Dundee Methodist Church

19 October 2014

Next Sunday
26 October 2014

11 am
Worship led by Mrs Marcia Mackenzie

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.

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.

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; the Jars are being distributed today, to be returned on or after Sunday 2nd November. 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.

Safeguarding: 'Past Cases Review' Letter

A letter from the Secretary of Conference, the Rev Martyn Atkins, is being distributed to all Methodists, through Superintendents and Ministers in pastoral charge.

In conversation at the recent Church Council, it was agreed that the letters for Dundee be made generally available on and from this Sunday when the Rev Mary Patterson is in Marketgait. An explanatory insert was produced, by Mary and Sue Marshall-Jennings (Church and Circuit Safeguarding Officer) last week and is still available to supply some of the background to and aims of the Letter.

Dundee Methodists and Food Banks

Dundee Foodbank logo

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, commends our prayerful focus in October on the importance of the environment. (See prayer on the news-sheet front cover.)

Meetings this week

Date & timeVenueDetails
Wednesday 22nd October 2014, 10am to 11.30am Blairgowrie Methodist Church Coffee Morning
Friday 24th October 2014, 7pm Dundee Methodist Church, “L” Finance and Property Committee
Saturday 25th October 2014, 1pm St Paul's Cathedral Lunchtime Concert by Fergus Heatherington (violin) and Gavin Brady (piano). Tickets (adults £4, students £3, accompanied schoolchildren free) at the door; coffee and tea served after.

Support other Organisations

Scottish Bible Society

Our support via the Bible-a-Month Club is invited in October for work in Bolivia.

Our prayerful attention this week is drawn to

  • The Amazing Journey Bible story telling project in Northern Ireland;
  • meeting of SBS Council of Churches representatives on Thursday;
  • staff, speakers, supporters and volunteers of the SBS throughout Scotland.

Mission Aviation Fellowship Day of Prayer

Today (Sunday 19th October) MAF is observing a Day of Prayer on the theme “ Into the Light”.

This focuses on MAF's aim to “share the light and love of God through our actions. That may be by providing a professional aviation service, being a willing ear, or a helping hand.”

This year MAF celebrates 25 years of working in Madagascar where the current team comprises 5 international families and 22 national staff.

Action for Children: National Children's Hour

“When the big hand reaches for the little hand…”

As clocks go back this coming weekend (at 2am Sunday morning 26th October to be precise!) Action for Children is launching National Children's Hour to celebrate everything that's great about childhood. The request is that parents, (great-) grandparents, carers, friends, family (“the big hands”) spend an extra hour having fun with the children in their lives (“the little hands”). For details contact: tel 0300 123 2112; Online: www.actionforchildren.org.uk/nch

Forthcoming events

Date & timeVenueDetails
Wednesday 29th October 2014, 4.30pm to 7.30pm (at the latest!) Creative Scotland, Old Town Jail, St John Street, Stirling FK8 1FA Scotland Today - The Context for Methodism. The facilitating Speakers will be Professor Lindsay Patterson, Professor of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh, and Alastair Cameron, Chief Executive, Scottish Churches Housing Action. The Learning and Development Forum are hosting this event to continue our focus and thinking together on current issues in the life of our nation and church. All interested are invited.
Please register by Friday 17th October via the District Office; email fiona@methodistchurch.plus.com. Notice of particular needs (eg diet) would be useful - thanks!
Saturday 1st November 2014, 10.30am to 3.30pm People with a Mission Centre, Riggs Road, Perth, PH1 1PR “Chaplaincy Everywhere” A day to focus on chaplaincy, by Methodists and with others. Free lunch provided. More details.
Please register by Monday 20th October using the form on the vestibule table or email fiona@methodistchurch.plus.com.

Prayer Points for this week

  • the President of Conference at the Royal Army Chaplains Department, Wednesday - Thursday;
  • ecumenical partners throughout the British Isles;
  • District Ecumenical Forum meeting, Stirling, Tuesday;
  • Blairgowrie Church Council, tomorrow (Monday);
  • One World Week - theme “Living differently” (Christian Aid);
  • the international directorate (The Leprosy Mission);
  • Bible Society work in Bolivia;
  • work in Bolton and Rochdale (Methodist Homes);
  • the olive harvest in the West Bank (Embrace ME);
  • Papua New Guinea (MAF);
  • we pray with and for the peoples of India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka (WCC);
  • we remember fellow Methodists in Sheffield (South) (Sheffield District) and in Aberdeen (North of Scotland Mission Circuit).