ENERGY CONSERVING WEST METHODISTS SHAPE UP

Spring Synod - Saturday 21st April 07

Around 200 lay and ordained Methodists from Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, former Avon and North Somerset are taking an in depth look at the way the local church is organised when they meet for their annual Spring Synod of the Bristol Methodist District on Saturday (21st April 07).

Recommendations include proposals to reorganise existing Methodist areas, called Circuits, to fall in line with County and Diocesan boundaries. In some counties there are currently around 4 or 5 local Methodist Circuits. Now this may be reduced to 1 or 2 and covering much larger areas.

In his letter to Synod representatives, Chair of the Bristol Methodist District, the Rev Ward Jones says, " We are in a period of great change and challenge. Methodism, as we know it, is being reshaped. If we catch a glimpse of the vision then our re-shaping and re-ordering will be mission driven, and the future has the potential to be one of exciting possibilities. I hope we will strive to be more creative than a "shifting the deck chairs on the Titanic", exercise".

Ann Topping from Methodist Church House, London is also speaking to Synod about intended new ways of working, from the national angle.

Meeting at Broadlands School, Keynsham, the day long agenda includes, domestic business (such as notices), reports, district projects, training, finance, appointments, policy, and letters of support and greeting. Four new candidates anticipated to be Ordained at this year's national Methodist Conference in Blackpool in July, will give their own accounts as to why they have been "called" to this work. The Synod will also confirm various items of Policy to be sent on for debate at the Methodist Conference.

A new post of District Environmental Advisor is being proposed to Synod. Mark Boulton, a member of Bethesda Church, Cheltenham, is Co-coordinator of its award winning Eco - Congregation Programme. He worked as a teacher trainer in Kenya and then on environmental projects in Africa and Nepal, before becoming Director of the International Centre for Conservation Education. A Local Preacher, Mark is semi retired, and uses his "spare" time to be involved in Fair Trade and the sustainable development field programme with Eco - congregation. He supports distribution programmes of low energy lamps and many other "green" initiatives.

Media Contact Rev Ward Jones (Chair of the Methodist District) (Mobile) 07792 406 679 or Tel 01373 462 092
Mark Boulton Tel 01242 674839 (Woodmancote - Bishops Cleeve Cheltenham)

Issued by David Bennett Bristol Methodist District Communications Officer Tel 01452 532 221 or 07952 372 132