth event is being planned with particular thought for “young people who are in the minority in their church”. The cost is £25 per person - the Methodist Church in Scotland is subsidising the full cost of £40. The Weekend includes
    • free entry to “Frenzy” at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, described as “the UK's largest one day Christian music festival”
    • free T-shirt, food, programme of games & worship.
    Last year over 50 young people attended and many have booked again - think about joining them!
    Lorna has some more information or contact Luke & Sarah Russell (District Youth Co-ordinators): phone 07753744023; email luke_sarahr@yahoo.co.uk
    Saturday 17th June, 10 am - 5 pm Bell's Sport Centre, Perth (map) “Seeds of Hope”. Action of Churches Together in Scotland invites everyone to this Scottish Ecumenical Gathering. Tickets are available (£5 individual, £10 family) from the ACTS Office in Alloa - see leaflets on Vestibule table, contact Joan Pennycook on 01259 724336, email:ecumenical@acts-scotland.org.
    The Programme (10 am - 5 pm) comprises
    • Speakers, including
      • Douglas Alexander MP
      • Kathleen Marshall (Children's Commissioner)
      • Jurgen Moltmann (theologian)
    • Marketplace for groups (c 50 already listed) including
      • Mercy Ships
      • Iona Community
      • Traidcraft
    • Workshops, 35 currently listed, including
      • CAIRS - an Encounter with Islam
      • Habitat for Humanity - turning hope into homes
      • Scottish Churches Groups on a range of public & social issues
      • Third European Ecumenical Assembly - Romania, September 2007
    Friday 7th - Sunday 9th July Blackpool MAYC Breakout 2007 for Methodist young people - see www.MAYC.info.
    The cost this year for Methodist young people in Scotland could be as low as £35 (plus travel) as the Methodist Church in Scotland is offering support and encouraging Circuits & Churches to follow suit. If you are interested, please contact Sarah & Luke Russell (see above) as soon as possible so they can book transport and have some idea of overall costs. Lorna may also have information.

    Prayer Points for this week

    • Pray Without Ceasing focus: Plymouth and Exeter District;
    • President & Vice-President at Wesley Day celebrations, Wednesday;
    • Cliff College Festival this week;
    • hosting of Conference in Edinburgh;
    • partners and projects in Haiti (Christian Aid);
    • development of pre-school education programme PEPE in Angola (Feed The Minds);
    • The Leprosy Mission's work in Chad and Niger;
    • Bible Society work in Thailand;
    • we pray with and for the peoples of Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Yugoslavia, and Macedonia;
    • we remember fellow Methodists in the Fleetwood Circuit (North Lancashire District), and in Anniesland (Glasgow Circuit).