Methodists’ New Year’s Resolution

Methodists’ New Year’s Resolution - to cut carbon emissions by 10 per cent within a year·
Call to be ‘earth keepers’ rather than ‘earth eaters’

Revd Dr Martyn Atkins, General Secretary of the Methodist Church, signed up to the 10:10 campaign yesterday on behalf of over 100 staff at Methodist Church House in London. Throughout 2010, staff will work to cut 10 per cent off the building’s energy use.

Martyn said: ‘We begin to change the world when we change our lives and lifestyles. It is absolutely right, then, that as Christian disciples heeding God’s command to be good stewards of the planet, and increasingly ‘earth keepers’ rather than ‘earth eaters’, we commit ourselves to joining the 10:10 campaign. Together we can make a small but significant change and express hope in God’s future.’

Using the principle of ‘small actions, big difference,’ office staff will be encouraged to switch off lights and computers when they are not in use. There will also be a travel survey, initiating a year-long challenge to look at travel patterns for work engagements in Britain and with partner churches worldwide.

Energy saving actions at Methodist Church House have already begun. Desk printers have been replaced by more efficient shared printers. All office staff have their own recycling bin with non-recyclable material now deposited in separate communal bins. Following the results of an independent audit by the Carbon Trust, there will be an investment in a suitable building management system and exploration of PIR (passive infrared sensors) lighting.

Tamsin Omond, Faith Coordinator for the 10:10 campaign, said: “It is great to have the Methodist Church joining the initiative. Faith groups have recently had a strong voice on this issue and turning words into action is essential to tackle the global problem of climate change. All our personal actions reinforce the message to our governments regarding the scale of ambition that we expect from international agreements.”

The wider Church is encouraged to join the campaign via http://www.1010uk.org


Source: Methodist News Service 07/01/2010

Getting the best for Local Preachers

First phase of major consultation begins

The Methodist Church is carrying out a major review of training and support for local preachers throughout Great Britain.

This week, questionnaires and discussion documents have been sent to all circuit local preachers’ secretaries and circuit superintendents inviting them to facilitate a review of continuing development programmes for Britain’s 10,000 local preachers.

Revd Dr Martyn Atkins, General Secretary of the Methodist Church, said; “Local preachers are essential to the life and ministry of the Church. As a team, we are committed to listening to local preachers about their needs and concerns so that we can offer them better support and training, helping them to live out their calling to the full.”

The first phase of the consultation will ask local preachers about what kind of continuing development programmes they would find most helpful. Each local preachers’ meeting has been asked to encourage all local preachers present to complete a questionnaire about existing and future continuing development provision. Each meeting is also being asked to discuss what the major challenges are for local preachers today and how they can best be supported in their ministry. Documentation to support the consultation is available online at www.methodist.org.uk/lpconsultation.

Speaking of the Church’s duty to nurture and uphold the ministry of local preachers, Revd Dr Mark Wakelin, Secretary for Internal Relationships, said; “Sitting in a pew I want the person leading to know that they are not simply there to fill a plan appointment, but because God has called them, that the Church recognises this and had tried to equip and support that call. I have been most helped when a preacher exudes a sense of their worth and value as God’s messenger.”

A second consultation phase in spring 2010 will specifically consider Faith and Worship, the local preachers’ training course.


Source: Methodist News Service 30/10/2009

Pakistan Church calls for an end to religious violence

Call for prayer this Sunday


The leader of the Methodist Church in Britain has welcomed moves by Church leaders in Pakistan which call on the Pakistani government to end religious violence in the country.

This year, violent attacks against Christians have left many dead and made hundreds of families homeless, as many more fear for their safety. Church leaders in Pakistan have formed a Christian Action Forum to address the problem and are lobbying their Government to act to end the violence.

