Jobs Available – Christian Aid

Christian Aid Wales are recruiting for two roles based at our Cardiff
office! These are new and exciting roles. The successful individuals
will be working closely with your churches! One is a full time role and
the other is part time.

Wales Central Supporter Engagement
Coordinator [part time]

https://jobs.christianaid.org.uk/vacancy/cydlynydd-ymrwymiad-cefnogwyr-cymru—wales-central-supporter-engagement-coordinator-2927-cardiff/2945/description/

Wales Central Supporter Engagement
Officer [full time]

https://jobs.christianaid.org.uk/vacancy/swyddog-ymrwymiad-cefnogwyr-cymru—wales-central-supporter-engagement-officer-2928-cardiff/2946/description/

Gwyliedydd Online!

There are a number of copies of the Gwyliedydd now available online through this website. Something to keep you occupied through these times!

Feedback Report – Working towards a new Synod

Towards a New Synod of the Methodist Church in Wales

Consultation process responses from the Circuits of both Synods

Dear Friends,

On behalf of the Steering Group representing the two Synods of the Methodist Church in Wales and the British Methodist Connexion, we would like to express our thanks to all our Circuits, Areas, churches and members who engaged in the consultation process regarding the document Towards a New Synod of the Methodist Church in Wales. This consultation process took place between September –November 2018, and the attached paper gives a summary of the feedback received. The consultation was a very important step in the overall discernment process for a way forward.

The Steering Group met on 14th December 2018 to consider the feedback and what was being said through it. It was noted that while there was broad support for the proposals in principle, there remained many questions about the details. It was also agreed that while the feedback raised a lot of important questions and made a number of valid points, these did not present an argument for not continuing with the process overall. The Steering Group was grateful for this cautious but positive affirmation of the conversations that are taking place.

The Steering Group is currently seeking to respond to the strongest points made in the feedback in the following ways, in order to help to move the process forward:

  • Work is being undertaken by officers of both Synods on possible arrangements and models for the finances of a new Synod;
  • Work has begun by the Steering Group to consider patterns and membership of the various councils, committees and other meetings that may be necessary in a new Synod;
  • A draft Language Policy is being prepared, taking into account the valuable comments made from members of both Synods as part of the feedback;
  • Consideration is being given to the timetable for the ongoing process in order to ensure that the concerns and questions raised within the feedback are properly taken into account.

Further work in response to the feedback will be carried out as the conversations progress.

The Steering Group meets again on 22nd January 2019, and the Methodist Council will receive a report on the consultation process, as approved by its Scrutiny Group, when it meets on 30th and 31st January.

Once again, many thanks for all your responses to the call for feedback. Please do not hesitate to contact either of us or any member of the Steering Group as we continue to work and pray together.

Every blessing,

Revd Dr Stephen Wigley (Chair, Wales Synod)

Revd Dr Jennie Hurd (Chair, Synod Cymru)

 

 

Towards a New Synod of the Methodist Church in Wales –

Consultation process responses from the Circuits of both Synods

 

Cymru

Written responses were received from 10 out of the 11 Areas, all of which held discussions in Area Meeting or in an extra meeting. An informal verbal response was received from an Area Steward of the remaining Area. A small number of written responses were received from churches and individuals (largely expressing opposition).

 

Wales

Replies were received mainly from Wales Circuits (15 circuits replied). Some churches and individual members of the Methodist Church also responded.

 

Question 1 – Do you support the proposal that the two Districts of the Methodist Church in Wales should work towards coming together to form one new District?

 

Cymru

  • 9 Areas were broadly supportive of this; 1 was divided; 1 was strongly against.
  • Overall, there is a desire for more information in general, especially for reassurance regarding the place of the Welsh language, the financial arrangements and representation to councils, Synod, committees.

 

Wales

10 responded yes

Comments:

  • Concern was expressed regarding lack of information re: numbers of churches/members – it was felt desirable to get a better feel of the situation.
  • Wales is too big for one Synod – two Districts proposed, both bilingual.
  • Our Circuit was very divided with no overall support for or against.

 

Question 2–If so, do you support the proposal that a new District should be known as Synod Cymru Wales?

 

Cymru

  • 3 Areas supported this; 6 expressed no opinion; 2 proposed the name ‘Synod Cymru’.
  • It was pointed out that the word ‘Synod’ is used in both languages (unlike ‘District’/’Talaith’), although the name ‘TalaithCymru/Wales District’ was also suggested.
  • The name ‘Yr Eglwys Fethodistaidd yng Nghymru/The Methodist Church in Wales’ was suggested.
  • It was noted that Synod Cymru Wales involves repeating the same name: Synod Cymru can be readily understood, and many bilingual institutions in Wales carry a name in Welsh only.

