Scarborough Spa Complex 3 July to 10 July 2008

Host Districts of Leeds, Sheffield, West Yorkshire and York and Hull.

After the more ceremonial aspects of the opening weekend of Conference, the ‘real' business began this morning at a relatively leisurely pace. We began with prayer led by representatives from the European churches – teaching us yet another tune to sing ‘ O for a thousand tongues '. We have sung much today – interspersing blocks of business with hymns.

The business of the morning included Conference encouraging the Methodist Youth Executive in campaigning to highlight the plight of the people of Burma, a report on the progress of a new collection of hymns and songs – to be brought back next year following further consultation. We received a report on the 1993 Resolutions on Human Sexuality (previously referred to as the ‘Derby Resolutions' – but we agreed to change its name) and resolved not to review them at this time. Once again we managed to have a sensitive debate on a very emotive subject and continue to journey together. We also debated the final report from our current General Secretary reflecting his 5 years in office and looking to the future.

The afternoon's business involved us receiving the report concluding the ‘Team Focus' process (regarding the restructuring of the Connexional Team) and we particularly heard details about arrangements for the ‘Help Desk' at Methodist Church House and how it will be accessed, arrangements for world church relationships and changes to the grant-making structures. This debate was concluded with the President leading us in prayer for members of the Connexional Team who have been affected by this process and giving thanks for them. We noted the Connexional Team Work plan and Budget for the coming year – which will be adopted later in the week in the light of any decisions affecting them that may be made by the Conference.

We dealt with (hopefully!) the final report of the review of the Conference (the review has taken four years so far!) – though we managed to get ourselves a bit bogged down with amendments and amendments to amendments regarding the ratio of lay and ordained representatives to Conference. In the end, the debate was adjourned in order to seek clarification so that we all know what we are voting on! The last main item of business was receiving a very helpful report entitled ‘With Integrity and Skill – confidentiality in the Methodist Church' which will no doubt be of great help to those with pastoral responsibilities of a variety of forms in terms of how confidentiality is handled. Appropriately, following a debate on confidentiality, we entered into a closed session of the Conference before the end of business. This means that I am unable to report what was discussed at this time.

As well as our minds and souls being exercised and fed by the business of the day, our bodies were also fed by generous amounts of cake! In the morning, at coffee time, this was provided by the Methodist Relief and Development Fund who supplied us with Apple and Honey Cake – you can try it too as we were told that the recipe is part of their harvest pack (it's very delicious and highly recommended!) In the afternoon tea break the cake was fruitcake provided by the Methodist Minister's Housing Society (and cut for us by the President and Vice-President) in commemoration of their 60th anniversary, about whose work we also heard, and we sung, yet again, a hymn this time specially written for their anniversary.

Let's hope that tomorrow we will be equally well fed, in every sense!

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