Dundee Methodist Church

17 February 2013

Next Sunday
24 February 2013
Lent 2

11 am
Worship, including Holy Communion conducted by the Rev Jean Murrie
Communion Offering for Methodist Homes

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.

Meet the President of Conference, Revd Dr Mark Wakelin, 9th - 10th March

The President of Conference is visiting the District between the 9th and 12th of March.

  • On Saturday 9th he will be leading an open meeting in Perth between at People with a Mission Ministry (PWaMM), The theme he has chosen for the day is 'Dreaming of the summer: what if Church became the place God wanted it to be?' We look forward to hearing what Mark has to say and hope you will be able to join us. Coffee will be available from 10.30am with worship starting at 11am. Lunch is provided. The event is free; donations are welcome.
  • On Sunday 10th the President will be at Blairgowrie for a Circuit Service at 6pm to which all are welcome. It is hoped that a good number from each of our Circuit churches will be able to attend this service.

The Season of Lent

BFCG and Dundee City Centre Churches have arranged the following weekly Study Groups.

  • City Centre:
“Ecumenical Lenten Study Groups Tuesdays at 7.15 for 7.30pm in Meadowside St Paul's Hall Complex (turn left on entry to the Lower Hall, the usual place of our meeting).

The theme this year is “Fit for Purpose” - A Lenten Course in Spiritual Health. This may be purchased at www.kevinmayhew.com or better still through the CLC bookshop.

  • Broughty Ferry Churches Group:

The theme will be “This is our Story: Journeys of Faith”, using material from CTBI (including downloadable pdfs of the materials), also to be the basis of BBC Radio Services (Radio 4 and Local Radio stations) in Lent.

Sunday Worship in Marketgait will include a short common liturgical set of Opening and Closing Responses with Prayer each week, together with the symbolic use of a “Signpost” relating to the Gospel Reading.

There will be no floral decoration of the sanctuary during Lent as we share the custom of some ecumenical partners; however, there will be an arrangement as usual on the Beechwood Table in the porch. The Very Rev Dr Francis Bridger (Rector of St Mary's, Broughty Ferry) has kindly provided the following:

“Lent is a penitential season leading into the solemnity of Holy Week and therefore celebratory symbols (such as flowers) are not displayed in worship. Easter Day then becomes a riot of colour, music and thanksgiving as flowers are restored and the joy of resurrection is displayed.”

Note from Stewards - sound system

Please continue to bear with us as we seek to regulate the various mikes and sound levels in the church.

Circuit Preaching Plans distribution

Please note that a change is being made in producing and circulating Plans with immediate effect (March-May Plan). T he Plan of appointed Preachers will be circulated electronically to those known to be “on-line”; please indicate your agreement to this and the consequent record-holding, on the list on the glass top table. Those not “on-line” are asked to sign to request a printed copy. Accompanying 'Letters from the Minister' will be similarly distributed. Names of appointed Preachers are also published on the church website, in advance.

Church Council résumé

  • In addition to receiving the regular reports the Council shared the Treasurer's concern at our critical financial situation, especially the level of Circuit assessment we are paying.
  • The shortage of Church Stewards and pressure upon the Team of Four was acknowledged, with thanks expressed to those who “fill in” when requested. Nominations for Stewards are required for the General Church Meeting - Sunday 19th May after worship.
  • Jenny, as Steward & Pastoral Secretary, is to advise the Minister on a weekly basis of any Dundee news, to keep her informed - a request to all the circuit's congregations.
  • There will be no Café Service on Easter Sunday (31st March) when Communion will be celebrated.
  • The name of Liz is to be forwarded to the Preachers' Meeting to support her exploration of “Worship Leadership”
  • Next Council - 7pm on Thursday 30th May, at Inchture.

