16 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.

Pastoral care

Ministerial pastoral care for all churches in the Circuit will be undertaken by the Rev Mary Patterson until Wednesday 26th November.

“Fifth Sunday” - Café style Worship

Our worship on Sunday 30th November is being prepared by Julya Walsh who will be grateful to know as soon as possible of people interested in taking part.

Please make this known through Jenny, joint Dundee coordinator with 'tricia Laurie.

The café-style setting will be continued into lunch, to give more time for talking together about points arising during worship. Please bring food to share, drinks to be provided.

World Day of Prayer

A Methodist representative to the Dundee Committee is now sought to succeed Jean. Meetings are at 2.30 pm in Meadowside St Paul's Church Hall on Fridays 9th January, 13th February and 13th March 2009, to prepare for and report on the Day itself (Friday 6th March).

Contact Jean, Jenny or Mary Patterson if you can help : only females need apply!

UNICEF “Jars of Grace”

These may be returned during worship today or to Mary in the coming weeks.

Disabled Persons' Parking Places (Scotland) Bill

We have been asked by Margaret Broster, former Secretary of the World Day of Prayer Scottish Committee, to assist in promoting support for this Bill, through signature of postcards. A supply is on the Vestibule table - please take, complete, & post. The Bill is a Members Bill introduced at Holyrood by Jackie Baillie MSP. For more information see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6167388.stm

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.

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. This week we are asked to remember

• House Refurbishment work and staff in the House
• Guest & events in the House this week -
  • Church of Scotland Godly Play training this weekend;
  • ACTS Forum, Third Wednesday Theology, on Wednesday;
  • ACTS Church Life Network;
  • Moncrieff Parish, also Christian Mediation 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

• arrival of Bible in Sérère, first in a local language in Senegal;
• God's Story Tellers programme in use in Gambia;
• promotion of Bible-based values to counter problems of violence and drugs in schools and colleges in Costa Rica;
• work with children through Child Beggars and HIV/AIDS programmes in difficult circumstances in Nicaragua;
• new law in Panama establishing a 'Month of the Holy Scriptures', also nationwide Scripture distribution programme.

Current Relief Appeals

• Methodist Church - MRDF
  

  Reports from Zimbabwe indicate that famine is set to grip the African country that has been ravaged by six poor harvests and economic collapse. The combination of the worst drought for a decade and bad government policies, along with lack of seeds and fertiliser, is proving disastrous.

  When the ban on aid agencies operating in Zimbabwe was lifted last month, the Methodist Relief and Development Fund launched an appeal to deliver food and agricultural support to vulnerable people in partnership with ACT International.

  Donations to MRDF's appeal for Zimbabwe can be made by debit or credit card on 020 7224 4814, or by cheque, payable to “MRDF (Zimbabwe emergency)”, posted to MRDF, Methodist Church House, 25 Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5JR.

  More information from http://www.mrdf.org.uk/pages/zimbabwe-aid-ban-lifted.php.

• Christian Aid - Democratic Republic of Congo

  This country is experiencing the worst escalation in violence in over 4 years. Christian Aid has been working with local partners in eastern DRC for 12 years and welcomes donations for its work of supporting families in increasingly insecure times.

Forthcoming events

Prayer Points for this week

• The President & Vice-President of Conference in the York and Hull District to Wednesday;
• Youth Conference, Northampton;
• Communion Stewards in the Circuit's churches;
• work in Wales and Welsh Methodism (Methodist Homes);
• partners and projects in India and Sri Lanka (Christian Aid);
• The Leprosy Mission's promotional work in Scandinavia and central Europe;
• Bible Society work in the South Pacific;
• The Annahda Centre in Ramallah providing programmes for 60 children and young adults with special needs (BibleLands);
• we pray with and for the peoples of Cameroon, Central African Republic, and Equatorial Guinea (WCC Prayer Calendar);
• we remember fellow Methodists in Norwich (East Anglia District) and our Circuit colleagues in Montrose (Angus, Dundee, & Perthshire Circuit).

• 9 November 2008
• 23 November 2008

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