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Bolton and Rochdale
Methodist District
SYNOD
26 April 2008
St John’s
Methodist
Church
in the Bolton Circuit was the venue for the
Bolton
and Rochdale District spring Synod. Rev Pat
Brown, Superintendent, welcomed Synod and members of the
Worship Group led devotions.
Rev
Pat Brown introduced a video presentation on proposals to build a new church
following the merger of Longsight and
Tottington
Road
Churches
in Harwood.
The two churches had decided to come together for mission, unity and
worship and looked forward to exciting times ahead.
Rev
Dr Brian Tomkins updated Synod on the appointment of a District Development
Enabler, reminding all that the main purpose of the appointment was to assist
Districts and Circuits in the process of reconfiguration for mission.
Synod
received reports on the work of the District, approved appointments of District
Officers and thanked retiring officers.
Good wishes and prayers were offered to those changing appointments and
those becoming supernumeraries.
A
presentation given by Malcolm Aspey on The Methodist Church and the District
websites gave some helpful tips on their contents.
Synod
agreed to discontinue worship at Delph Hill in the Bolton Circuit and at Higher
Wheelton in the Chorley Circuit.
Rev
Brian Tomkins and Rev Otto Ntshanyana spoke of projects in Pinetown and King
Williams Town, South Africa where much work was being undertaken in education,
training, gardening projects and a training kitchen.
The
Bolton
and Rochdale District is linked with these two Circuits.
Synod
was informed that people have been through traumatic times and are now coming
through in a positive direction. With
improvements in communication we were encouraged to go back to our churches,
reaffirm links and offer support wherever possible.
Tributes
were paid to Alison Hulse, Training & Development Officer, and Rev Otto
Ntshanyana, District Evangelism Enabler, who would be leaving the District in
August.
8 September 2007
The
Bolton
and Rochdale District met for
their Autumn Synod at
Bolton
Road
Methodist
Church, Bury hosted by the Bury and
Heywood Circuit, with Rev David Burton welcoming representatives and leading
opening devotions.
A
presentation was given by Alan Saunders from Hope08 – an initiative for a year
of united mission for every denomination, stream and ministry, across the whole
of the
UK
.
He encouraged everyone to do more to reach people where they live with
activities linked to schools, community fun days and community action projects,
based on local needs.
Reports
from Conference 2007 on Stationing Review, the General Secretary’s Report and
Lay Workers were presented by Mrs Meg Davenport and Rev Phil Mason and the
Chair, Rev David King, outlined the implications of the report on the Team Focus
process.
Elected to
Conference 2008 were Rev Gerald Broadbent, Rev John Howard-Norman, Deacon Janet
Smith, David Hulse, Val Pownall and Meg Davenport.
Rev
Christine Jewitt and lay worker, Shirley Suthers shared their experiences as
representatives of the
British
Methodist
Church
to the World Methodist
Evangelism Institute, 8th International Evangelism Seminar in
Atlanta
,
Georgia
.
Synod was encouraged by stories of growing churches, regular church
plants and the rapid expansion of the world Methodism family.
Sharon
Harbottle, District Mission Forum Secretary, gave a presentation on our links
with
South Africa
, Fairtrade and Environmental
issues including climate change and encouraged churches and circuits to support
these issues.
Formal
approval was given to the formation of
Harwood
Methodist
Church
in the Bolton Circuit with the
amalgamation of Longsight and
Tottington
Road
Churches
.
A report
on MHA was presented by Angela Robinson. Work
has started on the new Beechville project in the District which will seek to
provide the highest quality care and offer 62 places for general nursing and
specialist residential dementia care.
Closing
devotions were led by the Chair.
5 May 2007
The Spring Synod of the
Bolton
and Rochdale District gathered together at
Central
Methodist
Church
, Bacup, hosted by the Rossendale Circuit. The
Rev James Henderson of the Rossendale Circuit, along with the Worship Group, led
the opening devotions.
The Superintendent Minister, the Rev David Burrow, welcomed the Synod to the
Circuit. A video presentation was
given on the work, witness and future outreach plans of the Rossendale Circuit.
Synod recognised this to be a professional and encouraging presentation.
The formal business of the day and appointments of officers were dealt with and
the written reports detailing the work of the District accepted by Synod.
