14 June 2009

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.

Retiring Offering - Sri Lanka Appeal

As previously announced, there will be a Retiring Offering for the Methodist Church Sri Lanka Appeal again today. See news-sheet for 31st May and information displayed in church for details.

Suggestion for Series of 'Small Group' meetings

Are you interested in joining a new weekly small group for Bible study, prayer and worship? If so please contact Tom or Jenny. Tom is taking up a suggestion made at the Circuit Meeting about our creating opportunities to talk more informally than when we meet for worship or business meetings. This would give us all a way to get to know each other better, as well as helping us grow our faith.

General Church Meeting - Preparation!

Please note that this year's General Church Meeting will take place in the context of worship on next Sunday 21st June. Rev Mary Patterson has requested that we have an advance read through of the follow-up Paper from the Circuit Day on 25th April. The Paper, which is for consideration by all the Circuit's congregations, has the title “Taking forward Circuit Thinking Day” and copies are available today; please take one home to read prayerfully. If you wish to receive a copy electronically, please let Mary or the Eassons know.

Church Membership Conversation

Rev Mary Patterson has arranged a series of evenings for conversation and exploration about Church Membership in Methodism on Thursdays 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th July. Anyone interested in becoming a Member or in refreshing their understanding of Membership is asked to contact Mary so that a venue and time can be agreed.

Urgent - any religious books to spare for Sierra Leone?

“Book-IN” for Faith and Worship”

Peter & Janice Clark (Edinburgh) are to serve in Sierra Leone from later this year and, as preparation, have made contact with the Irish Methodist Church's “container ministry” which can ship books for the benefit of Christians in Sierra Leone. Surplus Bibles, Hymnbooks, and other devotional & study material can be transported, providing they are in Belfast (via the Clarks in Edinburgh) by the end of June!

If you have material and think you can help in this timescale, contact Peter Clark: 0131 667 1465; 0774 899 0999; email Peterclark47@googlemail.com.

Circuit Ministers

Keith Pearson, as Senior Circuit Steward, wishes to clarify that a reference to the Rev Mary Patterson's future intentions during worship in Dundee recently was based on a misunderstanding on his part. Mary has indicated that she is prepared to consider an extension to her invitation to serve in this Circuit beyond 2011. Any such extension would have to be decided during the summer of 2010.”

Request for help from those with long links with Dundee Methodism

David Cowling asks if the name of JAMES P OAKDEN strikes a chord with any of us? The gentleman in question seems to have been an academic at St Andrews University (English Dept?) in the later 1930s and also a Methodist Local Preacher. If this rings any bells (however faint!), please contact David.

Methodist Homes

Envelopes are available today for support of the work of Methodist Homes: please return via the Offering Plate next or coming Sundays. Gift Aid is always welcome where possible!

Methodist Homes Sunday is an opportunity for

• celebration of the work of MHA and the value of older people
• awareness of future needs and ways to respond
• fundraising to make a difference to the quality of life for older people
• volunteers to work together
• recognition of the Church in action for older people

Request for help from those with long links with Dundee Methodism

David Cowling asks if the name of JAMES P OAKDEN strikes a chord with any of us? The gentleman in question seems to have been an academic at St Andrews University (English Dept?) in the later 1930s and also a Methodist Local Preacher. If this rings any bells (however faint!), please contact David.

Meetings this week

Support other Organisations

Scottish Bible Society

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

• work on the new Bible translation into contemporary Macedonian;
• inauguration of new bus service in Brazil to bring Scripture material and medical services to poor people;
• meeting of SBS Board on Friday;
• plea for relaxation of religious tensions in Bosnia-Herzegovina, also cooperation with local Christians and neighbouring Bible Societies in Serbia and Croatia;
• thanks for 100 years of religious freedom in Ecuador.

Prayer Points for this week

• The Vice-President of Conference in Liverpool next weekend;
• Rev David Gamble, President-designate;
• Dr Richard Vautrey, Vice-President-designate;
• Rev Lily Twist, resuming Chair's duties after her Sabbatical;
• Arbroath Annual Church Meeting today;
• Montrose Management Committee tomorrow;
• projects and supporters in Cumbria (Methodist Homes);
• World Refugee Day, Saturday (Christian Aid);
• Mejdelanjar Swiss Evangelical School in the Bekaa Valley Lebanon (BibleLands);
• Bible Society work in Tanzania;
• The Leprosy Mission's work in South India;
• we pray with and for the peoples of Brazil (WCC Prayer Calendar);
• we remember fellow Methodists in Kidsgrove (Chester and Stoke-on-Trent District), and in Stirling (Central Scotland Circuit).

• 7 June 2009
• 21 June 2009

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