Category: News

During this week further news has come from Julya about the recent tragic road accident in Bulgaria in which Svetla was seriously injured, her elder son killed, and her younger son injured.

A practical way of showing our concern for the family and shocked community is to help alleviate medical and other costs, and to do so quickly. It has therefore been agreed that today’s Communion Offering (normally in December for Action for Children Scotland) be replaced by a plate (on entry) for donations to assist Svetla and her family. If you wish to contribute but cannot do so today, please contact David Easson (Church Treasurer). It is hoped that a first amount from the Circuit will be sent during this coming week.

A card will be available next week to be signed and sent from Marketgait to our fellow Methodists in Sevlievo, as a sign of our solidarity with and support for them at this time.

An offering for Action for Children Scotland will be taken on Christmas Day.

At the Group’s meeting this week members discussed

• the successful Refugee Awareness Event and agreed the setting up of a group to continue contacts and develop avenues of support
• Advent and Christmas leaflets for distribution at the ‘Lights Switching-On’ and to businesses;
• marking the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (18th – 25th January) and Lent (February 14th onwards)

The Group also invites support for forthcoming events:

• Advent Quiet Day on Saturday 25th November from 10am to 12 noon in Barnhill St Margaret’s, Invermark Terrace;
• ‘Songs for the Season’ with Bruce Davies on Saturday 9th December at 7pm in St James, Fort Street; info 01382 320493

• The liturgy to be used during Advent is that prepared by the Circuit Preachers on their recent Study Day and offered to the Circuit’s congregations and ecumenical partners;
• the porch Advent display will feature a set of Nativity Figures from the Philippines, placed on the Beechwood Table and facing into Marketgait;
• the Christmas Tree will be installed as usual in the worship area;
• an invitation will be extended to the Meadowside St Paul’s congregation to our service on Sunday 31st December.
• next meeting – Wednesday 17th January at 1pm

At the recent meeting of representatives, it was accepted that the pattern of united worship on a weekly alternating basis should continue. The current phase of our relationship was described as being that of “ecumenical hospitality” as we continue to ‘get to know each other’.

The warmth of mutual welcome and fellowship was welcomed and acknowledgement made of points of difference between our traditions. At present, the most obvious difference lies in the more liturgical responsive format for Methodist Communion and, on occasion, elsewhere. It was agreed that this, and other differences, provide areas for further exploration to our mutual enrichment. In this context, it would be helpful to have comments and feedback from Methodists especially about the URC order for Communion. (The next Plan includes a URC Communion in Marketgait.)

In addition to the united services on Sunday mornings, there is a Nativity Service on Sunday December 17th at 6pm in Salem to which all are warmly invited and Salem friends are aware of the services in Marketgait on Christmas Day and 31st December when they have no URC service arranged.

Salem may provide an extra door steward for united services in Marketgait and Methodists likewise when at Salem.

Next meeting: Thurs 15th Feb, Marketgait, 10.30am

‘Fresh from the word’ 2018 costs £9.95 for the print edition, and £6.99 for the Kindle edition from Amazon. Please let Margaret  know if you would like a print copy; she will attempt to source them without postage charges.