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Thursday, July 2, 2009 issue 7906

Decision day for new hymn-book

PLANS to publish a new official Methodist hymn-book could be scrapped next week, if the 2009 Conference backs proposals to terminate the project just two years after it was given the green light.

The creation of a new collection of authorised hymns and songs for Methodist worship was agreed by the Conference in 2007 and was set to reflect developments in music since the publication of “Hymns and Psalms” more than 25 years ago.

At the same time the Conference also gave the go-ahead for an electronic “rolling resource” of commended supplementary material and/or a constantly updated collection of topical and contemporary material, to be put on the Church’s web site.

Since then, the Music Resources Group (MRG) has been preparing a complete “baseline” publication to succeed the 1983 volume of “Hymns and Psalms” (HP). The group is due to present a progress report at Conference next Monday, which will include an initial list of songs for the core collection.

However, before any resolutions arising from the report can be decided upon, Conference representatives will vote on whether to cancel either the entire musical project or certain elements of it. This vote has been triggered by memorials from the Bristol and South Gloucestershire, Whitehaven and Oxford circuits.

American mission team deported from Gatwick airport

MEMBERS of an American mission team who were due to work with a Methodist church in London have been deported from Gatwick Airport after inadvertently falling foul of the Government’s new immigration rules.

The group of 14 volunteers from the First United Methodist church of Okeechobee, Florida, were detained and questioned by customs officials, who put them on a plane back to Orlando Airport hours after they arrived in London. They had been found to be without the “required proper documentation”.

This is one of a series of incidents in which Christians from overseas have been refused admission to the UK for failing to comply with the Home Office’s “Points Based System” (PBS), under which workers from outside the EU must be sponsored by a registered organisation to obtain a temporary work visa (Recorder, April 30).

Although American tourists do not normally require visas to visit the UK, PBS rules state that any religious and voluntary charity workers must apply for a “Certificate of Sponsorship” and a visa, in order to gain entry. The Florida group had not been aware of the changes in immigration rules, so had not applied for this certification.

The team, which included six teenagers, had planned to spend nine days doing community and mission work with the Camden Mission circuit and Islington Central church, including four days’ painting and decorating the church building and clearing its premises. They had begun planning the trip in February 2008, before the PBS system came into force, and had raised $30,000 for their visit.

Their long and winding roads

Rod Stewart, Michael Buerk, Amir Khan, Shirley Anne Field and Tim Henman are among a host of high-profile figures who have illustrated the journeys that have shaped and transformed their lives, in an online exhibition launched by Methodist charity Action for Children.

The exhibition features more than 150 pieces of artwork donated by well-known names from the worlds of politics, sport, film, television and business to raise awareness of the “difficult and complex journeys” that many of the UK’s most vulnerable children and young people make everyday.

General Synod asked to consider cutting the number of bishops

The Church of England’s General Synod is being asked to consider backing a move to cut the number of bishops and senior clergy in its ranks.

This request is due to be discussed at the Church’s national assembly next week. It has come from Anglicans in Bradford, who are calling on the Archbishops’ Council to formulate proposals for reducing the amount of episcopal and senior clergy posts.

The Bradford Diocesan synod has asked that recommendations on this matter be made to the General Synod within three years. It is one of a number of issues on the agenda at the meeting at York University, taking place from July 10-13.

Debates on finance, religious broadcasting, the ministry of people with learning disabilities and the welfare of children are also up for discussion at the gathering, as are topics concerning the impact of violent video games, Church governance and legislation.

ALSO THIS WEEK IN THE METHODIST RECORDER … The President’s pastoral address … The Vice-President’s final column … Kenneth Greet’s monthly column … Methodist Heritage … TV and Radio reviews … and much more!

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For these stories and more, read the Methodist Recorder every week.

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