Visit to the Methodist Conference Sri Lanka

I have just returned to the UK after representing the British Methodist Church at the Conference of the Methodist Church Sri Lanka held in Colombo from 19 to 26 August.

It was a real joy and privilege to return to Sri Lanka for what was my fourth visit, but my first since 2012.

Events began with the Induction of the Revd Kingsley Weerasinghe as the President of the Conference. Previously, this role was held by the Revd Ebeneezer Joseph (known as Ebi to family and friends). Revd Kingsley will hold the office for five years and serve alongside a Vice-President who is elected for a single year. I was privileged to be asked to give the charge and word of encouragement to the new President, join in the laying of hands on him, and help in the distribution of Holy Communion.

I participated in both the Ministerial Session ( this includes presbyters and deacons) and the Representative Session and was asked to offer a reflection on the work of God in the representative session of the Conference, my given title was “Fulfilling the Great Commission in the transformation of the world” and a lively discussion, question and answer session followed on from the address. The Conference is tri-lingual, and every debate, worship, and decisions are held in Tamil, Sinhala and English. This is deeply impressive to be a part of as full engagement for all is enabled.

A wonderful cultural evening took place where children and young people from many circuits offered contributions of singing, drama and dance. Many of these wore traditional costumes.

One day I left Colombo to visit staff and students at the Theological College of Lanka near Kandy. It was also good to share a little with our mission partner in Columbo, the Revd Sarah Lowe.

On Conference Sunday morning I preached at 7.45 a.m. in the Moratamulla Methodist Church to an overflowing congregation and after a generous breakfast met with the Sunday School of more than 150 children. After the final afternoon session of the Conference and the final reading of the stations, I preached at the Thanksgiving Service of the Conference at Kollupitiya Methodist Church at 5.30 p.m.

This service remembered three senior Ministers who had died as well as giving thanks for the ministry of two senior ministers who were retiring, one being the Revd Ebi Joseph who is a recipient of the World Methodist Peace Prize for his work in peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka.

Such a brief summary might fail to capture the joy of being reunited with my Sri Lankan Methodist friends once more, being able to greet the Conference and the new President on behalf of the British Methodist Conference, to share in the challenges and the opportunities of the MCSL and to gather around many, many tables to eat food with friends. The joy was real and is still with me. I continue to reflect on all that I heard and saw.

I am left deeply grateful to the MCSL for their generous welcome, for their profound care and for the helpful preparation provided by the Global Relations team of the Methodist Church.