7 December 2014

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.

Worship today

Sue hopes to be able to set up an internet link with Julya in Bulgaria and that she will be able to share in leading worship. If all goes according to plan, this will be a brilliant experience and you will be able to chat with Julya as well as being able to see and hear her. We hope as many folk as possible will be able to join in.

Flower Rota

The 2015 rota is now available from Elaine.

Preaching Plan

The Plan of Preachers appointed to lead worship for the quarter December 2014 - February 2015 has been distributed electronically and there are several print copies on the vestibule table as ordered and for general uplift.

If you wish your name added to the email or printed lists, please let David Easson know.

Note that on Sunday January 18th worship will be led by Marcia Mackenzie in place of Heather Dean who has decided not to lead full Acts of Worship though she will participate through readings, leading prayers, etc.

ACTS Advent material

The devotional material prepared each year on behalf of ACTS (Action of Churches Together in Scotland) is now available for download from the ACTS website, under the title “The Advent Mix”. The material has been prepared this year by the Rev Gordon Jamieson, a former Minister of Barnhill St Margaret's Church of Scotland and a good friend to Ferry Methodists in the Broughty Ferry Churches Group.

Ministerial Family Visit

The Rev Nick Baker (to be stationed in this circuit from September 2015) is hoping to come to Dundee with his family around February 16th to familiarise themselves with the area, facilities, and people. Please note this now, as some form of “get together” may be arranged.

Circuit Meeting

The meeting on Thursday authorised the sale of the present Manses and purchase of a new Circuit Manse suitable for the Baker family's needs and more centrally located within the Circuit. The Rev John Butterfield's appointment in the Circuit, on a half-time basis, for 2015-16 was also confirmed.

Dundee Methodists and Food Banks - updates

• Our continued support for the Dundee Foodbank has again received thank from its organisers.
• Donations of seasonal (Christmas) items (especially for children) will be appreciated.
• Please place items in the large bucket on the upstairs landing - clean plastic bags are also welcome.
• Our thanks to Liz Kay - contact her for more information.

Sunday Seating

As people have noticed in recent weeks, a number of chairs have been stored downstairs and fewer set out for worship, with the aim of improving the appearance of the room (by not having stacks of chairs in places, near doors) and giving a feeling of a less scattered congregation for preachers. This is an “on-going process” with adjustments in the light of comments and perceived requirements (eg need for chairs for placing books). Jenny Easson & Liz Kay.

Dundee Worship Sunday 28th December

Following conversation in the recent Worship Group, an invitation was sent to the congregations of Meadowside St Paul's Church of Scotland and Dundee United Reformed Church, to again join Methodists in worship on the Sunday after Christmas. As this is not a “fifth Sunday”, it will not take the form of a Café Service (as in the last 2 years) but will be followed by the serving of suitable refreshments and a time of informal conversation. Both congregations have now replied, thanking us for and accepting our invitation. Mrs Jenni Whittle, who is planned to lead worship then, has also been consulted, as has the Rev Mary Patterson who is pleased that we are able to maintain and build up our ecumenical links in this way.

“A Gift of Christmas”

This title, in the series of small pocket booklets published by Methodist Publishing, is available from Norwich Books and Music (0845 817 220) or through resources@methodistchurch.org.

Meetings this week

Support other Organisations

Scottish Bible Society

Our support via the Bible-a-Month Club is invited in December for work in Indonesia.

Our prayerful attention this week is drawn to

• completion of the Bassar, Mina, and Ewe Bible translations in Togo;
• completion of the translation of the full Bible into the Seselwa Creole language in Seychelles, also the plans to build a Bible Society headquarters and bookshop;
• work with young people living in Rodrigues, a small island in the Indian Ocean;
• SBS Board meeting on Friday, also SBS presence on and contacts through Facebook and Twitter.

Copies of the SBS magazine “Alive and Active” are on the vestibule table. For a regular copy, contact Jenny Easson.

Forthcoming events

Prayer Points for this week

• The President of Conference visiting Nicaragua and El Salvador;
• continuing Stationing “matching process” in the Connexion;
• property projects throughout the District;
• Perth ecumenical Carol Service, Friday and Perth Methodist Christmas Lunch, next Sunday;
• PADEK's work with farmers in Cambodia (Christian Aid);
• partnerships with others (The Leprosy Mission);
• Bible Society work in Indonesia;
• work in the Cornwall District (Methodist Homes);
• Syrian refugees (Embrace);
• work beginning in Liberia (MAF);
• we pray with and for the peoples of Cape Verde, the Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, and Senegal (WCC);
• we remember fellow Methodists in West Devon (Plymouth & Exeter District) and our witness as Dundee Methodists (Angus, Dundee & Perthshire Circuit).

• 30 November 2014
• 14 December 2014

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