Methodist Conference

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METHODIST CONFERENCE

LONDON – July 2013

Some seventy people attended our Conference meeting. The theme was "Twenty Years On From Derby - Looking Back and Looking Forward", marking the fact that it was in 1993 that the Conference Resolutions on Human Sexuality were formulated. A panel of four speakers helped us to reflect on the journey since.

The Rev Dr Brian Beck, President of that Conference, led us expertly through the historical journey of how our Church has grappled with the issues and powerfully described the stress and tensions of the Conference debate twenty years ago.

Ruby Beech, a former Vice-President, movingly related how the gospel imperatives of justice and inclusion took her to a deeper understanding of biblical texts and her powerful support for gays and lesbians.

The Rev Barbara Routley, chair of the Sexual Orientation Forum of our church’s Equalities and Diversity Project, recalled the horrifying events and the viciousness towards gays and lesbians she had witnessed at the General Conference of the United Methodist Church in Cleveland, Ohio in 2000. It was an experience that made her determined to work for full inclusion for all.

The Rev Paul Wood, superintendent minister of the Coventry and Nuneaton Circuit, powerfully shared his own testimony of the assurance of God’s love whatever our sexual orientation.

Many in the audiencepowerfully expressed their determination to work towards that end.

C Users Roger Pictures Conference 2013 IMG 0150 JPG

Our Conference stall again proved to be an important focus for conversations, particularly with representatives to Conference and visitors who did not know of Outcome’s existence. All three Methodist ministers who are members of the House of Lords (Baroness Richardson, Lords Griffiths & Roberts) came by for a chat. It was at this time that the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill was going through Parliament.

Our grateful thanks to all who volunteered to keep the stall staffed throughout.

Looking ahead......

OUTCOME RESIDENTIAL 2014:

After several years at Whaley Hall we are moving to a new venue for our residential next year in the hope that easier transport links will make it possible for new people to attend. It will be held at Luther King House, Manchester from Friday tea-time, February 7th to 4pm on Saturday, February 8th. The cost will be £99and the booking form will be sent out by e-mail shortly. Our leader will be Nick Palfreyman and his theme will be “Multiple Identities in the Twenty First Century”. The Residential will also include our Annual General Meeting.

OUTCOME PUBLIC MEETING 2014:

The President of the Methodist Conference, the Rev Ruth Gee, will join us and lead our worship on Saturday, May 31st at Cross Gates Methodist Church, Leeds. During the day (11.30am to 4.30pm) there will be workshops on the Theology of Sexuality; Issues around Same Sex Marriage; Is the Church a Safe Place for Gays and Lesbians?

METHODIST CONFERENCE 2014 -

BIRMINGHAM (June 26th – July 3rd)

Again we will have a stall at Conference and nearer the time we will be appealing to Outcome supporters to help staff it.

On the evening of Monday, June 30th we will have

a Conference fringe meeting. Any suggestions for theme and content would be welcome. Please e-mail ideas to

And looking even further ahead......

OUTCOME RESIDENTIAL 2015:

We are looking for a London area venue for our residential in 2015 (provisionally February 6th / 7th). Please contact us if you of a gay-friendly retreat centre/conference centre that could accommodate and feed up to about twenty people for that twenty-four hour period.

PUBLIC MEETING 2015:

The Vice-President Designate of Conference, Gill Dascombe has accepted an invitation to join us on a date yet to be determined in May/June 2015 in Manchester. Update on this when the arrangements have been finalised.

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CIVIL PARTNERSHIPS AND THE LEGAL DEFINITION OF MARRIAGE:

The Methodist Conference this year appointed a working group with the following terms of reference:

  • to consider the implications for the Methodist

Church of a change in legislation covering

same-sex marriage;

  • to consider whether the Methodist Church’s

position on marriage needs revising in the

light of changes in society;

  • to undertake the work directed by the reply to

Memorial 29 (2012) on the blessing of civil

partnerships;

  • to make recommendations for any change in

practice or polity.

The group is charged to undertake its work with reference to scripture, tradition, reason and experience and make an initial report to the 2014 Conference. The group was directed “to operate in ways that are open and inclusive so as to ensure that all voices are heard”

The following were appointed to serve on the working group:

Mrs Susan R Howdle (chair); Dr Joselyn M Bryan; Mr Gerry Davis; Mrs Louise Wilkins; The Revd Dr Stephen Mosedale; The Revd Colin A Smith; Revd D Paul C Smith; Revd Samuel E McBratney; Advisor – Ms Rachel Lampard

Outcome will certainly want to make its own submissions during the year, and until the Working Group publicises the channels for people to submit their comments to them, we will be happy to forward to the Group any comments and concerns that Outcome supporters have. Please send them to

Copies of our latest publication “Bold I Approach – A Worship Anthology for an Inclusive Church” can be purchased from Amazon in book format for £4.92 and in Kindle format for £1.53.

We already have in mind our next publication “No Condemnation” which we anticipate being ready in 2015. It will explore theological issues relating to human sexuality.

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GAY FRIENDLY CHURCHES:

Changing Attitudes, our sister organisation within the Church of England, has conducted a survey in the Brighton area to elicit the gay-friendliness or otherwise of Anglican churches. An exploratory meeting has taken place to see how or whether this might be extended to Methodist churches within that area of the south-east.

From time to time Outcome receives enquiries about gay-friendly Methodist churches in different areas of the country. We have decided, in due course, to contact Chairs of District seeking their help in discerning these.

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PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS GAY MEN AND WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD WHO ARE PERSECUTED OR EVEN KILLED BECAUSE OF WHO THEY ARE.