The Methodist Church

The President and Vice-President of the Methodist Conference call on the UK Government to recognise Palestine as an Independent State at methodist.org.uk/about/news/the-president-and-vice-president-of-the-methodist-conference-call-on-the-uk-government-to-recognise-palestine-as-an-independent-state

“Let us go on asking for peace...”

Paul Spray, member of the Connexional Council, asks what this Sunday’s Bible readings have to say to us about Gaza at methodist.org.uk/about/our-stories/gaza-what-do-this-sundays-bible-readings-have-to-say-to-us/

Join us at 3Generate to help children and young people tune into God and take the next step on their Journey of a Lifetime!

Find out more about the wide range of roles available and how you can join the team at methodist.org.uk/3genvols

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Wholehearted graphic introducing Major Andy Burnham as our guest speaker for Whole Hearted Monthly on Tuesday 8 July, 7-9pm.

We are thrilled to welcome Mayor Andy Burnham as the guest speaker for our July wholehearted monthly event on Tuesday 8 July, 7-9pm.

Andy has served as the Mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017.

Sign up for this month's free session: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wholeheart...

White text on teal background reads 'Revd Mark Slaney to serve as President and Caroline Stead to serve as Vice-President' with photos of Revd Mark Slaney and Caroline M Stead in circle shapes above the text. Methodist logo in the bottom right corner.

The Methodist Conference has elected Revd Mark Slaney
to serve as President and Caroline Stead to serve as Vice-President, starting their year of office when the Representative Session of the Methodist Conference opens in Telford in June 2026.

Worship through the Lens of Autism - Sarum College What makes autistic (and other neurodivergent) people feel excluded from worship? What is a good theological response? Practical tips for ministers and autistic people.

Members of #MethodistConf & the whole @methodist.org.uk: if you are wondering how to respond to this morning's debate on neurodiversity, come to this brilliant course at @sarumcollege.bsky.social: WORSHIP THROUGH THE LENS OF AUTISM www.sarum.ac.uk/short-course... Tickets selling fast, so book now!

Sing the good news of "Gifted" and join in with our 2025 Advent and Christmas campaign by recording your church community singing our Christmas single, a new version of "Joy to the World".

Details about how to get involved can be found on our website.

Photo of a person stood in an office holding a Methodist mug. Ove the photo are hand drawn illustrations of stars and a crown. Text to the left of the person reads 'I broke the printer...but I made everyone Christmas cards!'. Text below in a red bubble reads 'You are a gift. Made with love.'

We're excited to announce our 2025 Advent and Christmas theme, launched at the Methodist Conference this year, “Gifted”.

We’re inviting churches to join in sharing a message of deep and gentle truth: “You are a gift. Made with love.”

Find out more online at methodist.org.uk/christmasresources

Photo of the Conference hall taken from the back of the room, showing rows of people sat facing the front, where the President and Vice President sit behind a long white desk below a large Methodist Church logo. On either side of the stage is a large screen, showing a live stream of the Conference.

Are you following #MethodistConf live? We would love to see the view wherever you are - along with any pets joining in the business this morning! Share your pictures below or at #MethodistConf

Photo of the full conference hall, looking down at rows of people facing the stage, which is illuminated by red lights and two large screens on either side.

Photo if the Ordinands stood in rows singing in worship, all wearing black clothes.

The President speaking from the lectern on the Conference stage

This morning at #MethodistConf we welcome our ordinands for Reception into Full Connexion, set within a time of worship and prayer 🙏

Just about to welcome ordinands and others into Full Connexion! What a joy and a privilege. God bless you all on this momentous day and throughout your ministries. #MethodistConf @methodist.org.uk

The President's Address to the Conference 2025 - The Methodist Church God loves you unconditionally, no strings attached. That's the good news.

Read the full address at methodist.org.uk/about/structure-and-governance/the-methodist-conference/conference-2025/presidency/president-and-vice-president-designate/the-presidents-address-to-the-conference-2025

Revd Richard Andrew speaking at the lectern at the Methodist Conference. Text reads 'what song are you singing in God's world?'. Methodist orb logo in the lower left corner.