Mrs Sybil Oakley, of the Rochdale Circuit, spoke movingly about Methodists
involved in a project at HMP Buckley Hall,
Rochdale
. Fathers
in prison read children’s stories which are recorded and sent from the prison
to their children.
Good wishes were expressed to Rev
Brian Tomkins who is to become a Supernumerary and to presbyters moving to take
up other appointments.
Synod affirmed the District’s commitment to continue links with
South Africa
, in particular focusing on the King Williams
Town Circuit, and
Pinetown
Methodist
Church
in the Clerpine Circuit.
It is proposed to take a group of young adults from the District to
Pinetown in summer 2008 to raise their awareness of the issues affecting
South Africa
and to strengthen that link.
The Synod received a recommendation
from the District Leadership Team following a review of the role of the District
Evangelism Enabler, and affirmed a joint appointment between the District and
the Bolton Mission Circuit. This
will hopefully commence in September 2008.
Synod was delighted to commend Rev Dr Janie S Noble and Rev E Helen Brown for
Reception into Full Connexion and ordination at the Blackpool Conference,
further to their Ordinand’s Testimony services.
The Rt Rev David Gillett, Bishop
of Bolton, currently the Anglican Bishop with special responsibility for
relationships with the Muslim community in
England
, and chair of the national Christian Muslim Forum was welcomed to
Synod. He addressed Synod on the
issues we all had to face and how the Forum was looking for conversation and
cooperation between the two faith communities. He spoke about the diversity and common grounds within both
communities on which we must build relationships and work together towards a
better understanding, whilst
recognising the uniqueness of the Christian faith and the person of Jesus.
Conversation was held within the Synod on this important issue.
Rev John Howard-Norman, District
Representative on the Methodist Council, strongly urged Synod to encourage
responses to the “Soundings” for the Derby Resolutions.
He also gave a brief report on the issue of the use of Methodist premises
by people of other faiths.
Members from the Leigh and Hindley
Circuit Youth Fellowship and Representatives to the Youth Conference gave a humorous, yet
informative, presentation of their time and
activities at Youth Conference.
Closing worship was led by the Chair of the District.
9
September 2006
The
Bolton
and Rochdale District autumn synod met in its representative session at
Calderbrook
School
in the Littleborough Circuit with the Superintendent, Rev Dr Daniel
Mwailu, leading opening worship and offering a welcome to Littleborough. The
Chair also welcomed those who had recently moved into the District.
Synod appointed Rev David
Clowes as Deputy Chair and Rev John Howard-Norman as Representative to the
Methodist Council.
Rev Susan Whitehead updated
synod on Safeguarding issues and highlighted guidelines printed in the District
handbook on “Safeguarding … what shall we do if?”. A further District
training day for those involved with safeguarding has been arranged for
November.
The Chair briefed synod on
main items from the Edinburgh Conference and members voted in favour of two
special resolutions submitted by the Conference of 2006 regarding the report on
The Review of the Conference.
Synod focused on the report
“What sort of Bishops?”. Revs John Munsey Turner, Phil Mason and Gerald
Broadbent opened the debate and members, both lay and ministerial, had the
opportunity to speak. Synod then divided into buzz groups and their views and
responses are to be collated.
The chair updated Synod on Preparations for Conference 2007 and the video
presented at Conference was shown. Synod
appointed Revs Gerald Broadbent, Philip Mason, David Clowes, John Leech and
David Hulse, Meg Davenport and Val Pownall as representatives to next year’s
Conference. Sam Clarke and Felicity
Eccles were appointed as representatives to Youth Conference 2006.
The Education and Youth Secretary gave details of three forthcoming youth events
which included a concert by the Christian band, Mowglee, a J Factor Talent
Competition for young people and a proposed visit of a group of 18-25 year olds
to
South Africa
to see the working of the church there.
The District is enthusiastic about “Fresh Expressions” and members were
encouraged to attend a Visions Day on 15th October and a 5 week
course arranged for January/February next year, both events being jointly
organised by Methodists and Anglicans.
The Chair, Rev David King,
led the closing devotions.
