4 January 2015

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.

Flower Rota

The 2015 rota is now available from Elaine.

Ministerial Family Visit

The Rev Nick Baker (to be stationed in this circuit from September 2015) is hoping to come to Dundee with his family around February 16th to familiarise themselves with the area, facilities, and people. Please note this now as some form of “get together” may be arranged.

Dundee Methodists and Food Banks - updates

• Our continued support for the Dundee Foodbank has again received thank from its organisers.
• Please place items in the large bucket on the upstairs landing - clean plastic bags are also welcome.
• Our thanks to Liz Kay - contact her for more information.

Support other Organisations

Scottish Bible Society

Our support via the Bible-a-Month Club is invited in January for work in Armenia.

Our prayerful attention in coming weeks is drawn to

• border villages in Armenia where people live in fear of conflict;
• new CEO of the Bible Society of South Africa;
• staff and projects of the Bible Society in Albania;
• promotional work of the Bible Society in Angola;
• fundraising appeals for work in Rwanda.

Aldrian Songgaling - Philippines

A letter has been sent by Signpost International, through whom we sponsor Aldrian and his community, to explain the delay in our receiving the usual Christmas card from Aldrian. It appears that the delivery company mistakenly returned all the cards to the Philippines and they are now being re-sent.

Signpost International has also sent a newsletter (see noticeboard) giving an update on North Baluarte where an extensive fire in 2006 destroyed much of the shanty village, leading to Signpost International's involvement with the community. The newsletter reports what has been changed since then:

“North Baluarte is almost unrecognisable both as a place and as a community: a transformation has taken place. But it is not simply that the fire-damaged homes have been rebuilt, rather it is that the people of North Baluarte have been empowered to develop their own vision for change. With your support for the community through the child-sponsorship scheme, here is a brief summary of what they have achieved:”

• Concrete Walkways: in the illegal squatter community built on bamboo stilts over filthy tidal waters, movement was precarious, over dangerously deteriorating bridges, with frequent accidents and even fatalities especially among children and the elderly. Sponsorship money has helped to fund construction of concrete walkways, often erected by voluntary labour, and also installation of electric lighting. Extension of this is now undertaken by local government, following representation from the newly-empowered community.
• Better infrastructure: other improvements have followed the concrete walkways -
• installation of communal septic tanks to use alongside newly installed toilets;
• metered electricity in living quarters replacing tapping into the mains supply;
• installation of a communal clean supply of water.
• Better business: the walkways opened up the area to small vehicles, allowing businesses to thrive and grow. These include small stores, hairdressers, bakeries and soap-making (often belonging to parents of sponsored children): a new generation of entrepreneurs allows parents to generate income for their families and create increasing levels of employment within the wider community.
• Mangrove replanting: the value of protection in the environment against floods and storm surges has been recognised, and the replanting has also provided ideal breeding areas for fish to eat and sell. A co-operative has been established to replenish the mangrove forest on the foreshore to replace one cut down for firewood and building land.
• Education: sponsorship has funded hundreds of children through primary and secondary schools, as well as supporting weekend tutorials in literacy and numeracy, run by the community's older teenagers.

Much has been achieved in North Baluarte so Signpost International has decided that its direct active involvement will be withdrawn in March (though advice and support will remain on offer). This decision has implications for our sponsorship of Aldrian but Signpost International seeks to continue its work elsewhere, including in the nearby neighbourhood of West Habog-Habog. Details will come to us in due course - David Easson acts as our contact.

Tayside Re-Users

This local charity (established 1995) has sent information about its work to encourage re-use and recycling. See their website .

Prayer Points for this week

• The President and Vice-President of Conference in Manchester and Stockport this weekend;
• former Presidents and Vice-Presidents' Forum, next weekend;
• the Chair of the Synod, Rev Dr David P Easton;
• our Circuit's ministerial staff and their families;
• farmers' school run by Rice Watch Action Network in the Philippines (Christian Aid);
• promotional work in Europe (The Leprosy Mission);
• Bible Society work in Armenia;
• work in East Anglia (Methodist Homes);
• partners throughout the Middle East (Embrace);
• adequate and reliable supplies of fuel ( MAF);
• we pray with and for the peoples of Egypt, Israel-Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria (WCC);
• we remember fellow Methodists in South Molton (Plymouth & Exeter District) and our colleagues in St John's, Arbroath (Angus, Dundee & Perthshire Circuit).

• 28 December 2014
• 11 January 2015

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