The Darlington District
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The Darlington District |
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Autumn Synod ~ Saturday 8th September 2007 Report from The Methodist Recorder The Darlington District 2007 Autumn Synod was hosted by the Cleveland and Danby Circuit at the Oakwood Centre, Eaglescliffe. District Chair, Revd. Graham Carter, newly returned from his term of office as President of Conference, welcomed the Synod and those new to the District this year.
The Chair then submitted his Conference Report, speaking about the agreed changes in the Connexional Team, the Senior Leadership in the Methodist Church report, the proposed Youth Participation strategy, the Training Institutions report and plans for Training Officers and District Development Enablers, the new Lay Workers terms and conditions and the debates on climate change and trade justice in the food industry. A detailed report was presented by Rev. David Deeks with some of the Team Focus proposals which are before the Conference, entitled 'Mapping a Way Forward, Re-grouping for Mission' in which he encouraged a back to basics campaign, urging us to consider again our priorities and how we are to offer to the world a church which is fit for mission in the 21st Century. District Mission Enabler Susan Johnson and Revd. Graham Peacock reported on their recent trip to the Evangelism Seminar in Atlanta USA. Those elected to represent the District at the Conference of 2008 were Revd Paul Wood, Revd Andrew Lunn, Deacon Judith Ireland, Rosamund Carter, Norma Nevin, Keith Morton and Anne Offler. Elected representatives to the Youth Conference of 2006 are Hannah Wakefield and Lewis Wright both from the Durham and Deerness Valley Circuit. 2 Notices of Motion
were proposed, the first by Rev Walter Attwood ~ presenting a report on
the working conditions of actresses and actors in the Sexual Entertainments
industry and the second proposed by Rev Malcolm Newman, a report on an
article in the Daily Mail entitled 'ITV places its bets on web poker partnership'.
Synod was asked to record its regret that ITV is going into partnership
with PartyGaming. Rev Graham Carter then read a letter of greeting from
Bishop Joseph Michuki of the District Miathene Synod Link in Kenya. Applications
were invited to anyone wishing to be considered for the In his Chair's address Graham said that we have to be honest, that there has been failure in the church, but not to carry guilt for the failure. We are initiating a full review of work in the district to ensure that every aspect is focused on God's mission rather than preserving the church.Keith Phipps expressed his appreciation to the Chair and also to Richard Beilby who has been acting Chair for the last year. Norma Nevin Working Conditions of Employees in the Sexual Entertainment Industry. The management in the sexual entertainment industry requires that their employees engage in practices that are injurious to their health and well-being whilst being filmed. The practices are unprotected vaginal, anal and oral sex. These practices of unprotected sexual activity are in contravention of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the regulations in relation to blood borne viruses. Under the 1974 Act, and the related regulations, employers are required to carry out risk assessments and to make adequate provisions for the protection of their employees. By their failure to provide condoms the employers put their employees at an unacceptable risk of contracting hepatitis B, C and D as well as HIV/AIDS. These viruses are not detectable in the body for the first few weeks or months after a person has been infected, and during that time they are capable of passing on the infection through blood, vaginal secretions and semen to others with whom they have an unprotected sexual contact. In the case of unprotected oral sex there is also the possibility of passing on the human papillomavirus virus which causes throat cancer. Throat cancer is more commonplace than it used to be because of the increase in the practice of oral sex. This human papillomavirus virus is more usually linked with cervical cancer. These working conditions and practices are commonplace in the sexual entertainment industry and the industry highlights the dangerous practices in their promotional sales material. These breeches of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the related regulations have been brought to the attention of the Chief Executive of the Health and Safety Executive. He has indicated that the protection of employees in the sexual entertainment industry is a very low priority and that he has no intention of following up the information regarding these breeches of the law. The resolution The Synod of the Darlington District of the Methodist Church having received a report on the working conditions of actresses and actors in the sexual entertainment industry believe that they, as employees, are not receiving from their employers the protection granted them under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and related regulations, especially the regulations concerning Blood-borne viruses. The Synod therefore calls upon the Health and Safety Executive to begin an immediate investigation into the dangerous practices involved in this area of the film industry and not to shy back from prosecuting where violations of the Act and regulations are discovered. Action A letter to be sent to Mr. Geoffrey Podger, Chief Executive, Health and Safety Executive, Rose Court, Southwark Bridge, London SW1 9HS informing him of the concerns of Synod with a copy of the resolution. A copy of the letter and resolution to be sent to all MPs covered by the District seeking their support for our resolution. The circuits are asked to raise the issue with their MPs Press release to local news
media both before and after Synod.
