Methodist Conference - Southport 2011

 I am at the Methodist Conference in sunny Southport - and yes, it really is sunny! 

We meet together to worship and for Christian conferring, over 300 of us from all over the country.

This week-end has been really special. On Saturday the Presbyters who had been meeting in the ministerial session of the Conference were joined by over 150 lay representatives and other guests. There were 1500 present at the opening of the Conference on Saturday afternoon when Revd Leo Osborn from Newcastle was inducted as President and Ruth Pickles as Vice-President. They are the senior ordained and lay leaders and will remain in  office for one year. If you want to read their challenging and inspiring messages you can find them on the web at http://www.methodistconference.org.uk/news

On Saturday evening we celebrated the 400th anniversary of the King James Version of the Bible and received the handwritten Bible from around the country. What is the hand-written Bible - it is just that - the entire Bible written by hand by people from all around the UK.

On Sunday we worshipped together in the morning - and what an inspiring occasion that was. You can see it all for yourself on the website.  We sang from 'Singing the Faith' our new hymn book - you don't want to miss out on that; it’s a real gift to the church.

In the afternoon we went to ordination services, they are always very moving as those who have responded to this call and made the long journey through discernment and training are ordained. David Goodall from Darlington was among the ordinands this year and he is pictured (left) with his wife, Tara, after the service.

It’s been a great week-end and tomorrow the business sessions continue.

If you want to follow the events at Conference do go to the website.