The President and Vice President of the Methodist Conference

Methodist Conference - Saturday morning

2009-07-04T09:45:00.002+01:00

The big day is here. From all across the Connexion (indeed, from all parts of the world) people are arriving in Wolverhampton as the morning progresses. People of various Methodist Churches and traditions. Ecumenical guests. Representatives of other faiths and of the wider community. Conference old hands. People who've never been before. Friends, family. Ordinands and those who have shared their journey. Hundreds of people, each with their own story and their own journey that means this is the place to be today.

So it's a big day. And I can't pretend not to be a bit nervous about what lies ahead. Becoming President of the Conference is an honour, a privilege and an awesome responsibility. But it becomes possible because of the huge amount of support and love with which one is surrounded - and I am very grateful for the many cards, letters, emails, phone calls and personal words of greeting and encouragement.

The day has also started well because my great niece, Bethany, and her husband, Rich, have become parents this morning (just over a month early). Thomas James. Lovely news, though it's still a bit sobering being old enough to be a great great uncle!

As this year unfolds I shall do my best to keep the blog updated, and hopefully there will be pictures from time to time.

Full Circle (2)

2009-07-02T10:02:00.003+01:00

Hilary Price - being presented with her long service certificate as organist at my home church in Monton Eccles (above)
Heidi Cottrell and Andrew Upham of the British Methodist Youth Choir who performed at Patricroft and Monton in the Salford Circuit (below)

Launch of the OUTCOME' new book and study guide 'And it can be' at Chelsea Methodist Church

John- Howard Norman standing on the Wesley stone at Westhoughton with supporting cast of the congregation!

Like the President I can hardly believe it is 12 months since we started this journey in Scarborough and I simply want to echo his thanks to all who have supported us in prayer - and messages on this blog! - along the way. It has been a marvellous privilege for me to serve the Church in this way and I have been greatly encouraged and inspired by those I have met
up and down the Connexion. And are we yet alive ? WE ARE!

We pray for David and Richard as they take on the baton in Wolverhampton this Saturday.

Arriving in Liverpool

2009-07-02T09:42:00.004+01:00

My last formal District visit was to Liverpool ... here's the photo gallery!

Full circle

2009-06-30T14:33:00.004+01:00

One of the highlights of the Methodist Conference is the Reception of presbyters and deacons into Full Connexion and then the ordinations which follow.

Last week I spent 36 hours with the diaconal ordinands at Ambleforth abbey. There are 5 of them

Becky Bawden
Fiona de Boltz
Claire Gill
Ellie Griffin
Liz Rowe

and I have the privilege of being the President at their Ordination service at Shirley Methodist church this coming Sunday.

I should have been with the presbyteral ordinands for 24 hours this week but I injured myself....!!!

I was in London for this final weekend. Going down the steps at Paddington Tube Station I damaged my left leg - the doctor says it's badly sprained...and I'm hopping around very well.
I had gone to share with Women's Network at one of their Consultation Days - it seemed to go well and I got lots of sympathy.....and thanks to the Chair of District, Jenny , who picked me up from Church House and took me over to Blackheath where we were sharing together in the opening of the newly built Sunfield Methodist Church. It is a beautiful building with a marvellous stained glass window.....

and I discovered that the glass artist was from Pilling, Lancashire......what a small world it is!!

and that is where I want to end.......

the service was well attended and lots of people coming in during the past couple of weeks to view not only the new building but also the Methodist Art Collection. Sunday was a 'more normal service' and for me my final one as President - to share in communion with these people was very special....even if I was still limping!!

But it was on the Saturday afternoon, after the service chatting to people including Paddfy on the left that I came across Gloria Braham

and quickly discovered she was the sister of Ted - who had been my senior circuit in St. Ann's Bay, Jamaica for the first 6 years of my ministry. Ted and his wife Madge are God-parents to our eldest child, Matthew........the years rolled away...and our conversation was about Jamaica...about family and familiar places......things had come full circle for me...I didn't even know about Gloria...Ted died a year ago......and he and many others were so instrumental in shaping and forming me to be the person I am now.........it was as if God was saving this up for the end...to show me again how great my debt to those people of Jamaica, to the people of the wider world Church........

a gift of God...a moment of grace.

winding down?

2009-06-30T12:50:00.002+01:00

These past couple of weeks have continued to be full of new and exciting things even though the Irish Conference felt as if the 'formal representation' as President and VP was coming to an end.

It was a privilege to share in the induction of Bishop Graham Cray and the Rev Stephen Lindridge, the two new FX leaders along with the Archbishop Rowan and the URC Moderator, John. The chapel at Lambeth Palace was packed with family, friends and FX staff and supporters. During the year David and I have seen countless initiatives of churches finding new and relevant ways of sharing the gospel of Christ.

