Dundee Methodist Church

2 February 2014

Next Sunday
9 February 2014

11 am
Worship led by Mrs Sue Marshall-Jennings

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.
We continue to remember prayerfully those unable to join us in worship in Marketgait as they would wish, especially because of their more advanced years and / or health concerns.

Action for Children Scotland

Donations in December amounted to £162.60. Any further donations should be handed to Church Stewards today; the Church Treasurer; David Easson intends to send the final amount later today.

UNICEF Jars of Grace

The amount being remitted today has reached £163.07; thanks are extended to all those who returned their jars nicely filled!

Change to Preaching Plan

Please note that celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Communion will not take place, as indicated on the Plan, on Sunday 16th February. The change has been agreed in view of the planned Infant Baptism of Eilidh Hannah Thomas that day.

Credit Unions

The Methodist Church has agreed to become a partner to the Churches Mutual Credit Union. CMCU is an alliance between the Anglican Churches in Britain, the Church of Scotland, and the Methodist Church.

Initially, membership will be open only to Methodist Ministers, but wider extension of membership is expected in due course.

We are encouraged to join and support local Credit Unions as we are able, in addition to this official CMCU partnership.

Poverty and Homelessness Action Week (25 Jan - 2 Feb)

This year's theme is “standing alongside people in crisis”, based on a text from Proverbs: “Speak up for the rights of all who are destitute”.

The current experience of destitution in today's Britain is evidenced by the growth and use of Foodbanks; other evidence is seen in low wages, zero-hours contracts, outrageous interest charges by doorstep lenders, benefits cuts and delays, 'sanctions' on job-seekers.

There are also plenty who feel themselves to be “teetering on the edge” of destitution: “two pay-packets away from destitution”.

The churches are called to stand alongside people in crisis: to give, act and prayer for justice.

See www.actionweek.org.uk with material from Church Action on Poverty, Housing Justice, and Scottish Churches Housing Action.

Dundee Methodists and Food Banks

We 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 them in the large blue Bucket provided nearby. An explanatory slip is also available. There is also need for plastic carrier bags of suitable size; please place any spares by the Bucket. Monetary donations are also welcome. Contact Liz Kay for further information.

Thanks are expressed for all contributions, from church folk or others using our premises and facilities.

Meetings this week

Date & timeVenueDetails
Wednesday 5th February 2014, 1.30pm Broughty Ferry New Kirk Broughty Ferry Churches Group
Thursday 6th February 2014, 7pm Dundee Methodist Church, “L” Church Council
Friday 7th February 2014, 12 noon to 1pm YMCA 151 Brook Street, Broughty Ferry (opposite “M&S Food”) (map) Broughty Ferry Churches Group Christian Aid Soup Lunch. A choice of soups is offered, with bread and cheese, followed by tea or coffee, for which a minimum donation of £2 is requested. A warm welcome is extended to all to partake of the Soup Lunch and join in the warm table fellowship throughout the autumn and spring.

Support other Organisations

Scottish Bible Society

Our support via the Bible-a-Month Club is invited in February for work in Costa Rica. See library area noticeboard.

Our prayerful attention is drawn this week to

  • contact with remote island communities in the South Pacific, especially with children and the visually impaired;
  • Bible Society of Australia raising funds for work elsewhere as well as their own programmes for school children;
  • access to the Bible in their own languages for peoples in Papua New Guinea;
  • distribution of material to remote areas of Borneo through the 'One in Love', Literacy and New Reader programmes;
  • continuing work and support of people in the Philippines in post-tornado conditions.

Forthcoming events

Date & timeVenueDetails
Saturday 22nd February 2014. 10.30am to 4pm. Tea to follow. City of Edinburgh Methodist Church, Nicolson Square “Living Upside Down in Lent”.
Join with other Methodists in Scotland to think together about Jesus' offer of 'a more abundant life';
  • its meaning
  • its relevance in a society where great abundance sits side by side with poverty and need.

Brunch will be provided from 10.30am, with opening worship at 11.15am. ; the day's formal activities will conclude at 4pm but it is hoped that as many as possible will stay for a 'fellowship tea' (free - please advise if overnight accommodation would be helpful).
The programme will include worship and workshops, time for conversation and sharing of ideas, and the introduction by the Chair of the Synod, the Rev David P Easton, of the third in the “Living Upside Down” Bible Studies prepared for small group or personal use in Lent.
Booking forms are available on the vestibule table or from the District Office to which completed forms should be sent: contact Fiona Inglis by Tuesday 18th February - fiona@methodistchurch.plus.com; tel: 01786 820295; Methodist Office, Old Churches House, Kirk Street, Dunblane, FK15 0AJ.

Prayer Points for this week

  • the President of Conference at Ministers' Retreat, Launde Abbey, Leicestershire, Tuesday - Thursday;
  • Stationing Committee, Tuesday;
  • treasurers and financial officers of the Connexion, districts, circuits, and congregations of Methodism;
  • our local ecumenical neighbours in Dundee city centre;
  • those affected by 'water injustice' in the West Bank, including Bethany School (Embrace);
  • work in Costa Rica and Mexico ( MAF);
  • residents, staff and supporters in the Birmingham district ( Methodist Homes);
  • ACT alliance members in Angola, particularly the Association for Building Communities (ACC) creating market gardens in areas of drought (Christian Aid);
  • Bible Society work in Costa Rica;
  • we pray with and for all the peoples of the United Kingdom, and of Ireland;
  • we remember Methodists in Denby Dale and Clayton West (West Yorkshire District) and our colleagues based in St John's, Arbroath (Angus, Dundee and Perthshire Circuit).