"Maybe we need to learn to dance again, to tell our story in a different way..."

In his address, the Revd Richard Andrew, President of the Methodist Conference, invites us to ask what story we wish to tell, what song we want to sing about ourselves?

The Ex-President and Ex-Vice-President stand across from the President and Vice-President on the Conference stage, with a large Methodist logo and red backdrop behind them.

This afternoon, we open #MethodistConf with the Election of the President and Vice-President of the Conference, the Revd Richard Andrew and Matthew Forsyth, followed by the giving of symbols: John Wesley's Bible and a first edition copy of John and Charles Wesley's Hymns and Sacred Songs.

The assistant secretary of Conference speaking at a white lectern with large screens showing a live video of the conference stage behind.

The secretary of Conference speaking at a white lectern with large screens showing a live video of the conference stage behind.

Silhouettes of the President of the Conference and Secretary of the Conference entering the hall, with lines to a hymn out of focus on a large screen behind.

Welcome to the Methodist Conference 2025! #MethodistConf

Watch Conference live - The Methodist Church During the 2025 Methodist Conference all public sessions will be available to watch live on this webpage via an embedded Youtube live stream.

During the 2025 Methodist Conference all worship services and public business sessions will be available to watch live at the link below.

Whether you’re joining us in Telford or following along on the livestream, join in the conversation with the hashtag #MethodistConf

To the left of the President of the Methodist Conference 2024/2025 speaking at the lectern, text reads 'The Conference elects the President and Vice-President of the following year’s Conference. The President must be a presbyter and the Vice-President must be a lay person or a deacon. Each candidate must be nominated by five ministers and five lay people. The Conference votes following a statement of experience from the candidates.'

The Conference elects the President and Vice-President of the following year’s Conference. The President must be a presbyter and the Vice-President must be a lay person or a deacon. The Conference votes following a statement of experience from the candidates.

Photo of a person with their hands together in prayer. Text to the left reads 'The business of Conference is underpinned by Conference worship, as representatives are gathering to seek the will of God. God is present as representatives gather prayerfully and faithfully to make decisions that reflect the love of God. Throughout Conference, representatives are invited to reflect on the work of God. '

The business of Conference is underpinned by Conference worship, as representatives are gathering to seek the will of God. God is present as we gather prayerfully and faithfully to make decisions that reflect the love of God.

Photo of a group of ordinands being received into full connexion on the conference stage. Text below reads 'In the Methodist Church, ordination is linked with ‘Reception into Full Connexion’, where presbyters and deacons enter a covenant relationship with the Conference. Reception into Full Connexion takes place on Sunday morning, followed by ordination services in the afternoon. The ordination service is a special form of lifelong commissioning, where presbyters and deacons are authorised to undertake their work.'

Reception into Full Connexion takes place on Sunday morning, followed by ordination services in the afternoon. The ordination service is a special form of lifelong commissioning, where presbyters and deacons are authorised to undertake their work.

Text next to a person speaking at the lectern reads 'The Conference has responsibility for the oversight of the whole life of the Church and it meets annually in both its Representative Session and Presbyteral Session. The business of the Conference is done, and decisions are made, by seeking the will of God through conferring together.'

The Conference has responsibility for the oversight of the whole life of the Church and it meets annually in both its Representative Session and Presbyteral Session. The business of the Conference is done, and decisions are made, by seeking the will of God through conferring together.

White text reads 'what happens at the Methodist Conference?' with an image of a person speaking at the lectern.

On the lower half of the graphic is a photo of conference representatives sat facing forwards in rows. Text above them reads 'The Conference is the governing body of the Methodist Church under God and has responsibility for the whole life of the Church. There are many traditions and legal requirements to be met. Representatives, elected by their district synods, gather annually to make decisions on ordinations, reports, appointments, and memorials.'

What happens at #MethodistConf?

The Conference is the governing body of the Methodist Church and has responsibility for the whole life of the Church. Representatives, elected by their district synods, gather annually to make decisions on ordinations, reports, appointments, and memorials.

