RE:SPECT, launched today at the Methodist Conference, is a new resource pack to stimulate more openness in the discussion and consideration of relationship issues. Everything from same-sex relationships, divorce, singleness or cohabiting is considered but also included in the pack is information about the wide spectrum of attitudes within the Church itself on these matters. The idea is open, respectful discussion.

The 1998 Report on Christian Preparation for Marriage urged the Methodist Church to open up and accelerate discussion on the many conflicting attitudes towards both relationships but also issues like chastity, celibacy and sexual intimacy. The pack is the direct result of the 2002 Methodist Conference Report on Marriage in the Methodist Church, which reaffirmed the points highlighted in the 1998 Report.

With "Issues Cards" to allow the group facilitators to guide each session and colour-coded cards with ideas for worship, ground rules and methods of discussion, the RE:SPECT pack aims at allowing a group discussion customised according to the different needs of the group members and different levels of understanding.

A time for worship starts the group session off, followed by an exploration into a particular issue with reference to particular Bible passages and also the different ways to approach the issue.

The pack even includes a card listing the relevant help lines and services for anyone affected by the issues raised in the discussion.

The pack is the brainchild of the Marriage and Relationships Group, one member of which, the Reverend Lionel Osborn commented: "In our first meeting we shared something of our own background and struggles in the whole area of marriage and relationships. That enabled us to work together in an open, honest and we believe a very creative way in producing in this pack. We hope that something of that same RE:SPECT will be shown by all who use this material and help the church to move forward in its pilgrimage of faith together."


The Reverend Michaela Youngson (Methodist Secretary for Pastoral Care and Spirituality) also remarked that "these days people have more freedom in relationships than ever before, but often lack clear guidance. We hope that discussing these topics together in an atmosphere of openness and honesty will enable people to have a clearer understanding of the issues and help people to reach their own conclusions."