07 January 2007

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.

Thanks

We thank all who contributed to our marking of Advent and Christmas by participation in worship, decoration of the premises ('special mention' perhaps for the Link Club's craft work and cards in the downstairs rooms and balloons, etc, from their party upstairs), catering …… We express particular appreciation to 'tricia who undertook much of the planning and coordination at a time when she also had family concerns.

“Songs of Praise” - Dundee

Tern TV is to record a “Songs of Praise” in Dundee during February, with the congregational hymn-singing taking place on the nights of Tuesday 20th and Wednesday 21st February in St Paul's Episcopal Cathedral under John Bell as conductor.

Commitment to both evenings is requested so it may “look and sound as absolutely good as it can”.

Sound recording only will be done on the first night, with recording of singing to pre-recorded sound on the second night.

Past experience has demonstrated that the hard work required has been enriching, not least through John Bell's contribution to learning about hymns and worship through the singing. Tickets will be required - “ to avoid turning people away at the door” - please let Paddy know if you hope to take part.

Proposed trip

The Meadowside St Paul's proposed trip to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum on Sunday 14th January has now been cancelled.

Crèche Rota

Louisa has taken over responsibility for coordination of the crèche rota from the New Year. She will be pleased to hear from anyone who feels able to join the (small) team of those who look after the “wee ones” downstairs during part of Sunday worship. If you wish to know more, please see her after worship.

“Exploring Methodism”

This 10-session course is being offered as an opportunity and forum to

• examine contemporary Methodist theology and practice
• explore Christian discipleship from a Methodist perspective.

It will be facilitated by David Rogerson (Stirling), with Helen Wareing (District TDO) and Eric Potts (District Tutor). Six of the sessions will be held in Key House, Falkland on three Saturdays (27th January, 17th March, & 19th May) and the others will be arranged through local groups or on a distance-learning basis.

For details see poster on noticeboard; to ask more or book, phone 01324 715589 or email david.rogerson@ovum.com.

Meetings this week

Support other Organisations

UNICEF Jars of Grace

A total of £170.40 is being forwarded from the jars handed in (so far!). Thanks to all collectors - any outstanding jars should be given to Mary F.

Feed The Minds - “Bethlehem: No Room for Peace”

Our attention is drawn to this evening's TV programme on ITV1 at 10.45 pm about the pre-Christmas visit by four Church Leaders to the Holy Land. This high-level delegation was accompanied by a Feed The Minds team “as an expression of solidarity with ordinary people living through the violence and conflict of the region”.

In a letter sent to FTM supporters before the visit, FTM encouraged watching of the documentary produced as a part of the trip, to be shown by ITV1.

FTM have also produced a short film profiling the work of partners in African and the Middle East. A DVD copy is available from FTM, 36 Causton Street, London SW1P 4AU; tel 08451 212102; email together@feedtheminds.org; view online at www.feedtheminds.org.

Scottish Bible Society

Our support through the Bible-a-Month Club is invited in January for work in Armenia. See library area noticeboard.

Our prayerful attention is drawn this week to

• use of the Kosraen Bible, recently launched in this remote island in Micronesia;
• launch of long-awaited Study Bible in Japan, also reprint of the first Japanese translation, with explanatory audio CD;
• nationwide radio programme Gema Nafiri in Indonesia, also new Study Bible;
• National Bible Week in the Philippines;
• Action Groups planning for fund-raising & promotion of SBS during 2007.

NCH

Glenna & Derek are to visit Cowan Court soon. Please leave any items (suitable for use by young people setting up home) clearly labelled, in the cloak corridor - or contact Glenna & Derek.

Forthcoming events

Prayer Points for this week

• Conference Business Committee meeting, Wednesday;
• Rev Bill Gates with 45 RM Commando in Afghanistan; all forces chaplains on active duty;
• partners in projects in Central America (Christian Aid);
• The Leprosy Mission's promotional work in Europe;
• printing of (an initial order of) 2000 local language hymnbooks in Zambia* (Feed The Minds);
• Bible Society work in Armenia;
• we pray with and for the peoples of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, Iran, Iraq (WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle);
• we remember fellow Methodists in the Macclesfield Circuit (Manchester and Stockport District), and in Inverness (Inverness Circuit).

*The hymnbook currently used by the Moravian Church in Zambia is in Kiswahili.

• 31 December 2006
• 14 January 2007

© 2002—2007 Dundee Methodist Church.