27 June 2011
Methodist Conference comes to Southport
The Methodist Conference will meet at the Southport Theatre and
Convention Centre from 30 June to 7 July 2011, for the first time
in more than 10 years.
The Conference is the Church's governing body, which meets once a
year to discuss matters affecting the Church and wider society.
Around 1,400 people are expected to attend the opening weekend of
the Conference, which will see the induction of the new President
and Vice President. Up to 3,000 people are expected to attend
ordination services for new Methodist ministers, which will take
place in venues throughout the region, including Liverpool and
Chester cathedrals.
Revd James Booth, Chair of the Liverpool Methodist District, said:
"I am delighted to be able to welcome this year's Methodist
Conference to the splendidly refurbished Theatre and Convention
Centre in Southport. Our presence in Conference in the town and
region will visibly affirm our continuing commitment to serve the
communities of which we are part - and we will be making important
decisions about our future life as the Methodist Church."
The Conference was last held in Southport in 1999. Hot topics on
this year's agenda include debates on the 'Big Society', poverty
and inequality , climate change and the Church's involvement in the
2012 Olympic Games. All of the Conference reports are available
online. Those unable to attend the Conference will be able to watch
the debates live online via the Methodist Conference website: www.methodistconference.org.uk.
The Conference will also celebrate the Church's new hymn
collection, Singing the Faith, due to be published this September.
The collection was the subject of special editions of BBC1's Songs
of Praise and BBC Radio 4's Sunday Service on 26 June. More
information about Singing the Faith can be found at www.singingthefaithplus.org.uk.