Twinned with the Methodist Church of Sierra Leone Minutes of Synod/Circuit Meeting, 12th September 2020, 10.00 am, at St. Andrew’s United Reformed Church Douglas. Welcomes and Opening Worship. Rev. Richard Hall welcomed everyone to the meeting. Rev. David Shirtliff led the opening devotions, including readings from Isaiah 40: 27 - 31, 1 Kings 19: 9 - 13 and Mark 6: 6- 13, 30 - 32, the singing of the hymns “Dear Lord and Father of mankind” and “Jesus, be the centre”, and a presentation on the ministry of Thie dy Vea (House of Life, www.retreathouse.im), the new retreat centre in Peel, a place of welcome, hospitality, encouragement, exploration, community, rest, relaxation, refreshment and healing. David spoke about the development for the centre from its initial inception and plans for the future. Leadership is drawn from several different denominations. District Business Present were: Helen Norton, (Laxey, by Zoom), Rev. Richard Hall, (Chair), John Binns, (Secretary), Rev. Andy Fishburne, Rev. Steve Ingrouille, Rev. Bryan Yardy, Rev. Chris Belfield, Rev. David Shirtliff, Pat Costain, (Circuit Steward), Sue Montgomery, (Circuit Steward), Phyllis Jackson, (Circuit Steward), Harvey Garton, (Circuit Steward), Gareth Moore, (Circuit Steward), Eddie Teare, (Circuit Steward), Caroline Salmon, (MWiB), Kevin Mort, (Local Preachers and Worship Leaders secretary), Panda Dooley, (Youth and Community Worker), Rita Norrey, (Southern Mission Team), Linda Eccles, (Southern Mission Team), Dorrie Garton, (Abbeylands), Margaret Sadler, (Agneash), Mike Simm, (Agneash), Pat Godby, (Baldrine), Jean Wilkinson, (Ballafesson), Sue Young, (Ballagarey), John Cashen, (Ballakilpheric), Claire Quayle, (Bride), Alwyn Collister, (Castletown), Lily Chapman, Julia Gilbert, (Colby), Jennifer Corrin, (The Cooil), Joy Creer, (The Cooil), Shirley Harper, (Kirk Michael), Marilyn Cannell, (Kirk Michael), Eileen Mellows, (Onchan), Karen Elliott, (Peel), Bert Quayle, (Peel), Jane Foxon, (Port Erin), Judy Matthews, (Port Erin), Rosemary Cooil, (Port St Mary), Frank Cowin, (Promenade), Anne Cowell, (Promenade), John Craine, (Ramsey), Margaret Kennaugh, (St. John’s), Yvonne Creswell, (St. John’s), Henry Gorry, (Sulby), Derek Jones, (Sulby), Elaine Christian, (Trinity), David Quayle, (Union Mills). Apologies were received from: Rev. Richard Hooton, Fiona Cracknell, Clair Gelling, Marion Watterson, Keith Watterson, Simon Young, Hilary Sewell, Ann Quayle, Aimee Corlett, Chris Martin, Julia Sharples, Paul Craker, Celia Marshall and Christine Sugden. There was no lay representation from: Ballabeg, Barregarrow, Crosby, Glen Maye, Pulrose, Sandygate and The Howe. Dispensations: Revd. Rebecca Ingrouille Appointment of scrutineers The meeting agreed to appoint Rev. Andy Fishburne and Gareth Moore as scrutineers. Letters of greeting It was requested that letters of encouragement be sent to the President and Vice President of the British and Sierra Leone Methodist Conferences. 1. Report of Conference 2020 Rev. Bryan Yardy introduced the report and described the unprecedented nature of Conference, streamed from Cliff College by Zoom. The agenda had been restricted to a minimum of essential items and included the induction of the new President and Vice President. Bryan highlighted the overwhelming vote in favour of the new strategy for evangelism and growth, to be launched with a focussed year of prayer and introduced the video on the Evangelism and Growth Strategy Caroline spoke particularly about the focus on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, with a reminder that Conference took place against the background of the Black Lives Matters movement, referring to testimonies about the ways in which the church falls short. She encouraged Synod to reflect those who might feel excluded, emphasising that when people are excluded the body of Christ is incomplete, and that we are more truly the body of Christ the more diverse we are in our churches. Rev. Richard Hall mentioned the proposed changes to trusteeship and encouraged discussion at local level. “Proposals for change to the current structure now go to the next stage of consideration, including reviewing the number of Church Councils, a review of the size of the Conference and a wide-ranging review of the constitution and function of all connexional committees. The Conference directed that a proposal be brought to the 2021 Conference to raise the minimum size for a Local Church, together with examples of creative ways in which one Church on multiple sites and/or federations of classes under a united Church Council can enable local missional communities to flourish. In the light of this, the Conference further directed all Circuit Meetings to review the number of Church Councils in the Circuit and encouraged Church Councils to work together to determine the best way of working to achieve the minimum number of trustee bodies necessary to fulfil its calling. (From the Conference Business Digest). Rev. Richard Hall also gave an update on the memorials that had been sent in to Conference. 