 

Wales

The following proposals were offered:

Cymru Wales Synod                        4                              Wales Cymru District                     1

Cymru District                                  1                              Wales Synod Cymru                       4

District Cymru Synod Wales         1                              Wales Synod                                     1

Wales Cymru Synod                        1                              No view about the name                3

Cymru/Wales District                     1

Comments:

  • What is the legal requirement for the name regarding order of Welsh/English?
  • Cymru Wales Synod makes no sense.
  • Name not an issue.
  • Should Synod Cymru become part of Wales Synod?
  • What’s wrong with District and why have we become obsessed with Synod – it confuses the ‘body’ and the ‘meeting’.

 

Question 3 – Do you support the proposal that a new District would comprise the current 16 Circuits in the two Synods, one of which would be a Cymru Circuit with a Welsh-speaking identity, mission and ministry?

 

Cymru

  • 7 Areas broadly supported this; 1 was strongly against; 2 expressed concern for being in the minority at Synod level; 1 said all circuits should be bilingual.
  • The responses were very mixed, with a strong level of concern for the Cymru Circuit being in the minority.

 

Wales

9 responded yes

Comments:

  • 15 bilingual Circuits would be preferred.
  • All bilingual Circuits.
  • Would need to reinstate the role of Assistant Chairs into the model.

 

Question 4 – Do you support the proposal that a new District would be led by two co-Chairs (one residing in the north of Wales and the other in the south of Wales), at least one of whom would be bilingual in Welsh and English (or committed to learning the Welsh language)?

 

Cymru

4 Areas said at least one Chair should be fluent in Welsh from the start; 3 said both should be fluent; 2 expressed no particular response; 2 were broadly supportive.

 

Wales

10 responded yes

Comments:

  • Anxiety about possibly limiting the pond where co-chairs could be drawn from – language requirements.
  • The co-chair model did not work when Wales Synod formed so why now?
  • Will the funding for two co-chairs remain? How secure is it?
  • If only one Chair at some time in the future, that person would have to be bilingual – the available field would be very small.
  • Who would deal with any significant issue if no lead Chair?
  • A better model would be one Chair and one Vice Chair – with the roles alternating yearly.
  • One Chair, two Deputies one in the north and one in the south.

 

Question 5 – Additional Comments

 

Cymru

  • There’s no mention of ecumenism in the discussion paper. The new Synod would need a Welsh-speaking Ecumenical Officer to relate to the Welsh-language denominations.
  • It’s essential to safeguard and respect the Welsh language.
  • We need to remember we’re already in relationship as the Methodist Church in Wales, with two Synods.
  • The proposal offers the possibility of raising awareness of the Welsh language/Wales as a bilingual nation among Wales Synod members. There are potential mission opportunities.
  • There’s no reason why existing local ecumenical relationships shouldn’t continue.
  • It’s God’s church, not ours!
  • Concern was widely expressed about the possible financial implications, especially any rise in the assessment.
  • There is the need for a solid language policy – absolutely essential. There must be total commitment to bilingualism and to the Welsh language, which must continue to be the language of the Cymru Circuit.
  • Some shared positive experiences of bilingual worship – and others, negative!
  • There are possible positive practical implications – no duplication of some meetings; the recognition of Welsh speakers in Wales Synod churches; opportunities for bilingual worship.
  • It’s a way of continuing the Welsh-language work after we’re gone!
  • There was a very real anxiety/fear of being swallowed up/dominated by the English-language circuits in the Synod, being just one of 16.
  • There needs to be simultaneous translation for meetings.
  • There’s strength in unity; we’re stronger together.
  • Synod money must be available to support the Cymru Circuit, as it is at present.
  • This presents the opportunity to rethink/rework how the Cymru Circuit assessment is set; it offers the possibility of moving from per member to a church by church basis.
  • The language policy must be to the standards adopted by the Welsh Language Commissioner.
  • A few thought the discussion document to be complicated and too much work to read.
  • This kind of arrangement already works well with the PCW/EBC.

 

Wales

  • People should have the right to worship in their own language.
  • Concern about travel in an all Wales Synod.
  • The outcome for mission in the integrated Wales Synod was not very effective – should this move go ahead, there needs to be a better outcome.
  • Major concern about bilingual printing costs.
  • Concern that Circuit assessments must not be increased due to the formation of a new

Synod.

