Special Methodist Conference edition of E-News

This year's Conference, held in Scarborough from 3-10 July, inducted Revd Stephen Poxon as president of the Conference, Mr David Walton as vice president, and ordained 55 new Methodist ministers.

For the first time, live video of Conference proceedings was broadcast via the Conference website and live audio was broadcast in partnership with Premier Christian Radio. These proved to be very popular facilities as people watched and listened around the world.

Young People
Investment in young people aged 16-23 was high on the Conference agenda and over £4 million will be spent over the next five years on a Youth Participation Strategy aimed at increasing the involvement of young people in running the Church.

Conference also gave its support to a new Pioneer Ministries scheme in which the Church will invest £4 million to establish new congregations across the country, aimed especially at young adults and those with no prior contact with church.

Ecumenism
The Church continues to work ecumenically and renewed its commitment to working with the Church of England for another five years on the joint Fresh Expressions scheme, which supports and encourages new and innovative ways of being 'church'.

Conference affirmed the covenant with the Church of England, signed in 2003, and supported the appointment of a body to continue the work of implementing it.  This body will include representation from the Church in Wales and the Scottish Episcopal Church.  The United Reformed Church will also be invited to continue to participate.

Conference Reports
Major reports included one on early human life which examined sensitive issues such as stem cell research, fertility treatments and abortion, and Conference voted to review the Church's current stance on abortion.

A major challenge to eliminate discrimination in the Church was received in a report on equalities and diversity which charts the journey that the Church is making in striving to become fully inclusive. The report identified further work and commended Equally different? a new online resource designed to help everyone engage with this important issue.

Conference also addressed many other contemporary concerns including knife crime, pressures on young people and the situations in Burma and Zimbabwe. The UK Government was condemned for its failure to care for Zimbabwean refugees and urged to stop all deportations to Zimbabwe and grant indefinite 'right to remain'.

Looking ahead
Looking towards Conference 2009, to be held in Wolverhampton from 2 to 9 July, the Revd David Gamble was elected president designate and Dr Richard Vautrey, vice president designate.

Full information on Conference can be found at:
www.methodistconference.org.uk

Equally different? resources are freely available to download at:
www.methodist.org.uk/equallydifferent

Methodist web radio

You can listen to Conference business including debates, services of worship, the president and vice presidents' addresses and the opening of this year's Methodist Conference at:

www.methodist.org.uk/webradio

You can also arrange to have monthly podcasts downloaded automatically each month if you have iTunes or similar 'podcasting' software on your computer.

If you have any comments about E-News please contact newseditor@methodistchurch.org.uk

E-news Editor, Methodist Church House, 25 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5JR