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Bolton and Rochdale Methodist District SYNOD
April
2010 The There was a short
presentation from the Rev Ben Edson working for Manchester Diocese as a Fresh Expressions Missioner who spoke of his role working with other partners
encouraging them to think about training for mission. Synod rejoiced that the Rev Carolyn Lawrance
and Rev Jan Nendick are recommended for reception into Full Connexion and
Ordination at Conference. District
Evangelism Team Secretary, Mr Richard Selby, highlighted the “Shape up for An update on
Mapping a Way Forward was presented by the District Development Enabler, and of
the Regional Consultation on Districts currently taking place in the Rev Phil Mason
spoke of imaginative ways of using grants, illustrating two examples. We were
encouraged to hear from Hayley James, Youth Worker, who spoke of initiatives in
work with children and young people with the Wigan Rock Bus, whose mission is to
provide constructive activities enabling young people to encounter the love of
Jesus and encourage discipleship. Alan
Scantlebury from Bolton Town Centre Chaplaincy spoke of Street Angels whose aim
was to provide a listening ear, helping hand, safe space and show the love of
Jesus to those in need on the streets of Bolton late at night. A brief report on issues addressed by the
Methodist Council was given by David Hulse. Concern was expressed in the Synod about
Ministerial Pensions and the decision of the Methodist Conference related to Closing devotions, led by the Chair, included the commissioning of the District’s newly appointed Regional Training Officer, Alison Parker.
September 2009 The A welcome was given to members of the former Orrell and Lamberhead Green Circuit who
had joined the District. The report from conference on ‘Climate
Change’ was presented by Rev John Howard-Norman, and the Rev Gerald Broadbent
informed members on the Notice of Motion passed at Conference in relation to
extreme political parties and Methodist membership. Alison Parker, Regional Training Officer introduced ‘Inspiring Discipleship’,
an opportunity to further explore what
being a Disciple means. The District Development Enabler, Wendy
Beard, updated Synod on Mapping a Way Forward. Synod welcomed the Rev Stephen Lindridge,
the Methodist member of the National Fresh Expressions Team, and
he, along with the Concerns about the situation in The
Methodist Press Release related to the Church in Members participated in one of four focus
groups - Fresh Expressions, Community Enrichment, mission with largely
unchurched children and Inspiring Discipleship. David Hulse had retired as District
Treasurer and a copy of an oil painting
featuring John Wesley preaching in Elected to Conference 2010 were Rev Gerald Broadbent, Rev Stephen Radford, Meg Davenport, David Jewitt and Val Pownall. Bethany Mason and Joe Parkin were elected to the Youth Assembly. Synod
concluded with a hymn of holiness and dedication,’ May the mind of Christ my
Saviour.’ 6 September 2008 The
Rev
David King, Chair of District, led opening worship with the commissioning of new
District Officers: Wendy Beard, District Development Enabler, Nel Shallow,
Regional Training Officer and Paul Moore, Director of Children’s Services, NCH, addressed Synod on the range of services offered to children, young people and families and outlined the reasons behind the change of identity to ‘Action for Children’. Reports from Conference on Human Sexuality and With Integrity and Skill were presented by Meg Davenport and Rev John Howard-Norman and David Jewitt gave an insight into the report on the Youth Participation Strategy. Other key agenda items from Conference were outlined by the Chair. David
Hulse, District Finance Officer, reported on changing situations, particularly
with regards to increase in pension contributions, charity reforms, water
charges, our continued support in A short DVD was presented giving a taste of some of the projects in the District where there has been real success in attempting to bridge the gap between church and the community and sharing our ministry in ways people can hear and respond. The DVD is to be circulated to Circuits for use in church meetings, house groups etc. Synod
members participated in three focus groups: Elected to Conference 2009 were Rev Gerald Broadbent, Rev David Clowes, Rev John Howard-Norman, Val Pownall and Meg Davenport and to Youth Conference 2008, Melinda Aspey and Hannah Mullholland. Closing devotions were led by the Leigh and Hindley Circuit. 26 April 2008 Rev
Pat Brown introduced a video presentation on proposals to build a new church
following the merger of Longsight and 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 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 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 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 Sharon
Harbottle, District Mission Forum Secretary, gave a presentation on our links
with Formal
approval was given to the formation of 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. The Spring Synod of the 9 September 2006 The 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, Rev David King,
led the closing devotions. 6 May 2006 The 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 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. Closing worship was led by the Chair of
the District. 10 September 2005 Following
formal business, the Rev Rob Cotton from the Bible Society, gave a presentation,
illustrating successful campaigns in 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 Closing worship was led by the Chair which included the second part of Charles Wesley’s hymn “Pray, without ceasing pray”. (Hymns & Psalms 719) |
