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Highlights for journalists - Methodist Conference 2015

  • Volumes One and Two of the Methodist Conference Agendaavailable  here.

This year's Methodist Conference will take place in Southport atthe Southport Theatre & Convention Centre from 25 June to 2July. The Conference is the governing body of the Methodist Churchand meets annually to discuss matters affecting the life of theChurch, the nation and the world.

Highlights at this year's Conference will include:

  • Induction of new President and Vice-President and Opening ofConference: Saturday 27 June, 2:15pm.
  • New ministers being received into Full Connexion and ordinationservices: Sunday 28 June, from 10:45am.
  • Courage, Cost & Hope: The Report on the Past Cases Review:Monday 29 June, 11:15am.
  • Report from 3Generate, the Methodist Children & YouthConference: Monday 29 June, 5pm.
  • Issues of Connexionalism: Tuesday 30 June, 11:15am.
  • Mission and Heritage activities resourced by the President andVice-President: Tuesday 30 June, 2:15pm.
  • Discussion of fossil fuels and ethical investment : Thursday 2July, 9:30am.
  • Induction of the Secretary of the Conference: Thursday 2 July,11:15am.

The Conference's representative session will open at 2.15pm onSaturday 27 June with the induction of the President of theConference, the Revd Steven Wild, and the Vice-President, Dr JillBarber. Their biographies are included in the Methodist Church presspack 2015/2016.

Following Sunday morning worship on 28 June, Methodistpresbyters and deacons will be ordained in venues across the NorthWest. Over 5,000 people are expected to attend the weekend eventsof the Conference.

The Past Cases Review is an independent review of allSafeguarding instances in the Methodist Church in Britain since1950, undertaken by Jane Stacey. The report is available toread here and an apology to survivorsand victims of abuse can be found here.

Video of debates and Conference worship will be streamed liveonline through the Methodist Conference website fromSaturday 27 June onwards.

The Conference is a gathering of 306 full members drawn fromeach Methodist district, along with some who have been elected bythe Conference, together with some ex officio members,international, ecumenical and youth representatives, and associatemembers.

You can check out a provisional timetable for the RepresentativeSession online here, but please note that this may be subject tochange. A press office will be available at the Conference andjournalists wishing to attend should contact Toby Fairclough byemail fairclought@methodistchurch.org.uk orphone 0207 467 5208.

Notes:
1.    The Conference meets annually as a groupof 306 members, along with a number of associate and ecumenicalmembers. Visit the Methodist Conference website for moreinformation. The website contains the full timetable and agenda forthe Conference, along with information about fringe events.
2.    Follow the Conference conversation onTwitter via the  #methodistconf hastag. Please note that comments and opinionson Twitter do not necessarily represent the Methodist Church'sposition.
3.    Photos of the President-Designate and Vice-President Designate. Please seethe Methodist Media Flickr Stream for furtherConference and Methodist Church images.