2. Appointment of reps. to Conference 2021 It was agreed that Caroline Salmon and Rev. Bryan Yardy should continue as Conference representatives, (proposed Rev. Richard Hall, seconded Elaine Christian), and that substitutes should be Rev. Rebecca Ingrouille and Rita Norrey, (proposed Rev. Richard Hall, seconded Judy Matthews) 3. District Policy Committee Report a. District Finance District Accounts Appointment of Treasurer: It was agreed that Eddie Teare should continue as treasurer, (proposed Rev. Richard Hall, seconded Judy Matthews), Independent Examiner As Howard Pilley is stepping down, it was agreed that he should be succeeded by David Meyerhoff, (proposed Rev. Richard Hall, seconded Eddie Teare). Standard form of accounts and schedules Eddie Teare reported that the District Accounts are ready for examination and ready to send to Howard Pilley. Thanks were expressed to Charlton Krenz for his work in preparing them. Howard was thanked for his work. Attention was drawn to the slight change to the format of the Schedule B wording on the back two pages. Electronic copies are available from Eddie Teare. Confirm District Budgets Eddie Teare proposed that the District Budget agreed earlier in the year be accepted. This was seconded by Harvey Garton and agreed. Synod was reminded that the District Advance fund is available for mission projects, (but not buildings), and was encouraged to think about initiatives that could be supported. Initial financial results for 2019-20 Eddie Teare reported that expenditure is in line with projections and that the figures will be shared with the examiner. There were no questions 4. Sierra Leone update Paul Craine gave an update on the situation in Sierra Leone, highlighting significant population growth, with half of the population under 20, that churches had reopened and that there had been few deaths from Covid-19. There had been further progress with the HIV centre which should soon be open, despite some problems with connecting services. 5. TMMCP Business It was reported that David Meyerhoff is stepping down as treasurer and that Alan Gelling will be taking over. 7. District Appointments were confirmed as listed in the Synod Directory, noting that Judy Matthews was stepping down as District Property Secretary and John Binns as Synod/Circuit Meeting Secretary. Rev. Richard Hall proposed that Helen Norton be appointed as Synod/Circuit Meeting Secretary with effect from the December meeting. This was seconded by Claire Quayle and agreed. 8. District Chair’s Appointment John Binns reported that the nomination committee had conducted a discernment process and had not found anyone to fulfil the role at this stage He proposed that Helen Norton be appointed as a substitute on the nomination committee as Sylvia Fryer had withdrawn, and Rob Simpson had stepped up to assume her place. This was seconded by Jane Foxon and agreed. 9. There was no other Synod business. 6. North West & Mann update Edel McLean gave an update on initiatives and resources by Zoom and concluded the morning session with prayer. Circuit Business Ruth Walker gave an update on the work of SUMT since its move to Pulrose. The Minutes of the December 2019 Circuit Meeting and the notes of the Circuit Meeting held on 18th June 2020 by Zoom were agreed. The meeting remembered the life and work of Ian Whittaker, both in his role in the community and as a Local Preacher. 1. Staffing – Invitation Committee Rev. Richard Hall reported the unanimous decision of the invitation committee that the invitation to Revs. Steve and Rebecca Ingrouille be extended for a further 5 years from September 2021. 2. Appointments Circuit Stewards. Rev. Richard Hall proposed that Pat Costain, Sue Montgomery. Eddie Teare, Phyllis Jackson, Harvey Garton, and Gareth Moore be reappointed. This was seconded by Judy Matthews and agreed. Rev. Richard Hall proposed that Eddie Teare be reappointed as treasurer. This was seconded by Judy Matthews and agreed. Auditor Rev Richard Hall proposed that Grant Thornton Ltd. be appointed. This was seconded by Pat Costain and agreed. 3. Leaders of Worship and Preachers meeting report Kevin Mort reported that it was recommended that Caroline Salmon be received on to full plan, having completed her studies. Rev. Richard Hall proposed that the recommendation be accepted. This was seconded by Gareth Moore and agreed. Her recognition service would be included in the Local Preachers’ affirmation service on Advent Sunday. Kevin also reported that Louise Whitelegg,