Autumn Synod ~ Saturday 9th September 2006 Report from The Methodist Recorder John Parrott, Circuit Steward of the Middlesbrough and Eston Circuit, welcomed Synod to the Oakwood Centre, Eaglescliffe. In the absence of The President of Conference and District Chair Revd Graham Carter the Acting Chair Rev Richard Bielby led Synod. We began with an imaginative act of worship was led by the host Circuit. Bible Study was led by Prof James Dunn ~ based on Romans 14 and 15. Asking, in the light of Fresh expressions of being Church, how should we deal with conflict? Jimmy who has recently been made a Fellow of the British Academy guided Synod through the passage suggesting that it is not necessary for others to be wrong for us to be right! Susan Johnson (The District Mission Enabler) shared with Synod some of the work she had done in her first year in the District and high lighted some of the forthcoming events including: All the President's People Roadshow, The Celtic Heart Concert and Dancing on the Edge of which more details are available on the District Website. The new Regional Economic Mission Enabler (revd Andrew Letby) was welcomed to Synod. A special cross was displayed to Synod and will be sent to the Miathene Synod in Kenya symbolising our recently formed links. There is a hope that a group of people from our District will go to Kenya in 2008 and that people will come over from the Miathene Synod to visit our District in the next Connexional year. Synod agreed to take up an offer at the Autumn Sessions of Synod towards funding people from Kenya to visit our District. This raised £385.45 Revd Karen Jobson shared with us her experience of the World Methodist Council and Conference reminding us of the great hope for the Church thoroughout the world. The acting Chair (sporting his Methodist tartan scarf) reported back on the 2006 Edinburgh Conference. This was followed by an election to the 2007 Conference to which the following were elected: Rev Richard Bielby, Rev Roger Walton, Rev Paul Wood, Rev Kathryn Stephens, Rev Andrew Lunn, Deacon Anne Ellenor, Mrs Rosamond Carter, Mark Bagnal, Mollie Locke. Three nominations were received for Youth Conference 2006: Nikki Lunn, Megan Harris, Claire Nixon. Synod agreed to fund all three delegates. Along side a number
of business items including a report from the Chairs Nomination panel,
various members shared Good News of new and not so new ways of being Church
around our District. After rededicating ourselves to the work of God,
Synod members returned to their home circuits. Spring Synod ~ Saturday 8th April 2006
Willington Methodist Church The Rev Tom Wilkinson welcomed the Spring Synod to Willington Methodist Church on Saturday 8th April. Once again the Synod was based around the 'Priorities for the Methodist Church'. Following worship led by the people of the Willington Circuit, Susan Johnson the District Mission Enabler led a Bible Study on Luke 15 1-11. After accepting the written "Reports to Synod", the chair invited Ian Bell of the Addington Fund was to speak on the continuing problems being faced by the farming community. Revd Keith Pearce shared with the Synod the progress that had been made regarding our links with the Miathene Synod in Kenya. It was agreed to set up two funds: a travel fund and a support (project) fund. Paul Nixon reported back from the Youth Conference 2005 and thanked the District for its continued support. The majority of the day was filled with Workshops including Fresh Expressions of being Church, led by Todd Gile; Seeing with New Eyes (Methodist Art Collection) led by Sarah Middleton, Puppets in Worship led by Jenny Pryde, a discussion on the report "What sort of Bishops?" was presented by Richard Bradshaw whilst at the last minute (due to illness) Elizabeth Oliver led a session entitled "Madness!!??…..welcoming people with Mental Health Problems into our churches". An Offering was taken up for the Methodist Ministers' Children's Relief Fund raising £168.09. The Closing act of Worship was led by the Synod Secretary during which a stole and Cassock, given from the Churches in the District, was presented to the Chair, the Revd Graham Carter, as he prepares to begin his year as President of the Methodist Conference. Special prayers were offered for him and Rosamond at this time as the Synod remindedhim of the words of His ordination "Remember your call". Letter sent to Casino Advisory Panel