One unusual event this month was a reunion of those in Manchester MethSoc from the late 1960's into the early 70's. I had been in this MethSoc 70-73 and it was real joy to meet many from that era. You forget how formative these years are on the rest of life! Thanks to Russell Kirby and Marion Rixson for organising it.

The following day I was sharing in worship at Monton Church in the Salford circuit. This is David Walton's home church where he has grown up and people have known him 'since before he was born'. It was also the weekend the Methodist Youth Choir were visiting the circuit and they shared in the worship as well.

I was pleased to be able to share in worship and to thank this congregation for the way they had nurtured David and supported him (and me) so wonderfully through this year. The Choir were great!

I spent 24 hours with those at the superintendent's course - both those preparing to become supers and others who've been doing it a while. It was good to meet up with so many people that I've met in other places and at other times this year. The course was very well run by Anne Topping and her team.

Then onto spend time with former members of Cardiff MethSoc where I was chaplain for 11 years.

Jo and Ken Kingston had invited me to share in a circuit weekend at High Wycombe. There was a circuit fun afternoon at Bucks New University on the Wellesbourne campus. It was rather overcast but as the open air worship began and I was preparing to preach the sun came out...just in time for the BBQ!! Morning worship was at Wesley Church in the circuit then I drove to Hitchin to be with another former student Phil Turner (Smiler as we all called him) who is minister of the Meth/URC ChristChurch who were celebrating their 40th anniversary. Phil had rather uniquely managed to have the URC Moderator lead worship in the morning and the Methodist President in the evening - not bad!!

Finishing Off the Irish!!!

2009-06-30T11:53:00.004+01:00

What a wonderful time we had with the Methodist Church in Ireland. We met in Dublin and were treated with wonderful love and hospitality.

The Methodist Church in Ireland is very much alive and well as we heard about and saw some new initiatives in mission and ministry. They are very much a large extended family as it seems everyone knows everyone else. It was a joy for me to meet up with friends, especially those that I have come to know through MMS Ireland

Ken Todd - former MMSI treasurer

Richard Clutterbuck, Principal of Edgehill Theological College and a friend from our time at Queens College....

The Ministerial Session lasted for a day and was jointly chaired by the President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, the Rev Aian Ferguson, and myself.
There was then a Civic Reception given by the Cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire and then we all went to share in the Election and Installation of the President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, the Rev Donald Ker. Donald is also Secretary of their Conference. It was a wonderful service and made even more special with the attendance of the President of Ireland, Mary Mcalease and her husband Martin. The first time ever that the President of the nation has been to the Methodist Conference. Donald in his address spoke about the 3 remaining marks in the present uncertainty...faith, hope and love.

It was a real joy to share in the chairing of the Representatice session of Conference with Donald - there were times he didn't know if he was the President or Secretary!!

David and I took with us 2 representatives from our own Conference here in Britain. These were Deacon Eunice Attwood and Mr Mike King. They all shared fully - bringing greetings from the Britsh Church and also Mike through addressing their World Church evening event; David through leading prayers one morning and Eunice through sharing about Diaconal ministry and encouraging the Irish Church to embrace a Diaconal Order.

the photo shows Eunice about to speak with David and Mike behind fully engaged!

I had the privilege of preaching at the Conference Service on the Sunday morning at the Methodist Church in Dun Laoghaire. It was here that something catastrophic happened.....that maybe a cause for a charge!

Myrtle was with me and perhaps there is a similarity between Eunice and Myrtle...both full of laughter, strong personalities, good looking, young.......(etc!)
but imagine my horror that in the prayers of intercession the local minister prayed for the President of the British Conference Stephen and his wife Eunice..........
I didn't know whether to be full of joy or scared...and this was picked up for the rest of the Conference that I now have two wives!!!

though it looks good!!

The Conference ended with a service of celebration including the ordination of 2 younger presbyters. It was a wonderful time .....but why did I finish them off?

Well this was the 240th Conference and since the time of the Rev John Wesley the British President has also been President of the Methodist Church in Ireland...whilst the Irish President has only been Vice-President of his/her own Conference....confused???

After many years of discussion this Conference made the final vote to allow the change in their constitution that the President of the Methodist Church in Ireland is also President of the Conference ....a real alleluia moment, although some are sad at its passing it does signal a new springboard for the continuing growth and development of our sister church

Please pray for Donald, his wife Sandra and for all our sisters and brothers in the Irish Methodist Church

More than Bakewell Puddings

2009-06-25T23:19:00.002+01:00

Our visit to the Sheffield District began for me in Bakewell - almost as famous for its puddings as Eccles is for its cakes!

