Synod News Sheet

BRISTOL DISTRICT AUTUMN SYNOD

SEPTEMBER 12^TH 2009

The Bristol Autumn District Synod met on Saturday 12^th September at Kingswood School in the North East Somerset & Bath Circuit. Members were welcomed both by Rev Ian Souter, Superintendent, and the Head-Teacher Simon Morris. The opening and the closing worship, which included Communion, was led by Rev Rachel Borgars and the Chair Rev A. Ward Jones who gave the address. It formed and set the context and agenda for the day, which was built around the theme of ‘Called to be Risk Takers’. This brought members together as travelers along the pilgrim way and heightened the collective sense of fellowship and purpose within the gathering.

In the morning, following matters of administration including an outline of the new procedures for property schemes, Don Coghill presented a report on the Methodist Centre on Midland Road in Bristol. The Centre can trace its history back to 1817 when a work of outreach to the homeless and destitute of the City was established by the Bristol Methodists. In the last year a computer room has been added in the Centre and regular services and communion have taken place in order to provide spiritual assistance to both the staff and those who visit the premises. It is estimated in the last twelve months that 7500 free lunches, 4500 breakfasts and 25,000 cups of tea have all been served with expenses of just £20 day on food thanks largely to the generosity of Methodist Members and Churches around the District. Every Circuit / Area in the District currently contributes at least £500 annually and as this commitment runs out in 2011, a new five year plan is to be prepared. The District therefore looks forward to hearing of how it can help and of plans for the Centre beyond 2011. Following on from this presentation Rev Jon Doble with other friends from I.S.R. (Churches Council for Industry and Social Responsibility based in Bristol) outlined their hopes to involve 300 lay or ordained individuals across the District in Chaplaincy work over the next 5 years. This could be anything from traditional Chaplaincy Models in places such as prisons to work place Chaplains in locations from Shopping Centers to Fire Stations and Industrial Estates. It is hoped a scheme could be up and running with support from the District very soon. The question was put – ‘Where can your Church exercise Chaplaincy?’ Further work that I.S.R. undertakes was presented with an offer of assistance to congregations to discover their mission and to take risks for the Gospel.

Either side of lunch Synod received an update from the Treasurer on the District’s finances (which gladly were in good health despite the economic challenges), and feedback from Methodist Conference including on its reports entitled ‘Embracing the Covenant’ and ‘A Response to the World Council of Churches – The Nature & Mission of the Church’. Time was then given in the afternoon to two particular issues. First, as announced by Deacon Gary Hoare, the re-naming of the Children, Young People and Young Adults Portfolio to that of ‘Family Portfolio’ with the intention of shaping and emphasizing work not only with children and young people, but also with families in all their diverse shapes and sizes today. Second, Rev Derek Collins, inspired by the debate at Conference, gave and led a challenging presentation and discussion on the issue of Climate Change.

Quoting the Psalmist who wrote ‘The Earth is the Lord’s’ he asked ‘If we truly believed this’. He emphasized the IPCC Report which stated that Global Warming was now unequivocal. The impact of carbon emissions on the Climate was simply impossible to deny. Furthermore oil production will reach its peak in 2012. This means alternative means of energy supply must and will have to be found. In all of this the poor will be the most affected. Therefore for the sake of the both the poor and the planet we must act now. The risk of doing nothing is too great a risk to take. The consequences could be catastrophic. Mark Boulton (District Environment Officer) then spoke of his Church in Cheltenham which had just placed panels on the roof and is an Eco-Church. Their collective challenge was – ‘Don’t be part of the problem. Be part of the solution’. With this appeal to act and to take risks for the Gospel Synod concluded with an act of communion, and as the bread and wine were shared, was reminded of Christ the Risk-Taker who risked all for our salvation. A retiring offering yielded £610.99 with an additional £123 recoverable through Gift Aid for a project supported by the Ecumenical Forum for Korea in aid of some of the poorest people within the Korean peninsula. The District is in a growing relationship with the Methodist Church of South Korea and in June had received a delegation from the Church.

Elected to Methodist Conference 2010 (Portsmouth)

Rev A Ward Jones (Ex-Officio)

Rev Carrie Seaton (Elected as Synod Secretary)

Rev Peter Mortlock (Elected for 3 years from 2008)

Rev Den Harding

Deacon Gary Hoare

Mrs. Jane Parsons (Elected for 3 years from 2009)

Mr. Andrew Owen (Elected For 3 years from 2010)

Mr. Ray Warren

Mr. Robert Beckham

Mr. John Seward

(Reserves – Rev John James / Mr. Trevor Bell)

Rev Andrew Prout – Synod Assistant Secretary