Category: News

Solas Festival – Errol Park

There has been a Methodist Tent for some years now at this annual Festival to be held this year in Errol Park (PH2 7RA / bus route 39) from next Friday to Sunday.  The Revs Nik Wooler & Nick Baker will be there and invite local Methodists to join them as they feel able.

Contact Nick or Nik for free tickets.

The Solas Festival is a midsummer celebration, focused through the creative arts as an “all-age, weekend-long celebration”with a programme making space for “challenging debate with activists, writers and thinkers from across the political, cultural and religious spectrum.”

General Church Meeting

GCM business included

  • reports from the Property Redevelopment Group, with agreement given to apply for Methodist funding to enable progress on work as shown in the most recent (simplified) plans;
  • ecumenical relationships –
    • no further development with Salem URC,
    • exploratory conversations with St Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral to see where we can work together and share in worship when appropriate;
  • report from Church Stewards, highlighting
    • need for volunteers for rota teams
    • setting-up of small groups;
  • report by Church Treasurer, particularly requesting an increase in giving averaging 10% per week if at all possible;
  • re-appointment of Church Stewards;
  • intimation that, given the size of our Membership, all Members who opt-in can be members of the Church Council (& thereby Managing Trustees);
  • next GCM – Sunday 7th June 2020.

District Administrator

Eileen is carrying out district administrator duties for the time being.

Please use her new email address to contact her: districtadmin@methodistchurchinscotland.net

 

Starting small groups – are you interested?

Following on from the discussions earlier in the year about the life and work of our church, the Stewards are hoping to set up a small group (or groups!) to meet for fellowship / exploration of faith / bible study / whatever the group(s) themselves would like to do!

Please see one of the Stewards if you are interested.

It is hoped that this would run no more than fortnightly but no less than monthly, day and time to be determined by those interested.

We are aiming to start sessions after the summer and would hope that this is an opportunity for members of the congregation (both existing and new) to meet outside of the Sunday service.

Dundee Foodbank

Donations for the food bank are gratefully received. Please put them in the container at the top of the stairs; Liz takes them along to the food bank.

 

Best wishes to Rev David Easton

Rev David Easton is nearing the end of his time as District Chair.  He has sent the following message to members of Synod and others:

“Dear Friends,
It was good to see so many of you at my farewell service at Perth.
Thank you for all your kind words and for the gifts that you gave me.  As you will realise, the times that I have served in Scotland, especially in my role as Chair of our Synod, have meant a great deal to me and I will take many good and happy memories into retirement.
When I eventually settle back in to Scotland, wherever that may be, I look forward to bumping into you from time to time, perhaps.  Meanwhile, I pray God’s blessing on you all and the life and energy of the Spirit of Christ as you continue to serve him.
With my kindest regards and prayers, as ever, David”

Bible Month

This year’s bible month will  focus on the Letter to the Colossians. In Dundee, this will take place on Sundays 16th & 23rd June, 7th & 14th July.

There is online material, including videos,  for those interested in reading round the subject.

General Church Meeting Sunday 2nd June 2019

Worship will start at 11am as usual and be in a café-style format.

General Church Meeting business includes conversation on church life, reports from the Church Stewards and Treasurer, and appointments of Church Stewards and representatives to the Church Council.  Nominations should be given to the Council Secretary, Margaret Goudie, or the Minister as soon as possible, please.

There will be a lunch after worship – please bring food to share with others; please let Sue M-J know what you are offering to bring.  Please also note that, as proceedings may last beyond 1pm, Council city centre parking charges apply after then.

Pastoral Letter from Nick Baker – Colossians

Dear Friends

“To the saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ in Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.”  So writes Paul at the beginning of his letter to the Christian community in Colossae.    Paul’s reference to “in Christ” points us toward the relationship we have with/in Christ and is an important theme in the letter.

As we enter into Bible Month (remember Jonah last year), there is an opportunity for us to reflect across the circuit and as part of the wider church on a particular “book” of the Bible.

With all the conversations we are having about our resources and our relationships it is good to take some time to reflect together on scripture.  As we have these conversations across church, circuit, District, Connexion, ecumenically what does it mean to be “in Christ”?  As we move through the letter to the Colossians, we will explore this including what we might regard today as some of Paul’s more controversial words. For example, whilst I might want to point to the phrase “children, obey your parents in everything”, I suspect my children may have a different perspective!

Towards the end of the letter Paul does encourage the community to “devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving”.  As a means of remaining in Christ I think this is wise advice and words I shall endeavour to take to heart as I ready myself for conference and continue to engage in all sorts of conversations we are having across the circuit. Please give thanks and pray for the preachers as they lead us through Bible month and don’t forget this summer to give thanks for the beautiful world around us by enjoying a walk, a break, a breath of fresh air, a visit, a friend, a neighbour, or sharing in the circuit barbeque (17thAugust, Arbroath)

“Grace be with you”

Nick