20 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.

Methodist Relief & Development Fund

Envelopes in support of the work of MRDF are being distributed for return in the offering plate today or in the coming weeks. Please note the opportunity for enhancing any donations through Gift Aid.

Today is Peacemaking Sunday

Church leaders are encouraging the marking of The International Day of Peace on Peacemaking Sunday, with resources provided by The Baptist Union of Great Britain, The Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church For further information see www.jointpublicissues.org.uk/peacemakingsunday. Peacemaking Sunday has been chosen as the closest to the United Nations International Day of Peace on 21st September 2009.

Synod thanks

Keith, 'tricia & Sue wish to express thanks to all who helped in any way with hosting Synod yesterday: you will know who you are without an extensive “Oscar-type” list!

Experience Exchange Partnership Programme

Heather should by now be in South Africa to start her placement as an EEP, working in “Umtha Welanga” (= 'Rise and Shine') a half-way house offering services for the Dimbaza community. She will much value our thoughts and prayers.

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.

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

• Display stand at The Scottish Learning Festivals in Glasgow;
• reception at the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday to mark the bi-centenary of SBS;
• progress with One Million Bibles for Schoolchildren project in Ghana, also new Ewe translation project following a translator's death;
• launch of first Bible in local language, Sérère, in Senegal.

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 Church of Scotland Priority Areas Group (Mon-Tu) and Ecumenical Relations (Thur-Fri). Scottish Friends of Ecumenism hold their Autumn Conference on Saturday preceded by an important Extraordinary General Meeting to enable final steps in the SCH new governance process.

Forthcoming events

Prayer Points for this week

• Vice-President of Conference at World Methodist Executive Council meeting in Chile (to next Saturday);
• Methodist Council meeting, tomorrow;
• “EMU” ecumenical relationships group of Episcopal, Methodist and United Reformed Churches in Scotland;
• Scottish Churches House Interim Management Group meeting with ACTS Trustees on Wednesday;
• Circuit Meeting in Montrose on Wednesday;
• projects in Plymouth & Exeter District (Methodist Homes);
• Deccan Development Society in India, working with local women's groups (Christian Aid);
• Birds' Nest Home in Byblos, north of Beirut, providing a home for 50 children (BibleLands);
• The Leprosy Mission's work in Indonesia, Timor Leste, and Papua New Guinea;
• Bible Society work in Gabon;
• we pray with and for the peoples of Belarus, Russia, Moldova and Ukraine (WCC Prayer Calendar);
• we remember fellow Methodists in South-West Cumbria (Cumbria District), and Circuit colleagues based in Riverside, Blairgowrie (Angus, Dundee & Perthshire Circuit).

• 13 September 2009
• 27 September 2009

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