Deacon David Clark and others from the Methodist Church had invited the local mayor, the Chair of the Chamber of Trade and other members of the community for an evening to talk about the social and economic future of the town - especially for its small businesses as they face the effects of the credit crunch.

It was a lively and constructive evening with some practical suggestions for action - including encouraging a reduction in local shop rentals as a stimulus to trade. The Church is to be congratulated on its initiative.

On Sunday morning I was planned to preach at The Crossing Church in Worksop - a joint Methodist /URC venture which was celebrating the third anniversary of life in its new building.

And what a splendid building it is. The coffee shop and entrance opens right onto the high street and there are lots of activities and outreach throughout the week; currently over 90 volunteers are involved. Local impresario and church organist Dave Jordan masterminds a popular series of concerts in the Church itself.

The Rev Mark Pengelly (pictured with his family above) leads a strong lay team and I look forward to watching their progress over the next months as they seek to deepen the spiritual life of the Church.

Little Lever Weekend

2009-06-25T23:16:00.000+01:00

Wesley Day celebrations in London

2009-06-25T23:08:00.002+01:00

Members of the Ghananian Fellowship and the Susanna Wesley Auxilary at Wesley's Chapel London

The Rev Katharine Rumens, Rector of St Giles Cripplegate and the Rev Lord Leslie Griffiths Minister of Wesley's Chapel lead prayers at the Aldersgate Memorial, the Barbican

Channel Island Odyssey

2009-06-25T23:01:00.002+01:00

Traditional transport on Sark (above)
Loraine Nicole the local potter on Sark gives me a lesson! (below)

John and Mary Le Greslay, my hosts on Jersey (above)

Circuit staff and stewards on Guernsey (below)

Outside Sark's one room jail ! (below)

2009-06-17T19:44:00.006+01:00

A day after returning from The Gambia I was with my friend, Keith Davies,(Chair of Manchester & Stockport District) visiting a unique organisation known as CiC - Commitment in Communities.

CiC grew out of the Manchester & Salford Mission and is about capacity building for faith groups. The Chief Executive, Davy Iredale, spent most of the day with us, along with Helen Boardman their DDE. They are involved in numerous projects and initiatives including:
Excell - a resettlement programme for ex-prisoners and offenders.
Community Chaplaincy - working among ex-prisoners living in the community.
Quality Living Scheme - working with vulnerable people
Community Safety Network - 1500 members working with local community and neighbourhood groups, Greater Manchester Police and Manchester City Council - and it often concerns'low level crime'
Learning Skills and Development Network - English as 2nd language, Big issue.
Refugee and Asylum Seekers
Moston youth project...and much more

We talked about a range of issues and how CiC helps faith groups get a place at the table when policy issues in communities is being duiscussed.

We spent some time with the people running EXCELL and heard more about this particular project. They offer 26 week paid placements for ex-offenders helping them in the re-settlement process. We met two people who through this organisation have set up their own computer re-cycling business

One of the youth projects is based at Moston Road Church and we went to visit some of the church people there and heard of how this very successful scheme was envisioned and been running for the past year.

the room above has been given over to the young people from the community and there was some fabulous art work and stories of how the congregation are supporting those working among the teenagers and young people.

Later on we met with the Methodist students studying at Luther King House which led into a meal for District staff and folowed by a time of the Vice-President and myself sharing our reflections of where the church is at this time...with lots of questions to follow.

We were very pleased to be able to visit the offices of Methodist Insurance - a few weeks before they move to their new location - a couple of hundred yards down the same street! We spent time with the General Manager, John Coates, Paul Rowley (head of Operations) and some of the Trustees.

It was good to spend time meeting with the staff who are involved in the huge task of putting all the paper data into software on the computers. At the moment Methodist Insurance insures 99% of all Methodist churches and manses in the UK and Ireland (what has happened to the other 1%??) They are keen to continue improving the services they offer, working as an independent company in partnership with Ecclesiastes and the Baptists and despite the recession seem to be in a helathy financial position. A little known fact is that over the last 5 years they have gifted £3.7m to the Methodist Connexion.

We walked to Manchester Central Hall where David (VP), Keith and I spent half an hour with Cris Acher at Nexus. This is a wonderful new expression of church being a real presence in the heart of the city among young professionals, young adults living in the city and the wider night club scene. The basement area has been transformed into a very successful cafe/restuarant which has recently won an award and is often full and a hive of activity at lunch time and in the evening.
then we went upstairs to spend time with those who work in our connexional property offices and TMCP. They continue to serve our Church so well and it was encouraging to hear of the new provisions for property consent and the way the staff of TMCP are responding to the untimely death of Neville Johnson.

Please pray for all these people (Methodist Insurance, Nexus, TMCP and the Property Team) as each of them are seeking to live out their faith and calling through serving the Methodist Church.

