Category: News

The cafe service speaker is from the The Gideons

Gideons International is a Christian organisation founded in 1899 in Wisconsin, USA, with its headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee. It is registered as a charity in England & Wales, and in Scotland, with its registered office in Lutterworth.

Its primary activity is the free distribution of Bibles. This comprises a global enterprise in some 200 countries and members currently distribute over 8 million Scriptures annually.

The name comes from the Biblical character Gideon whose story can be found in the Old Testament book of Judges, chapter 6.

At the meeting in Perth on September 13th, members

• shared “conversation on the work of God” by reflecting further on Synod discussions about connexionalism (what it means to be part of ‘wider Methodism’ and how far this is recognised and understood, especially in local congregations);
• appointed the Circuit Leadership Team to act as the Circuit Invitation Committee, if required;
• received the report of the Circuit Leadership Team, then shared news and updates on the work in local churches and communities;
• received reports from the Circuit Treasurer, Circuit Preachers, Circuit Mission in Britain and MHA Treasurers;
• noted the new Safeguarding training requirements to be undertaken throughout the Circuit in coming months;
• agreed the next meeting in Dundee on Wednesday 14th March at 7pm.

The Methodist Church has issued an appeal for those affected by the Caribbean Hurricanes. Donations to support humanitarian aid and relief work by the region’s United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) can be made

• online via Just Giving;
• by cheque to “The Methodist Church World Mission Fund”, (annotated Caribbean Hurricane Relief) posted to The Fund Raising Manager, Methodist Church House, 25 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5JR
• bank transfer to The World Mission Fund,
  Account number 70951706
  Sort code 40 0206
  marked “Caribbean Hurricane Appeal”

Copies of the new Autumn catalogue are now available on the vestibule table. Please take one away, and return to Margaret with your order!

Image copyright STV

Rev Nick Baker met the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, on her visit to Dundee on 18th September 2017. He was able to tell her about the Methodist Clothes Bank.

• Urgently Wanted: CARRIER BAGS
• We now have a rota of volunteers for ClothesBank sessions in September and the October rota is being prepared. If you would be willing to join the rota, please contact Margaret Goudie. Men are especially welcome, since we have more male than female customers.
• There are regular uplifts of rags – any item of clothing or footwear can be contributed, the heavier the better. Money from the sale of rags enables the ClothesBank to buy underwear and socks for our clients.
• Donations of men’s jeans for the ClothesBank will be especially welcome. We do not have space at present for many more women’s clothes, so please keep these at home, if possible, meantime.

Joint URC/Methodist worship on Sunday 1st October will take place at Salem URC, with Rev Nick Baker leading, including Holy Communion according to the Methodist tradition.

Directions and advice on parking
Salem United Reformed Church is on Salem Street. This leads off the section of Constitution Road that is north of the inner ring road, and is the nearest street to the ring road on the eastern side; it is just below the Mace Store. The street is very narrow and a dead end, and although taxis can use it, it is not recommended.
There is on-street parking nearby, but most spaces are taken up on a Sunday morning by the congregation of St Mary Magdalene, whose service starts before 11 am.
Car drivers are advised to park on the south side of the ring road either in the multi-storey car park, or on-street. There is a subway access under the ring road.
The church itself is up several steps in its grounds.

Offerings at joint services
Members of the congregations are asked to contribute as usual when worship is on their own premises, and to refrain (or give a “token amount”) when elsewhere. Methodists worshipping at Salem should keep their offering envelopes for a subsequent week (the URC do not use an envelope system). All “loose cash” given at the offering is to be allocated to the “host church”.

Communion
The Communion Service will follow Methodist practice, with the Rev Nick Baker presiding and distribution by URC Elders. Both a Common Cup and individual cups will be used and the Communion wine will be non-alcoholic, as is also customary in Salem URC.

There will be no Communion Offering; an offering plate will be available in Marketgait the following Sunday for donations to the Fund for World Mission.

The following notice has come to our attention and it has been suggested that inclusion in the church news-sheet might draw it to the attention of a wider audience:

“A reminder that we have free hospitality and mascot packages to give away to worthy causes in Dundee for every single Dundee United home league match this season (subject to availability and at the discretion of our trustees).

We are looking for worthy causes all the time and would ask that you please circulate this around your networks and/or make a nomination/request yourself. The donor is keen that we use the gifts to make a real impact on the local community and has given broad scope for usage. Some previous requests have included:

• Families that have fallen on hard times
• Other charities looking to raise funds and further/continue their work
• Rewards for outstanding contributions to our local communities

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch to make an enquiry – 07824 776 063; Jamie.kirk@dundeeunitedct.co.uk; www.dundeeunitedct.co.uk.”