CUMBRIA DISTRICT SPRING SYNOD
(23-May-2007)The Cumbria District held its spring synod at Carver Memorial United Reformed Church Windermere in the Ambleside and Windermere Circuit on May 12th. As is our practice, since the forming of our joint Methodist URC area, this was a gathering of the Methodist Synod and the URC District Council. Opening Worship was led by the Rev Lis Mullen, minister of Carver Memorial United Reformed Church and the Rev David Crouchley, superintendent of the Ambleside and Windermere Circuit. Our opening worship was based around the material for Christian Aid Week.
The Synod and District Council shared in a debate over the issue of Fairtrade and the British Dairy industry. The Kirkby Stephen, Appleby and Tebay Circuit brought a resolution to be considered. Whilst fully supporting the Fairtrade logo initiative, the point was made that because of the availability of products bearing the Fairtrade logo, we are now able to make a cup of coffee in the confidence that a producer in Kenya has received a fair price for growing the coffee. When we add milk to that cup of coffee, do we ever give a thought to the British farmer whose business is “going under” because the farm gate price of milk is less than the cost of production? Following a full debate the meeting called upon the supermarkets not to abuse their monopoly power in determining prices; the UK government to consider whether the regulatory framework is adequate to ensure fairness and justice; and all Christians prayerfully to consider the ways in which their own purchasing and consumption patterns and expectations contribute to unfairness and injustice in the domestic market. The Methodist Synod resolved to bring this matter as a resolution to Conference.
The meeting then heard an update on the situation in Zimbabwe from the Rev Graham Shaw, a minister recently returned from the work in Zimbabwe and now serving in the Cumbria district. It was resolved to send a letter of greeting to The Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference and The Christian Alliance of Zimbabwe with a copy to The Zimbabwean High Commission in London.
Following prayer for the situation in Zimbabwe, the Synod and District Council divided into separate sessions to continue their own business.
The Synod was pleased to unanimously recommend to the Conference the designation of the Rev Richard Teal as district chair with effect from September 1st 2008.
Synod welcomed the president of the Methodist Youth Conference, Rob Redpath a member of the Kendal Circuit. He stressed the need for good communication channels which acknowledge that you can be a Christian without conforming to the patterns of inherited Church. We also heard a report on a new youth praise band in Gosforth which involves 25 young people in exploring contemporary worship. You can find out more about the group on their website www.waymark.org.uk
The Rev David Emison, district chair, spoke about the initiative “Extending Discipleship and Exploring Vocation”. Discipleship means getting real about Jesus; EDEV is about encouraging every Christian to learn and grow. It includes the ecumenical course “Called to Serve” which has been widely appreciated by all those who have taken part. EDEV is intended for all Christians but will also form part of the new system for ministerial selection and training in Cumbria.
Under the heading “Inter Church and Other Relationships”, Synod heard about plans to send some of our young people to join in a youth camp in January 2008 based in Patagonia as part of our ongoing partnership with the Methodist Church in Argentina.
Members of Synod were given the opportunity to share good news and the highlights included; • One young person from Wigton who had visited Romania and inspired a project in the circuit. 11 members are going on a mission trip to Romania as a result. • Plans for the appointment of two full time youth workers for the Upper Eden Valley area (Kirkby Stephen Appleby and Tebay Circuit) in co-operation with the Church of England and the Northern Institute of Schools Christian Unions. • A visit to South Africa by young people from the South West Cumbria Circuit.
The morning session closed with an act of thanksgiving for fifteen local preachers who have died in the last twelve months.
In the afternoon we once again met in joint session with our URC partners and welcomed Pastor Hubert Kayonda and members of the Congolese Congregation which meets in the Victoria Hall, Bolton. The group shared something of their story and led us in worship.