In the afternoon we went to spend time with Kevin Ball (left) and Kennedy Bedford (right)

at Manchester Airport where they are both chaplains. They are part of a multi-faith team who are funded by the Methodist, Anglican and Roman Catholic church, Manchester airport plc, SSP catering and others......They told us some fascinating stories and it is clear that this chaplaincy is highly valued by the authorities and all those passangers and staff they care for through the weeks and months of each year.

On the Friday evening we went to 'awaken' - a District youth event at Rosehill Methodist Primary School

There was a great band from Ivy Cottage.....who brought some dancers -

the organising group had worked so hard and transformed the hall

there were various activities

with a graffiti wall

and even a time to ask the Prsdident and Vice-President those questions you've always wanted to know the answer to...

the first one was....do animals go to heaven!!!?

It was a great evening but the real sadness was that there were so few young people there - I want to say a really big thank you on behalf of all those of us who were there to Helen Bell and Helen Boardman and their helpers who did such a fantastic job.

On Pentecost Sunday morning I had the privilege of being with the the people of the High Peak Circuit in the newly built Disley Church.It is a wonderful story of how this lovely church came to be built - it was a packed congregation on a beautiful hot day....and after a great time of worship there was a real feast in the hall afterwards.......

Keith Davies (Chair) David Philo (super),me and Nic Bentley

The evening service was a District Pentecost Celebration held at St Peter's Chaplaincy centre in Mancheter University and there was a great crowd of people - we worshipped and celebrated together and cut a cake for the Church's birthday.

This is David's home District and it was wonderful so many people came to welcome him back home.

Please continue to pray for all those within the Manchester & Stockport District.

The Gambia Experience - Celebration day

2009-06-15T17:11:00.006+01:00

There is so much I could say about this very special day.... It was May 24th Wesley Day. Many of us as overseas visitors were preaching in some of the churches. This is a very small Methodist Church with 5 circuits and only 17 ministers, some of whom are supernumeraries, living in the UK or USA, studying on scholarships or training for ministry. In this predominant Muslim country it has taken 188 years for the Methodist Church to feel able to become autonomous. Throughout our visit there was a continuing anxiety about the future. I kept assuring them that the British church would not desert them but we were entering a new era of partnership and maturity.

The Inauguration of the Foundation Conference of the Methodist Church The Gambia was held at trinity Church, Serrekunda. The building was packed with hundreds more outside........and it was a glorious and memorable celebration....with choirs, children dancing, reading and praying and preaching.

The signing of the papers (21 people signed and witnessed about 12 copies of legal documents) took about 25 minutes and it was during this period that the whole church spontaneously burst into singing and dancing....

It was a privilege to induct the Rev Norman Grigg as the first President of their Conference

Malcolm Clarke as the Vice-President

and the Rev Dr Mark Jason as the Secretary of Con ference.

There was a real joy as people came forward for communion and a glimpse of God's Kingdom as children came for a blessing during the final hymn as the Anglican Bishop, the Roman Catholic Bishop and our new President gave them a blessing.

the worship lasted a good four hours....and nobody cared...we have waited 188 years for this..why worry!!

We should have been back at the Jamma Hall for a Grand reception at 7.30pm....we made it by 10.00pm. Once again we 'clashed' with the President as he was having his 'birthday party' at the same venue....so it took a little while for everyone to get their food....but why worry...what a fabulous day.

The Foundation Conference was held on the Monday. Government cabinet ministers were there to bring greetings, as were the 2 bishops and leaders of the Muslim community. It all went off well.

Just before we left on the Tuesday we were invited to meet with the Vice-President of the country, HE Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy. She spoke so warmly and enthusiastically about the contribution this small Methodist Church has made to the life of The Gambia. Once again God continues to use what many see as weak and small to buold his Kingdom and bring glory to His name.

The Gambian Experience part 3

2009-06-15T16:32:00.005+01:00

On Saturday 23 May we gathered at a new housing development area for the Opening and Dedication of the Brusubi Manse. It was a grand occasion with a good gathering of local people and all the overseas visitors with the Ghana Town Church choir. The former Chair of the District, Peter Stephens, opened the new manse. The minister living there is Bannie Manga. He is at the moment studying at Queens College in Birmingham on a World Church scholarship and he had come back to the Gambia just for the Celebrations. One joy was he was able to meet and beiwth his newly born child whom he had not seen since she was born.

At the moment there are about 15 people meeting once a month for worship in the manse but as more and more houses are built this will develop. It is hoped that there will be a school and church built on this same site over the next few years.

