Category Archives: Events

Where and when does it all take place?

All events are in The Malmaison Hotel, Dundee . The Gathering will open on Friday evening with a ceilidh on Friday and finish after worship around 1pm on Sunday.

Come to Dundee and join Methodists from around Scotland for worship, conversation, prayer, study and much more.

Who is the Gathering for?

Open to all, the Gathering is offered as an opportunity for those around Scotland who have Methodist connections to come together in person, this year in Dundee.

The theme for the weekend, ‘Gathering to Create’ will be explored in lots of different ways as we face the challenging times in which we live, but look to God for grace and strength for the journey.

What will happen?

There will be a varied programme of activities and worship with elements for all ages. Some highlights will be:

• An opening Ceilidh on Friday evening.
• Guest speakers Jude Levermore and Andrew Pratt.
• A chance to see the Methodist Modern Art collection
• Opportunities to meet in small groups with folk from around Scotland.
• Crafts, poetry and book groups
• A children’s programme during the day on Saturday, led by qualified children’s workers.
• A specific programme for young people
• Celebrating our diverse district.
• Soup and sandwich lunch for all on Saturday in the hotel.
• All embedded in a rhythm of prayer and worship.Everyone will be free to dip in and out of the events as best suits them.

Where do I stay?

You are invited to arrange your own accommodation – plenty is available in Dundee ranging from campsites to hotels. A list of some possible suggested accommodation is available from Tourist Information.

What does it cost?

The district is making no charge for the weekend but is investing in this event as a significant part of our life as Methodists in Scotland. There will be opportunities to make a donation if you so wish. Some funding is available to subsidize accommodation costs, particularly for young people. Please email the team as below.

Do I need to book?

YES PLEASE. You can register on this page for the whole weekend or for individual days; please register as early as possible to help with planning, and no later than 31st August.

Book here

A soup and sandwich lunch will be provided on Saturday. You will be able to book on the next screen. (Any dietary needs will be requested nearer the time).

Can I help?

YES PLEASE! We would love to receive offers from volunteers, in particular for:

• Welcoming and help desk
• General stewarding
• First Aid
• Helping at one or more of the sessions of the children’s programme on Saturday.

Please email scotmethgathering@gmail.com if you are willing to volunteer in any capacity.

How do I find out more?

• Keep checking your inbox and our social media to find out what is being planned.
• Do get in touch with the planning group if you have questions using the email address: scotmethgathering@gmail.com

Join Methodists from across Scotland for a weekend of worship, fellowship, and inspiration in Dundee. Themed “Gathering to Create”, this event features the Methodist Modern Art Collection, with contributions from figures including Jude Levermore (Head of Mission for the Methodist Church), Andrew Pratt (Hymn writer), Hamish Leese (Action for Hope implementation offer), Malcolm Archibald (local author), and others.

The weekend starts with a ceilidh on Friday, includes activities for all ages, and concludes with a Sunday service. Events will be centred at Malmaison hotel, near transport links and other venues like Roseangle Gallery and the Friends Meeting House.

Attend for the full weekend or just a day. Tickets available in April.

(Artwork by LindabeeDrawsDundee.com)

The Studies will be led by Rev Jon Garde.

The Methodist Church in Scotland is an official supporter of ‘Scotland Deserves Better’ (SDB). Some individual Methodist Churches are also official supporters in their own right. SDB is not part of a political party and works for the end of poverty in Scotland.  MSPs from various parties have joined. SDB wants to represent the Civil Society and Faith groups (churches).

SDB is organising a demonstration on the 25 October 2025. Individuals and groups are invited to gather in Edinburgh for the demonstration from 10am and the march will start at 11am. Two routes are planned, a longer and shorter one. Please see details about the march: https://www.scotland-demands-better.com/march-and-rally

You or your church don’t need to register but if you need updated information you can register for their newsletter: https://www.tfaforms.com/5177012 .

There is a fund to help the transport of groups to the event: https://www.scotland-demands-better.com/travel-bursary

If you would like to join in the church bloc of the march, please meet outside the Scottish Parliament at 10.30am to leave at 11.00am, at our pre-agreed location which you can find here: https://what3words.com/wiping.small.chief .

We encourage Methodist churches and members to join the demonstration and the movement as an expression of their faith and in seeking for a better, fairer, more just world. Some Methodist churches may choose to organise their own presence. Please contact Revd Laurent Vernet if you are interested in coordinating the Methodist response.

The Gathering, Christian Aid Scotland’s annual supporter event, returns on 24 February 2024 at 10.30am, online. We’ll be celebrating the difference we’ve made together over the last year and getting ready for Christian Aid Week 2026 and the year ahead.  

Register now for The Gathering 2026 

Thank you to all who attended the online Safeguarding Clinic last week. We had a successful session discussing Safer Recruitment, the process for volunteers (current and new) and the related documentation that should be held by local churches.

As a charitable body the church has responsibility for safer recruitment, this responsibility lies with District Synod, Circuit meetings and local church councils. We want to have safety at the heart of our Methodist communities so we follow the 12 steps from the policy. PDF summary. This starts by the responsible body i.e. church council, having a recruitment and selection policy. There is a template version of this available to save reinventing the wheel. The policy then has further detail as to the 12 steps and how to determine volunteer role outlines. 

A reminder that we have online Foundation Safeguarding training coming up on evening of 6^th May 25. Please register at Scotland District Creating Safer Space: Foundation Module (Online) Registration, Tue 6 May 2025 at 18:45 | Eventbrite

Some of you may be aware that there are changes coming into force from 1^st April 2025 regarding PVG scheme membership. I will be sending out further information but for now if anyone works with/has non-incidental contact with children or protected adults within their role they MUST by law as of 1^st April 25 have a PVG. Please contact your circuit safeguarding officer or myself if you believe you require a PVG for the role you currently have but do not have one.