30 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.

Easter Offerings Appeal

Envelopes for contributions in support of this annual appeal for the work of the Fund for World Mission are still available from the Vestibule table for return in the offering plate in forthcoming Sundays. This year’s Appeal theme is “Making a Difference, Transforming Lives”.

Fifth Sunday in the Month

Following discussion at Worship Groups and its own meetings, the Church Council decided that worship in Marketgait on each fifth Sunday of the month during 2008 would explore the concept of “café-style worship”. The format and content will vary on each occasion:

• today’s is a reflective act of worship
• the second (29th June) will be the occasion of the annual General Church Meeting.

A clash of dates: can you help?

On Sunday 27th April, the Circuit’s Service of Recognition and Commissioning for Julya Walsh, as a Methodist Local Preacher will be held in Blairgowrie at 3 pm. Our support for Julya on this significant occasion is warmly invited and it is hoped that there will be good representation from Dundee.

However…an invitation has also been received by the Rev David Firth to a special Service, which he would have wished to attend. The retiral of the Rev Alastair Keddie as Minister of Dundee Congregational Church is also being marked on Sunday 27th April at 3 pm and an invitation has been sent to David and the Dundee Methodist congregation to join in the Service of Celebration of Alastair’s Ministry. David would be grateful to hear from or of anyone who could attend this service in Dundee Congregational Church and so represent Dundee Methodists. A response by 18th April has been requested, to help with catering: if you can assist, please contact David or a Church Steward as soon as possible. There is a copy of the invitation letter on the Vestibule table.

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 and in April for work in Russia.

There are 11 time zones and 145 million people in Russia ­ daunting factors for Bible Society work! “However literacy is high and the developing economy is beginning to lift some families out of poverty. Working with both the Protestant and Russian Orthodox Churches, the Society translates, prints and distributes God’s Word in many formats to every corner of this vast country.” See library area noticeboard for more information.

Our prayerful attention is drawn this week to

• development of the Arabic Scripture programme in Kuwait and other Gulf countries, also growth of work in Qatar;
• ‘Islands Ablaze’ prayer conference in Orkney, including a workshop for young people;
• Action Group activities in Coupar Angus, including a United Service in Cargill Burrelton Church next Sunday;
• work in Iraq, including programmes in schools, churches, and villages ­ this continues despite difficulties and concerns over safety.

“Wellgate love wellbeing”

The Wellgate Centre Dundee is organising a Wellgate Wellbeing Walk in aid of Leukaemia Research on Sunday 11th May at 11 am. For details see letter on Vestibule table, poster on noticeboard downstairs or contact www.wellgatedundee.co.uk.

For more about leukaemia research, visit www.lrf.org.uk or contact Yvonne Dickson (0131 661 9224).

Scottish Churches House

Reminder that donations to the Jubilee Appeal are invited by the end of April, in advance of the meeting of the ACTS Forum in May, which will decide the future of the House on the basis of known support for the Appeal. Dundee Methodist Church has sent a contribution of £628.40, through the District Office in Dunblane, on behalf of the whole congregation. This is in addition to donations known to have been made direct to the House by individuals. Donations marked “Jubilee Appeal”, with Gift-aid also indicated if wished, can be sent to Scottish Churches House, Dunblane, KY15 0AJ.

The House also welcomes financial support through

• ‘spare’ foreign currency
• contents of collection boxes (eg “sweetie tubes”)
• fund-raising events
• legacies.

Smaller amounts can be taken to Dunblane by anyone going there: Jenny & Sandy (among others) seem to do so with some frequency at present!

Prayer Points for this week

• The President of Conference in the Bolton and Rochdale District and the Vice-President at the Isle of Man Synod next weekend;
• Connexional Leadership Team, Tuesday - Wednesday;
• preparations for Scotland District Synods on April 25th and 26th in the Glasgow Circuit;
• arrangements for Rev David Firth’s Sabbatical from May ­ July inclusive;
• projects in the Bristol District (Methodist Homes);
• Bible Society work in India and in Russia;
• partner DanChurchAid’s new HIV programme in Cambodia starting in April (Christian Aid);
• The Leprosy Mission’s promotional work in Africa, Asia, and Australasia;
• we pray with and for the peoples of Brunei, Malaysia, and Singapore;
• we remember fellow Methodists in the Dewsbury and Mirfield Circuit (Leeds District) and in Partick (Glasgow Circuit).

• 23 March 2008
• 6 April 2008

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