A group of us went on a short tour to visit gahna Town. This is a village where about 80 years ago a group of Ghanian fishermen and their families cam eot settle. They follow the fish around the coast and they have recently begun to moved again...so many from this community, following the fish are settling in neighbouring Senegal where they have begun a small Methodist community.....so we went to the nearby town to see how the fish are dried and prepared for export to parts of africa and the UK

The celebration Concert in the evening was great. Hundreds of children and young people from all over The Gambia came together to share in drama, music, singing and dancing.

The Gambia Experience part 2

2009-06-15T15:47:00.004+01:00

On the Friday the Church in The Gambia organised a trip for all their overseas guests. We went to board a boat at Denton Bridge and were taken through the mango swamps down the river which leads into the sea.

We had a great time of conversation, enjoying the sun and the views.

The boat stopped for an hour and we were all invited to fish!!

Some were better at this than others........the only one I caught was as I brought my line back it happened by sheer chance for the hook to catch in the fish which Joe had just caught and was reeling in.

I claimed a 1/2 catch!!!

We landed at Lamin Lodge where we had a great lunch and lots of photos........

the look of our President 2009-10....it will get better David!

Jean and Nwabweze relaxing before our lunch

(the whole group - not drunk but we were singing 'This this is the God we adore')

The Bethel Women's Group hosted an evening for us which brought a wonderful end to a relaxing day.

The Gambia Experience

2009-06-15T14:57:00.006+01:00

As some of you know I am secretary of the Methodist Missionary Society. MMS is the historic descendant of the commissioning of the Rev Thomas Coke by John Wesley to take a group of ministers to the Americas. After getting blown off course they eventually landed in Antigua on Christmas morning 1786...and so the 'overseas mission' of the Methodist Church began. As the Gospel was shared around the world so 'Overseas Districts' were set up and all was administered from Britain which led to the building of Mission House at 25 Marylebone Road.

Through the years these Overseas Districts have become autonomous and entered into new partner relationships with the British Church. For many years we have continued to have one Overseas District and this is The Gambia. So it was a particular thrill for me to know that during my Presidential year The Methodist Church in The Gambia was to become autonomous.

We held a special ceremony at the Scarborough Conference when the British Conference agreed by a standing vote for the autonomy of the Methodist Church The Gambia.

Four representatives were elected to represent our Church at the special celebrations on May 24th but sadly only 3 of us could make it. These were David Gamble and Nwabweze Nwokolo who have both done a lot of work in the writing of their new constitution, standing orders etc. It was great having David (and his wife Liz and youngest son, Joe) there as he has done so much to bring this day to fruition and also has given him lots of good stories for his Presidential year! Nwabweze was a great delight, she just loved being there and was a great ambassador for the British Church. Robbie Bowen was invited to be the 4th memeber of our group at the last minute. He was a former Mission Partner and he was greeted with joy and laughter wherever we went.

We all met in Gatwick airport and didn't have a good start as there was a problem with the plane and we were 9 hours late taking off. However we were met and taken to our hotel and at about 2.00am had a briefing on what lay ahead for us!!

The present Chair of the District is Norman Grigg and he came to meet us and take us to the Church headquarters in Banjul.

We met staff and then popped across the road to the Methyodist School. A number of the Methodist School groups had gathered for a rehearsal for the Celebration Concert later in the week and it was a joy to listen to their singing and see their enthusiasm.

We went to a number of the schools, met lots of people and began to get a feel of how important the celebrations at the weekend were going to be.
(Albion Methodist School)
(rehearsing a drama of the arrival of the First methodist Missionaries 188 years ago for the concert)

The following day we went out to Brikama. Here the Methodist Mission Agricultural Project was begun as an NGO in 1974. 30 acres of land were given to the Church by the community for agriculture, health and educational purposes.

The agricultural side is a bit run down but the health clinic is going well and a dental clinic was opened in 2006

A jam factory(above) was begun in 2000 and they are now producing and supplying to a number of supermarkets.

The school was begun as a nursery and has grown since then and Network and circuit groups from across Britain have helped in a variety of ways.

(Robbie Bowen looking around the school he had helped to build with Joe Gamble looking on)

We met Ryan and Sylvia Kelly who have been coming out to The Gambia for 25 years and have developed a container ministry for the shipping of school desks, dental equipment etc - they are greatly loved.

Whilst at Brikama we met Ansumana Mendhi and his family showed us such gracious hospitality and gave us a wonderful meal

When we arrived the country's President had been on a tour of the rural areas and was returning to the capital and then it was his birthday. So for all the week we were there many roads were closed and the streets were often lined with thousands of school children waiting in the heat to welcome their President. So we decidied not to go to Marakisha, as the President was going there...and returned to the hotel.

