Tom Wilson was standing down after two years as Lay Leader and his work alongside both David Nixon and David Turtle was warmly acknowledged.
Our new President, Rev Dr John Alderdice and our new Lay Leader, Mrs Elaine Barnett, then took control of the Conference.

Conversation on the Work of God

Elaine Barnett introduced this session with emphasis on three points:

1. Journeying deeper - by living whole heartedly
2. Journeying with others - as followers of Jesus
3. Journeying beyond - for the transformation of the world.

Transformation was the theme later explored by Rev Danielle McCullough, Church of Ireland Chaplain at Oueen's University. She made the interesting point that John Wesley created Methodism by being transformed by the warming of his heart. We need to be transformed first and then follow along the path transformation takes us.

Faith and Order: Human Sexuality (1)

This first session on the topic was where members of Conference were advised to listen, hear and confer well. Groups of six were formed and questions were given for discussion. The conversations were wide ranging and from different perspectives but greatly welcomed. The points raised were listed and handed back to the working group of the Faith and Order Committee .

Reception into Full Connexion

John McNair and Richard Wright were received into Full Connexion. This is a required step before their ordination.

Retiring Ministers

Rev June Parke and Rev Robin Toner are retiring. Tributes were paid to each by Rev David Campton and Rev Jeremy Nicoll respectively.

Governance Board (1)

Tony O'Connor, retiring Chairman, presented the first report. It dealt with issues of racial justice, environmental policy (of which more on Saturday), poverty, the role of the Trussell Trust, World Mission Partnership. Conference members were recommended to get on to our politicians, be a real voice locally, support organisations who are working against poverty, racism., discrimination.

Memorial

Memorial from Rev Dr Julian Hamilton and Rev Andrew Kingston to Methodist Conference 2024
"Methodist Conference is profoundly disturbed by the recent traumatic events in Gaza and southern Israel, which have seen horrific atrocities committed by Hamas, and other militant groups on the 7th October 2023 resulting in over 1,200 deaths and the taking of over 240 hostages.
Conference is also profoundly disturbed at the brutal ‘Swords of Iron’ military campaign by Israel that has so far resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and injuries amongst Gazan civilians; the wholesale destruction of homes and infrastructure; the killing of humanitarian workers and foreign journalists by the Israeli Army (International Federation of Journalists and Human Rights Watch say more than 350 deaths have occurred amongst journalists and Foreign Aid Workers).
These tragic cycles of violence will only end when there is equal recognition of the right of both Israeli and Palestinian people to self determination and an end to the illegal occupation of Palestine by Israel.
The Methodist Conference calls for an immediate ceasefire to enable peace talks to take place, hostages to be freed and bring an end to the terrible suffering in Gaza.
The Methodist Church in Ireland applauds the actions of the government of the Republic of Ireland in the recent recognition of the State of Palestine and calls on the next government of the United Kingdom to likewise recognise the State of Palestine as a means to find lasting peace, justice and security for all in the region.”
An amendment reversed the first two paragraphs. Andrew made the following points:-
As Israeli columnist Gershom Baskin said recently, ‘If you want to defeat terrorism, you have to create a political alternative to terrorism. I would ask the Conference to accept

the call for an end to the occupation Gaza and the West Bank and for an immediate ceasefire.
I have been travelling to Israel and Palestine since 2007 I know and respect many Israeli Jews and Palestinians.

• My last trip to the Holy Land was in 2022. Things were worse with every visit. The Israeli occupation was getting more and more brutal. A Methodist partner in East Jerusalem shared these words that I have never forgotten. ‘The Israeli State has no good intentions towards the Palestinians’.
• At first I didn’t understand what was going on. On seeing the separation walls, I would say things like, ‘Sure we have those in Belfast’. Admittedly the Belfast Peace Walls are a symptom of a deeply divided and sick society, but they do not prevent people from moving produce to markets, or from getting to school, university, work or hospital where permits are routinely denied and queues are intolerable.
• Regarding illegal settlements in the West Bank I would say things like, sure there are plenty of Arabs living in Israel. I didn’t understand that these settlements were built on land that was owned by Arab farmers, and strangers would simply squat on the land, claim it as theirs and then be protected by the army having all the services like good roads, water and electricity, things routinely denied to Palestinians. Can you imagine that happening on your farm without any compensation whatsoever?
• I love walking, and have taken long walks, sometimes over a number of days, through forests and wide open spaces of Israel, only later discovering that I was walking over many peaceful Arab Christian and Muslim villages that were there prior to 1948. Israel doesn’t need to steal land in the West Bank. It has plenty of undeveloped land within the 1948 borders.
• I was also seriously in error theologically, being afraid of being critical of the State of Israel. Didn’t God say to Abraham, ‘I will bless those who bless you and I will curse those who curse you’. The New Testament is about God’s plan to bless the whole earth through his only Son who was physically descended from Abraham. Jesus only spoke about land once, when he said ‘the meek will inherit the land.’
• Yet we are grateful to Jewish people for so much including preserving the scriptures despite enduring pogroms and persecution. Sadly, so often we see that hurt people hurt people.
• Many Jewish people are deeply troubled by the actions of the Israeli State. The intention of this Memorial is that all people; Jew, Christian, Muslim, Druze, and secular – Palestinian and Israeli, might be able to sit in peace under their own vine or fig tree. I would call on the Conference to support the Memorial.

