The 2022 Methodist Conference
21 June 2022
The Methodist Conference returns for the first wholly in-person event since 2019. This year it takes place in Telford between June 24th and 30th.
The Representative Session will open on Saturday with the induction of the President, the Revd Graham Thompson and the Vice President, Anthony Boateng who will serve in these roles for the next year.
During the Sunday morning service 22 ordinands will be received into Full Connexion, with their ordinations taking place across four locations in the Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury District in the afternoon.
Topics that will be discussed this year include Oversight and Trusteeship, an update on the Justice, Dignity and Solidarity strategy and exploring a Theology of Online life. Action for Hope, the plan to implement an aspirational target to become a net zero Church by 2030, will be shared with the Conference and will outline eight aims to focus on in the coming years. Conference representatives will also hear a presentation by the newly-installed Chaplain-General and Deputy Chaplain-General of the British Army who are both Methodist ministers.
A service of repentance and commitment is to be shared during worship on the Wednesday. It has been developed in response to last year’s Conference adopting the Justice, Dignity and Solidarity strategy and a Notice of Motion which offered an unreserved apology to those who have suffered abuse and victimisation. The apology is not offered to any single group or characteristic, but is recognition that the Church has caused harm to many groups and people. It will be offered to Methodist districts and circuits to be used at Synods during the latter part of 2022.
Representatives will also be able to take part in a wide range of fringe events. The Beckly Lecture 'Britain Global Power or Good Neighbour’ will be delivered by the Rt Hon Lord Paul Boateng. The Conference will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the establishment of Methodist Insurance.