2 October 2016

We give the assurance of our thoughts and prayers to all who are unwell, awaiting or undergoing treatment, anxious, or grieving for the loss of loved ones.

Methodist ClothesBank

Much work has been done and progress made on this long-term venture in our premises:

• rails and other equipment have been obtained and useful contacts made within Dundee and its area;
• stocks of clothing continue to arrive, requiring sorting, hanging and creation of storage space;
• appeal is made for “good quality” clothing and more volunteers (chat to your friends!);
• training for volunteers has taken place: information can be passed to others.

Sessions will take place on

• Mondays 10am -12 noon, led by Liz
• Thursdays 1pm - 3pm, led by Sue

Sessions will commence on Monday 31st October.

We need 2 further volunteers for each of these sessions. If you are able to be on the premises at both / either of those sessions, please sign the sheet today or contact Sue so rotas can be prepared. Volunteers are not necessarily asked to be closely involved unless they so wish: we are advised that at least 3 persons should be on the premises for security purposes and, if possible with a 'gender mix'.

Work on Drains

Dyno-Rod undertook a long and thorough investigation and clearing of all the drainage system in our premises; we now have a clearer idea of the system and better-functioning sinks and pipes. The bills for the scaffolding and work done have been settled; the drains will be inspected and cleared by Dyno-Rod annually from now on. Warm thanks are expressed to all who have striven long and hard to achieve this, especially to Sue and Graham for their patience on a very long day last Sunday.

The future of our premises

The Property and Finance Committee proposed and Church Council agreed the following:

• Marketgait is the place to be.
• We appoint an architect to do a feasibility study on remodelling the front of building to incorporate stairs and a lift and also to create disabled-access toilets and baby changing facilities.
• A handrail is to be installed, as soon as possible, to assist access to upstairs.

We hope that the alterations can be done in stages, and on a manageable scale. For more details, please ask members of the Finance and Property Committee or Church Council.

Mission Statement

The Church Stewards, using suggestions made at the General Church Meeting, proposed the new wording below. It was adopted by the Church Council for immediate use:

A supply of laminated cards will be prepared for handout, as appropriate, including this Statement, a concise introduction to “Methodism”, and contact details.

Church Council résumé - other items

In addition to considering items detailed above, the Council also discussed / agreed

• update on Circuit news, including outline timetable for Stationing process;
• new cleaner / chair-person;
• November Communion Offering to be allocated to Tayforth Veterans this year;
• reports from Church Stewards, Church Treasurer, Pastoral Committee, Safeguarding Officer, and the Link Club;
• we will register for Mission in Britain Sunday during Advent;
• public worship will be held in Marketgait on Sundays 25th December and 1st January;
• 'Doors Open' feedback;
• Open Christian Aid meeting in Broughty Ferry on Wednesday 26th October (see poster);
• workshop on “Listening” with open invitation but especially to Preachers, Pastoral Visitors, Stewards in Marketgait Sat 12th November;
• Next Council - Wednesday 8th February at 7pm;
• General Church Meeting - Sunday 4th June at 10.45am.

Meetings this week

Support other Organisations

Scottish Bible Society

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

Our prayerful attention is drawn this week to

• provision of Scripture in Braille in Uganda;
• translation of Bible into Chikunda in Zimbabwe.

Prayer Points for this week

• the President of Conference at an Ecumenical Gathering in Rome; the Vice-President at the Conservative Party conference, Monday-Tuesday;
• Methodist Women in Britain District Day, Saturday;
• the Circuit's Plan-making Team;
• work in the Lincoln and Grimsby District (Methodist Homes);
• work in Arnhem Land, northern Australia (MAF);
• work of RAADA in Afghanistan (Christian Aid);
• CEOSS mobile ophthalmology clinics visiting poor and rural communities in Egypt (Embrace);
• Bible Society work in Uganda;
• staff & supporters (The Leprosy Mission);
• we pray with and for the peoples of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia (WCC);
• we remember fellow Methodists in the Romiley Circuit (Manchester and Stockport District) and in Buckie (North of Scotland Mission Circuit).

• 25 September 2016
• 9 October 2016

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