 
The commendation of the Irish Government for recognising the State of Palestine was unexpectedly controversial. The memorial was narrowly passed – 99 votes for, 97 against.

Friday 7th June 2024

Faith and Order Committee

This session was introduced by Gillian Kingston who has been the convenor for some years and is now retiring.

1. Guidelines for Holy Communion. A group from the Faith and Order Committee is looking at guidelines which will help Societies to respond to local situations and will encourage appropriate use of the variety of Holy Communion liturgies already available
2. The use of Church Premises by other Faith Communities. The General Secretary is seeking legal advice on these issues. The Faith and Order Committee Committee advises that ministers should confer with their District Superintendent concerning possible lettings to other faith groups.
3. Towards a Theology of Safeguarding. The MCI is grateful to the Methodist Church in Britain for permission to adapt and develop its document on the theology of safeguarding into an Irish Methodist theological understanding. This fulfils recommendation 9 of the safeguarding-related Past Cases Review. The report comes to the 2024 Conference a year earlier than the recommendation.
4. The Covenant Council. The Covenant Council has been working on the interchangeability of ministries between the Church of Ireland and the Methodist Church in Ireland. It has asked the Faith and Order Committee to reflect on what is meant by 'full connexion' and how that works out in terms of authority and responsibility.

All four reports were accepted by the Conference. Warm tribute was paid to Gillian Kingston as she retires from her role of Convenor. The Rev Dr Janet Unsworth was approved as the new Convenor of the Faith and Order Committee.
 
 

Governance Board (2)

Tony O'Connor presented the finances of the Methodist Church in Ireland using a model that he had created and worked on himself. In 2022 there was a loss of 5 million and this had been reduced in 2023 to 1.5 million. It was still a sizeable gap. He said that the level of central services is correct in comparison to other churches. Therefore additional funding is necessary to pay for these services. Further discussion is needed on how this can be achieved.
 

Principles of the Comprehensive Assessment

A Report was presented on the system of Comprehensive Assessment through the Central Services (HR, IT, Estates etc) of MCI are financed. The report also examined the scope of central services and the resourcing of the Office of the General Secretary of MCI, along with the use of the reserves of the Church.

The report concluded that the scope of Central Services is appropriate for a church of the size of MCI but that the system of Comprehensive Assessment is no longer fit for purpose. It does not meet the entire cost of Central Services and a deficit of £851,720 is projected for 2024. The deficit will be met from central reserves.
It was recommended that a new ‘Central Support Levy’ replace the Comprehensive Assessment from 2026 onwards. The new system would comprise contributions from Circuits, based on bother their income and their reserve position.
In the feedback session, reservations were expressed by speakers, including Rev Andrew Kingston.

Conference adopted the resolution that, from 2026, Central Services will be funded through a combination of a Central Support Levy and a levy based on central income of the Church.
Tony received the very warm thanks of Conference on the huge amount of work that he had applied in his three years as Chairman of the Governance Board. Mr David Best was approved as new Chairman of the Governance Board.

 

Faith and Order: Human Sexuality (2)

The Faith and Order Committee Report presented to Conference represented the culmination of a process begun in in 2014 to “undertake a fundamental review of Christian teaching on human sexuality and practice.”
In keeping with the Terms of Reference agreed by Conference, the Faith and Order Committee did not at any time consider any change to the understanding of marriage as received by the Methodist Church in Ireland, which is stated in Methodist Belief 2003 as follows: “Marriage is a relationship, intended as permanent, between one man and one woman within which sexual intercourse establishes a unique intimacy. A loving marriage relationship is seen as the only appropriate relationship within which sexual intercourse may take place.”
There was extensive feedback on the Report, with a total of 21 representatives speaking. Many contributions were emotional and personal. All were spoken with dignity and received with respect.

Points made in the feedback session included the following:

• Jesus preached radical inclusiveness, reducing the 613 commandments of the Torah to two ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’
• Enforced celibacy for LGBT members of MCI leads to isolation and is detrimental to mental and physical health.
• Being in a same-sex stable marriage should not be a barrier to service in the Church.
• The Church can be hospitable without embracing all behaviours. Paul’s letter to the Galatians states: ‘Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.’
• Jesus’ description of marriage must remain the blueprint for church policy.
• Discernment by Church Councils and Circuits of how people may serve is challenging in light of the report. Reliance on 1 Timothy may lead to greater scrutiny of people’s lives in relation to sexuality that in other aspects. ( ‘So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation.’)
• There is a danger that a person may be deemed fit e.g to teach Sunday School, in one Society, but not in another.
• It is important to be able to go back to Societies and say in relation to the discussion on Human Sexuality: ‘this is ok’. Churches who accept a liberal approach risk decline.