Some of the previous Chair of Districts were also gathering at the hotel for the Celebrations - John and Jill Steadman, Titus Pratt, Yedu Bannerman....Peter Stephens was arriving the following day and the Rev Ernest Stafford,(on the staff of Westminister Central Hall) so greatly loved but now very frail, had managed to come with the help of two of his grandchildren Ernest and Jean. There were also heads of churches from Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Ghana gathering to join us for the weekend ....it's going to be good!!

2009-06-12T13:08:00.001+01:00

Joy in Jersey

2009-06-12T12:15:00.004+01:00

We flew into Jersey and went straight to visit Communicare. This is an Anglican/Methodist Community Centre which is so active in pre-school, youth activities, adult classes, AA and other support groups, housing surgeries,and a coffee shop/restaurant where they work with prisoners who are preparing to be released into the community. It has been going for 32 years. At the moment there is no indigenous worshipping community but it seems ripe for a FX initiative.

From there we went to the Biarritz Hotel where we met up with the VP and shared together in the Jersey circuit Easter Offering Service. There was good participation from women across the island

followed by a lovely lunch!

As in the other two Islands we were taken to meet the 'head of the government' the Deputy Baliff, who becomes Baliff in July.

He presides over the Royal Courts and the States. We had a fascinating tour of the States Chamber and I was deeply impressed by the number of Christians we met who are serving in the government of the island.

Some of these came to a specially called meeting around our visit concerning 'The controversy surrounding Christian Aid's involvement in the recent meeting held in Jersey organised by the Tax Justice Network'. This has caused a deep rift between Christian Aid and their supporters in Jersey. The Rev Matthew Reed, one of the directors of Christian Aid had flown over for the meeting and was very helpful in moving the debate to a different place where there is now, hopefully, a chance of listening, healing and commitment to the shared aims of our sister organisation. It was certainly a 'live issue' wherever we went.

It was a real pleasure to stay with David and Barbara Coote. They cared for us with such love and grace. We met numerous people at their home and across the island - and even managed to get a walk together

There are two MHA's in Jersey although not part of the MHA organisation on mainland Britain.
We went to both Stuart Court and Maison La Corderie and we were deeply impressed by the high quality and level of care.

the couple on the right are brother and sister and he has been a LP for many many years. Edward was so looking forward to coming to his church, Ebenezer, where I was preaching the following day. Sadly he fainted (with excitement) at the end of the service but was doing well by the time we left the island.

We went to Samares, the most southerly Methodist church in Britain - and having been to the most northerly church in Unst whilst in the Shetlands it seemed to complete the circle!

as we walked to the church - what a great noticeboard

and we heard the story of how this once dying congregation and earmarked for closure at the end of the 80's has seen renewal and now has to rent other premises to accomodate everyone. There is great concern about the community and they are praying for the opening of doors for a new site to develop on...so as we walked and talked we prayerd together.

There was a wonderful Celebration of Children's talents on that Saturday evening. There were over 80 children and young people from the different churches across the island. The St James centre was packed to capacity and it was a fun evening. The Lieutenant Governor and his wife were there which gave the whole event an even more special feel. At the end balloons were released and I was asked to say a prayer amidst the cast of a thousand people and balloons!

Sunday was a wonderful day. At Ebenezer, following recent upgrading of their premises, they hold a traditional service at 10.00am followed by a more family friendly contemporary one. It was a joy to share with both congregations and to encourage them to continue looking outwards to their communities and make contact with more and more people.

They know how to host the preacher on the Sunday - a lovely meal with circuit stewards and staff

and this was followed by a great circuit service at St Ouen....celebrating 200 years. The people couldn't remember a President coming to their church before so it was an honour to share with them....the heavens opened just as people were gathering but we soon dried out and had a warm time together.

There was a prayer breakfast for some of the elected government members on the Monday. It was good to just sit and listen, share and pray together...and at the end discovered that one of the ministers comes from a little village, Quernmore, in my District and his parents are still actively involved in this growing congregation....what a small world it is.

It has been a very special time in the Channel Islands - there are concerns but we found so much to encourage. I commend them to your prayers

A Day in Alderney

2009-06-10T21:24:00.005+01:00

As we sat in the airport lounge we were told that there was too much mist and our flight for Alderney would be delayed as least an hour....we were airbourne 20 minutes later as the mist had lifted and of we went on our little plane.

Alderney 3.5x1.5 miles has a population of just over 2000. We were met by the lay pastoral worker, Irene Day, who thoroughly enjoys living and ministering on the island. We were there for about six hours and had an action packed time.

Our first stop was to see the remains of the concentration camp site and saw the recently dedicated memorial plaque to the 400 people who died at the camp

We then went to meet the President of the State, Sir Norman Browse and the Chief Executive where we learnt a lot about life on this small island which has 10 politicians. They shared some of their hopes in the 'tidal energy renewable project' and their 'well regulated' gambling casinos along with some of the issues especially about the neglected infrastructure.

