07 July 2011
Methodist Conference draws to a close after a week of worship, debate and celebration
The 2011 Methodist Conference has drawn to a close in Southport
after six days of prayer, worship and debate. The annual Conference
is the governing body of the Church and meets in difference venues
each year.
More people than ever before followed the events and business of
the Conference, with live video from the debates streamed over the
internet on the Methodist Conference website. At its peak, 180
people tuned in to watch the proceedings. Conference members and
guests, as well as those watching the live feed, were encouraged to
use Twitter and Facebook to comment on debates and keep up to date
with the action. The Conference hashtag on Twitter (#methconf) was
used every 14 seconds on average at its peak on July 6, with
540,805 impressions (views) created and #methconf tweets reaching
58,303. During the week of the Conference, the Methodist Church
Facebook page was viewed over 9,500 times.
Toby Scott, Director of Communications, said: "I'm delighted that
so many people were able to participate online, whether they were
in Southport or not. We have been using social media and live
broadcast to share the Conference with the world for a few years,
but this year it all came together beautifully. The heart of
Methodist Conference is in being together: praying, worshipping,
celebrating and in deliberating on important issues. But through
online media we have helped share that worldwide. This only worked
because so many people got involved, both those in the office and
the hundreds of others contributing online. There's something
wonderfully Methodist about the whole experience - being and
staying connected with each other wherever we may be."
The Conference debated major reports on the Big Society, poverty
and inequality, climate change and the Anglican-Methodist Covenant
. The Conference also elected a new President and Vice-President
Designate for 2012/13, the Revd Dr Mark Wakelin and Mr Michael King
, who will be inducted as the first items of Conference business at
Plymouth in 2012.
Conference representatives also expressed their deep gratitude to
the Revd Kenneth Howcroft, who is stepping down from his role as
Assistant Secretary to the Conference to work as a presbyter at the
Ponte St Angelo church in Rome and as Methodist Representative in
Rome. Mr Howcroft been Assistant Secretary to the Conference for
seven years and will be succeeded by the Revd Gareth Powell.
The Methodist Conference is the governing body of the Methodist
Church, which meets annually to discuss matters affecting the life,
work and worship of the Church. This year it met at the Southport
Theatre and Convention Centre, 30 June - 7 July. For more
information, visit www.methodistconference.org.uk.