An exciting new phase of our partnership with Place for Hope, the Way of Peace, sees us working together to release the spirit of conflict transformation and the ministry of reconciliation across the Church.
Bringing together the Reconciliation and Mediation Team and Positive Working Together, we seek to attentively accompany people where they are to support, empower and enable them on their journey towards participating fully in the ministry of reconciliation.
Reconciliation and Mediation Team
What is it?
- The phased roll-out of this service across the Methodist Church began in September 2024 following a successful pilot phase of the programme.
- We offer support from a team of accredited practitioners, trained as mediators and facilitators with understanding and experience of the Methodist Church
- The service is independent of the Connexional Complaints and Discipline process and can be used whether or not an informal complaint has been made
Who is it for?
- The service is currently available in the following Districts: Bedfordshire, Essex and Hertfordshire; East Anglia; Isle of Man; Lincolnshire; London; Newcastle; Northampton; North West, Nottingham and Derby; Scotland; Shetland; Yorkshire North and East; Yorkshire West
- Anyone in leadership in the Methodist Connexion can ask for support by getting in touch with us e.g., a Church Steward, a Circuit Steward, Circuit Superintendent, Presbyter, Deacon, District Chair
- Work in these Districts is fully funded and there will be no cost to your congregation, Circuit or District
- Requests for support following a Connexional Complaints Panel or DARS recommendation will be accepted from any District at no cost from September 2024.
- Find out about other practicalities
What is it for?
- We can help to navigate disagreements or conflict in your community between individuals or groups of people
- Support for your church group to have a difficult conversation
- Resource for a District Reconciliation Group or Local Complaints Officer during the informal complaints section of the Standing Orders
I’m in a District, not yet included in the project implementation, can I still get help?
If you need the service before your District has been included then you can still access support directly from Place for Hope. There will be a fee for Districts not mentioned above. For further information, please email Katie Bradley, Methodist Way of Peace Programme Manager.
You can contact Place for Hope by:
Completing their online form, or giving them a call: 07884 580 359, or email: info@placeforhope.org.uk
‘My hope is that this project will enable us to discover new opportunities for positive working together as we seek to enable our church communities and the communities we serve to be places where people can truly flourish in all their diversity.'
Richard Armiger, Head of Ministries and Learning