report - The Methodist Church of Great Britain
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report - The Methodist Church of Great Britain
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7. <strong>Methodist</strong><strong>Church</strong>inGambiabecameautonomousItwasinterestingtolearnthatthe<strong>Methodist</strong><strong>Church</strong>inGambiaisthelastchurchthat became autonomous from the <strong>Methodist</strong> <strong>Church</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Great</strong> <strong>Britain</strong>. It was aspecialmoment<strong>of</strong>celebrationandthesymbolicthreshold<strong>of</strong>aneweraforthepartnership<strong>of</strong>the<strong>Methodist</strong><strong>Church</strong>in<strong>Great</strong><strong>Britain</strong>anditspartnersaroundtheworld.8. Rev.NicolaVidamourappointedtoLondonaftermissionworkinPskov,Russia(2003June2009)After six years <strong>of</strong> mission work in Pskov, Russia Nicola Vidamour returned toEnglandandreceivedanappointmentinLondon.WeareverygratefultoNicolaand the <strong>Methodist</strong> <strong>Church</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Great</strong> <strong>Britain</strong> for partnership in mission inWesleyan spirit. <strong>The</strong> people <strong>of</strong> Pskov especially thankful to Nicola for the giftsandgracesshebroughttotheirministry.AlthoughfarfromRussia,Nicolawillcontinuetobeinpartnershipwithus.Sheistheeditor<strong>of</strong>the“MestoVstrech”(Meetingplace)devotionalmagazine,whichisaRussian edition <strong>of</strong> the Upper Room magazine <strong>of</strong> the United <strong>Methodist</strong> <strong>Church</strong>.Nicola will continue this ministry and stay in contact with us through theInternetandE‐mails.<strong>Methodist</strong> <strong>Church</strong> Conference in UK_July 1-9_2009.doc 5
9. ColinRide,Europesecretary,andthenewpost<strong>The</strong> conference adopted a resolution about adding a new full‐time seniormember<strong>of</strong>stafftoWorld<strong>Church</strong>Relationshipsteam.ForusinEuropethishasimplications.ColinRide,EuropeSecretaryintheWorld<strong>Church</strong>Relationshipsteamhasbeenakey leader in partnership with the <strong>Methodist</strong> <strong>Church</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Great</strong> <strong>Britain</strong>. We aregratefultoColinforhisactiveandgenerousleadershipduringmanyyears<strong>of</strong>ourpartnership.Colin will retire in August 2009. His post as “Europe Secretary” will not bereplaced. New post will be created in September 2009 – “Partnership CoordinatorintheWorld<strong>Church</strong>Relationshipsteam,withaspecialresponsibilityforEurope”.<strong>The</strong>personappointedtothisnewpostwillbeourmaincontactforpartnership.<strong>Methodist</strong> <strong>Church</strong> Conference in UK_July 1-9_2009.doc 6
10. Strengths and weaknesses <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Methodist</strong> <strong>Church</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Great</strong><strong>Britain</strong>Rev. Nicola Vidamour and Colin Ride shared some <strong>of</strong> their thoughts aboutstrengths and weaknesses <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Methodist</strong> <strong>Church</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Great</strong> <strong>Britain</strong>. Here aresome<strong>of</strong>them:Strengths: Rediscoveringour<strong>Methodist</strong>heritage Growingcommitmenttomission Layleadership <strong>The</strong>ologicaleducation Growingpartnershipamong<strong>Methodist</strong>sinEurope EngaginginissuesthatarerelevanttothesocietytodayWeaknesses: Lack<strong>of</strong>confidencebecause<strong>of</strong>substantialdeclineinmembership AgingmembershipNotenoughevangelismworkConclusionIn conclusion, I am grateful to God for gifting us with <strong>Methodist</strong> movementaroundtheworld.Wearebigandwonderfulfamily<strong>of</strong>peoplewhoarepassionateaboutmakingdisciples<strong>of</strong>JesusChristforthetransformation<strong>of</strong>theworld.Wehavemanychallengesandstrugglesinmanycountriesontheplanet.Yetweareeagertodomissionandsharethegoodnews<strong>of</strong>JesusChrist,tohelppeopleinneedandworkforthecleanerandsaferenvironment,topracticejusticeanduseourresourceswisely.IamgratefultoGodforthe<strong>Methodist</strong>movement.Wearevery diverse and rich, and we have so much to learn from each other. Let uscontinue to learn from each other and be faithful disciple <strong>of</strong> Jesus Christ. Godblessyou!<strong>Methodist</strong> <strong>Church</strong> Conference in UK_July 1-9_2009.doc 7
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