11 October 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.

Church Council résumé

Arising from the business of Thursday 1st's Council, please note and / or take action as appropriate, on the following:

• Unless there are signs of clear progress in “development proposals” before 31st December, the Church Council will be invited to come to a definite decision on this matter at its next meeting thereafter;
• Dundee's response to the Circuit's request for a target priority from each congregation for the Circuit Day (31/10/09): “deepening and widening participation in fellowship beyond the Sunday Service” (this is 2010 target; we re-assess for 2011!);
• Appointment of Sheila as a Pastoral Visitor, re-appointment of Jenny as Pastoral Secretary;
• Maxine is “shadowing” the Church Stewards;
• Faith Lunch after Worship on Sunday 25th October, for 'people new to Dundee' and all 'Marketgait regulars' (see posters/ leaflets);
• Distribution of UNICEF Jars of Grace on Sunday 18th October, collection on Sunday 1st November;
• Communion Offering in November to be allocated to The Torch Trust for the Blind (who have been helpful in providing a bound copy of the Braille hymnbook);
• 'Old equipment and unwanted materials' - request 'Would all those using articles stored on our premises take responsibility for their good and helpful storage, and the appropriate removal of any excess or out of date items';
  (NB The Council recommends consideration of others when storing items in 'shared space' and also sensible consultation before disposing of items thought no longer required);
• Paddy has agreed to act as Independent Examiner for our Church accounts;
• Thanks were expressed to all who had been involved in organising roof repairs to prevent leaks;
• Next meeting - Friday 19th February - 7.30 pm.

Pacific Area Disaster Appeal

Anyone wishing to give financial support to relief work in this disaster-hit region may do so through the Methodist World Mission Fund which has already made a donation to partner churches in the area.

Cheques, payable to “World Mission Fund” & marked 'Pacific Appeal', or donations in cash may be given through David E. (Church Treasurer) for forwarding to MCH. See also www.methodist.org.uk

Support other Organisations

Scottish Churches House Prayer Network

To join this Network and receive regular items for prayer, please contact Bruce Cameron on bruce2541@gmail.com or ring SCH (01786 823588). Daily prayers are led at 9.00 - 9.15 am, with Network members particularly asked to join, if possible, on Wednesday mornings.

Prayers are invited for those in the House this week: Scottish Churches Scheme, Faith in Europe Conference, Methodist Church Visit from Durham, Health care Chaplains, and Churches Fellowship for Psychical and Spiritual Studies.

Scottish Bible Society

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

• wide acceptance of Bible Society work in the East Caribbean and successful management of debt;
• new opportunities for work in French Antilles;
• the successful move to a safer location in Haiti, also distribution projects and preparation of a much-needed Study Bible in Haitian Creole;
• on-going translation projects in Suriname and progress of work in neighbouring Guyana and French Guinea.

Forthcoming events

Prayer Points for this week

• The President of Conference at Y Cymru Synod and Wales Synod visit, Wednesday - Sunday;
• Stationing Committee, Tuesday;
• Local Preachers and Local Worship Leaders in Scotland;
• Ministerial Invitation process for our Circuit;
• projects and Homes in West Yorkshire (Methodist Homes);
• 'Nets for Life' Scheme* in Nigeria (Christian Aid);
• SIRA School in Bethlehem (BibleLands);
• The Leprosy Mission's work in India;
• Bible Society work in Belarus;
• we pray with and for the peoples of Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal (WCC Prayer Calendar);
• we remember fellow Methodists in Kirkoswald and Wigton (Cumbria District) and in Inverness (Inverness Circuit).

* to supply 5 million mosquito nets during 5 years in 18 countries in Africa

• 4 October 2009
• 18 October 2009

© 2002—2009 Dundee Methodist Church Scottish Charity number: SC037954.