  • A strong dislike regarding the use of headphones to cope with translation.
  • How do people with hearing aids manage with headphones?
  • Staffing power of Chairs in moving people within a district – might be greater in an integrated District.
  • What are the advantages of a new Synod?
  • Would there be a need for a bilingual hymn book and service book?
  • Having co-Chair would be a good model.
  • A new Synod would create a good base for the voice of Methodism in Wales.
  • Bilingual Synod meetings would be difficult and attendance could well decrease due to the need for headphones to be used.
  • What would be the implications for Synod, Circuits and individual churches?
  • Not a good questionnaire – written so that there are positive responses for agreement to the proposal.
  • Time scale for responses too short for proper consultation.
  • Not enough information about the implications to make informed decisions. Before any formal decision made, Circuits must be provided with much more detailed information and this will no doubt require the timescale to be extended.
  • Information received suggests only impact of the new Synod would beat the ‘top’ level.
  • The split of power looks imbalanced – suggesting a 50-50 split when perhaps due to membership, it should be 94-6.
  • What effect will it have on staff coming from outside Wales? A difficult task at present and would this proposed model make it worse?
  • Not clear on how the work load of the two Chairs would be split.
  • Is the proposal going to keep a number of very small churches open for a little longer?
  • We can cooperate together without joining.
  • Working as one Synod will open up new opportunities for work across Circuit borders and between traditionally English work and traditionally Welsh work.
  • There needs to be care not to create two Synods – each led by a co-chair.
  • Both Chairs would need to be involved in the stationing process.
  • Concern was not just expressed about language, but also about culture and ‘rootedness’ in Welsh culture.
  • Missional aspects must guide the discussions of the matter of structure in the detail.
  • The meeting in our Circuit attracted only 9 people.
  • 33 people attended our meeting – the informal vote overwhelmingly supported the proposals, with only a few not voting and one voting against.
  • There needs to be a local vision for the future – very important to maximise the single Synod in a local geographical area.
  • Concern about being able to attract ministers to Wales.
  • How can predominantly English speaking areas encourage the use of the Welsh language?
  • There is a need for more bilingual resources.
  • In the north, creates the opportunity for LPs and WLs from both Welsh and English speaking churches to support each other.
  • Important that the single Synod proposal document be put together in such a way as to reflect views that development of mission in a multi-language environment will be an evolving process and we need to follow God’s lead.
  • There is a hope that soon we will see a need for some Circuits in different parts of Wales to integrate and work bilingually.

 

_____________________________

ENDS

 

Spiritual Life Theme 2018-19

Spiritual Life Theme 2018-19

 

Over the last four years the churches and areas of Synod Cymru have been following the Developing Our Calling programme focusing on each of the four main themes in turn. Following the review of this programme, the Synod Cymru meeting in April came to the conclusion that it was good to follow such a programme and it was decided to hold a new programme beginning in September 2018, focusing on the six main themes which arose in the review on the life and work of Synod Cymru and Cylchdaith Cymru (Cymru Circuit) starting with Spiritual Life.

 

At the Synod meeting a report was received by the group which had been looking into this theme with recommendations on how to develop the life of the Synod/Circuit under the theme of Spiritual life. A list of suggestions and ideas about useful resources to help churches and groups develop their spiritual life under six priorities follows:

 

  • What is spiritual life?

Churches and areas are encouraged to consider and discuss what is meant by spiritual life and that people contemplate and pray about their experience of God. Consider the importance of thanksgiving and every day wonder and that God is there 24/7. Reflect on the idea of waiting for God and the Holy Spirit in our day to day experience. Personal meditation/prayer at the start and end of each day is encouraged.

 

Resources:

For daily personal meditation A Word in Timewww.methodist.org.uk/our-faith/the-bible/a-word-in-time

The Methodist Prayer Handbook http://www.methodist.org.uk/our-faith/prayer/methodist-prayer-handbook

Gair y Dydd, ed. Pryderi Llwyd Jones, Welsh daily devotional resource, Gwasg y Bwthyn

Blwyddyn gyda Iesu, Selwyn Hughes, adapt. Meirion Morris

Agor Y Gair Gyda Mari, 26 readings and reflections based on Mary Jones’ journey and some suggestions to help you make the connection between words from the Bible and your life today, Christine Daniel, Bible Society

General resources www.methodist.org.uk/our-faith – lots of information and resources under the headings Life and faith, prayer, the Bible, worship, reflecting on faith

 