We travelled to see the hospital which after redevelopment is really excellent although they send the patients requiring surgery to Guernsey.

A few of the members of the church in Alderney came to meet us, shared their hopes for the internal renewal of the church building and then a short time of prayer together. Then downstairs to the halls, which have been renovated, where we shared in the regular Lunch2gether group for a wonderful roast dinner.

Then off to the the all age St Anne's school for a quick tour and chat with the headteacher before a quick look at the rest of the island...we popped into a care home to see the oldest member of the church......she had a photo on her wall of her and the Rev Bill Davies...when he was President....so took one to show Bill next time I see him in the District. and then off to do an interview for the BBC radio.

Our lovely but short time on Alderney was spent having tea with one of our supernumerary ministers, Arthur Mignot and his wife Eileen. They had so much local knowledge it would have been great to spend longer but our plane beckoned.....and it wasn't delayed going back to Guernsey!

The Methodist community plays a vital part in the life of the island and I commend them to your prayers.

A brief glimpse of life in Guernsey

2009-06-10T20:50:00.005+01:00

Although I have flown to many places across the world I am always a little anxious that there is someone to meet me...and as we arrived in Guernsey it was great to see the familiar smiling face of the superintendent minister, David Hart. Our first engagement was lunch with ecumenical guests followed by a visit to the Deputy Baliff. It gave us a fascinating overview of life in Guernsey where the Church still plays a major part in civic life.

We spent a good time with the residents of Maison L'Aumon, a sister to MHA,

(David Hart, Paul le Boutillier (Chair of directors) and Myrtle (she only came for the sun and it rained most of the time!!)

and saw the develpment of the extension to provide specialst care for those suffering dementia....one of the residents in singing the praise of the Home said that they only thing missing was the swimming pool

We then spent time with Stephen Robinson, minister at Les Capelles and heard about the ministry which is offered through their newly refurbished premises. It was wonderful to meet up with Stephen again as we hadn't met since we trained at Kingsmead College, in 1979, prior to them going to Kenya and Myrtle and I to Jamaica.

It was a day of reunions as we spent two nights with Esther and Andrew Male and their children Martha, James and Gregory...this is a terrible photo...... I must have moved...and James had already gone to school...but his younger brother is holding a photo of him!!

Esther and Andrew were part of MethSoc in Cardiff in the late 80's and are both very involved in the life of methodism in Guernsey. It was great to share time with them all. One of the extra joys of this year has been to meet up with so many of those who were students during our time in Cardiff and see how they are involved in so many areas of church and community life.

Doing business in Woking

2009-06-09T21:10:00.005+01:00

Business ethics in Woking and Bexleyheath (above and below)

With Peter Milne at Knaphill Methodist Church (below)

Knaphill welcomes Iranian Christians (below)

I'd never been to Woking before - nor to Knaphill where the lively Methodist Church gave me a warm welcome and much to see and do!

It was a pleasant surprise to find that my host for the weekend was Peter Milne - he and I had been members of the Free Church Society at Sheffield University in the 70's and hadn't seen each other since then.

Peter is a banker and it was appropriate that a couple of my engagements involved discussions about business ethics and the current economic situation - a breakfast for the Woking Circuit at the splendid art gallery the Lightbox, and a conference at Bexleyheath organised by workplace chaplain Malcolm Cooper.

Knaphill church is taking steps to welcome an Iranian Christian fellowship - the Surrey Iranian Church - and we shared in a party organised by that group.

As well as preaching on the Sunday morning I was able to attend a concert given by local children on the Saturday evening - it was so good so see them taking their first steps in performance.

Farewell to Fleetwood Road

2009-06-09T21:01:00.002+01:00

With the Minister Mark Hammond

This was a particularly significant visit for me. After a lot of prayer and deliberation the two churches in Thornton Cleveleys have decided to come together.

They had hoped to be able to build a new church but the local Planning Authority was not sympathetic so they will now be refurbishing the Wignall Church and sharing these premises.

This involved closing Fleetwood Road for worship - a Church which was built over 100 years ago by my great-grandfather, also a David Walton.

So it was a privilege for me to be invited to preach at the final service.

Fleetwood Road has always been known as the Church with a friendly welcome - and so it was. Although there was sadness among members of the congregation who had served with such commitment over many years there was so much to be thankful for in the story of worship, prayer, fellowship and service enjoyed (and that is the right word) by the saints of Fleetwood Road.

