The Methodist Conference 2005 takes place on 25th-30th June at the Riviera Centre, Torquay. Some of the highlights of the Conference were unveiled in today’s press release.

Concerning the politics of the Church, one of the most pressing subjects was human sexuality. As the Civil Partnership Bill will become effective on 5th December, homosexual couples will soon be entitled the right to register their civil union legally. The Church is currently facing an intense challenge to make clear its position on same-sex blessings for cases where gay couples request a blessing from their churches.

On Wednesday 29th June afternoon, the Conference will review the report on human sexuality "The Pilgrimage of Faith", which was first published in 1993, in an attempt to reach a resolution for the challenges.

Furthermore, the question on the consecration of bishops in the Methodist Church of Great Britain has been raised since the Anglican-Methodist Covenant was formed with the Church of England. Traditionally, the reformed Protestant Methodist Church does not have "bishops", however, increasing ecumenical partnership with the Anglicans has addressed the need.

In the morning session on 29th June, the Conference will consider a detailed report "What Sort of Bishops?" looking at the theological, historical and practical basis for bishops in the Methodist Church of Great Britain. If passed, the 2007 Conference will be asked to make a definitive decision and the first historical consecration of bishops could be possible.

Following the Anglican-Methodist Covenant signed in 2003, the first interim report to investigate the practical and theological implications of the Covenant prepared by the Joint Implementation Commission (JIC), will be presented on Monday 27 June.

A special session will be devoted to the Make Poverty History campaign in Britain, which will peak in its efforts at the G8 summit in Edinburgh just a few days after the Conference finishes in Torquay.

The Conference will officially send off a group of representatives who will make the 462 mile journey to join the 2nd July massive Make Poverty History rally, calling on British Prime Minister Tony Blair and other world leaders for fair trade, better aid and an end to crippling debt for developing countries.

"Pray Without Ceasing" - an initiative backed by the Methodist Conference 2004 will be launched on 28th June during the Conference this year. It is a 14-month non-stop prayer relay between 33 Methodist Districts in the UK, which aims to mobilise all Methodist Churches across Britain to experience the vital prayer life of a Christian and to renew the spirit of individuals as well as the Church. The Churches are to run together in prayer until 31 August 2006.

The details of the Conference Agenda and reports are now available on the Methodist Church’s website.