Meetings this week

Date & timeVenueDetails
Monday 18th February 2013, 10.15am-11.45am St Mary's Episcopal Church, Queen Street, Broughty Ferry Broughty Ferry Churches Group Lenten Study Group. The theme will be “This is our Story: Journeys of Faith”, using material from CTBI (including downloadable pdfs of the materials), also to be the basis of BBC Radio Services (Radio 4 and Local Radio stations) in Lent. Facilitated by Jenny Easson.
Tuesday 19th February 2013, 7.15/7.30pm Meadowside St Paul's Hall Complex (turn left on entry to the Lower Hall, the usual place of our meeting) Ecumenical Lenten Study Group. The theme this year is “Fit for Purpose” - A Lenten Course in Spiritual Health. This may be purchased at www.kevinmayhew.com or better still through the CLC bookshop. It is adaptable but presents all leaders with a structure from which to work. Leaders this year are from St Andrews Cathedral, The Methodist Church, the United Reformed Church, The High Kirk and MStP's. The Salvation Army has also been invited. The Theme should make for lively ecumenical discussion!
Wednesday 20th February 2013, 7.30pm to 9pm New Kirk Small Hall, Queen Street Broughty Ferry Churches Group Lenten Study Group. The theme will be “This is our Story: Journeys of Faith”, using material from CTBI (including downloadable pdfs of the materials), also to be the basis of BBC Radio Services (Radio 4 and Local Radio stations) in Lent. Facilitated by representatives of BFCG member churches.
Friday 22nd February 2013, 12 noon - 1 pm YMCA 151 Brook Street, Broughty Ferry (opposite “M&S Food”) (map) Broughty Ferry Churches Group Christian Aid lunch. A choice of soups (including a vegetarian option), bread and cheese, followed by coffee or tea is available, and a donation of £2 (or more!) is invited to support the work of Christian Aid. A warm welcome is given to all to partake of the food and fellowship, whilst thinking of others worldwide.
Saturday 23rd February 2013, 10am to 4pm Caird Hall, Dundee Sponsored Organathon. Six hours of constant organ playing to raise money for the Friends of the Caird Hall Organ. Sponsor one particular organist, or make a donation at the door.

Support other Organisations

Scottish Bible Society

Our support through the Bible-a-Month Club is invited in February for work in Fiji. Our prayerful attention is drawn to

  • effects of conflict on Nasa Yuwe (Paeze) translation project in Colombia;
  • completion of Bible distribution in Vanuatu;
  • recent launch by the Bible Society of Madagascar of the new version of the Protestant Bible in Malagasy;
  • “Live Light in 25 words” campaign in Australia;
  • World Day of Payer on Friday 1st March using material prepared by Christian women in France.

Forthcoming events

Date & timeVenueDetails
Tuesday 26th February 2013, 7.15/7.30pm Meadowside St Paul's Hall Complex (turn left on entry to the Lower Hall, the usual place of our meeting) Ecumenical Lenten Study Group. The theme this year is “Fit for Purpose” - A Lenten Course in Spiritual Health. This may be purchased at www.kevinmayhew.com or better still through the CLC bookshop. It is adaptable but presents all leaders with a structure from which to work. Leaders this year are from St Andrews Cathedral, The Methodist Church, the United Reformed Church, The High Kirk and MStP's. The Salvation Army has also been invited. The Theme should make for lively ecumenical discussion!
Wednesday 27th February 2013, 7.30pm to 9pm New Kirk Small Hall, Queen Street Broughty Ferry Churches Group Lenten Study Group. The theme will be “This is our Story: Journeys of Faith”, using material from CTBI (including downloadable pdfs of the materials), also to be the basis of BBC Radio Services (Radio 4 and Local Radio stations) in Lent. Facilitated by representatives of BFCG member churches.
Saturday 9th March 2013, 10.30am to 3pm National Christian Outreach Centre, Riggs Road, Perth Open meeting in Perth led by the President of Conference, Revd Dr Mark Wakelin on the theme 'Dreaming of the summer: what if Church became the place God wanted it to be?' We look forward to hearing what Mark has to say and hope you will be able to join us. Coffee will be available from 10.30am with worship starting at 11am. Lunch is provided. The event is free; donations are welcome.
Sunday 10th March 2013, 6 pm Blairgowrie Methodist Church Circuit Service with the President of Conference Rev Dr Mark Wakelin. It is hoped that a good number from each of our Circuit churches will be able to attend this service.

Prayer Points for this week

  • the President of Conference's visit to Chester and Stoke;
  • Methodist Tri-Service Chaplains Conference;
  • support of translators working in Tanzania (Mission Aviation Fellowship);
  • The Leprosy Mission's work Botswana, D R Congo, & Zambia;
  • funding for Four Homes of Mercy in Bethany (Embrace);
  • projects in the Liverpool District (Methodist Homes);
  • World Day of Social Justice, Wednesday 20th February (Christian Aid);
  • Bible Society work in Fiji;
  • we pray with and for the peoples of Belgium, Luxembourg and The Netherlands (WCC Ecumenical Calendar);
  • we remember fellow Methodists in Colchester (Bedfordshire, Essex and Hertfordshire District) and our life together based around Marketgait, Dundee (Angus, Dundee and Perthshire Circuit).