We will praise him for all that is past

And trust him for all that's to come

Hiking in Lancashire

2009-06-09T20:51:00.003+01:00

Uruguayan visitors and local Methodists hiking above Longridge Fell

With Pauline Kirkham on a damp but bracing morning (above)

Wall hangings by Juliet Hemingrey at Poulton-le-Fylde (above)

Before Morning Worship at Nelson Methodist-Roman Catholic Church (below)

Whilst the President was down south he ensured that I was given an action-packed tour of his District!

It began at Scorton chapel where the members had provided an excellent dinner for twenty or so people involved in different businesses around Lancahire - from banking to farming. We had a good discussion over the dinner-table and each learnt more about the pressures and opportunities others were facing.

saturday morning saw us walking up Longridge fell above Clitheroe in company with a group of Methodist special needs teachers who were visting from Uruguay. There was much conversation and laughter along the way and I was pleased to meet up with Pauline Kirkham, a fellow student fom Sheffield.

After an afternoon presentation in the Clitheroe Churcg I was whisked off to the beautifully refurbished church in Poulton (where one of my great-grandfathers had been the local joiner and undertaker!) for another feast and a meeting with the District local preachers.

Sunday morning was spent in Nelson - a unique place of worship shared between Methodists and Romans Catholics, where I was able to bring greetings at the end of their Mass.

Then on to Blackburn and Wesley Hall where I was impressed by the pioneering work being done among asylum seekers there - and was reminded of the diversity of this part of the country.

A tour of Felixtowe Docks

2009-06-09T20:48:00.003+01:00

It was good to be taken on a tour of the largest container port in the country and also to see the work being done by the chaplains at the Seafarers Centre (above).

The port has been affected by the financial downturn along with the rest of the country but it was interesting to hear of some of the creative ways they were trying to deal with the employment issues they were facing.

Across East Anglia

2009-06-09T20:35:00.004+01:00

Circuit stewards and staff in Ipswich (above)

In the kitchen at Acle (above)
Welcome at Ely (below)

Worship Band at Ely (below)

Gathering at Red Lodge (below)

Morning Service at Chapelfield Road Church, Norwich (below)

East Anglia was fairly unfamiliar territory to me but I was impressed both by the variety of what was happening there and the warmth of the welcome !

Red Lodge is a small but enthusaistic Anglican/Methodist congregation which at long last is hoping to see a new Church rise from the ashes after a fire a few years ago. We were encouraged to hear of their plans to reach out to the local community.

Chapelfield Road is Norwich is at the other end of the spectrum in size, one of the grand churches of Methodism, its worship enhanced by a well-rehearsed choir.

On the Sunday evening spirits were raised by tremendous congregational singing at the Circuit service at Acle, an attractive modern church celebrating 20 years in its current building. I was sent away with a song in my heart and an Eccles cake in my stomach ....!

signs of hope across Lincolnshire

2009-06-01T20:58:00.002+01:00

There was a full congregation at Central Methodist Church in Lincoln and it was my privilege to present Carole Sharpe with her 40 years certificate as a Local Preacher. Throughout the year I have been so impressed by the quality of our local preachers and encouraged to keep hearing that younger people are being given a note to preach. Please pray that God will continue to call people of all ages to this ministry of lay preaching and worship leading.

We had a good country chapel tea at the Barton church......David Perry and I got there just in time for a quick piece of cake before a question and answer session...but not before the photos were taken....
and then a wonderful circuit service with children's talk, interviews of young people attending Youth Conference and the Emerging Leaders day, presentation to a supernumerary minister, barrie Leah, who has been helping outin the circuit during a complex period, lots of singing, preaching and even a conga dance at the end.

the children of Caistor Church of England/Methodist School were in good voice...after i shared an African story they changed the song they had rehearsed and sang 'Come all you people' in lots of different parts and harmonies...they were great. then we had two of the children show us around...and they were excellent guides..for the Rev Andrew Lomax, David and I

ending with a time of questioning in year 5...and being asked if I could tell them another story.......which I did...about how the sun and moon come to be in the sky.........and David Perry, the Chair of District, offering to buy them a World Praise Music book so they could learn more songs

Then onto Scunthorpe to visit the Forge

where we met Maria, the manager, and deacon Laura. 12 years ago this began as a drop-in coffee morning for the community which developed into a drop-in for the homeless, drug addicts and those on the fringes of society as the church ceased to worship but continued as a place of hospitality.

It is also a Contact centre in the afternoons and as other community groups attach themselves a worship service (very much FX) is developing once a m onth with between 7-15 of the service users coming...and the photo shows what they created the day before we called in.

As I left the District across the Humber Bridge I reflected on the good things I had seen and heard as well as the difficult situations where people were hanging in or trying to turn things around. Please uphold the people of the Lincoln and Grinmsby District as they seek to become fit for purpose and respond to the needs of the communities they serve.