Scarborough Spa Complex 3 July to 10 July 2008

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

The last day of Conference and therefore my last report! The week has flown by!

After prayers led this morning by representative from the Americas and Caribbean we began our business in earnest to meet our 1pm ‘deadline' for the end of business. Much of this business was finishing off, tidying up and formalities.
Straight after prayers we resumed in Closed Session – finishing off the business we were unable to conclude last night. Thankfully this didn't take as long as last night and ‘normal business' was soon resumed with the report ‘The Covenant relationship for those who are ordained in Full Connexion' – addressing issues of employment status for ministers , how ministers' vocation is nurtured and supported and deployed, terms & conditions, normal working hours and accountability. The report is commended for study and discussion throughout the Connexion and a consultation questionnaire will be produced to help with this and to be reported back with recommendations next year.

We heard two more District Resolutions – first from the London District looking to actively encourage more presbyters and deacons to think about this call to ministry, and seeking a new and creative strategy for recruiting those under 30 years. The second one was from the York and Hull District on ‘Fairly traded and locally produced food' – asking Conference to direct those responsible for making arrangements for Conference to prioritise the use of fairly traded and locally produced food when considering Conference venues and encouraging districts to adopt the same concern in circuits and churches.

We had the final resolution from the Youth Conference on supporting young local preachers in training, finished off law and polity business, amendments to Standing Orders, the complaints and discipline process update and had the report back on who should be the co-chair of the new JIC group (the Joint Implementation Commission of the Anglican/Methodist Covenant) referred back from Tuesday (agreeing it should be a former Vice-President!) We agreed Special Resolutions from the Conference of 2007 amending the Deed of Union regarding the number of Conference-elected members of the Conference and British representation to the Irish Conference, agreed the Connexional Team work plan and budget and dealt with the en-bloc business. The final notices of motion included responding to the situation in Gaza and the global food crisis.

We then expressed, in a formal way, our appreciation to the Joint Secretaries Group of the Connexional Team, who will be leaving post as a result of the Team Focus process (David Deeks and Peter Sulston – both retiring; Anthea Cox and Jonathan Kerry – both leaving the Connexional Team; David Gamble and Ken Howcroft – taking up new posts within the Connexional Team). Tributes were paid first to David Deeks (to whom a presentation was made on behalf of the Connexion) and then to Anthea, Jonathan and Peter.

We then dealt with the remaining formalities of authorisations, ministerial and diaconal oversight (ministers to be Recognised and Regarded, authorised to serve and associate ministers) and approved candidates for training in presbyteral and diaconal ministry. We permitted some ministers to become supernumery ministers (i.e. retire!) and made a series of appointments including: new district chairs, the Warden of the Diaconal Order, the General Secretary/Secretary of Conference (who was probably the only one in the hall to vote against his own appointment!!)

The final law and polity report tidied up any mistakes we had made; we presented the stations and adopted them by Standing Vote. The Secretary then asked the question: ‘Is there any business not yet done?' Everyone waited with baited breath at this point & to our relief all was done!!

We were then joined by the stewards and members of the Conference Arrangements Committee for the closing formalities and expressions of thanks to those who had made Conference possible – behind the scenes in producing papers, writing letters and the business committee; to the host districts and volunteers; the catering manager and deputy manager of the Spa to whom we presented a chalice and paten which we hope they will put on display with our thanks for having us! Conference candles were then presented to each district to take home and we were invited to next year's Conference in Wolverhampton 2-9 July 2009.

The Ex-Vice President and Ex-President thanked the Vice-President and President for their leading of Conference, we attested the Daily Record and ended with prayer before the final two resolutions of the Conference were put by the Journal Secretary – both by standing vote –firstly to resolve to record everything in the Conference Journal which will be the acts of the Conference, and secondly for adjournment of Conference until next year. Of course we agreed to both!! And then sung the hymn ‘ Captain of Israel's host and guide ' (Hymns & Psalms 62) as Conference always sings it at the end of business.

And that was Conference 2008! No cake again – and barely even time for a coffee break today! But yes, we are still very much alive and return home having been blessed, encouraged and challenged by our conferring together. Will we be yet alive next year? Why not go to Wolverhampton and find out for yourself!