Category: News

Raise funds for Christian Aid in the Kiltwalk. The Dundee kilt walk is on 21 August 2022; there is also a Virtual Kiltwalk. All fundraising (up to £5,000 per walker) will once again be topped up 50% by The Hunter Foundation.

Please visit the Kiltwalk website to sign up today. Or contact our Christian Aid’s Community Fundraising and Events Officer Lauren Petherbridge on 0131 240 1525 or by email at lpetherbridge@christian-aid.org 

For the first time in a generation, global hunger and poverty are rising. 

Covid-19, conflict, and the climate crisis are pushing vulnerable communities into a struggle for survival.  

People living on the sharp edge of injustice are hungry – for a good meal, to earn a decent living, to provide a more hopeful future for their families. But they’re anything but helpless. 

Learn more about how you can Give Act and Pray with us this Christian Aid Week.

During the period of Nick’s sabbatical, starting 18th April 2022,  the Rev Nik Wooller is to act as Circuit Superintendent, and the Rev Tim Thorpe to exercise pastoral charge in respect of Dundee, Arbroath, and Montrose Methodists.

Contact Tim:  email  – timothythorpe@ymail.com;  phone – 07305 881145

The Covid-19 pandemic has had, and continues to have, a profound impact on individuals, families, communities, and community leaders. Feelings of loss, loneliness, stress, and anxiety have become widespread, and it is often difficult to find means of support, refreshment, and inspiration. One possible route might come as a surprise; research shows that reading poetry as a way of reflecting upon, recognising, and reinterpreting our experiences can be a very helpful tool. Encountering the right poem, at the right time, can open up a difficult moment and offer connection, hope, and respite; in this way, a poem can act rather like a prayer or meditation.

Interfaith Scotland is working with the Scottish Poetry Library to create a book of poems on the theme of ‘The Gift’. The poems will be written by people from diverse faith and belief backgrounds, and will be offered to community leaders and activists with thanks and gratitude for all they have done to steer us through the current crises. The theme of ‘The gift’ allows those submitting poems to write about what inspired them and helped bring them through the pandemic; gifts such as faith, community, connections, nature, family, friends, music etc.

We would like to offer you the opportunity to submit a poem for the anthology. Poems should be a maximum of 40 lines and on the theme of ‘The Gift’ as outlined above. We have brought together a small panel with representatives of different faiths to select poems for the anthology. Although not all poems submitted to us may be selected for the anthology we hope you find the poetry writing a positive and uplifting experience.

Please send your poems to us by 14th June 2022.

The Presidency of the Methodist Church have released a prayer and statement following the Prime Minister’s announcement.

“The Government’s plans to offshore asylum seekers in Rwanda gives yet another insight into its hostile, uncompassionate and ineffective response to asylum seekers and refugees.”

Join with folk from across Scotland at The Scottish Methodist Gathering in Perth 9th –11th September 2022. Dip in and out of a full programme of worship, prayer, pilgrimage, study, conferring, a Ceilidh and much more. Contributors include John Bell of The Iona Community, Rev. Roger Walton, Fischy Music and the programme includes activities for all ages.There is no charge, but to help with the organizing, please book today at www.scottishmethodistgathering.org

Across the country, churches of all denominations are encouraging congregations to pray for Ukraine and to hold a visible act of witness – including the lighting of candles – in their local community.

National events will also take place in London, Edinburgh, Wales and Northern Ireland. In London, people are expected to come together, light a candle, and pray for the people of Ukraine outside the Ukrainian embassy at 2pm.

How can you get involved?

1. Organise an act of witness with your church or local community during your worship or at 2pm on Sunday 3 April. This could involve sharing prayers, lighting candles, holding a moment of silence, or holding up blue and yellow hearts as an act of solidarity during the time of prayer.
2. Join Christian Aid on Facebook throughout the afternoon on 3 April to see updates from the Embassy of Ukraine and share any photos of your act of witness on social media using #WePrayForUkraine
3. Share our posts on Twitter and Facebook to encourage others to get involved as an act of solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Ukraine.

A prayer for Passion Sunday 3 April

God of all peoples and nations,
Who created all things alive and breathing,
United and whole,
Show us the way of peace that is Your overwhelming presence.
We hold before you the peoples of Ukraine and Russia,
Every child and every adult.
We long for the time
When weapons of war are beaten into ploughshares
When nations no longer lift up sword against nation.
We cry out to you for peace;
Protect those who only desire and deserve to live in security and safety
Comfort those who fear for their lives and the lives of their loved ones
Be with those who are bereaved.
Change the hearts of those set on violence and aggression
And fill leaders with the wisdom that leads to peace.
Kindle again in us a love of our neighbour,
And a passion for justice to prevail and a renewed recognition that we all play a part in peace.
Creator of all hear our prayer
And bring us peace. make us whole.
Amen.