This blog is an archive. The current blog of the President and Vice-President can be found at www.methodist.org.uk/presvpblog  ..read more

This morning,  Friday 29th June 2018, I had an opportunity to share some reflections from this past year as the Vice-President of the Conference, with those who are here in Nottingham for Conference, but are not members of the Presbyteral Session, during their period of closed business. So, as a final entry on this blog, before handing on to Michaela and Bala tomorrow morning, here are the notes from that session, which I called "A year of laughter and lament". Some may have been here last year when I used the VP address to speak of the rhythm of “Laughter and Lament”… this has travelled ..read more

Last night, before speaking at the London Synod today, I went with friends to the Peacock Theatre in London to see the production by Phoenix Dance Company of "Windrush - movement of the people". I am very unversed in modern dance, so found the performances in the first half of the evening- "Calyx" and "Shadows" - intriguing but rather mystifying. The second half, however, telling the story of the folk who came to Britain in 1948 on the S.S.Windrush (and on other boats in subsequent years) was mesmerising, powerful, vibrant and poignant. Of course this is hugely topical as the Government find ..read more

Last weekend saw 70 folk gather at Cliff College for a weekend exploring pilgrimage. People came from all over the Connexion and brought with them energy and enthusiasm, curiosity and commitment to sharing what they already knew or had experienced and openness to learn more.  The team of facilitators shared brilliantly on a range of aspects of pilgrimage - looking at where it chimes with (amongst other things) heritage, mission, justice and pain..  This latter presentation noted that physical pilgrimage is not possible for everyone - and further considered how chronic pain and disab ..read more

This morning I travelled from High Leigh in Hertfordshire (leaving the brilliant Connecting Disciples event early) to Notting Hill Methodist Church. Exiting the tube station and turning into Lancaster Road I immediately noticed graffiti on a wall, "Justice 4 Grenfell" and moments later the wreckage of the burnt out tower block came into view. It is the first time I have been there and I found myself very moved and not a little shaken. At the church - still bedecked with flowers, soft toys, photographs and tributes (although, apparently, the scale of this now is nothing to the weeks immediat ..read more

Today we join with millions of women across the world in celebrating Women's World Day of Prayer. This year we joined with eight other Methodist women from across the Connexion to offer our thoughts, prayers and reflections in celebration of Women's World Day of Prayer. For more information, please visit their website: www.wwdp.org.uk ..read more

Although Holocaust Memorial Day is not until Saturday, the UK Ceremony marking this day was held today at Queen Elizabeth II Centre, Westminster and Loraine and I were invited to attend. We just managed to slide it into the diary, travelling there directly from Methodist Council in Hertfordshire and setting off immediately it finished for Queens Foundation, Birmingham (tomorrow's story). The ceremony was on a much larger scale than I had expected - perhaps 5,000 people present and a star-studded list of participants. Amidst a 90 minute programme of narration, music, film clips and personal t ..read more

Called and Commissioned Yesterday evening Andrew and I were delighted to represent Methodism at the Commissioning Service for Ms. Fiona Kendall as a Mission Partner, jointly appointed by the Church of Scotland and the Methodist Church. The service took place in Kay Park Church of Scotland in Kilmarnock, the church where Fiona grew up (although she has been worshipping in the Methodist Church in Ilkley for the past decade so has strong links with both appointing churches).  It was an excellent service, led mainly by Rev. George Lind, the Moderator of the Presbytery of Irvine and Kilmarn ..read more

A figure lying on a park bench, shrouded in a ragged blanket which covers the head and face, but with bare feet showing... It might seem an unusual subject for a sculpture. Look closely, though, and notice that the feet bear the marks of having been pierced by nails. This homeless man lying on a bench is Jesus.  The sculpture was created by the Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz who, since 2013, has been seeking locations around the world for castings of the "Homeless Jesus".   Through his art he intentionally illustrates the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:40; "Just as you did it ..read more

We pray for all those affected by the earthquake in Iraq and Iran. For the bereaved, the injured, medical services, rescue teams and all who helping in the wake of the devastation caused by the earthquake.  We pray for patience and understanding to those who are trying to make shelters for those who have no homes and no possessions.  We pray for consolation in the love God of those who have lost loved ones.  We pray for healing and wholeness for those who are injured.  We pray for those working in the emergency actions teams providing food water and support.  We pray f ..read more