 
Two amendments to the Resolution were discussed as follows:
 

A proposal to delete the following from the Resolution was defeated:

2.2 We recognise that Scripture on human sexuality is read and understood in different ways. As a Methodist people we differ as to the validity of those different readings.

The following was approved and added to the Resolution:

4.3 We affirm that adherence to MCI teaching on marriage requires faithfulness in marriage and celibacy outside of it, this is a goal of discipleship and a standard for spiritual leadership and teaching roles.
In their discernment processes, Church Councils and Circuit Executives, and MCI Teams are accountable for maintaining these principles in a compassionate way for the spiritual edification of the Church.
 
 

The full text of the Resolution adopted is as follows:

We affirm that sexuality is a gift from God and part of God’s good creation.

• We affirm, as stated in Methodist Belief 2021, that: “the Bible contains all that is necessary for salvation, and that nothing should be thought necessary to salvation which is not contained within the books of the Bible or which may not be proved from them.”???
• We recognise that Scripture on human sexuality is read and understood in different ways. As a Methodist people we differ as to the validity of those different readings.

• All need to be saved; all may be saved; all may know themselves to be saved; and all may be saved to the uttermost.
• God’s action in Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and ascension opens the opportunity of salvation to all.
• God’s prevenient grace is a core part of Methodist understanding: God’s grace streams to all, continually drawing us to Jesus.
• All are welcome as part of Methodist communities.
• All are welcome to the Lord’s Table.

• The Manual of Laws states: “It is the responsibility of Church Councils to assist members of the congregation in using their gifts and experience to serve the kingdom of God” (Manual of Laws 2.06 (e)).
• We recognise the complexity of this discernment for local Societies in which many factors, including the Church’s teaching on human sexuality, are considered. Our practice remains that it is the responsibility of the Church Council to discern how people may serve in the life of the local Church and that discernment about service and leadership beyond the local Society is the responsibility of the relevant Circuits and MCI Teams.
• We affirm that adherence to MCI teaching on marriage requires faithfulness in marriage and celibacy outside of it, this is a goal of discipleship and a standard for spiritual leadership and teaching roles.

In their discernment processes, Church Councils and Circuit Executives, and MCI Teams are accountable for maintaining these principles in a compassionate way for the spiritual edification of the Church.
We acknowledge where, in our actions, words and attitudes, we have fallen short of the way of Jesus. We confess and repent. In matters of sexuality, as in all other matters, we re-commit ourselves to live wholeheartedly as followers of Jesus for the transformation of the world.
 

Council on Social Responsibility

 

1Southern Executive

The Southern Executive presented a report on the context of growing anti-immigrant narratives. Challenges arising from crises in housing and health services were described, along with the increased need to humanely fulfil obligations to Ukrainian refugees and to people in need of international protection. Church members were advised to be Vocal, Virtual (speaking up on line) and Visible in combating racism.

2.4.2Northern Executive

The Northern Executive presented a report on the extent to which the gap between rich and poor is growing. Increasing numbers need to use a food bank and many of them are in receipt of Universal Credit. A request was made of Conference to support the ‘Essentials Guarantee’ to ensure an increase in the basic rate of Universal Credit. A letter to the UK Prime Minister was approved.
 

2.4.3Environmental Policy

A sub-group of CSR presented an updated Environmental Policy to replace all previous policies. The Policy seeks to support and encourage Societies (taking account of global and local environmental considerations) to care for the earth by following sustainable practices through:

• reduction in the use of fossil fuels and single-use plastics in the Church and at home;
• conservation and responsible use of all resources, in the Church and at home;
• development of more sustainable lifestyles;
• support for community environmental and biodiversity conservation initiatives;
• concern for, and for action on, global environmental challenges.

Essential minimal measures and implementation indicators are provided and the Policy encouraged Societies to place Environmental and Biodiversity issues as an item on their Church Council Agendas bi-annually. An Implementation Checklist will be provided to assist in the implementation process.
 

Decisions

Conference approved the Environmental Policy.
Conference recommended that the following Sundays are observed:

• Creation tide - September- October 2025
• Social Responsibility Sunday - Sunday 26th January 2025
• Racial Justice Sunday – Sunday 2nd February 2025

 
 

2.5 World Mission Partnership

WMP reports to the Connexional Team and the Governance Board.
 
A report was presented on the activities of WMP, including:

• Overseas service;
• Relationships with partner churches around the world;
• Facilitating visits to sister churches overseas;
• Junior Mission for All
• Container Ministry
• Provision of resources for prayer and events

The consequences of the change to the Mission Partner Programme, administered by the Methodist Church in Britian, in partnership with MCI, were outlined. The changes meant that lay people will no longer be able to serve through the programme. Two Irish lay Mission Partners are directly affected and WMP is exploring ways in which they may be able to continue their overseas service. A possible option would be the ‘Mission Service Grant’ which would offer financial support to enable irish Methodists to serve with another Church or organisation, while remaining connected to their Irish Church family.
 

2.6 The Connexional Team

 
 
A report was presented in relation to the Connexional Teams activities in:

• Discipleship Development
• Youth and Children’s Strategy
• Missional Property
• Closures and Realignments
• Church Growth