  • The importance of reading the Bible and praying together

Regular Bible study group

Regular prayer meeting

Hold a study instead of a service each month

House groups

Holding prayer events such as 24-7 prayer, prayer stations, labyrinth and prayer walks

 

Resources:

Cwrs Y Ffordd, Undeb yr Annibynwyr www.annibynwyr.org/y-ffordd-3

Lent Course Exploring spiritual practices with downloadable resources from the Methodist Church website www.methodist.org.uk/our-faith/worship/lent-and-easter/exploring-spiritual-practices

50 days to let your life speak – downloadable sessions leading up to Easter http://www.methodist.org.uk/our-faith/worship/lent-and-easter/lent-and-easter-resources/50-days-to-let-your-life-speak

Great 50 day following Jesus daily devotional booklet / small group resources for Easter, ascension and Pentecost

 

  • Way of life/ Discipleship

Deled dy deyrnas / Thy Kingdom come www.methodist.org.uk/our-faith/prayer/thy-kingdom-come prayer movement with an emphasis on prayer between Ascension and Pentecost.  Prayer resources for families available in Welsh and a translation of the booklet Nine Days of Prayer Waiting in Wonder.

Holy Habits course, Andrew Roberts, based on the ten habits of the Early Church (Acts 2.42-47)

Nurturing new Leaders within the church

Holding a pilgrimage/retreat

 

Resources:

Holy Habits booklets, published by BRF

Clonc a sgwrs (Table Talk in Welsh) – conversation game which provides opportunities for exploring some of life’s big questions

Emaus: Ffordd y Ffydd – Tyfu fel Cristion – interdenominational training programme to welcome people to the Christian faith

 

  • Sense of belonging

Restore/initiate the concept of the ‘class’ and develop ‘class’ leaders, pastoral convener. The advantages would include discipleship, a sense of belonging, pastoral care, continuing Methodist tradition.

Fellowship or Literary Society

Creating opportunities to have fellowship, e.g. weekly coffee, knitting club (or other interests) community lunch, book club, special celebrations, tea party, trip, walking, picnic, barbeque, meal, concert, ceilidh, stalls and sales.

 

Resources:

Wrth fy enw/Called by name, Methodist Publishing

Y Gwyliedydd (bimonthly paper for Synod Cymru)

The Methodist Prayer Handbook

‘Encircled with care’ – the Methodist Church’s programme for Pastoral Visitors

 

  • Generate enthusiasm/services not to be missed

Waiting for the Holy Spirit. Rejoicing. Sense of God’s presence.

Using the Lectionary to ensure attention and emphasis is given to the Christian festivals.

Saturate services with prayer:

Encourage members of the congregation to pray before coming to the service

Recommend prayer by a steward/elder before the service

Encourage preachers, worship leaders to pray at the beginning of the service expressing the anticipation of God’s presence – call to worship, opening prayer or using silence

 

Resources:

ROOTS Learning and worship resources for the whole church with a focus each week on one of the lectionary readings with ideas for sermon preparation, all age worship, Sunday school and Bible study. Includes a variety of Welsh prayers for different parts of the worship and activity sheets in Welsh for children.

Ei Orsedd Rasol Ef, Welsh translation of The Act of Prayer, a collection of prayers by Local Preacher John Birch, adapt. Dewi Myrddin Hughes, Cyhoeddiadau’r Gair

Ideas for churches on www.beibl.net

 

  • The community / local needs

Seeing ourselves as part of a wider community and the importance of the way we behave. Being aware of the things around us, being alert to the needs of people around us.

Taking the opportunity to build relationships with people we come across every day.

‘We are the Bible that people outside the church read’.

Supporting the local Food Bank

Open the Book

Street Pastors

Visiting care homes – offering the opportunity for worship to those outside the church

An event in a café or public house

Supporting local charities

 

Resources:

Books for pastoral visiting and for special occasions are available from Cyhoeddiadau’r Gair:

Gair o Gysur mewn Gofid a Galar

Gair o Gysur mewn Gofid a Gwaeledd

Wele, cawsom y Meseia – Christmas

Mi wn fod fy Mhrynwr yn fyw – Easter

O llawenhawn! Daeth Crist i’n plith – a series of Christmas outreach resources

 

Working towards a new Synod of The Methodist Church in Wales (Full Page)

Working towards a new Synod of The Methodist Church in Wales

Proposal: that the two districts of The Methodist Church in Wales (Synod Cymru and the Wales Synod) work towards coming together to form one new district to be known as the Cymru Wales Synod, with the intention of providing greater coherence to the work of Methodism in Wales and the ability to respond more creatively to mission opportunities in both languages.

