Category: News

Pastoral letter from Andrew Baker – belated posting

Dear Friends, August 2024
Greetings to you. I know it is a bit of a strange arrangement: I am living in our
manse in Glasgow and being the Superintendent of two circuits, Strathclyde
and Angus, Dundee and Perthshire. It seemed like the right thing to do, so
let’s respond to God’s invitation and make something of it – by God’s grace. I
shall be spending three days every four weeks in the circuit, including worship
on a Sunday, the first one being on 8th September at Perth in the morning and
then at Arbroath at 3pm to share in celebrating a new chapter in the mission
and ministry of the circuit. We shall mark the work with the Dundee Women’s
Hub, where Marian will be leading the circuit’s ministry, and the witness at
Arbroath where Sue has a pioneering role as a local lay pastor. These are two
initiatives which have emerged in the life of the circuit.
We also have an eye on next year when the six Methodist circuits in Scotland
will become one. There is much to be done in preparation for this, but we
rejoice to claim our identity as Methodists in Scotland, being connected with
some remarkable ministry and mission which is taking place throughout this
nation. God has not given up on us! As a stimulus to this togetherness, I
urge you to make The Gathering at Stirling a priority on the weekend of
September 20-22. It begins on the Friday evening with events throughout the
weekend focused on the Golden Lion Hotel in the centre of the city. Why not
book somewhere to stay for the weekend or make arrangements to
“commute”? Our featured guests are the Methodist Presbyter/Astrophysicist
David Wilkinson and the Methodist Deacon/Church on the Margins Advocate
Eunice Attwood. Register by visiting the Eventbrite page, where there is also
a link to the programme for the weekend.
I am looking forward to connecting with as many of you as I can as we pay
attention to the grace of God at work in these challenging times. Our thoughts
this summer are still with the people trying to live in the towns of Ukraine’s
borders in the east and those in Palestine/Israel as well as the islands of the
South Caribbean as they begin to consider rebuilding after the devastating
effects of Hurricane Beryl. We are wondering what the consequences of the
general election will mean for local communities and families in the months to
come and pray for all those in leadership.
Jill and I are also aware that this time next year I shall be “sitting down” after
32 years since I left Keynsham as a student minister, but we intend to stay in
Scotland and be part of the adventure which lies ahead for the people in
Scotland called Methodists. I wonder what that will mean . .
Peace to you all, Andrew

Catch up with the Gathering 2024

There are now more than a dozen videos varying in length on the Scottish Methodist Gathering YouTube channel so you can catch the flavour of the weekend from dancing to drama, bible study to bagpipes, poetry to preaching.

The planning group met this week to review the event; we are very grateful for all feedback received and recognise that there is always much to learn.  If you have skills to offer to the ongoing planning for future events, please don’t be shy!

The next Gathering in 2026 will be held in Dundee with the theme of ‘Gathering to Create’ and will include the chance to see some / all of The Methodist Art Collection.  So – we are looking for creative people to take part / lead sessions / inspire / demonstrate and also looking for everyone to come along and be inspired.

Dundee Methodists’ Gathering summary

At our recent meeting, we decided / discussed

  • There will be public worship in Roseangle on Christmas Day (Wednesday 25 Dec) at 10.30 am.
  • A series of Bible Studies will be offered to ADP and Strathclyde Circuits on Friday evenings on the following dates – Nov 22nd; Nov 29th; Dec 6th; Dec 13th. Appreciation was expressed for the recent ADP series on “Daniel”.
  • A monthly ‘Hour of Fellowship’ via zoom will be offered for Dundee folk, initially on Saturday evenings at 7 pm – see accompanying Supplementary Sheet 106 for proposed dates.
  • Support for our ecumenical partnership via Broughty Ferry Churches Group through payment of the requested £40 for 2024-5 was agreed. The financial donations towards the work of the Food Bank at St Luke’s, Downfield are also known to be appreciated.
  • Reports on the Scottish Gathering were positive and encouraging, including “signs of hope” for future working together across the District (and as a ‘Scotland Circuit’) through as relationships develop.
  • The Circuit Meeting heard encouraging reports of outreach work developing with the Lay Pastoral Appointment & forthcoming re-opening of St John’s, Arbroath, plus positive news of the Women’s Hub in Dundee, and with users of the premises in Perth.
  • Next Gathering – suggested for mid-January 2025.

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The Chaplaincy Chain Podcast

This new podcast explores chaplaincy and its relationship to the wider church.

Gary Hopkins, Ministry Development Officer with responsibility for chaplaincy,
considers how chaplaincy should be embraced as part of the mission of God
in The Chaplaincy Chain Podcast, hosted by the Free Churches Group.

Worship in Dundee on 22 September 2024

Worship on 22nd September 2024 will be a Local Arrangement on the overall theme of “sound”.  Please let Jenny know (say by Thursday) of any joyful “noisy” hymns which would fit well to percussion accompaniment (we can supply several instruments) and / or Bible readings about or referring to “noise” or “sounds” more generally.  (NB Bring you own earplugs!)

BBC Studio Audience

A message from BBC presenter, Stephen Jardine:

DO YOU WANT TO BE IN THE STUDIO AUDIENCE OF A BBC TV PROGRAMME?

Debate Night is BBC Scotland’s political TV discussion show and we want the people of Scotland to have their say.

The programme is travelling across the country on Wednesday evenings, and we would love to meet locals at a location nearest to you:

Wednesday 25 Sept          DUNDEE

Wednesday 09 Oct            PERTH 

+ more filming dates are on the BBC website.

How do I apply for FREE studio tickets?

Visit www.bbc.co.uk/debatenight and click ‘Apply to the Audience’.

Filling out the online application takes two minutes!  It’s also accessible via mobile or tablet.

If you would like to attend with somebody, please ask them to apply too. 

Why be part of the audience?

Debate Night is the only television programme of its kind in Scotland.  It gives you the opportunity to put your questions to the country’s decision-makers and public figures.

We want people from all walks of life.  You might be a parent, a carer or a student?  Perhaps you run a business or are a frontline worker?  Retired, self-employed, unemployed or just starting out in the workplace – we need you.

It’s your questions, stories, experiences and opinions that lead our discussion – so we couldn’t do it without you!

Our panels are a great mix of people.  Recent guests to join our politicians include TV stars Patrick Grant and Jane McCarry from Still Game, authors Val McDermid and A.L. Kennedy, columnists Owen Jones and Ayesha Hazarika, musicians Ricky Ross and Sandi Thom, comedians Karen Dunbar and Jo Caulfield, Lord Sugar’s advisor Mike Soutar from BBC The Apprentice and former Dragons’ Den entrepreneur Piers Linney.

You can see previous episodes on the BBC iPlayer: www.bbc.co.uk/debatenight

Know someone else who might be interested?

Help us spread the word by sharing this message with friends, family and colleagues.