17 May 2010
Methodists to play a key role at Greenbelt Festival in new partnership
The Methodist Church will play a larger role than ever before at
this year's Greenbelt Festival - Europe's longest running Christian
event celebrating the arts, faith and justice.
The Church has sealed a three year partnership deal with Greenbelt
organisers, which will see free tickets made available to Methodist
ministers, deacons, preachers and worship leaders who have not
attended the festival for the past five years. The free tickets,
which must be claimed before 31July via the Greenbelt office, will
be on offer during the first two years of the partnership.
Over time, the deal will allow the Methodist Church to have as
influential a presence at the festival as the Department of
International Development and Christian Aid - Greenbelt's existing
major partners.
A Methodist-branded venue with a capacity to hold up to 400 people
will feature at this year's Greenbelt for the first time. Seminar
sessions on the theme of discipleship will run in the tent every
morning during the August Bank Holiday weekend festival held at
Cheltenham Racecourse.
Mark Wakelin, Secretary for Internal Relationships, said the new
partnership will raise the profile of the Methodist Church within
the ecumenical community and encourage discipleship.
"We are very excited about the potential of this partnership," said
Mark Wakelin. "This is an opportunity for us to live out our shared
ethos of ecumenical working, giving people the chance to experience
new and creative expressions of faith; and grow as disciples of
Christ".
An estimated 3,000 Methodists make up the 20,000 people who attend
Greenbelt every year.
Gawain Hewitt, Festival Director, said: "The Methodist Church and
Greenbelt both have a history steeped in a commitment to social
justice and community engagement. We also share a commitment to
dialogue, trade justice, environmental and development issues and
human rights. Ideologically, it's a perfect partnership, and
practically it makes sense too. Around 15 per cent of people on
site are Methodists. This partnership will allow these
relationships to be strengthened and help the Methodist Church to
engage with a much broader audience."