09 March 2008

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.

Scottish Churches House Jubilee Appeal

For information on this, see Vestibule table. David E, as Church Treasurer, will accept further contributions to be sent with our donation and Communion Offering from last week in the name of Dundee Methodist Church.

Ecumenical Observance of Lent

• Broughty Ferry Churches Group : Wednesday at 7 pm led by Dundee Methodists in St Margaret's Church, Barnhill, on the theme “Jesus and the Community of Broughty Ferry”. All welcome.
• Dundee City Centre Churches : Wednesday at 7.30 pm in Meadowside St Paul's. Material from the CTBI “Pathways of Prayer”. All welcome.

Easter Observance

Broughty Ferry Churches Group will mark Holy Week and Easter with a series of Services at various times and in differing venues, each day of the week, except for Easter Sunday when encouragement is given to share in “Resurrection Day” at 7.30 pm in the Caird Hall. More details next week.

Network News

Copies of the Scotland No1 2008 issue are now available from Vestibule table or see Mary Foster.

Invitations from Our Lady of Good Counsel, Broughty Ferry

• ACT IV are to present Alan Ayckbourn's “Bedroom Farce” in The Space, Dundee College, Kingsway Campus, between 8th - 12th April. The performance at 7.30 pm on Thursday 10th April is in aid of OLGC Building Fund: tickets (£9) from Cathy Gallagher (01382) 775595.
• Our friends in OLGC this year are marking the Jubilee of Father Anthony McCarthy's Ordination to the Priesthood (and also his 25 years in Broughty Ferry). As part of the celebrations, a Peace Service will take place on Sunday 18th May at Culross Palace, followed by Buffet at St Serf's Church, High Valleyfield, Fife. A coach will leave OLGC at 1 pm and return is expected to be c 7.30 pm. See poster for further information - contact Cathy Gallagher (as above) no later than Easter Sunday (23rd March).

Church Council résumé (Part 2)

At its recent meeting, the Council

• considered proposed arrangements for worship on Sunday 20th March - the first in the series of “fifth Sundays in the month” when worship will take place in a different style (more details soon);
• noted that there will be a celebration of Holy Communion at 9.30 am on Easter Sunday (March 23rd) conducted by the Rev David Firth;
• noted that the Rev David Firth is 'on sabbatical' for the months of May to July inclusive - Circuit Leadership Team will act as Support Group;
• heard report of the recent District Training Forum and of Pastoral Committee's comments on the value of Circuit gatherings to share experiences;
• received news of developing work with children, especially those of older crèche age;
• heard that David E & Dennis have joined the Link Club team of helpers;
• noted that Sunday June 8th will be World Church Sunday when Andrée Ryan will share her experiences as an Accompanist in Palestine;
• received reports from the Senior Church Steward and Safeguarding Officer;
• noted that, under the auspices of the Methodist Insurance Company, an external insurance survey of our premises had taken place - the report is awaited but expected to include advice that the (large) chairs in the small room be replaced;
• agreed allocation of Communion Offerings in 2008:
  • March - Scottish Churches House Jubilee Appeal
  • June - Home Missions (Mission in Britain)
  • July - Scottish Churches Housing Action
  • November - Earl Haig Fund;
• agreed that the General Church Meeting be held on Sunday 29th June;
• arranged Council meetings for
  • Wednesday 18th June (if necessary)
  • Thursday 2nd October.

Meetings this week

Support other Organisations

Scottish Bible Society

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

Our prayerful attention is drawn this week to

• new facilities for Bible work in Serbia and Montenegro, also publication of an improved Children's Illustrated Bible;
• Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday;
• high level of interest in the Bible in Bosnia-Herzegovina, amid on-going social and economic problems.

Prayer Points for this week

• The President & Vice-President of Conference at the Diaconal Convocation in Swanwick, Wednesday - Friday;
• Strategy and Resources Committee, Tuesday - Wednesday;
• Arbroath Church Council, Monday;
• Perth Stewards' meeting, Wednesday;
• projects in the Bedfordshire Essex and Hertfordshire District (Methodist Homes);
• The Leprosy Mission's work in Bangladesh;
• Commonwealth Day (Monday), legacies of history and money (Christian Aid);
• Bible Society work in India;
• we pray with and for the peoples of Myanmar and Thailand, remembering Pam Green's work in Chiang Mai;
• we remember fellow Methodists in the Harrogate Circuit (Leeds District), and in Kilsyth (Glasgow Circuit).

• 02 March 2008
• 16 March 2008

© 2002—2008 Dundee Methodist Church Scottish Charity number: SC037954.