History meets mission in new Church initiative

Jo Hibbard has been appointed Methodist Heritage Officer in abrand new initiative designed to enrich the life of the Churchthrough greater engagement with Methodist heritage sites.

The Church aims to provide greater financial and organisationalsupport for its 106 heritage sites across Great Britain. Jo willwork with the newly convened Methodist Heritage Committee todevelop the profile of these sites as effective tools forcontemporary mission.

'This is a huge opportunity for the Methodist Church, and I'mexcited to be a part of it,' said Jo. 'This isn't about preservingthe past for its own sake, but interpreting our historic places andcollections in light of the life and mission of the churchtoday.'

'Methodism is a relatively new denomination, and we have homes andchapels built, for example, at times of industrial revolution andsocial deprivation. Their stories resonate with us today, and thechurch has an important contribution to make to our concerns aboutmoney and hope in hard times. My role is to help the sites pullthese strands together into a memorable experience that speaks toevery visitor.'

As Heritage Officer, Jo will share with the Heritage Committee theoverall responsibility for the Church's work relating to heritageand mission. She was previously Development Manager for CoventryCathedral, leading on tourism, marketing and PR, and events. Joworships at Woodside Avenue Methodist Church in Coventry, where sheis a worship leader.