2 November 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.

UNICEF Jars of Grace

As is our custom at this time of year, we extend an invitation to support the work of UNICEF (United Nations Children's Emergency Fund) through the “ Jars of Grace Appeal. It is suggested that a donation of money be placed in the Jar at each meal; Jars are due to be returned during worship today or can be given to Margaret thereafter. This year's theme for Jars of Grace is “children caught up in emergencies round the world”. An explanatory leaflet is provided with each Jar.

IBRA

International Bible Reading Association devotional and study material can be ordered through Heather Dean. Please sign the paper on the vestibule table today or next week or contact Heather direct.

Presenting our Premises

The Stationing process, on which the Circuit is entered, includes the possibility of a visit to Marketgait by a prospective Minister. We therefore propose that, from 10am on Saturday 8th November there be a “working party” for all able to assist with a general “tidy up” of our premises.

It would be helpful if any personal or particularly important items can identified and /or removed in advance.

Sue Marshall-Jennings (Senior Circuit Steward) and Jenny Easson (Senior Church Steward).

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.

EMU Faith in Action Calendar

The Faith in Action guide, commended by the Episcopal, Methodist and United Reformed Churches in Scotland, invites our prayerful focus in November on domestic abuse.

“The most common form of violence against women in Scotland is Domestic Abuse. This is more than just physical violence: it can be sexual, mental or emotional, and is based on exploiting unequal power relationships. The vast majority of domestic abuse is carried out by men against women, though it can occur in any relationship.

It is much more common than most of us imagine - in a typical year in Britain, 1 in 5 women experience domestic violence and every week two women are killed by their current or former partner. We cannot and must not ignore the facts: (many) congregations will contain both victims and abusers - domestic abuse affects us all.”

Useful contacts - Scottish Women's Aid - 0131 226 6606
Domestic Abuse Helpline (24 hours) - 0800 027 1234.

Syrian Refugee Children's Art

A display of paintings by Syrian refugee children has been brought from Beirut to Scotland and is being shown in the City of Edinburgh Methodist Church, Nicolson Square until Wednesday 12th November.

There is a request that the organisers hear from any other venue(s) which might be interested and able to display these paintings (some 166 though they can be allocated between 2 or 3 venues) and also films where facilities are available. Contact Brian Larkin - rbrianlarkin@googlemail.com Tel - 0131 229 0993; 0758 449 2257.

Meetings this week

Support other Organisations

Scottish Bible Society

Our support via the Bible-a-Month Club is invited in November for work in Romania.

Our prayerful attention this week is drawn to

• distribution of books to young people by the Bible Society in Romania;
• prompt completion of sign language translation projects in Sri Lanka;
• United Bible Societies General Council meeting in Swindon this week;
• translation of the Bible into Thai and minority languages;
• development of new publications to meet high demand in Taiwan.

Copies of the SBS magazine Alive and Active are on the vestibule table. If you wish to receive a copy regularly, please let Jenny Easson know.

Prayer Points for this week

• the President of Conference at the Queen's Foundation, Birmingham on Wednesday;
• those responsible for Safeguarding issues throughout the Methodist Church;
• the Chairs of the Scotland and Shetland Districts;
• Supernumerary Ministers and their families in our Circuit;
• Door Stewards and “the ministry of welcome”;
• the “Will Aid” scheme offered in November (Christian Aid);
• work in west India (The Leprosy Mission);
• Bible Society work in Romania;
• residents, staff and projects in Wales (Methodist Homes);
• renovations and improvements to homes in rural Egypt (Embrace ME);
• health-giving flights in Madagascar (MAF);
• we pray with and for the peoples of Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda (WCC);
• we remember fellow Methodists in Sheffield (West) (Sheffield District) and in Buckie (North of Scotland Mission Circuit).

• 26 October 2014
• 9 November 2014

© 2002—2021 Dundee Methodist Church Scottish Charity number: SC037954.