30 September 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.

Communion

The offering will be for the Fund for World Mission. Please note this will be a “coming forward” Communion.

“Share the Feast”

As next Sunday we celebrate Holy Communion, the Worship Group wishes to draw attention to the following:

“Share the Feast” : 5 copies of this much-commended, very-readable book have been purchased to help our knowledge and understanding of the Sacrament of Holy Communion. They are available on the table at the back of the worship area for anyone to borrow, read, and return.

Property Points

• until Monday 8th October; please pass on any booking requests via the office tray, email or phone message;
• thanks are conveyed to all who are doing 'a wee bit extra' to maintain the cleanliness of our premises whilst Property folk continue the search for a new cleaner;
• the new signed certificate in respect of Waste Management (September 07 to August 08) is on the Office noticeboard in case it needs to be produced;
• check lights and blow heaters are off before leaving the premises, please.

IBRA Bible Reading material

Orders for study material and daily notes may be placed through Jean, who can supply further details of available publications.

Hymn Tune Writing Competition

Through personal connections with Settle Methodist Circuit, Heather has information about their Eighth Annual Hymn Writing Festival : 9th-11th November

This year's competition is to compose a hymn tune with the title “Charles Wesley” - there is an open class (as well as a closed Settle Circuit class!).

Rules can be summarised as

1. tune entirely of own composition, unpublished
2. scored for any keyboard - harmony indication helpful
3. any recognised metre
4. © remains with composer
5. all entries submitted to judges whose decision is final, with no correspondence
6. no written words - indication of possible hymn(s) is fine
7. prize of £200 for winner, £150 second prize.
8. winning tunes to be played at Settle Hymn Festival - winners notified by phone.

Closing date - 9th October. Entry forms with further details on Vestibule table.

United Nations Millennium Development Goal no 7 - Ensure environmental sustainability

Action Ideas to prolong the life of the planet:

• don't overfill the kettle
• stop taking carrier bags
• have 1 meat-free meal per week
• use green household cleaners
• get rid of your car (!!)
• turn off tap when brushing teeth
• recycle rubbish
• use energy-saving light bulbs
• support responsible organizations
• encourage others

There is a supply of cards on the Vestibule table.

Meetings this week

Support other Organisations

Scottish Bible Society

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

Our prayerful attention is drawn this week to:

• work in Nigeria to translate the Bible into Hausa, which is widely spoken in the north and elsewhere in West Africa;
• workers in areas of violence arising from the drug trade in Colombia, also recordings of the New Testament in various indigenous languages;
• support of the SBS throughout Scotland, including speakers at meetings this week and a sponsored walk in Mugdock Country Park by Bearsden & Milngavie Action Group on Saturday.

Rotary Shoe Box Scheme

“Every Christmas Rotary International runs a scheme through schools, churches and offices where individuals are encouraged to fill a small box labelled with small gifts for a child, teenager, for a household or an older person. The boxes are driven out to such countries as Romania, Bulgaria, and Belarus for distribution. Last year some members from Fife supported this initiative and as a local organiser, I would like to extend the invitation to other organisations' members.

We supply the flat-pack boxes that make up to a size similar to a shoe-box and provide guidance on the type of things to fill the box. A visit to the 'one pound shop' would soon fill a box. I will leave a sheet on the table where you can sign up if you are interested and I will deliver boxes during October for collection back in early November.

When thinking about Christmas shopping, just think of the joy you could bring to someone who could be celebrating Christmas with no gifts at all.

With many thanks for your support, Alan Suttie”

Forthcoming events

Prayer Points for this week

• The President of Conference at the Conservative Party Conference, Blackpool, Monday - Tuesday;
• Rev Martyn Atkins, nominated for appointment as General Secretary of the Methodist Church and Secretary of Conference;
• projects in the Chester and Stoke District, staffing changes and their effects (Methodist Homes Prayer Diary);
• work of SERVE in the Nangarhar and Laghman provinces of eastern Afghanistan (Feed The Minds);
• Bible Society work in Nepal and in Nigeria;
• Rev Lily Twist at Connexional Leadership Team, Tuesday - Wednesday;
• Montrose Church Council, Tuesday;
• The Leprosy Mission's promotional work in the Far East;
• we pray with and for the peoples of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia;
• we remember fellow Methodists in the Boston Circuit (Lincoln & Grimsby District), and in Peterhead (North of Scotland Mission Circuit).

• 23 September 2007
• 07 October 2007

© 2002—2007 Dundee Methodist Church.