As part of the commemorations of the centenary of the ending of World War I, there will be no Communion Offering on 4th November but encouragement is given for generous contributions to a Retiring Offering next Sunday November 11th (Armistice Sunday itself); the proceeds will be divided between BLESMA. The Limbless Veterans and Help for Heroes.
All Methodist churches in Scotland, indeed UK-wide, are being asked to consider their future – either a plan for growth or a plan for an end.
We have arranged two meetings –
in which we hope as many of our congregation as possible will participate in discussion of our future together.
The Scottish District of the Methodist Church has produced a short leaflet outlining the issues. Please read this, and consider how you see the Methodist community moving forwards.
Church Council meeting agreed that our entire congregation should be given access to the intranet on the church website, where minutes of committees and documents relevant to the proposed redevelopment are stored.
If you would like to be granted access, please contact Margaret with a proposed username and password (not real words, and preferably some mix of at least 2 of upper / lower case and numbers.)
Council members and several others attended.
Matters agreed were:
Our Board is currently investigating a proposal which would mean Traidcraft is downsized, but transformed into a fair trade business of tomorrow – fit for purpose (and success) in the 21stcentury. If the proposal is accepted, Traidcraft would continue to operate, and you’d be able to continue to shop with us and change the lives of growers and artisans worldwide. The Board believes that this transformation is possible, as long as our loss-making model changes. A new model is being developed by internal staff and external advisors, and we hope to share our vision with you in the week commencing 5th November.
The Church Council on Wednesday decided that, as part of the commemorations of the centenary of the ending of World War I, there would be no Communion Offering on 4thNovember but encouragement be given for generous contributions to a Retiring Offering on Sunday November 11th (Armistice Sunday itself); the proceeds would be divided between 2 charities associated with support for victims of warfare (chosen charities to be publicised next Sunday).
Scottish Churches Housing Action has Christmas cards for sale – price £2.50 for pack of 10 (and see below for postage).
These cards showing “Home“, a bright and warm place, a modern “Christmas family”, in what might otherwise seem an impoverished setting, are designed by Mary Jane Cameron. The message inside reads “Wishing you peace, health and happiness at Christmas”. Proceeds will benefit SCHA, and the ongoing work to give more people the chance of an affordable home.
David Easson could collect them from the SCHA office when he is there on any of 7th November or 6th or 13th December, thus eliminating the P&P charge. Let David know in advance if you would like him to bring cards back for you.
Otherwise, to order cards, please email info@churches-housing.org with your name & address, and number of packs required. Alternatively phone 0131 477 4500, or write to 44 Hanover St, Edinburgh EH2 2DR.
Fresh from the Word 2019 is produced by IBRA, and is available from Amazon for Kindle @ £8, or in paperback. Margaret is willing to source copies at £9.95 post free. Please let her know if you want one.
The next meeting will be on Saturday, 3rd November 10.30 to 3.30 at St John’s Methodist Church, Arbroath. Note the change of date and venue.
All We Can recognises that churches have unique strengths that potentially make them ideal partners in the field of relief and development, particularly when working with local communities. These include their closeness to, and legitimacy with, those in need; their long-term presence; their ability to mobilise sustainable voluntary commitment from members; and their potential for local and global advocacy. For many churches and individual Christians responding to injustice and poverty, helping poor and disadvantaged communities to overcome their difficulties and live life to the full are central to their response to the experience of God’s love.
See how All We Can is working with partner churches.