|TOP|The 19th World Methodist Conference will commence this week in Seoul, South Korea. The historical conference will take place from July 20th to 24th 2006.

The World Methodist Conference is held once every five years and is the only event where thousands of the world’s followers of Wesleyan Christianity join together for a time of worship and reflection, as well as to consider how to progress the future of the Methodist Church.

Rev. George Freeman, top staff executive of the World Methodist Council commented, “We look forward to the gathering of believers in the Methodist/Wesleyan family and to the things which God will cause to happen as a result of this conference.”

The theme adopted for this years gathering will be ‘God in Christ Reconciling’, and shows clearly why the Korean capital has been chosen to host the landmark conference.|AD|

Freeman said, “All Methodists worldwide have been invited to join with their Korean Methodist brothers and sisters in attending this momentous event and in praying with the Korean Methodists for peace in their land and for the reunification of the Korean peninsula.”

The core focus will be reunification, while delegates will also be given a chance to take part in seminars and workshops designed to provide a clearer understanding on various Church issues, as well as to emphasise critical issues such as ecumenism and dialogue, education, world evangelism, family life, social and international affairs, theological education, worship and liturgy, and youth.

Gillian Kingston, the Chairperson of the Programme Committee and lay pastor from the Methodist Church of Ireland, commented, “The uniqueness of Christianity will be apparent as participants gather in seminars Saturday afternoon.”

The World Methodist Conference represents 76 denominations, with member-bodies located across 130 countries in across the globe. The last gathering was held in Brighton in 2001.