25 May 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.

World Church Sunday

On Sunday June 8th, the act of worship is being planned to include a presentation by Andree Ryan who last year was in the Israel - Palestine West Bank with EAPPI, the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel. There will be further opportunity for conversation over a shared faith lunch after. There may also be Palestinian goods for sale.

Oberammergau Passion Play 2010

(Very advance notice!) See noticeboard for poster inviting registration with Ramsay Travel for period 15th May to 30th October 2010.

Events this week

Support other Organisations

Scottish Bible Society

Our support through the Bible-a-Month Club is invited in May for work in Namibia. See library area noticeboard for more information.

Our prayerful attention is drawn this week to

• work and support of translators, especially provision of technical support, power supply, and effective communication with production staff;
• newly-published New Testaments in Munukutuba and Lari in Congo (Brazzaville);
• setting of priorities by Africa Area Service Centre in the face of the challenges of literacy, youth work, people of other faiths, and AIDS pandemic;
• up-take by government in Gabon of Good Samaritan Scripture-based material to combat AIDS;
• preparation for fund-raising materials for production of Gospels to be distributed among young people in Malta;
• co-operation between Bible Societies and local Christian Radio Stations.

Feed The Minds

This ecumenical literacy agency, established in 1964, continues to fund literacy work through provision of grants to projects in many countries world-wide. The costs of providing literacy training are low in comparison to the cumulative benefits they provide. In over 20 countries FTM is supporting pioneering literacy projects that enable adults, especially women, to gain basic literacy skills alongside other training beneficial for them, their families and communities.

“Connect”, the FTM newsletter, gives details of 4 new projects which have recently begun to receive FTM grants.

The first listed is “Women Helping Women” - Pakistan.

“The aim of this project is to educate women workers in the brick kiln industry on their human rights and the condition of workers rights in Pakistan. The project aims to organise and implement 12 'democracy schools' of one week duration, covering topics such as the history of democracy, the role of workers in promoting democracy, and the challenges faced by women workers. The 'democracy schools' will target up to 600 women workers with the aim of increasing awareness of their rights and, in the long term, their working conditions, especially with respect to discrimination and sexual harassment.”

Forthcoming events

Prayer Points for this week

• The President of Conference's visit to Westminster Central Hall, next weekend;
• preparations for District Resourcing Day next month;
• those responsible for church premises in our Circuit;
• projects in the East Anglia District (Methodist Homes);
• The Leprosy Mission's work in Chad and Niger;
• “Women Helping Women” in Pakistan* (Feed The Minds);
• Bible Society work in Namibia;
• work in schools and with young people, especially annual May Camp (Christian Aid);
• we pray with and for the peoples of Botswana and Zimbabwe;
• we remember fellow Methodists in the Leeds (North-East) Circuit (Leeds District), and in Alexandria (Glasgow Circuit).

• 18 May 2008
• 1 June 2008

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