 

The initiative for this process came from the Synod Cymru Policy Committee meeting of November 2017, following prayerful consideration of the outcome of the Cymru Synod/Circuit Review of 2016-17. The sharing of resources and skills as the Methodist people in Wales has a strong missional imperative. At present, there are regions where only Welsh language Methodism exists; regions where there is only English language work; regions where there is a strong degree of overlap and regions where there is no Methodist presence at all. Neither Synod is lacking in financial reserves. Nevertheless, the intention to work together for the sake of the gospel, particularly in those regions in need of encouragement or new initiatives, represents good stewardship. In both Synods, there is a proportion of members whose first language is other than the professed language of the Synod: a Synod ministering in both languages would have value for them. Similarly, Welsh learners are found in the ministry and membership of both Synods, and as the learner community grows, so will opportunities to serve and minister to this group. The witness of a single Synod of the Methodist Church in Wales has the potential to demonstrate the all-embracing, unifying love of God in Christ and to offer a message of hope to a society that is sometimes divided. To this end, we are invited to enter into a prayerful process of consultation and consideration.
The Steering Group has envisaged that the new district could comprise:

  • The current 16 circuits in the two Synods
  • A Cymru Circuit which would have its own Superintendent minister (who would not be a Synod Chair) and which would fully retain its Welsh speaking identity, mission and ministry
  • 2 co-Chairs funded from the Methodist Church Fund
  • At least one Chair who would be bilingual in Welsh and English, or committed to learning the Welsh language;
  • One Chair residing in the north of Wales and one residing in the south of Wales and both sharing equally in connexional and district responsibilities and taking the pastoral lead for the circuits
  • 1 Synod Secretary and 1 Assistant Synod Secretary
  • A Synod Leadership Team which would include both co- Chairs and Synod Secretaries, the Synod Treasurer, and officers as defined
  • A Synod Policy Committee which would comprise the Synod Leadership Team plus representation from each of the 16 circuits (with representation varied to reflect the life of the Synod)
  • A Synod Office and Administrator in south Wales, supported in the provision of Welsh-language material by the Cymru Circuit Office and Administrator, located in the north.
  • A Synod web-site with material and information available in Welsh and English.

The new district would have the following meetings:

  • A Representative Synod which will meet at least annually
  • A Presbyteral Synod which will meet at least annually
  • X (tbc) meetings of the Synod Leadership Team per annum, (one as an overnight meeting with Superintendents)
  • X (tbc) meetings of the Synod Policy Committee per annum
  • Various committees (to reflect the life of the Synod)

Further work would need to be undertaken concerning meetings of the Synod, particularly as regards:

  • Purpose, number and makeup of various committees, taking into account the current structures of the two Synods, the requirements of CPD and also hearing from other Districts who have merged to create new structures recently
  • Frequency and location of meetings, with physical meetings being kept to a minimum and the time spent at them used most efficiently
  • Recognising the increasingly bilingual context, the development of a Welsh language policy which would address matters such as the need for all decision-making bodies of the Synod (eg Synod and SPC) to work and communicate bi-lingually supported by simultaneous translation; for committees engaging in ministry (eg Candidates and Probationers) to reflect the language of those involved; and for committees engaging in specialist matters (eg Property and Safeguarding) to use primarily the language enabling that specialist contribution to be made most effectively.
  • Money, which was not raised in the initial conversations and outline proposals because it was not a driving force behind the conversations. However, the Steering Group recognises that finance is an important issue, and so offers some initial thoughts now.

    The starting principle is that any new Synod would inherit the funds currently held by the existing two synods and Y Cyngor. Both existing Synods have substantial capital reserves which would be available to the new Synod to support its mission and ministry (and it will be important that these funds be available to support the mission and ministry of the new Synod as a whole, rather than viewed as monies originating from the previous synods.) There has been some concern expressed about any additional costs which may be incurred in terms of providing for meetings and translation in the new Synod and it will be important to make sure that such facilities are properly funded to enable them to be done well. However, it should also be noted that there may be some savings involved in any such coming together, as the role of Y Cyngor will come to an end, and the new Synod will have access to such reserves which are currently held by Y Cyngor (including the historic balance held over from the former Wales Training Network.)

