Bea Hulme elected as Youth President for 2024/2025
07 December 2023
Following the elections held at this year’s 3Generate, the Methodist Children and Youth Assembly, it has been announced that the Youth President for 2024/2025 will be Bea Hulme, aged 21. Bea attends Penrith Methodist Church in Cumbria when home from university in Chester where she is studying theology.
Bea will become part of the Connexional Team from the 1 August 2024 and will succeed Thomas Hart as Youth President from 1 September. She will be formally welcomed at a service that will take place in the autumn of 2024.
Bea has grown up a Christian and a Methodist. She became involved in the wider life of the Church through volunteering. “I got involved in Methodism properly thanks to volunteering with the Hope and Anchor team at Greenbelt. When I was looking for churches at university, I had trouble finding one that was as accepting of me as they were.”
“I looked at the job description for Youth President. My mum said I’d do a good job, and gradually I began to agree with her. As I researched more about it, it seemed like God was pushing me towards it.
“At first, I was really surprised that I was voted in and was convinced I’d get another call in an hour saying it was a mistake but I’m really excited to be taking on the role. I’ve really enjoyed the experience so far, especially meeting Luca and Isabel, the other candidates, they’re amazing.”
The current Youth President, Thomas Hart, commented, “Well done Bea. I send my congratulations to her on being elected as Youth President 2024/2025. The Youth Presidency is a really exciting role and I look forward to working with Bea from next August, as we start the handover process to explore what the year will look like for them. Please keep Bea in your prayers and thoughts as she begins the process of preparing for her year of office.”
Revd Tim Cooke, Bea’s minister, commented, “I am delighted that Bea is to become our Methodist Youth President. Having worked with Bea for over eight years, I have been blessed by her infectious energy and her passion for making life with God relevant, meaningful and fun for everyone!
“I am convinced that her many gifts and graces will be a blessing for the young people she represents, and the larger Methodist Church.”
Bea’s mother, Sarah Hulme is the Connexional Rural Mission and Ministry Officer. Sarah commented, “I’m delighted that Bea is being given this amazing opportunity to represent children & young people next year. I’m sure she will relish both the challenges & opportunities whilst serving the wider Methodist Church in this way.”
The Methodist Youth President is a salaried position working full-time for one year to serve the children and young people of the Methodist Church in Britain. The role involves meeting and representing the young Methodist people to ensure that their voices are heard and to help them be involved in every aspect of Church life.