Titled 'The Connexion' Text reads 'The British Methodist Connexion is made up of all the districts of Scotland, Wales and England, along with the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands and Shetland. The Conference is the governing body of the Methodist Church under God. The largest group of members at Conference is district representatives: half lay and half ordained. Other Structures in the Methodist Church include: The Presidency, The Connexional Team, The Connexional Council, Partner Organisations, 3Generate' Below is a diagram explaining the structure of the Methodist Church. An image of four concentric circles in darkening shades of red. Inside the circles, each one is labelled, The Connexion, Districts, Circuits, Local Churches.

The British Methodist Connexion is made up of all the districts of Scotland, Wales and England, along with the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands and Shetland. The largest group of members at Conference is district representatives: half lay and half ordained.

Titled 'Districts' with text below which reads 'Each district is made up of one or more circuits and is led by a District Chair. The District Synod sets the policy for the district, serving as a link between the Conference and the Connexional Team and the circuits and local churches. The Synod meets at least once a year and may bring matters to Conference. The district then elects representatives to Conference.' Below is a diagram explaining the structure of the Methodist Church. An image of four concentric circles in darkening shades of red. Inside the circles, each one is labelled, The Connexion, Districts, Circuits, Local Churches.

Each district is made up of one or more circuits and is led by a District Chair. The District Synod connects the Conference and the Connexional Team and the circuits and churches. The Synod meets at least yearly and brings matters to Conference. The district then elects representatives to Conference

Titled 'Circuits' with text below which reads 'Circuits are comprised by one or more churches and are led by presbyters, deacons, circuit stewards and lay workers. Churches elect members of the Church Council, who in turn elect members to represent the church at the Circuit Meeting. The Circuit Meeting then elects representatives to the District Synod.' Below is a diagram explaining the structure of the Methodist Church. An image of four concentric circles in darkening shades of red. Inside the circles, each one is labelled, The Connexion, Districts, Circuits, Local Churches.

Circuits are comprised by one or more churches and are led by presbyters, deacons, circuit stewards and lay workers. Churches elect members of the Church Council, who elect members to represent the church at the Circuit Meeting. The Circuit Meeting then elects representatives to the District Synod.

In the Methodist Church, decisions are made as openly as possible by elected members, both lay and ordained, giving opportunities for all to contribute. It is important for all views to be heard and taken seriously, especially where Christians disagree.

An image of John Wesley with his hand raised speaking to the right of the page, with text which reads '"Do not allow yourself one thought of separating from your brothers and sisters, whether their opinions agree with yours or not." - John Wesley' above and The Connexion allows Methodists to feel part of a larger connected community. At the heart of the Connexion is an understanding of the Christian community as the ‘body of Christ’. This involves putting the good of the whole body above our individual needs, and a promise of mutual support.' to the left.

Text reads 'In the Methodist Church decisions are made as openly as possible by elected members, both lay and ordained, giving opportunities for all to contribute. It is important for all views to be heard and taken seriously, especially where Christians disagree.'. Below is a diagram explaining the structure of the Methodist Church. An image of four concentric circles in darkening shades of red. Inside the circles, each one is labelled, The Connexion, Districts, Circuits, Local Churches. To the left of the circles are arrows pointing upwards between boxes which read 'The Conference, District Synod, Circuit Meeting and Church Council'.

Being part of the Connexion allows us to feel part of a connected community. At its heart is an understanding of the Christian community as the ‘body of Christ’. This involves putting the good of the whole body above our individual needs, and a promise of mutual support.

The Conference never officially ends. It only ever adjourns - and it could reconvene at any time during the year (although this has not happened in recent memory).

The Methodist Conference is a key part of ensuring decisions are made with opportunities for all our members to contribute, and all views to be heard and taken seriously. This is central to the structure of the Methodist Connexion.

Today, the Conference is a gathering of representatives from each Methodist district, along with some who have been elected by the Conference and some based on their role, and representatives of the Youth Assembly.