Methodist Conference Monday 29 June

Update on the Justice, Dignity and Solidarity (JDS) Strategy

The Methodist Conference in Telford reviewed progress on the Church’s JDS strategy, adopted in 2021 as both a theological commitment and a practical framework rooted in the belief that all people bear God’s image. Key developments include new oversight bodies, practical resources, dedicated inclusion roles, Equality Impact Assessments, and efforts to diversify leadership. Training has been expanded through the Learning Network, alongside initiatives such as Solidarity Circles, inclusive worship pilots and the Discrimination and Abuse Response Service. While significant progress has been made, implementation remains uneven across districts, and the report stresses that full transformation requires JDS to shape every aspect of Church life. The Conference affirmed the observance of a JDS Sunday on a locally chosen date across the Connexion.

Action for Hope

The Methodist Conference has received an update on the Church’s Action for Hope work and aspiration to become net zero by 2030.

Representatives heard that progress has been made across the Connexion, but parts of the Church have struggled to develop a robust strategy to meet the target. With regret, the Conference agreed to the refocusing of the net zero work to an ongoing carbon reduction plan, with the removal of the aspirational target of 2030.

President and Vice-President Designates 2027

The Conference designated the Revd Dr Jennifer Smith to serve as President and Daniel Keen to serve as Vice-President, starting their year of office when the Representative Session of the Methodist Conference opens in June 2027.

Online Communion

The Conference decided that online celebrations of Holy Communion should be generally permitted in the Methodist Church. However, in view of the importance of this decision, it resolved to refer the decision to the Synods to seek their views over the coming year, and therefore this decision will not come into effect yet. The Conference will confirm or amend its decision when it meets next year. In the meantime, the period of discernment will be extended to provide continued permission for Holy Communion online.

Assisted Dying 

The Conference heard an update on assisted dying, which had been requested by last year’s Conference following the long-standing public debate of this issue. Dr Richard Vautrey said that the existing Conference statement on the matter, which was adopted in 1974, is now outdated but that now is not the right time to construct a new statement. He said the Methodist Church should be calling on the government to provide high-quality social, mental health, palliative and hospice care and offering support to those giving pastoral care to the dying, making sure they are equipped with the necessary resources. A Notice of Motion was put forward asking for the report to be referred back to the Secretary of the Conference and that other committees and a broader range of people with lived experience be included in the work. The Notice of Motion asked that a report be presented to the 2028 Conference and was carried.

The Conference also voted to remove the 1974 statement on euthanasia but reaffirmed its opposition to assisted dying.

3Generate and the Voices of Children and Young People

This report highlighted the priorities of children and young people across the Connexion, drawing on feedback from 3Generate.

3Generate 2025 was the largest yet, with over 1,700 young attendees. Young people expressed to the Conference how much they value worship, community and faith development, but shared their concerns that church practices do not fully meet their needs, desiring more accessible and age-appropriate worship, greater involvement in leading services and clearer teaching of the Bible.

The Methodist Conference encourages circuits and districts to enable those involved in ministry with children and young people to support them in biblical exploration and explore more frequent opportunities for local gatherings.

Liturgical Style and Language

The Methodist Conference has agreed the next steps in a major project to revise its authorised liturgies.

The Conference adopted principles for liturgical style and language to guide the work of liturgical writing and provision. These principles emphasise the need for language that seeks to be inclusive and expansive and recognises a variety of traditions, aiming for resources in different registers where appropriate. The work will ensure the use of hopeful and positive language, reflecting the Church’s commitment to Justice, Dignity and Solidarity and welcoming a variety of forms of addresses for God. The new resource will be called Praying the Faith: Authorised Liturgies for Methodist Worship.

All Methodist preachers and leaders of worship are encouraged to study the report and to reflect on the language they use in worship.