Dublin South City Circuit.
Report from the Methodist Conference   8th - 10th June 2023.

The theme of the Conference was Followers of Jesus together.
The Conference was held in Belfast at the Assembly Building of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.  It was an uplifting and positive gathering of Methodists despite the fact that some difficult and troubling issues were under discussion.  The warm tone was set right from the beginning on Thursday evening when the Rev David Turtle was installed as President of the Methodist Church in Ireland.  His presidential address began with warm appreciation of the tremendous work that his predecessor, Rev David Nixon, had performed throughout his year in office.
On Friday morning the Conference was severely tested, even troubled, by the presentation from the Council of Social Responsibility. Poverty is getting worse, and the stories are terrible. Lack of sufficient income is leading to mental health problems; the lack of housing is leading to emigration; the inability to meet educational needs or even feed children is leading to despair.  The solution is to become involved - partner with charities that work with those in deep need; live more simply and give away your surplus; make your voice heard in justice issues; challenge racism in all its forms; Conference was challenged to become angry and to act - above all to pray and pray and pray.  Conference did just that in the profound silence that followed this powerful presentation.
Thankfully Conference was then uplifted by the many accounts of the Work of God around the Connexion.  Again as followers of Jesus together, we were challenged to consider the question - What is God up to?  How can I join in?  The answer was one that was repeated continually over the two days of Conference - LISTEN.   If God is moving outside our church buildings - so, must we. We should form relationships with people we meet because the Kingdom of God moves at the pace of relationships.
The Governance Board moved us smoothly and skilfully through the business of Conference in the afternoon. Their work is considerable and warm thanks was expressed to the Board through the chair, Tony O'Connor.
 
Saturday morning brought us first the work of the Faith and Order Committee.  In summary we heard that: -

- The booklet Methodist Belief is being re-distributed
- Online worship is not a lesser experience
- Further reflection on the Lord's Supper will be needed
- The working group on Human Sexuality was not asked to include same sex marriage nor transgender issues.
- Courteous Listening was stressed as there was a wide spectrum of opinion.  Conference then did listen to that spectrum, and it was noted that young attendees needed the Methodist Church to give them guidance as human sexuality issues were part of what they had to deal with as followers of Jesus.

Conference then took a solemn moment during which the Past Cases Review was considered. The President gave a heart-felt meaningful apology for all the abuses suffered by individuals which our church should never have permitted.  He affirmed the intention of the church to be scrupulous in safeguarding so that abuse can never happen again.
The Connexional Team then presented the report of a working group on Church Growth. The pessimistic side expressed anxiety, stress, declining numbers.  The positive side presented a changing church; a different church; an optimistic church.  Growth will involve effort; creating space for pioneer work; creating space for young adults; for partnering with others. We were left to ponder and pray on the sentence 'Be faithful to where God is calling us to be' Once again listening was at the centre of the report.
The IMYC then gave Conference a dynamic presentation by Gillian Gilmore and Rev Fiona McCrea. Entitled the Strategy Development Project it began with the dramatic statement that by 2028 there will be a substantial increase in the numbers of young people in the Methodist Church. There will be a strategy for circuits; new faith communities for young people; leaders who are under 25 years of age; theological resourcing; a whole church approach.  In response to the presentation the young delegates to Conference were articulate and rightfully demanding.  Their challenge was ‘Who is listening to us?  We have lots to contribute.  As a totally thrilled listener, I feel that this presentation should be available to circuits around the Connexion - with Gillian and Fiona presenting it if possible because they were fantastic!
Throughout Conference prayer took place and prayer teams were available all day for anyone who felt the need for prayer. There were personal tributes to ministers retiring;  there was a deeply moving service for relatives of ministers who had died during the past year; the ecumenical visitors were warmly welcomed and their opinions sought both in conversations and at moments set aside for their contributions .

The elections followed and these are the results: -
President Designate for 2024-25            Dr John Alderdice
Lay Leader Designate for 2024-26          Elaine Barnett
Ministerial Governance Board member     Rev Richard Rowe
Lay Governance Board member              Jackie Wright
Assistant Secretary to Conference           Louise Wilson
Lay Delegate to British Conference 2024   Pat Jamison

In conclusion, I felt that this was the most optimistic, outward looking and gracefully managed Conference that I have attended.  It was filled with joy and creativity.  It enthused me and I only wish that a taste of it has been transmitted through this short report.            

Gillie Hinds

Circuit Representative to Conference 2023.