Methodist Conference 2008 – Reports from representatives of the District who attended World Church The Conference this year reflected in very specific ways that the British Methodist Church is very much part of the worldwide Methodist Movement. The rainbow fabric which was draped round the central cross and other rainbow banners were a visual reminder of this throughout Conference. World Church visitors from 24 of our partner churches were welcomed by the President and Vice President at the opening celebrations. Gifts from some of the poorest churches were presented to the President and Vice President. The situation in Zimbabwe was very much in the thoughts and prayers of Conference. The offering at the morning service was earmarked for Zimbabwe, in particular for a lorry for the Methodist Church Zimbabwe to help with the transportation of aid. The giving of £9,000 in this one service reflected the theme of hospitality and generosity of the President’s address. Each morning prayers were led by groups of World Church representatives and we stood and faced different points of the compass to pray for different areas of the world. Throughout Conference songs and prayers in a variety of languages were used. The Methodist Church in The Gambia will receive full autonomy on Wesley Day, May 24th 2009. This was agreed at the Methodist Missionary Society AMG, where we also heard moving stories about hospitality in difficult situations related to us. The Youth Conference encouraged the whole church to pray for Burma and action on the global food crisis was urged. To sum up our commitment to the World Church the following resolution was passed. Conference 1. acknowledges and welcomes the grace gift of our World Church Partners and seeks to express our profound gratitude to our sisters and brothers in Christ for their continued love and support for the British Methodist Connexion; 2. resolves to take this God-given opportunity to ensure that our interconnection with the world-wide family of Methodists is adequately-resourced, appropriately-supported and well-managed. 3. invites the Secretary for external relationships to report on progress on these issues over the coming Connexional year to the Methodist Council and to the Methodist Conference 2009 and where necessary to bring proposals for refinement or review of existing processes in the light of 1 and 2 above. Frances Hopwood July 2008