Spring Synod ~ Saturday 16th April 2005 Elm Ridge Methodist Church, Darlington
The Darlington District Spring Synod was hosted by the Darlington Circuit at Elm Ridge Methodist Church. Once again the whole day was structured around the Priorities for the Methodist Church. After opening Worship led by The Revd Graham Evans, a Bible study was led by Revd Professor Kingley Barrett. Following various bits of business the Synod was addressed by The Revd Mike Bossingham on his research regarding Family Friendly Churches. The Chair reported back on the discussion that had taken place at the Methodist Council specifically the anticipated cuts to the Connexional budget. Following this a late memorial expressing regret over the withdrawing of Connexional funding of the MAYC Orchestra and Singers was debated, although there was some sadness about the lack of support for the Orchestra and Singers the memorial was duly voted against. After lunch and the possibility to experience Alterative Worship the Synod moved into workshops and discussion groups based around the themes of The Priorities. These included Worship using Icons led by Rev Julie Lunn, Family Friendly Churches, Freshways of being Church led by Revd David Wilkinson, Evangelism for the non-evangelist! led by Mark Bagnell and The Church of the Furture -today with Anne Offler. The Chair expressed his thanks to all who had helped make the Synod a successful day.
Report to the Synod Click here!
Autumn Synod ~ Saturday 11th September 2004 Report from The Methodist Recorder The Darlington District Synod was hosted by the Durham Coast and Peterlee Circuit. The Agenda used the Priorities for the Methodist Church (as adopted by the 2004 Conference) as its framework. After singing “Happy Birthday” to the new Synod Secretary the formal proceedings began with Worship led by the Revd Ian Wales and “Time for God” workers Manuela Guderle of Germany and David DeBlock from the USA both working this year in the host Circuit. The Revd Andrew Lunn led Bible Study encouraging the Synod to reflect on our priorities. We were then joined by the Churches Regional Commission and encouraged by Revd Ian Zass-Ogilvie to reflect on the priorities for the North East hearing arguments for and against the proposed Regional Assembly. Synod happily accepted the proposal, brought by The Revd Helen Jobling, to employ a District Mission Enabler from September 2005. In a lively presentation the Revd Les Hann (Rural life and Mission) encouraged everyone to read and use the Presence workbook pointing out it’s not just for village chapels! Many people had read the expression “Fresh Ways of being Church” and wondered what that was! The Revd Roger Walton (Director of the Wesley Study Centre) led Synod through a variety of practical examples, removing the jargon and giving people lots of ideas. During the lunch break members had the opportunity to visit “Experience” offering alternative worship “stations”. Anyone hoping to “nod-off” in the afternoon session was soon woken by the Revd Rosemary Nash and friends with a Clowning Worship session. Anne Offler, taking up her new role as District Co-ordinator for Children and Young Peoples’ work, introduced some exciting plans for supporting workers across the District. Synod then heard some of the ways were churches were attempting to be People centred and Flexible. The Synod closed with an address from The Revd Graham Carter (Chair) outlining his Priorities for the coming year ~ a full transcript can be seen on the new District Web Site
Can’t think of a better way to celebrate your birthday really! Can you? |
