03 September 2006

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.

“Coffee and Bishops”

As agreed at the General Church Meeting, there will be opportunity for an open conversation on the report 'What sort of Bishops?' next Saturday morning in Marketgait from 10 am when coffee will also be available. Copies of the full Report are in a box on the Vestibule table to borrow and read before Saturday or the 'deadline' for sending comments to Methodist Church House on 31st October.

Harvest Celebration

Worship next Sunday will be on the theme “Small Miracles”, using Methodist Relief and Development Fund material. MRDF envelopes are being distributed today for return during worship next Sunday. To mark the 21st anniversary of MRDF, cake will also be served with coffee after worship.

Pastoral Committee résumé

• shared news & concerns about individuals & groups
• pondered a suggestion for 'weekday worship'
• received the resignation of Elaine as Baptismal Roll / Crèche secretary from the New Year and expressed thanks to her for her work
• noted the need for more volunteers for the crèche rota (see below)
• nominated 'tricia for appointment by the Church Council as a Pastoral Visitor
• considered pastoral arrangements during the Rev Mary Patterson's sabbatical (Oct - Dec incl)
• noted the preparations for Sunday 5th November when Rev Grahame Lockhart will lead worship in the context of the 'Growing from the Inside Out' course.
• noted that help with the distribution of flowers has been requested for the next few weeks (see below).

Crèche Rota

Elaine or the Church Stewards will be grateful to hear from / of people willing to join the (currently small) team willing to take care of “wee ones” downstairs during part of Sunday morning worship. Thanks are expressed to those who already serve in this way and encouragement given to others to consider volunteering!

Flower distribution

Jean has requested assistance with the distribution of flowers on a Sunday for the period of her recuperation from eye surgery (2 operations). Please contact her in advance or have a word with her on a Sunday to see if this week's recipients “live in your direction”.

Meetings this week

Support other Organisations

Scottish Bible Society

• Translations of the Kosrean and Yapese Bibles in Micronesia (Pacific);
• Translation & checking by consultants with the Mongolian Church; also mission groups' work;
• Translation in Indonesia of the New Testament into Tolaki, Seko, Padang, Moronene, Mamasa, & Irarutu, also of the Old Testament into Mentawai and Siau: “an immense task!”

NCH

The Annual UK National Service of Thanksgiving will be held in Central Hall, Tollcross, Edinburgh, on Tuesday 10th October at 7.15 pm. The President and Vice-President of Conference will take part, and also young people from NCH projects & the Tollcross Primary School Gaelic Choir. Worship will be followed by refreshments and presentations, hosted by Gordon Eglinton, Chair of NCH. It is hoped that there will be good support from Methodists in Scotland - would travelling together as a party from Dundee be an idea ??

Tickets (free) / more information from Melanie Dawson - tel 020 7704 7066; email Melanie.dawson@nch.org.uk . See poster on noticeboard.

Trade Justice

Lobbying is invited ahead of the “March to the Treasury” on Thursday 14th September with “message to take to the IMF and World Bank: reform or face cuts”. This is part of the continuing campaign to call on the UK Government (and others) “to face up to the promises made last year” at the G8 Summit in Gleneagles. More details from http://www.pressureworks.org/tradejustice.

Prayer Points for this week

• The President & Vice-President of Conference visiting Wales from Wednesday;
• Connexional Team New Year Services on Tuesday;
• The Methodist Church in Scotland (includes Shetland!);
• environmental projects in Tajikistan (Christian Aid);
• World Literacy Day, Thursday (Feed The Minds);
• The Leprosy Mission's work in South-east Asia - Andhra Pradesh;
• Bible Society work in Namibia;
• we pray with and for the peoples of the Caribbean Islands, French Guyana, Guyana, Suriname;
• we remember fellow Methodists in the Stanley Circuit (Newcastle upon Tyne District), and in Stirling (Central Scotland Circuit).

• 27 August 2006
• 10 September 2006

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