6
May 2006
The
Bolton
and Rochdale District Spring Synod was hosted by the Rochdale Circuit at
Thrum
Hall
Methodist
Church, with the Circuit leading opening devotions.
Formal business followed; this
included details about the District review, training and development.
The Revd Ann Hall encouraged
members of the District to be part of “Fan the Flame” - a District “Pray
without Ceasing” event. The
District rejoices in the impact that “Pray without Ceasing” has had, and its
ongoing influence.
Synod was reminded of the
amalgamation of the Prestwich and Whitefield Circuit and the Radcliffe Circuit
to form the Prestwich and Radcliffe Circuit from
1st September 2006
. The Synod also affirmed the
decisions of the Littleborough and Rochdale Circuit Meetings to amalgamate to
form the Littleborough and Rochdale Circuit from
1st September 2007
. This would be presented to
Conference for approval.
It was reported that the
Probationer’s Committee, affirmed by the Ministerial Synod, had recommended
the Revd Ian Humphreys to the Edinburgh Conference for ordination.
The Rev David Burrow, District
Rural Officer, spoke on agricultural issues. He drew Synod’s attention to the
financial impact and distress on farmers and their families caused by the delay
of a one-off payment from government following withdrawal of subsidies.
He asked for Synod’s support and called on all churches to remember
those facing hardship. It was agreed
that a letter be sent to the Prime Minister outlining these concerns.
To further the implementation of the Anglican/Methodist Covenant, a joint
working document on shared ministries, both ordained and lay, had been prepared.
The Rev Gerald Broadbent, Synod Secretary, commended this document as a
means of implementing the Covenant and enriching the worshipping life and
mission of both denominations.
Synod was informed that an Anglican/Methodist sponsored “Vision Day”,
encouraging fresh ways of being Church, will take place within the District in
October. This will be led by members
of the national “Fresh Expressions” team.
The main speaker at Synod was Mr Richard Reddie, Project Director of Churches
Together in
England
‘Set all free.’ He informed
Synod that the project was established
to commemorate the bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act.
Synod was challenged to prepare for this significant anniversary in 2007.
Mr Reddie highlighted resources available, encouraging Christians to take
up the challenge to make the Church and wider community more aware, and use it
as a basis for reflection, change and action.
There were great possibilities for circuits to use this material in
worship and working with young people in the Church and in schools.
A particular concern highlighted to the Synod was modern-day slavery.
Closing worship was led by the Chair of
the District.
10
September 2005
The Bolton
& Rochdale Synod met at St Michael’s C of E School in the Chorley Circuit,
with the Rev David King being welcomed at his first Synod as District Chair.
The Superintendent minister, the Rev Andrew Mashiter, and the Rector of
Chorley
and Moderator of Churches
Together in
Chorley
, the Rev Dr John Cree, welcomed
Synod, affirming the strong ecumenical links in the Circuit.
Following
formal business, the Rev Rob Cotton from the Bible Society, gave a presentation,
illustrating successful campaigns in
Nottingham
and
Bristol
.
Characters from the soap “Eastenders” had been posted on bus
shelters, etc. to attract attention to teaching from the Bible.
The Bible Society was exploring what could be achieved through working in
partnership with churches in Greater Manchester in engaging with modern culture.
Synod
agreed to become a Fairtrade District, each church being encouraged to support,
promote and serve only Fairtrade tea and coffee at meetings and events.
Conference
representatives briefed Synod on main items from Conference and the Chair
outlined reports for study and consultation, with the report “Time to Talk of
God” being recommended for discussion groups.
The
District’s period of “Pray without Ceasing” had been launched on the
previous evening. The Rev Ann Hall highlighted events that would encourage
people to pray in creative ways during “Pray without Ceasing” and in the
future.
Rev
Doug Smith, from
America
and serving in the Chorley Circuit, spoke of the plight of
the people of
New Orleans
following hurricane Katrina.
He was fully aware of the tremendous difficulties being faced, as his
family, who live
New Orleans
, had been among those who had lost everything but were safe.
He appealed to Synod for continued prayers and help.
Closing
worship was led by the Chair which included the second part of Charles
Wesley’s hymn “Pray, without ceasing pray”. (Hymns &
Psalms 719)
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BOLTON
AND ROCHDALE METHODIST
DISTRICT