Category: News

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.

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.”

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 7^th June 2020.

The Spring 2019 edition of Connexion is now available, with a focus on “making and growing disciples”.

Some printed copies are on the vestibule table.