Category: News

Worship in Marketgait on this date will be a Local Arrangement, ie prepared and presented by ourselves.

The Stewards have had 1 suggestion for a theme – “Creation and our care for the planet”and would be grateful for suggestions of other themes, during this week.

This year marks the 350th anniversary of the birth of the mother of John & Charles Wesley (& their 17 siblings).  Various commemorations have been arranged including a “Bright Succession” Conference at Lincoln University from 12-14 July.  The Conference includes an excursion to Epworth Rectory, her home with the Rev Samuel Wesley, for nearly 40 years.

Susanna’s influence is of course best seen through the lives of her sons John and Charles; however, from her own Puritan-family background, she offered a clear example of devotional Christian living – her writings include letters, meditations & extended commentaries, and prayers, some of which have been included in Methodist Prayer Handbooks.

• The Rev Dr Barbara Glasson was inducted as President of Conference for this Connexional year and Professor Clive Marsh as Vice-President.
• The President-designate (ie to serve in 2020-21) is the Rev Richard Beale (Chair of the Cumbria District) and Carolyn Lawrence (a former Mission Partner in Guyana) is Vice-President-designate.
• The Marriage and Relationships Report and a series of provisional resolutions on proposals set out in the Report are commended to us for conversation and discussion prior to final vote at Conference in 2020.
• Recognition was given to the climate emergency and Conference called on the UK to achieve zero emission well before 2050.
• In this context, particular reference was made to single-use plastics; members and churches are encouraged to reduce plastic pollution, with church cafés asked to consider joining refill schemes.

The Spring edition of the connexion magazine is now available – 2 copies are on the vestibule table to borrow, read, and return.

Read about Nik Wooller’s ‘other’ half job, reaching ‘Missing Methodists’ and ‘Churchless Christians’ in Scotland.

Pam Bostock (Perth) has offered to place an order for the new edition of the Prayer Handbook, “Responding to the Gospel”, for all the Circuit congregations.

The cost (for bulk orders) is standard print copy – £3.50; large print – £3.95.

Please sign the sheet on the vestibule table or let Jenny know if you wish to place an order.

Until early August, we are asked to see to the setting out & clearing of chairs for worship: please let a Steward know if you able to assist with setting out on Saturday or early Sunday, and, where possible, help with clearing after worship.

The Iona Community will be running an Autumn residential programme based at the St Columba Hotel on Iona:

18 – 23 October: ‘Ripening in Wisdom: Elder Poets  as Sages of the Harvest of Life’

23 –28 October: ‘Kicking Leaves and Kindling Fires’

28 Oct – 2 Nov: ‘Lightening the Dark, Darkening the     Light: Exploring the Shadows of Art and Faith’.

More information

The Presbyteral Session (for ordained clergy) meets on Thursday and Friday, with the Representative Session (Presbyters, Deacons, & Laity) in session from Saturday to the following Thursday.

The Saturday and Sunday comprise the more formal business –

• Induction of the incoming President and Vice-President on Saturday
• Reception into Full Connexion of Ordinands during Conference Worship on Sunday morning followed by their Ordination in local churches in the afternoon.
  The Rev Laurent Vernet from the Scotland District is one of the ordinands; he is to be ordained in St Martin in the Bull Ring, at 4pm.

Monday – Thursday’s programmes comprise discussion of and decision on Reports and other items.  There are also lunchtime and evening “Fringe” meetings.  The major discussion on the “Marriage and Relationships” Report is scheduled for 11.30am on the Monday and again on the Wednesday from 11am.  Wednesday morning’s session opens with Holy Communion.

More information and online streaming of sessions .

Events during the Ferry’s annual Gala Week

St James’ Church (foot of Fort Street)  Church Open Week – Sunday 30^th June to Sunday 7^th July:

• Monday 1st July, 1.30pm to 3pm – Golden Monday (focussing round ‘older people’)
• Monday to Friday 12 noon – 4pm and Saturday 10am – 4pm –  Acorn Quilting Group exhibition
• Wednesday 3rd July, 7.30 pm – Summer Serendipity – patchwork programme of drama, music & dance, tickets £5 / £3.

St Luke’s & Queen Street Church

• Sunday 30^th June, 6.30pm to 7.30pm – BFCG Songs of Praise, followed by refreshments.