Welcome service for Thomas Hart, Youth President 2023-24

Thomas Hart was formally welcomed as the new Methodist Youth President on Sunday 10 September at a service that took place at the Side Door Youth and Community Church, Laceby Road, Grimsby.

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.

Tom, aged 18, lives in Ashby-Cum-Fenby and attends Keelby Methodist Church. He was brought up a Methodist, becoming a member when he was 14 and later a youth steward at his church and a congregational representative. He loves music, playing in bands and is planning to take a degree in popular music, he also enjoys travel and learning about different cultures and lifestyles. 

After his service, Tom commented, “I am so grateful to everyone who supported me at my welcome service. It was wonderful to see so many friends and church members I know present. 

“I am really looking forward to the year ahead, going out and talking to the Methodist young people, hearing their concerns, ideas and hopes and ensuring that their voices are listened to.”

Tom is also a member of the National Methodist Youth Brass Band who provided the music for the service. 

The President of the Methodist Conference, the Revd Gill Newton, the Revd Angy Long, Chair of Lincolnshire Methodist District and James Carver, the ex-Youth President undertook the induction.

The Revd Gill Newton commented, “I congratulate Tom Hart on becoming the Methodist Youth President for 2023/24. I very much look forward to working with him in the year ahead and discovering what “hidden treasures” there are amongst the young people of the Methodist Church.”

The Revd Angy Long is Chair of the Lincolnshire District of the Methodist Church. She commented, “Being on the edge of the country geographically can make you very aware of the fact that there is a lot of world out there waiting to be discovered. The Grimsby and Cleethorpes Circuit, and the whole of the Lincolnshire District are rightly proud to be able to send Tom out from this particular edge of the Methodist Connexion into what we know will be a thrilling year for him, full of adventure and new discoveries. Those discoveries will be his to make, but will also be made by those he meets along the way as they get to know him and recognise the gifts and graces he brings. We send him out with our prayers that he will be a blessing to others and be blessed by them in return.”

James Carver, ex-Youth President, commented, “Being Youth President is a challenging and rewarding role.  I have worked with Tom as he prepares to become the new Youth President and I am sure he will do an excellent job.”