13 September 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.

Marketgait Anniversary

Our worship today is led by the Rev Dr Malcolm Rothwell, who, as Superintendent of the Dundee, Perth & Blairgowrie Circuit & with care of Dundee, was a prime instigator of the move of Dundee Methodists from premises in Ward Road to our current ones in Marketgait on Sunday 16th September 1984. Malcolm also oversaw planning for refurbishment of the premises which took place between March and September 1986.

There will be a Faith Lunch after worship. It is hoped that as many people as possible will be able to share in this happy occasion - there is usually sufficient food so do not worry if, for any reason, you have not come supplied!

Experience Exchange Partnership Programme

Heather sets off shortly for South Africa where she has been placed as an EEP, having volunteered to be “a grandmother alongside other grandmothers” as they face the challenges of HIV / AIDS in their families and communities. She will work in “Umtha Welanga” (= 'Rise and Shine') a half-way house offering services for the Dimbaza community:

• Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs) are escorted to the centre after school for lunch, then to the Church Hall for assistance with homework and 'equipping with life skills by active and retired teachers who volunteer'.
• Vulnerable elderly people (left alone at home whilst family members are at work or school) are transported to the centre in the mornings and provided with 2 meals, 'spiritual enhancement' and craftwork.
• The centre is also used for TB-management in the community and for counselling for the HIV / AIDS infected and affected, & abused children and women.

The Centre was the brainchild of the District Women's Manyano who 'sustain it remarkably' and hope to extend the project by purchase of 2 houses to include other services.”

Heather hopes to be contactable on her usual email, possibly also through IT communications (eg 'skype') for those expert in this field: she is 'on a steep learning curve', we hear!

The 2009-2010 Prayer Handbook includes a 'Prayer for grandmothers' by Heather on Day 4 ; Day 7 is allocated to prayer with and for people in Southern Africa.

Scotland Synod, Central Baptist Church, Dundee

Details about Synod next Saturday : “The Synod car park at the High School of Dundee will be open from 0845 and the Central Baptist Church from 0900. Members of Synod will be greeted with refreshments before its start at 1100. Lunch will be served at 1300 and refreshments following the close of Synod at approx. 1530. Those who are helping may wish to confirm with 'tricia, Sue or Keith when exactly they should be available.”

Meetings this week

Support other Organisations

Scottish Bible Society

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

• rising demand for Scripture material in Nigeria, also audio work in rural districts;
• Bible Fresh initiative of the Evangelical Alliance;
• funding to allow completion of Bible House in Conakry, Guinea;
• SBS Board of Directors' meeting, Friday.

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. SCH users this week include German Lutheran Group, Congregational Federation, United Free Church, and Renfrew North Church.

Prayer Points for this week

• President & Vice-President of Conference at TUC Congress in Liverpool, Monday - Tuesday;
• Scottish Churches House Interim Management Group, Tuesday;
• Montrose Pastoral Committee, Monday;
• projects in Northampton District (Methodist Homes);
• partnerships with other faiths' agencies (Christian Aid);
• Armenian Evangelical School, Anjar, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon from kindergarten to 6th form (BibleLands);
• The Leprosy Mission's work in Botswana, D R Congo, and Zambia;
• Bible Society work in Gabon;
• we pray with and for the peoples of Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania (WCC Prayer Calendar);
• we remember fellow Methodists in Guernsey (Channel Islands District), and Circuit colleagues based in Scott Street, Perth (Angus, Dundee & Perthshire Circuit).

• 6 September 2009
• 20 September 2009

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