1 January 2012

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.

Action for Children

The total collected to dateis £135.26; envelopes can still be handed in via the collection plate for the next couple of weeks.

Scottish Methodists Together

The new edition of the District Letter is on the Vestibule table - please take, read, distribute. This edition contains the “faith journey” of someone well known to the Marketgait congregation from leading our worship …….

Signpost International Sponsorship

Our sponsorship of Aldrian Songgaling, and thereby his community in the Philippines, has been in place now for several years through a monthly payment of £18 from the Benevolence Fund. Sadly this Fund is diminishing rapidly, and if anybody would like to personally contribute to our sponsorship, please contact David Easson, Church Treasurer.

We have received a Christmas card from him, along with a letter from Signpost International, whose office is in the Mark Henderson Centre in Dundee, with the following message:

“We have great pleasure in enclosing a Christmas card from your sponsored child. Christmas is such a special time as families join together to enjoy the festive season and reflect on the Christmas story. We would like to thank you for all the support and generosity you have shown towards your child, their family and community throughout the past year. Your support makes such a real and tangible difference. We value you as a member of the Signpost International family. We look forward to continuing our journey with you as we seek to eradicate extreme poverty around the world. May you know God's peace and blessing this Christmas.”

Bible Groups

As the “Year of the Bible” comes to an end, Tom Penman is consulting those who have attended the two Groups - and any others - about continuing ways of sharing insights and study of Scripture. Please contact Tom with thoughts and suggestions for 2012.

The Orthodox Churches and Christmas

Orthodox Christians in central and eastern Europe and many other parts of the world celebrate Christmas according to the Gregorian Calendar, 13 days after the Western Churches (25th December) ie on 7th January.

In the East, the Feast is preceded by a 40-day fast, beginning on 15th November, as a time of reflection, self-restraint, and inner healing in the sacrament of confession. On Christmas Eve, the observant Orthodox usually maintain a fast till evening. When the first star appears, preparations for supper begin.

On Christmas Day, following worship (“the divine liturgy”), people will go for walks in procession - often to seas, rivers or lakes where in outdoor ceremonies, the waters are blessed.

On their return home (often taking some of the now-blessed water), a great indoor meal takes place.

Among the Russian Orthodox, customs include the serving of Christmas cake and singing of traditional songs, together with 'folk elements' of disguise, dance and teasing (not unlike “trick or treat” for our Halloween).

As with the Western Christmas, there are strong elements of family and social gathering, bringing together the generations in celebration. (from BBC website “religion” pages).

The President of Conference's Christmas Message: extract

After being surprised and finding himself challenged by this year's (Methodist Connexional) Christmas card seeming only to portray 2 wise men, the Rev Leo Osborne invites us to reflect on how easy it is to cling to our presuppositions - familiar and cherished images and ideas:

"Well perhaps this Christmas each of us needs to come again to this oh so familiar story, asking that God would take away the pre-supposition that we've seen it all or know it all and help us to reflect on things in a new light. Or perhaps to have light shed on something long since known but forgotten or ignored. For, if we look carefully, this simple story may have important things to say to us about many of the personal, social, religious and international issues facing us and our world today, and God's part in them all.

And challenging our pre-suppositions and opening our eyes is surely what God is always about, as I have discovered during my first six months as President, when, although some situations and people have been as I'd imagined, many haven't and I've had to learn to look at things in a different light. And for the coming year you may already have imagined - or planned out - how life or faith or church is going to be. Well prepare to be surprised like Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and wise men were long ago! But remember too that the one who came and comes is named Emmanuel - God with us - so whatever may be different from what you imagine and however things may seem as a result, God remains the same - dwelling alongside you in grace, truth and love.

(see www.methodistchurch.org.uk for full Message)

PS David Easson has a copy of the card sent by Leo himself, and Ruth Pickles, the Vice-President - ask to see it and spot Magi no.3!

Support other Organisations

Scottish Bible Society

Our support through the Bible-a-Month Club is invited in January for work in Benin where over 67% of the population is illiterate.

“The Bible Society of Benin has been asked by its government to help with this problem. This fantastic opportunity has opened many doors to put the Bible before thousands of people. Training teachers and providing Bibles for the pupils to use are just parts of the project.”

The page from the Calendar, on the library noticeboard, gives details of the country focussed in that month, and ways in which support is sought & provided. (Jenny Easson)

Forthcoming events

Prayer Points for this week

• the Orthodox Church's celebration of Christmas at Epiphany;
• the President and Vice-President of Conference in Westminster Central Hall, next Sunday;
• a period of re-creation, better to meet the demands of 2012;
• those on duty at work and travelling during this season;
• residents and staff in the Darlington District (Methodist Homes);
• The Leprosy Mission's work in north-east India;
• the reality of independence and freedom for South Sudan, the world's newest nation (Christian Aid);
• Mission Aviation Fellowship work in Papua New Guinea;
• Jerusalem Arc, bringing together Palestinian young people (BibleLands);
• Bible Society work in Benin;
• we pray with and for the peoples of Egypt, Israel- Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria (WCC Ecumenical Calendar);
• we remember fellow Methodists in Staines and Feltham (South-East District) and in Netherton (Lanarkshire Circuit).

• 25 December 2011
• 8 January 2012

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