Service of welcome and induction for new Methodist General Secretary

A Service of Welcome and Induction for the Methodist Church'sfirst ever General Secretary was held at Wesley's Chapel, CityRoad, London, yesterday morning (Sunday 7 September).

The Rev David Deeks officially became General Secretary of theMethodist Church in Britain and Secretary of the MethodistConference on 1 September for a six-year term of office. He hassucceeded the Rev Nigel Collinson, who has retired after five yearsas Secretary of Conference.

The Service of Welcome formed part of the annual service atWesley's Chapel to mark the first Sunday of the new Methodist year.By tradition, the President of the Methodist Conference, the Rev DrNeil Richardson, preached at this service, whilst Vice President,Mrs Judy Jarvis, took part in the service also.

In becoming General Secretary, Mr Deeks is executive leader ofthe Church's Connexional Team and works alongside other seniorofficers including the Methodist District Chairs in developing thekey strategic decisions for the Church in Britain. The GeneralSecretary works alongside the annually-appointed President of theMethodist Conference, who remains the senior spokesperson for theChurch.

Mr Deeks, who is 61, was recently Methodist Co-ordinatingSecretary for Church and Society. He is a former theology tutor atWesley House, Cambridge, and has previously served at churches inMaidstone and Bristol, during which he was university chaplain. Heis married with three children and has a family home inBristol.