Report of a District Visit by the President of Conference 

The visit of the President of Conference, Rev. Richard Andrew, to the Bedfordshire, Essex and Hertfordshire District presented a valuable opportunity for the Methodist Church to express solidarity with other faith communities in the wake of the terrorist attack on a synagogue in Manchester.  The president’s busy programme in the district included a timely meeting with several faith leaders during a visit to GRASSROOTS, an ecumenical Christian organisation committed to community engagement in Luton.  Its chief executive, David Jonathan, briefed the president about the work of GRASSROOTS in supporting community cohesion in Luton.
  
The president’s visit to GRASSROOTS included a roundtable meeting with the chair and representatives of Luton Council of Faiths hosted by the Central Mosque around a working lunch prepared by members of the mosque.  After warmly greeting the president’s party, the Iman and mosque authorities led us on a tour of the mosque.  Seated in the lecture hall, faith leaders spoke candidly of the real fears within their communities and their efforts to strengthen community relations at a time of heightened tensions surrounding international and national political issues.  Responding, the president spoke powerfully of the commitment of the Methodist Church to developing strong interfaith relations as part of its strategy of Justice, Dignity and Solidarity.
 
A prayer walk through the multicultural neighbourhood of Bury Park culminated in a visit to the splendid Sikh Temple Guru Nanak Gurodwara, where the president learned about the temple’s extensive welfare programme.  The Mayor of Luton, Councillor Amy Nicholls, received the president in her parlour where a senior member of staff briefed the president about the council’s strategy to maintain community cohesion in a diverse town which prides itself on being a welcoming place.  That Luton is a shining example of good community and interfaith relations is a testimony to the combined efforts of GRASSROOTS, Luton Council of Faiths and the civic authorities.
 
As an experienced theological educator, the president was very much at ease as the keynote speaker in a conference for ministers stationed in the district hosted by the Focolare Centre in Welwyn Garden City.  Inspired by the district’s commitment to investing in continuing ministerial development, the conference addressed the theme of sustaining ministerial vocation through difficult times.  Sessions were led by Corin Pilling, connexional team officer for Vocational Flourishing, Rev. Nicola Vidamour, Director of Pastoral Supervision at Wesley House, Cambridge, and Stuart Watkin, learning network officer.  Drawing on the metaphor of ‘plate spinning’ to describe how many presbyters and deacons experience ministry, the president led the group in a deep theological reflection on recovering the core vocation of ministers.
 
As the Chair of the Darlington District, Rev. Richard Andrew is above all a preacher and pastor.  Fittingly, the president preached at a special service in the Tendring Circuit in Essex to mark the centenary of Holland-on-Sea Methodist Church exactly one hundred years ago to the day.  The Superintendent, Rev. Luke Smith, read from a contemporary account of the church opening; the District Chair, Rev. Dr David Chapman, led prayers of intercession; and the presbyter in pastoral charge, Rev. Steve Sutton, led the congregation in an act of rededication.  Afterwards, the president joined the congregation for afternoon tea at which he was invited to cut the special celebration cake.
 
Such is the president’s engaging personality, warmth and spiritual depth that his ministry of encouragement was greatly appreciated by all those he met during his visit to the Bedfordshire, Essex and Hertfordshire District.  In gatherings large and small, Richard took great interest in everyone he met, his joy in the Gospel being effectively communicated in word and action.  Altogether, the president’s visit was a great blessing to the district in uncertain times.
 
David M. Chapman

Picture 1: President and District Chair with GRASSROOTS chief executive (second last on right)
Picture 2: President and District Chair with interfaith leaders in Luton
Picture 3: President in conversation at district conference