The Revd Dr Martyn Atkins, General Secretary of the Methodist Church in Britain, said, “I welcome this announcement and want to add my voice to theirs in calling for serious and credible efforts from the Government to stem the violence against religious minorities. I also want to extend my sympathy to the families of those who have lost loved ones in the recent violent attacks.”

Martyn affirmed the right of all people to live in safety and worship freely, encouraging Christians to pray for the Church and people of Pakistan, especially on Sunday which is the 39th anniversary of the founding of the United Church of Pakistan.

Steve Pearce, Partnership Coordinator for Asia, is currently in Pakistan and yesterday attended a press conference given by the Moderator of the Church of Pakistan, Bishop Samuel Azariah, and the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Lahore, His Grace Lawrence John Saldanha. At the conference, Church leaders called for the repeal of laws which encourage crime and discrimination, especially the controversial blasphemy laws, which have been used to justify violence against Christians.

Steve said, “There is considerable tension in the country following indiscriminate suicide bombings and the assassination of a provincial government minister. All schools must now have armed guards, establishments where girls are educated are particularly worried and many church meetings are being cancelled. It is late in the evening now, and I can hear gunfire in nearby streets.”

Speaking after the press conference, Bishop Azariah commented, “The most important thing about the new Forum is that Christian leaders are now struggling together for the establishment of democratic values in Pakistan and fighting against the discriminatory laws being used against the religious minorities.”

Martyn also invited Methodists in Britain to lobby their representatives at the national and European parliaments to question the Pakistan government about the protection of the rights of minorities in the country. He welcomed the contribution of Pakistani Christians to the life of the Methodist Church in Britain and encouraged local congregations across Britain to offer pastoral support to them during this difficult time.


Source: Methodist News service 27/10/2009

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

Methodist leader ‘appalled’ at atrocities in Pakistan

Christians urged to pray for Church in Pakistan

Revd Dr Martyn Atkins, General Secretary of the Methodist Church in Britain, has expressed deep concern over violence against Christians in Pakistan.

Over the last week in Pakistan many acts of violence have been committed against Christians, including the burning of 47 homes in the village of Korian and 100 homes in Gojra City. More than 290 families have been made homeless and at least nine people have died in the violence, which has arisen as a result of religious tensions between Christians and Muslims.

Martyn said: “I am appalled at the atrocities that have taken place in recent days in Pakistan. People of all faiths have been deeply troubled by these acts, which represent personal disaster for very many families who have lost relatives, homes and livelihoods. It casts a shadow on all people of faith, both Muslim and Christian, who know that such violence should never be a part of religious life.

“I welcome the care and compassion shown by many Muslims to their Christian neighbours, taking them into their homes for safety and making efforts to rebuild peace in the communities.”

The Methodist Church in Britain has made an initial solidarity grant of £10,000 through Church World Service to provide emergency relief supplies such as food and shelter.

Martyn joined with Revd Samuel Kobia, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, in calling on the Pakistani government to take action to stem the violence. He said: “These recent riots are a matter of serious concern and it is the responsibility of the State to provide security to all its citizens and to call on all people of faith - especially local and national leaders - to focus their efforts on building peace rather than seeking reasons for further disunity.

“Our message is clear: acts of violence targeted at a religious minority are always wrong. When they do occur they must be investigated diligently and the perpetrators must be brought to justice.”

Martyn also called on Christians to pray for the Church in Pakistan over the coming weeks and commended the following prayer for use in churches and prayer meetings:

Merciful God,
Whose loving heart yearns for peace and justice to flow freely in all communities,
Be with all the people of Korian and Gojra in these difficult times,
May those who have lost relatives and friends be comforted,
Those who have lost their homes be sheltered,
Those who have lost hope find peace.
We pray for faith leaders, both Christian and Muslim,
and for national leaders in Pakistan and in Europe
May they work consistently for peace and keep justice constantly in view.
We pray for ourselves, that we may play our part in expressing
your love for the whole of creation in all we do and say this day. Amen.


Source: Methodist News Service 06/08/2009