Report from the Synod of the Methodist Church in Scotland
The Synod met in its presbyteral session at Perth Methodist Church. It gave thanks for the ministry of John Dolling, Raymond Watker and Bill Knowles who had died since it last met, and heard testimony from Andrew Baker and gave him permission to sit down. Synod was glad to hear that Deacon Natalie Clark will be received into full connexion and ordained at Conference. Rev Dr Mark Rowland, secretary of the Faith and Order Committee, facilitated an engaging conversation about online church and how we respond to an ever changing world.
The following day the representative session of Synod gathered, also at Perth Methodist Church but also with members joining via Zoom. It was a joy to have ecumenical guests with us, especially Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski and Fr Andrii Shastak from the Ukrainian Catholic Church.
With the six current circuits in the district due to combine to form the Scotland Circuit on 1st September 2025, much of the Synod’s business related to this process. There were new appointments made to District roles (including property secretary and local preachers secretary) as new ways of working across Scotland are explored. The District Policy Committee has led much of the work; it expects its role to change once the new structures are in place, so Synod agreed it should have a slightly reduced membership. Much work has been done, but there will be much still to work out once the Scotland Circuit comes into existence.
Meanwhile there is good news to share in the current circuits, including Lost in Wonder engaging with the Edinburgh Festival, a newly refurbished building with café now open in Arbroath, ever developing recovery work in the Strathclyde Circuit (which is an NPNP project), a lively programme of events at the Bike Shed in Inverness and a diverse, vibrant congregation in Aberdeen which supports Open House and Open Table projects in the church.