2 November 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.

Change of Examiners

Warm thanks are expressed to Arthur who has intimated his resignation as Senior Independent Examiner of our church accounts after “about 50 years”. We are grateful to Hilary Phillips, who has agreed to be an Independent Examiner; we still ask for a second volunteer as her back-up to contact David E. or Sandy. The one condition is that an Examiner must not be a member of the Church Council.

UNICEF “Jars of Grace” Appeal

As is our custom at this time of year, 'Jars of Grace' are being distributed during worship today for return on or after Sunday 16th November.

As described on the accompanying leaflet, we are invited to make a small contribution to the Jar at meal (or other)-times to support the work.

• UNICEF is the leading children's organisation, reaching children in more than 150 less-developed countries around the world - almost 85% of UNICEF staff work in developing countries.
• UNICEF upholds the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
• UNICEF is not UN-funded but relies on voluntary donations.

Christmas Cards for the Armed Forces

Liz has suggested Dundee Methodists consider support of an initiative intimated by a member of Central Baptist Church, as follows

“Can you give a Christmas Card addressed to 'A Member of the Armed Forces serving in Afghanistan & Iraq'? Tell them we are thinking of them. Please take your cards to pick-up points at Asda Kirkton, Morrison's, or City Chambers 18 City Square. No stamps required as Forces deliver their own.”

The 'last posting date' for this is 25th November.

Rotary Shoe Box Scheme

Last Christmas many members supported the Rotary International scheme to fill a small box labelled with small gifts for a child, teenager, household, or older person. The boxes we collected joined over 500 from Fife driven out to the Ukraine & Belarus for distribution, from where Irina and Pasha Ozeruga wrote

“We would like to express our sincere thanks for your labour and care about the Ukrainian people. Your shoeboxes have been given to needy people: children's orphanages, poor families, prison children, children's tuberculosis dispensaries, street children, and those in hospital. May your hearts be filled with love for your good acts.”

If you would like to help again, I will supply the flat-pack box that make up to a size similar to a shoe box and provide guidance on the types of things to fill them: a visit to the 'one pound shop' would soon fill a box. There is a sheet on the Vestibule table for those interested to sign; boxes will be delivered for collection 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. Many thanks for your support. Alan Suttie

Last Christmas many members supported the Rotary International scheme to fill a small box labelled with small gifts for a child, teenager, household, or older person. The boxes we collected joined over 500 from Fife driven out to the Ukraine & Belarus for distribution, from where Irina and Pasha Ozeruga wrote

“We would like to express our sincere thanks for your labour and care about the Ukrainian people. Your shoeboxes have been given to needy people: children's orphanages, poor families, prison children, children's tuberculosis dispensaries, street children, and those in hospital. May your hearts be filled with love for your good acts.”

DundeeforChrist

'Broadcast' magazines available on Vestibule table, free; please take and distribute.

Meetings this week

Support other Organisations

Scottish Churches House Prayer Network

Our prayerful support is invited this week, particularly at 9 am or anytime on Wednesday, for the House, its work, staff and supporters.

This week we are asked to remember

• House Refurbishment work starting tomorrow
• Staff, including those with health problems and the newly appointed Director, Carol Stobie, & her family
• Guests in the House -
  • Methodist Women's Network, this weekend
  • Hospital Chaplains, Monday
  • 'L'Arche Community' members, Monday-Wednesday
  • Mission Africa, next weekend.

Scottish Bible Society

Our support through the Bible-a-Month Club is invited in November for work in the South Pacific. See library area noticeboard for more information. Our prayerful attention is drawn this week to

• Kingdom Kidz programme in 16 South Pacific islands;
• distribution of Bible comics to children in Mauritius;
• celebration of 195 years' work in Réunion & Rodrigues;
• outreach in Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, and Cape Verde where there are strong Muslim populations.

Dundee-Nablus Twinning Association

Mary Henderson asks us to intimate a planned visit to Dundee for the week beginning November 17th, including a Reception hosted by the Lord Provost in the City Chambers at 7 pm on Tuesday 18th November. Mary writes that “any of the Methodist congregation interested in coming will be welcome” but should let her know as numbers are required for catering.

Mary can be contacted on 01382 775944 or via her email email.

Forthcoming events

Prayer Points for this week

• The Vice-President of Conference in Leeds next weekend;
• continuing process of appointments to Connexional Team;
• support & admin structures within the Scotland District;
• Pastoral Visitors in the Circuit's churches;
• work in the Bolton & Rochdale District (Methodist Homes);
• people, partners, & projects in Zimbabwe (Christian Aid);
• The Leprosy Mission's work in west India;
• Bible Society work in the South Pacific;
• staff and their 25,000 patients in or served by the Al Ahli Hospital, Gaza City (BibleLands);
• we pray with and for the peoples of Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda (WCC Prayer Calendar);
• we remember fellow Methodists in Haverhill and Bury St Edmunds (East Anglia District) and our Circuit colleagues in Riverside, Blairgowrie (Angus, Dundee, & Perthshire Circuit).

• 26 October 2008
• 9 November 2008

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