wfn.org | World Methodist Conference to meet in Brighton in 2001

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

April 24, 2000 News media contact: Linda Bloom·(212) 870-3803·New York
10-21-71BP{219}

NOTE: A logo for the World Methodist Conference is available.

By United Methodist News Service

Representatives of Methodist, Wesleyan and United churches of many countries
will gather July 25-31, 2001, in Brighton, England, for the 18th World
Methodist Conference.

Meeting under the theme, "Jesus: God's Way of Salvation," participants will
listen to speakers, attend daily Bible studies, and take part in seminars
and hands-on workshops.

Convened every five years by the World Methodist Council, the conference
brings together delegates named by their churches, the 500 council members
and accredited visitors. The event also is open to people who register as
visitors and observers.

David Wilkinson, an astrophysicist from England, will introduce the theme.
It then will be developed by Bishop John R. Bryant, African Methodist
Episcopal Church; Mariela Mihailova, a medical doctor and active laywoman
from Varna, Bulgaria; and Bishop Mvume Dandala, leader of the Methodist
Church in Southern Africa.

Grace Imathiu of Kenya, one of the leading new voices in world Methodism,
and Ajith Fernando of Sri Lanka, a frequent speaker at world mission and
university conferences, will lead the daily Bible studies.

Cardinal Edward Idris Cassidy, president of the Pontifical Council for
Promoting Christian Unity at the Vatican, will be the keynote speaker at an
ecumenical evening service. Other speakers will be announced later.

Preachers for Sunday services will include Bishop Sharon Rader of the United
States, Bishop Hong Do Kim of Korea and the Rev. Leslie Griffiths of
England. The services will be held in the conference hall and in the
historic "Corn Exchange," a building on the grounds of the Royal Brighton
Pavilion. The British host committee also is inviting 100 pastors from
churches across the world to preach in London-area congregations that
Sunday.

Bringing reports from places where Christian witness is making a difference
will be Khushnud Azariah of Pakistan, president of the World Federation of
Methodist and Uniting Church Women; the Rev. Eddie Fox, director of the
council's program on world evangelism; and various youth representatives.

Fifteen seminars at the conference will focus on issues of the 21st century,
ranging from faith and witness to overcoming violence to the relationship
between science and religion. Delegates also will be able to choose from
among 17 hands-on workshops conducted by international leaders. The roster
of workshops is still being compiled.

Delegates will mingle with British Methodists throughout the conference and
will be able to see a special adaptation of a new musical, "Hopes and
Dreams," produced by Rob Frost. The musical has played in theaters and
churches across Britain.

Preconference events will include the 10th world assembly of the World
Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women, meeting July 14-20, and
the International Methodist Young Leaders Seminar, scheduled for July 19-23
at Wesley's Chapel in London. The council's 500-member governing body also
will meet July 24-25, before the conference opens.

The Methodist movement began in England in the first half of the 18th
century and quickly spread to other parts of the world. Related churches can
be found in 130 countries, numbering 35 million members and serving a
community twice that size.  

Conference registration information is available by writing to the World
Methodist Council, P.O. Box 518, Lake Junaluska, NC 28745, or sending a fax
to (828) 456-9433. E-mail inquiries can be sent to wmc6@juno.com. 
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United Methodist News Service
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