9 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.
We continue to remember families with members in frail health, especially where mental faculties have declined or are fading; we assure them all of our continuing care and support.
In this season of Remembrance, we think of all who feel a sense of loss and loneliness, or the rekindling of deep or forgotten memories and emotions.

UNICEF Jars of Grace

Any remaining Jars and / or contents should be given to Margaret in the coming weeks, please.

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.

Listening to the primary carers of persons with dementia

One of the workshops at Methodist Conference focussed on issues concerning dementia. As a follow-up, a request has been received from the Rev Dr Albert Jewell, Research Fellow of Glyndwr University and former Pastoral Director and Senior Chaplain with Methodist Homes. Dr Jewell and 3 colleagues are seeking to ascertain the experience of primary carers of persons with dementia, as part of a growing movement, especially within the church and faith community, to make society more dementia-friendly, not least by encouraging local churches to set an example for others.

Dr Jewell and his colleagues are looking for 50 primary carers who currently or within the last 5 years have had the main responsibility of caring for loved ones suffering from dementia. The volunteers will be asked to complete a confidential short questionnaire, which has been prepared under the ethical guidelines of The St Mary's Centre in North Wales.

For details see letter on library noticeboard; to volunteer or suggest someone to approach contact Rev Dr Albert Jewell, email ajj633@btinternet.com.

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.

Pastoral Committee résumé

The Committee met on Tuesday for the annual Reading of the Membership Lists and agreement of the return for the annual Schedule. The total of Members in Dundee, as at 1st November 2014, is 59.

The figures from the 'October Count' (undertaken by Church Stewards) of those attending public worship were also noted for entry on the Schedule.

The Committee gave thanks for the lives of Jim, Phemie, Alan and Nancy, remembering also their families and the circles of friends who continue to miss them.

The Committee's next meeting has been arranged for Thursday 26th March 2015 at 7pm in Marketgait.

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 the very popular Big Rescue Bible, redesigned by the Children, Youth and Education Team in Australia;
• successful recent Bible competitions in Pakistan, including memorising of verses, a quiz, and art & essay-writing contests;
• audio and internet / mobile phone access to the Bengali Bible in Bangladesh.

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.

Forthcoming events

Prayer Points for this week

• the President and Vice-President of Conference in Leeds, Tuesday-Wednesday;
• 3Generate Connexional Children and Youth Assembly, Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire, next weekend;
• Scotland District office-holders and employees;
• the Circuit Invitation Committee members and work;
• preparation for and holding of worship services in our Circuit;
• partners tackling violence and building peace (Christian Aid);
• work in Burma and Thailand (The Leprosy Mission);
• Bible Society work in Romania;
• work in Cumbria (Methodist Homes);
• 20 Christian schools across the West Bank (Embrace ME);
• use of amphibious aircraft in Bangladesh ( MAF);
• we pray with and for the peoples of Republic of the Congo, Gabon, SÃo Tomé and PrÍncipe (WCC);
• we remember fellow Methodists in the Teignbridge Circuit (Plymouth & Exeter District) and in Portessie (North of Scotland Mission Circuit).

• 2 November 2014
• 16 November 2014

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