 

In light of this, initially, the intention is for the working of the new Synod to be cost neutral in terms of revenue expenditure and assessment from circuits with any increase in operational costs being met from the substantial and enlarged capital reserves held by the new Synod. However, it should be noted that work will need to be undertaken on the overall grants policy of the new Synod, working on the basis that the maintenance and development of mission and ministry in the Welsh language is one of the key drivers in the life of the new Synod. It will also be important, in the light of experience gained from the recent coming together of circuits, that the new Synod moves towards a common system for budgeting and allocation of circuit assessments as soon as is practically possible.

The proposed timeline has been sketched out as follows:

  • Wales Synod Representative Session/ Cymru Synod Circuit Meeting – September 2018
    • Timeline, broad principles of the conversation, opportunity for questions and comments
  • Consultation in the Circuits – September through November 2018
  • Methodist Council – January 2019
    • Report on the scrutiny of the feedback from the Circuits
  • Both Policy Committees – February 2019
    • the two Committees agreeing the detailed proposals for the Synods
  • Representative Sessions of Synod – 30th March 2019
    • the Synods meet on the same day, at a time that enables the Council to receive the votes to inform its recommendation to the Conference
    • the Synods will vote on the formal proposals
  • Methodist Council – 6th-8th April 2019
    • will vote on the formal proposals, receiving the votes from the Synods
  • Methodist Conference – June/July 2019
    • will receive the recommendation from the Council and will vote on it

The Steering Group members are-

Revd Dr Jennie Hurd, Chair of Synod Cymru

Revd Dr Stephen Wigley, Chair of the Wales Synod

Revd Rosemarie Clarke, Secretary of the Wales Synod

Mr Graham Illingworth, Assistant Secretary of the Wales Synod

Mrs Maryl Rees, Secretary of the Synod Cymru Policy Committee

Mr Arfon Williams, Secretary of the Synod Cymru

Mr Doug Swanney, Connexional Secretary

Note – The Steering Group will continue to meet throughout this period to both reflect on the feedback arising from the consultation and to address the further work outlined in the paper in light of that.

 

August 2018

Working towards a new Synod of The Methodist Church in Wales

Working towards a new Synod of The Methodist Church in Wales

 

Proposal: that the two districts of The Methodist Church in Wales (Synod Cymru and the Wales Synod) work towards coming together to form one new district to be known as the Cymru Wales Synod, with the intention of providing greater coherence to the work of Methodism in Wales and the ability to respond more creatively to mission opportunities in both languages.

 

The initiative for this process came from the Synod Cymru Policy Committee meeting of November 2017, following prayerful consideration of the outcome of the Cymru Synod/Circuit Review of 2016-17. The sharing of resources and skills as the Methodist people in Wales has a strong missional imperative. At present, there are regions where only Welsh language Methodism exists; regions where there is only English language work; regions where there is a strong degree of overlap and regions where there is no Methodist presence at all. Neither Synod is lacking in financial reserves. Nevertheless, the intention to work together for the sake of the gospel, particularly in those regions in need of encouragement or new initiatives, represents good stewardship. In both Synods, there is a proportion of members whose first language is other than the professed language of the Synod: a Synod ministering in both languages would have value for them. Similarly, Welsh learners are found in the ministry and membership of both Synods, and as the learner community grows, so will opportunities to serve and minister to this group. The witness of a single Synod of the Methodist Church in Wales has the potential to demonstrate the all-embracing, unifying love of God in Christ and to offer a message of hope to a society that is sometimes divided. To this end, we are invited to enter into a prayerful process of consultation and consideration.
The Steering Group has envisaged that the new district could comprise:

  • The current 16 circuits in the two Synods
  • A Cymru Circuit which would have its own Superintendent minister (who would not be a Synod Chair) and which would fully retain its Welsh speaking identity, mission and ministry
  • 2 co-Chairs funded from the Methodist Church Fund
  • At least one Chair who would be bilingual in Welsh and English, or committed to learning the Welsh language;
  • One Chair residing in the north of Wales and one residing in the south of Wales and both sharing equally in connexional and district responsibilities and taking the pastoral lead for the circuits
  • 1 Synod Secretary and 1 Assistant Synod Secretary
  • A Synod Leadership Team which would include both co- Chairs and Synod Secretaries, the Synod Treasurer, and officers as defined
  • A Synod Policy Committee which would comprise the Synod Leadership Team plus representation from each of the 16 circuits (with representation varied to reflect the life of the Synod)
  • A Synod Office and Administrator in south Wales, supported in the provision of Welsh-language material by the Cymru Circuit Office and Administrator, located in the north.
  • A Synod web-site with material and information available in Welsh and English.