27 October 2013

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.

UNICEF Jars of Grace

As is our custom, “Jars of Grace” will be distributed during worship today with an invitation to support the work of the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, by making a donation at mealtimes.

The focus of this year's Appeal is on vaccination programmes worldwide. See leaflet in Jars for background information.

The Jars are to be returned (with contents!) during worship on Sunday 3rd November, or thereafter to Margaret, please.

Broughty Ferry: A Strong Community

Broughty Ferry Churches Group invites support at all or any of the following events to mark the centenary of the Incorporation of the Burgh into the City of Dundee on 4th November 1913:

• Church Trail: local churches open at various times on Tuesday 29th October, Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd November - see leaflet on Vestibule table / poster on noticeboard;
• Friday 1st November: Beach Heritage Walk at 2pm from St James' Parish Church - free but please register;
• Saturday 2nd November: Lecture at 2.30pm - 3pm in Barnhill St Margaret's Scottish Episcopal Church; by Chris Davey (co-author of “The Memory of Broughty Ferry”), followed by organ recital;
• Sunday 3rd November: Ecumenical Service at 6pm in Broughty New Kirk, also a display of the School Poetry Competition entries.

Dundee Methodists and Food Banks: update

Please support the Dundee Foodbank by bringing in any of the suggested items from the Shopping List (on the table on the upstairs landing) and placing the items in the large blue Bucket provided nearby. An explanatory slip is also available.

• Liz has now taken a load to the Food Bank and notes that there is a need for plastic carrier bags of suitable size: please place any spares along with food items in the Bucket.
• Support in terms of giving money is also welcome - see Liz.

Literature on the Vestibule Table

Literature has been sent to us by

• The Immigration Advisory Service - wee cards with contact details
• Dundee Carers Centre - leaflets

Sabbatical Arrangements

During the Rev Mary Patterson's sabbatical (ie to the start of January 2014), the Rev John Butterfield will act as titular Superintendent of the Circuit. Pastoral matters requiring reference to a Minister should be directed to him in the first instance, and administrative, practical or clarification questions pertaining to the Circuit should be addressed to David Cowling as Senior Circuit Steward. The Church Stewards or other office-bearers would normally be the first contact anent local church matters.

Meetings this week

Support other Organisations

Scottish Bible Society

Our support via the Bible-a-Month Club is invited in October for work in Laos, and in November for work in Haiti.

Our prayerful attention is drawn this week to

• the Fair Play movement in Brazil, an initiative promoting the Bible during sporting events - especially planning for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games;
• literacy programmes in Haiti where around 65% of the population are illiterate;
• new Latvian Bible translation, available in print and electronic formats.

Release International

This organisation, concerned by the persecution of Christians throughout the world, has contacted us to draw our attention to its work. For more information, see the copies of the latest magazine (on the Vestibule table) or see website.

Forthcoming events

Prayer Points for this week

• the President of Conference on retreat, Monday - Thursday;
• Baptist Assembly meeting in Motherwell, Thursday - Saturday;
• ecumenical relationships of the Circuit's congregations;
• Broughty Ferry Churches Group's participation in its local community's marking of the Incorporation Centenary;
• developing work and contacts in Mongolia (MAF);
• The Leprosy Mission's work in Nigeria;
• residents and staff in North Lancashire (Methodist Homes);
• Palestinian Bible Society's work with disadvantaged youth through Zacchaeus House in Jericho (Embrace);
• the team running a youth work conference focussing on poverty (Christian Aid);
• Bible Society work in Laos and in Haiti;
• we pray with and for the peoples of The Indian Ocean Islands (WCC Ecumenical Calendar);
• we remember fellow Methodists in the Vale of Stour (Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury District) and all in Grahamston United Church, Falkirk (Central Scotland Circuit).

• 20 October 2013
• 3 November 2013

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