12 July 2007
New President and Vice President designate elected at Methodist Conference
The Revd Stephen Poxon has been elected President
Designate of the Methodist Conference for 2008-9, and Mr David
Walton has been elected Vice President Designate.
Stephen has served in Jamaica, Wales and the North West of England,
and is currently chair of the North Lancashire District. He is
currently secretary of the Methodist Missionary Society and has
been chair of the World Church Committee and the Council for
Methodist Youth Work. He says "I am deeply humbled by this honour
and look forward to the challenges to come in a year's time."
Stephen is married to Deacon Myrtle Poxon, who served as Vice
President of the Methodist Conference in 2004-5. When Stephen
becomes President, it will be the first time that a married couple
have between them been both President and Vice President.
David Walton is a Manchester-based solicitor and an enthusiastic
musician. He is currently Conference Record Secretary and Chair of
the Law and Polity Committee. He says "I am keen to explore with
others how faith is lived out today, especially in the
workplace."
Stephen and David will be inducted at President and Vice President
as the first items of business at the 2008 Methodist Conference,
which will meet in Scarborough from 5-10 July.