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Bolton and Rochdale Methodist District SYNOD September 2011 The The
Chair gave a presentation on the General Secretary’s Report to Conference and
reflected on the challenges before us at this crucial point in the life of the Permission
was granted for cessation of worship at Longsight and Alison Parker, Regional Training Officer gave details of the forthcoming training day “Gifts Differing” at Aspull Methodist Church in the Wigan Circuit which was to be led by the Vice-President of Conference, specifically aimed at discerning our own gifts and personality traits working in teams from within our churches. Revd Ron Hicks reported on the acceptance of the Conference report on the NW Review and reaffirmed the values of districts working together. A steering group was appointed to continue to process this work. Other
items of business included a report from the District Treasurer, an overview of
the position regarding the Ministerial Development Review from Elected to Conference 2012 were Revd Stephen Radford, Revd Sylvester Deigh, Robert Graham, Val Pownall and Adrienne Simpson.
March 2011 The The Revd Ronald Hicks, District representative on the Review Group for
North West Methodist Districts, referred to the report that had been circulated
to Synod. He outlined the different
models considered for the region and highlighted the preferred model that is to
develop a covenant relationship between the existing seven Districts with
ongoing developments. This will be
presented to Conference 2011. He
explained the timeline for the developments.
It is anticipated that North West District Chairs will sign the Covenant
in the autumn. From an ecumenical perspective, Synod gave its approval to the new
constitution for the Baptist/Methodist LEP based at Synod agreed the recommendation to Conference that from September 2011 the
Prestwich and Radcliffe Circuit and the Bury and Heywood Circuit become a new
Circuit to be known as the Bury Circuit. A
recommendation was approved that the Written reports on the life of the District were presented and accepted.
In response to demand, members within the District have been trained to
work alongside Churches in “Healthy Church Reviews”. Other
business included approvals of the new District Safeguarding Policy, and
finance. Thanks and best wishes were
extended to retiring officers, those moving Districts and those becoming
supernumeraries. Particular concern
was expressed for those who are expecting to ‘retire’ on medical grounds. As
this was the last district Synod for Revd David King as Chair, the Revd Gerald
Broadbent, former Ministerial Synod Secretary, and Superintendent of the Bolton
Circuit, paid tribute to him for the way in which he had worked within and cared
for the District and extended Synod’s best wishes in his forthcoming
appointment.
September 2010 The Bolton and Rochdale Synod met at Christ Church URC/Methodist Church in the Farnworth and Worsley Circuit, a successful LEP celebrating its tenth anniversary, and was welcomed by Revs Philip Brooks and Stephen Radford. The Chair, Rev David King, welcomed the Revs Rachel and Sylvester Deigh to the District, and Sally Thornton, a probationer involved in Pioneer Ministry. Amongst other letters, it was agreed to write to two former servants of the District, Vice-President Deacon Eunice Atwood and Rev Leo Osborn, President Designate. In speaking on the All Partners Consultation, Dr John Harbottle reminded Synod that mission is the agenda not just an item on the agenda. In the debate on Leading and Presiding, the Rev John Munsey Turner defended the status quo on the grounds that the present system, "throws up eccentrics.... and we've had a few!"; there was a mood in Synod that this issue was not one of the most pressing facing the church and favoured keeping the present system. The Rev Anne Cash gave an update on Network and commended those who raised the £2300 for Sierra Leone. The Rev Dr Mark Wakelin, Secretary for Internal Affairs, inspired as he spoke of the need to be attentive listeners and of the courage required in seeing the "not yet in the here and now". Wendy Beard, DDE gave an interim report on the potentially momentous North-West Review. At the close of Synod, David King presented the outgoing Ministerial Synod Secretary, Rev Gerald Broadbent, with a bogus "leather-bound copy of CPD", an allusion to Gerald's knowledge of all-things Methodist. The Chair also expressed his gratitude to supernumeraries in the District for their ongoing commitment. The next Synod on 6 November will meet to receive the name of a new Chair and focus on the Biblefresh initiative. Elected to Conference: Rev Gerald Broadbent, Rev Stephen Radford, Meg Davenport, David Jewitt and Val Pownall. Elected to Youth Assembly: Thomas Dale and Thomas Martin.
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) |
