European Methodist Council comes to Manchester

Church leaders from all over Europe will meet in Manchester this weekend to discuss mass unemployment, migration, Christian and Muslim dialogue and ecumenical relationships.

Methodists from Ireland in the West across to Russia in the East and from Portugal in the South up to Scandinavia in the North will arrive at the Luther King House in Brighton Grove on September 12 for the annual European Methodist Council.

Representatives from Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, Britain, Ireland and northern, central and southern Europe will also discuss the Church’s response to the financial crisis which rocked the globe this year.

A celebratory day of worship at local churches across the city on Sunday will conclude with evensong at Manchester Cathedral followed by a dinner. Council business will begin on September 14 and end on September 16.

Revd Keith Davies, Manchester and Stockport Methodist Chair of District, will address the Council on urban mission using Manchester as a model.

“We are really excited about the European Methodist Council coming to Manchester. I think it is really good to have that link with our European partners,” he said. “We are hoping that there may be a more focused link with some of our partners.”

Revd Dr Martyn Atkins, General Secretary of the Methodist Church, will be giving a talk on vision, identity and Methodist charisma in Europe. There are nine Methodist denominational churches in Europe with around half million members and adherents.

The European Methodist Council is a consultative body that exists to enable member churches to consult together on matters of common concern and develop a stronger Methodist witness in Europe.

Source: Methodist News Service 10/09/2009