20 July 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. We continue to remember prayerfully those particularly known to us struggling with health issues, entering courses of treatment, or facing an uncertain future, together with all who seek to support them as family, friends, or neighbours.

Ministerial Pastoral Cover

We are asked to note that the Rev Mary Patterson will not be available from tomorrow (Mon 21st July) to Monday 4th August. If necessary, please contact the Rev John Butterfield (01786 474070) or a Circuit Steward.

Methodist Prayer Handbook 2014-15

The new Handbook, “Partners in Sacrifice” is now available for Order and Pam Bostock has again offered to do so, on behalf of the Circuit's congregations (thus saving P&P costs).

Please sign the sheet on the glass top vestibule table TODAY (or let Jenny Easson / Pam Bostock know asap) as Pam would like to send the order this week. The cost per copy is ordinary or large print - £3.35 (bulk order discount).

The approach of this year's Handbook is to “look at our everyday sacrifices as God's people taken up by God into the eternal sacrifice of the Cross.” The title comes from the hymn “The Church of Christ in Every Age” by Fred Pratt Green (Hymns & Psalms 804; Singing the Faith 415)

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.

District Youth Event

Information is available about this gathering at Dalguise Perthshire from September 5th - 7th; two places were reserved until June 6th for young people (P7 to S4) for each Circuit but some are still available.

If you are interested please advise the Rev Mary Patterson and also contact Hayley Dunn Hayley@ymcaedinburgh.com or Terry Wright wesleyhorse@googlemail.com .

General Church Meeting résumé

At the Meeting after worship on June 22nd, the following formal business was undertaken:

• reports received from the Minister, Senior Church Steward, and Church Treasurer -
• thanks were expressed to all who contribute in ways seen and unseen to our life together
• the Membership was reported to total 63
• the Rev Mary Patterson indicated that she was not seeking an extension to her invitation to ministry in the Circuit after 31st August 2015
• the Treasurer expressed thanks for all who give so generously and outlined the new “small donations” element of the Gift Aid scheme which applies to regular contributions (up to and including £20 in cash, not cheques) by non-tax payers.
• dedication of Gift Appeal moneys received hitherto
• election of Church Stewards from 1st September 2014:
  Chi Tak, Jenny, Fiona, Graham, Sue and Larry
• election of Representatives to Church Council from 1st September 2014:
  

  Lorna, Kate and Chris

Conversation took place on our life and work, with a general recommendation that points raised be followed up in round-table conversation during Café Worship on June 29th, led by Sue Marshall-Jennings.

The Meeting closed with prayer including tribute to Members who had died during the year - Barbara Suttie, Jim Robertson, and Phemie Easson.

Methodist Conference - distributed material

Those who attend Methodist Conference return home with much printed material, not only the official papers needed for Conference business, but also copies of Reports from various agencies within and linked to the Methodist Church.

David and Jenny both have copies of the following - please ask to see them (you may find material from some also in forthcoming news-sheets as space allows):

• mission matters -the work of the main Methodist funds
• Methodist Modern Art Collection annual report (to 31.8.13)
• Methodist Women in Britain 2013-14 annual report
• Dialogue - Methodist Insurance twice-yearly newsletter
• Sacred Presence and Ethical Challenge - 6 reflective essays on the Church's chaplaincy response to World War 1.

Meetings this week

Support other Organisations

Scottish Bible Society

Our support via the Bible-a-Month Club is invited in July for work here in Scotland.

Our prayerful attention this week is drawn to

• SBS appeal to provide Bibles in Papua New Guinea;
• financial pressures on the Malta Bible Society, distribution of the Bible Reprint Edition and large print Bibles;
• SBS team based in St George's Tron Church during the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow;
• use of the new Bible 2011 in Norwegian, also translations in the Sami languages.

Prayer Points for this week

• The Conference Secretariat and colleagues in their follow-up of Conference decisions and discussions;
• Methodist Ministers and families preparing to move stations;
• Methodist Circuits preparing to welcome new ministers;
• Bible Society work in Scotland;
• partners Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh & Jireh Doo Foundation in Nigeria, in their respective support of family life, single parents, orphans and vulnerable children (Christian Aid);
• residents, staff and supporters in the Northampton District (Methodist Homes);
• flights and shuttle services in Kenya (MAF);
• work in China, Korea, and Laos (The Leprosy Mission);
• Fairhaven School in Alexandria, providing education for children with learning disabilities;
• we pray with and for the peoples of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico;
• we remember fellow Methodists in Portsmouth (Southampton District) and in Shettleston (Glasgow Circuit).

• 13 July 2014
• 27 July 2014

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