Well, how was the Methodist Conference?

It was like the curate’s egg – good in parts.

I understand that most of our proceedings were broadcast to the nation and so some listened in. I wonder how it sounded to them? I don’t suppose that it will take over from ‘Yesterday in Parliament’! You may, however, have detected the roller coaster of emotions expressed and given vent to during the hours of business.

We said our prayers and sang songs to God. Songs replaced the bell, traditionally used to call us to order, and the influence of the Northern Saints and their tradition influenced the liturgy and our music.

The opening weekend, has a sense for me of both family gathering, that is our Methodist Family and of Celebration as  we welcomed our new President, Rev’d Graham Carter and our Vice President,   Mr Dudley Coates. They set out their stall in two addresses, which can be read in the Methodist Recorder. Graham called us to Discipleship, while Dudley encouraged us to set this in the world and in our worship with woolly boundaries.

It was on the Sunday that we received ministers, both deacons and presbyters into “full connexion” and ordained them. A very special moment not only for those individuals, but also for the whole church as we commit ourselves to them and they to the service which is God’s calling. For our District this was particularly focused in the ordination of Jayne Webb from the Malvern and Ledbury Circuit. But as the day went by I realised that through friendships, journeys begun among us, and students who studied at Queens, we had a part in many stories. We still need such people to serve God and the church in our shared task of mission and ministry. The day ended for many with a “Big Sing” at Edinburgh Central Hall led by John Bell of the Iona Community. Amazing!

At this moment I am not sure how I feel about our conferring. We certainly made heavy weather of some of the work, and decisions that will be costly in more than the sense of pounds in the balance sheet. I was pleased that we held to the view that Trident should not be replaced. I was glad to second a notice of motion about the plight of Palestine. We received a very special report on ‘Presbyters and Deacons living with impairment. I am less sure about our resolve in the conversation about the future of Conference, the future configuration of theological education and our ‘pilgrimage of faith’. These are matters about which we would do well to pray and listen with a great deal of love. Me too.

In the midst of all this there was the chance to spend good time with the other representatives from the District, I thank them for their love and company. There was chance to catch up with friends –  I nearly said ‘old’ and then I remembered members of the Youth Conference.

On Saturday morning, before the Representative session began, some of us visited the Scottish Parliament. It is an interesting building and on the mace there are four words, Peace, Justice, Integrity and Compassion. A local Primary School has taken them and made them their guiding principles. Maybe we could try something similar.

I close by reminding you that I am happy for this article to be used in any way that helps. I will send my next letter from America, so please look after Jim and Jolene Tubbs, and if you are free on Wednesday, 23rd August after 3pm and into the evening we will hold OPEN HOUSE at No 36 Amesbury Road, Moseley.

Bill Anderson.

Edinburgh Castle	Edinburgh in silhouette
Scottish Parliament Building	Inside Parliament Building
Bill and Jayne Webb	Jayne after her Ordination Service
Pub Lunch	David Easton and Friend
Inside Conference	Jenny, David and Sue
Seating at the back	Bill getting ready for another day
Bill and Martin Wellings	Molly Chitokwindo
Shetland Band at Ceilidh	Nichola Jones Dancing
Ermine Mitchell	New President and his wife
That is another dance over	Jenny, Nichola and Molly
Margaret, Molly, Bill and Gary	Gripping Experience
Jan Sutch Pickard	John and Joan Bell