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Middle East Justice Appeal Supports Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre

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The Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre has thanked the Methodist people for their part in a donation of almost £5,000 from the Middle East Justice Appeal. The money has been put to immediate use during the current crisis in Gaza.
BASRA_The_Methodist_Church_in_Britain_July_2026.pdf
Middle East Justice Appeal supports Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre – The Methodist Church

Gathering Together in Dundee

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Many people belong to a book club—or have a long list of books they hope to read. One title you may want to add before the Gathering is The Bay of the Deceptive Mist. Set in Dundee, it also explores one character’s relationship with Methodism. As described, ‘Robert Rab Munro’s only refuge is the sea. Aboard the Dundee clipper Grissel Jaffray, Munro’s life as a sailor—marked by brawls and brothels—is familiar chaos until a mysterious card inscribed with religious verses and a strange castaway challenge everything he knows. As theGrissel Jaffray sails through storms both literal and spiritual, the card’s cryptic changes suggest a divine test. Munro believes Death awaits him on land. Soon, he confronts the Seven Deadly Sins personified among the crew—and within himself. With each choice, the veil between superstition and truth grows thinner. A story of survival and faith.’ Author Malcolm Archbauld will lead a workshop on Saturday afternoon.
The Gathering traditionally begins with a ceilidh on Friday evening, and this year is no exception. Alternatively, you may prefer to attend a lecture at Roseangle Gallery, marking the opening of the Methodist Art Collection’s tour in Scotland.
For those attending with young people or children, a dedicated programme of activities will run on Saturday, with details to be announced shortly. The children’s work will be coordinated by Emma Williams, who attended the Gathering in Stirling. The young people’s Saturday programme will take place at the Friends Meeting House, just a two-minute walk away. Alongside activities focused on climate change and poetry, there will also be an opportunity to engage with the Youth President. This programme is being coordinated by Kathryn Campbell and the Learning Network.
The Scottish Methodist Gathering 2026 – Gathering to Create Tickets, Friday 11 September-Sunday 13 September  •  4 PM-2 PM | Eventbrite

News from WAVE Community Hub, Girvan

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Welcome to Tanina, who has recently been appointed as Community Pioneer, based at the WAVE Community Hub in Girvan. This role and the work at Girvan is being supported through the New Places for New People (NPNP) programme.
https://www.methodist.org.uk/for-churches/evangelism-growth/new-places-for-new-people/
Prayer Requests from the WAVE Community Hub:

Prime Minister Urged by Faith Leaders to Revamp Refugee and Asylum Policy

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“Those fleeing persecution are no different to us.”
The President and Vice-President of the Methodist Conference have joined more than 30 senior faith leaders from across the UK to urge the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, to rethink the Government’s asylum policy agenda.
They warn that the UK’s current approach risks damaging social cohesion, saying “we cannot afford for our leadership to enable a narrative that tells society refugees are the problem”.

Read more

Bidding Farewell

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Rev’d Jon Garde, and his wife Rosemary, will soon be moving to the Isle of Man for Jon to take up his new presbyter appointment.
Jon’s ministry has been a blessing to the Scotland Circuit. While we will miss them, we wish him and Rosemary every blessing in this new adventure.
There will be a special ‘farewell’ service held on Sunday 26th July at 4pm in Moray Coast Methodist Church (Portessie).

The Gathering

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The Scottish Methodist Gathering starts on Friday 11th September.

  • Activities on Friday include a ceilidh and a lecture about the art collection.
  • On Saturday, there  is an opportunity to learn about climate change, hear about mission and consider music within the context of worship – there’s even the opportunity to write a hymn!
  • There will be a separate programme for young people, with specific events on Saturday – including support from the Youth President.
  • Sunday has a busy morning including looking at the new missional working which is being created in the District together with the service which will be live streamed.
There is no charge to attend. You can come for one, two or all the days.
Grants are available for those people (especially young) for whom the expense of accommodation is too great.
If you have any questions, please contact: scotmethgathering@gmail.com

Connexional Economic Justice

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Can you help to build more economic justice across the Methodist Church? A working group looking at how the distribution of resources for mission and ministry can be fairer, and more in line with our justice-seeking across the Connexion, is hosting online listening sessions to hear your thoughts.

The first session is on Thursday 23rd July 2026. Read more about it, choose a different session, or register for a place.

Scottish Local History Forum : Submissions for Journal

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The Scottish Local History Forum is seeking contributions for a special issue of its journal, Scottish Local History, which will focus on church history and heritage.
While church heritage has been given publicity by recent and potential closures, we don’t wish to focus only on churches at risk. The Forum promotes local history in its widest sense – the people and places that have contributed to Scottish history and heritage. Churches and their congregations have played a huge role in our heritage and we would like to promote and celebrate that in this special edition of the journal. We would therefore welcome contributions on any aspect – on a specific theme as well as individual churches, their congregations or contents.
Articles can be any size up to 5000 words and shorter notes are also welcome, as are photographs. Articles should be referenced where appropriate but will not be peer-reviewed. Further information on submitting an article is available on the Scottish Local History Forum website, which also contains a contact form for specific editorial questions.
Ideally contributions should be received by mid-October for publication in January 2027, but later contributions could be included in further issues of the journal.
The forum encourages wide participation in this project from people of all backgrounds and from all parts of Scotland so please feel free to publicise this invitation as widely as possible.
It is important that anyone planning to submit an article notifies the forum well in advance. If you are interested in submitting an article or want to know more about this initiative please contact Jan Polley.