122 Golden Lane, London EC1Y 0TL, UK 
Tel: +44 (0)20 7251 8414 Fax: +44 (0)20 7608 3490

Managing Editor: Moira Sleight

To send an email to the newsroom, click here

Thursday, March 4, 2010 issue 7941

Countdown for women’s movement

THE nature and scope of the ministry and mission of women within British Methodism is to change fundamentally with the launch of a new women’s movement next year.

This comes as Women’s Network prepares to join forces with the British Unit of the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women (WFMUCW) to form a new organisation – Methodist Women in Britain (MWiB).

Due to be launched at the Methodist Conference in Southport in 2011, MWiB will be an independent, self-financing movement that aims to “go beyond” its constituent bodies. Its vision is to “combine spirituality and social action in a global context”, while seeking to generate “creative space” for new women’s groups and individuals from diverse backgrounds.

The decision to form the new organisation was made by the Women’s Network Connexional committee, including the three WFMUCW British Unit officers, at a meeting earlier this year. It follows a period of “self-questioning and consultation” that was precipitated by the British Methodist Church Connexional Team restructuring process, which removed the Connexional Women’s Network office and its accompanying posts.

In preparation for the changes, Women’s Network will from this September function independently of the Connexional Team, while MWiB will be autonomous from the outset. Nevertheless, the movement has pledged to retain its fundamental relationship with the Church.

Southlands transfer to Roehampton University is ‘close’

GOVERNORS of British Methodism’s last remaining higher education institute, Southlands College, are addressing the various challenges raised by the decision to transfer management of the college to its parent body, Roehampton University.

Southlands is one of Roehampton University’s four constituent colleges in southwest London; the others are Digby Stuart (Roman Catholic), Whitelands (Anglican) and the Froebel Institute (Humanist).

They amalgamated in 1975 to form the Roehampton Institute, which gained university status in 2004.

However, last September the Methodist Council agreed that the college should proceed to enter into a 125-year leasehold agreement with the university, subject to the agreed heads of terms being satisfactorily reflected in the lease, governance deed and transfer agreement.

“Although other options were explored, it became clear that this was the preferred option, not least because it is part of a process that has been taking place over the last 35 years. The world of higher education has changed enormously and Southlands College has had to change and adapt to new circumstances and challenges,” explained the chair of the Southlands College governors, the Rev John Cooke.

Positive response to assisted suicide guidelines

NEW guidelines clarifying the law on assisted suicide in England and Wales have been welcomed by the Methodist Church.

The guidelines, issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions, outline a range of factors to be taken into account when deciding whether legal proceedings will be instituted against those who help their loved ones to die.

Assisted suicide remains illegal and punishable by up to 14 years’ imprisonment. However, the motivation of suspects – particularly the presence or absence of compassion – is one of the issues that will now be considered during legal proceedings.

Commenting on the changes, Vice-President of the Conference Dr Richard Vautrey said: “The Methodist Church is pleased that the Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmar, has listened to the comments made by the Methodist Church, and others, about the guidelines ...”

Faith schools and sex education

GOVERNMENT plans to allow faith schools to tailor the teaching of sex education lessons in line with their religious beliefs are “honest” and “reasonable”, the Methodist Church has said.

The Children, Schools and Families Bill states that all pupils must be given compulsory sex education classes on a variety of relationship issues, including abortion, contraception and homosexuality. However, under an amendment to the bill, faith schools would be free to deliver this curriculum in a way that reflects their views.

ALSO IN THIS WEEK’S METHODIST RECORDER: … Third instalment in the series by Colin Morris … President and Vice-President on tour … Worldwide news … The President’s column … Kenneth Greet’s monthly column … Letters to the Editor …and much more!

For details on how to subscribe, click here.

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

Home

Regulars

Advertising

Subscriptions

Books

Conference

Submissions

History

Links