Fringe highlights: MPs debate the future of politics; Doreen Lawrence discusses reconciliation

• Challenges and Choices: "Do we have faith in the future ofpolitics?" 

Politicians and Methodists will debate the question, "Do we havefaith in the future of politics?" during this year's annualMethodist Conference in London.

Dr Stella Creasy MP (Labour), Sarah Teather MP (Lib Dem) andJohn Glen (Conservative) will on the panel for this year's BecklyLecture hosted in the House of Commons (Committee Room 10) at 8pmon 8 July.

The Methodist Conference is being held at the Methodist CentralHall in Westminster, London from 4 - 11 July. The Conference is thegoverning body of the Methodist Church and meets annually todiscuss matters affecting the life of the Church, the nation andthe world.

Spaces for the Beckly Lecture are limited. Members of the pressand public wishing to attend will need to book a ticket in advancevia the website becklylecture2013.eventbrite.co.uk, and bring a copy of theconfirmation page with them on the night.

Other fringe event highlights during the Conference include:

• Kairos: The Time is Now - Still Life: Tales from the WestBankpresented by two former Ecumenical Accompaniers - Karen Chalkand Penny Stone.
  Venue: Methodist Central Hall. Date: 8pm on 8 July.Contact: w.bardsley39@btinternet.comfor more information.

• Methodist Peace Fellowship: Making Peace on Our Doorstep. MrsDoreen Lawrence, mother of Stephen Lawrence,will talk about thereconciliation work being done particularly for young peoplethrough her charitable trust. The meeting will be chaired by MPFPresident, the Revd Inderjit Bhogal.
  Venue: Hinde Street Methodist Church, 19 Thayer Street W1U 2QJ.Date: 7.30pm on 08 July. See www.mpf.org.uk for further information

• Heaven Touching Earth - the Church and RacialInclusion. The Revd Michael Jagessar from the URC and the RevdArlington Trotman from the Methodist Church will speak on themesraised in Revelation 7:9.
  The talk will be followed by questions and discussion chaired bythe Revd Elaine Joseph, Superintendent Minister of the WembleyCircuit.
  Venue: Robert Perks Room, Methodist Central Hall. Date: 7.30pm on10 July. For further information contact the Revd Olufemi Cole-Njieon 07961642928.  

The Conference is a gathering of 306 representatives drawn fromeach Methodist district, along with some who have been elected bythe Conference, together with some ex officio members, andinternational, ecumenical and youth representatives. 

The Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury,will talk on the topic, Resourcing a Search for the Common Good.After his talk, he will take questions from members of theConference. See here for further details.

Ends

Notes:

1. For more information on the Conference Fringe events, click onany one of the dates listed across the top of the programme page on the Methodist Conference website and scrolldown to the bottom of the page for the time and venue of the Fringeevent for that day.
2. Members of the media wishing to attend the Conference shouldcontact Karen Burke either on 0207 467 5208 or burkek@methodistchurch.org.uk 
3. The Conference blog provides an informal look at the Conference, fringe eventsand the people behind it. 

Follow the Conference conversation on Twitter via the #methconf hastag. Please note that comments and opinionson Twitter and the blog do not necessarily represent the MethodistChurch's position.