The Methodist Conference is meeting in Lisburn for the first time in its history. The vicinity has some historic links with John Wesley. It was at nearby Derriaghy that in 1775 Wesley nearly died of a fever. At Lambeg, two trees are growing with curiously intertwined branches.
A strong local tradition has it that the trees, when saplings, were intertwined by Wesley in the course of one of his visits. The action symbolised his hope that the Methodist societies and the Church of Ireland would always be interlinked.
The building in which the conference is meeting, Seymour Street Methodist Church, was opened for worship in November, 1875, replacing an earlier building on another site. It occupies a prominent site on the old road to Belfast.
The Pastoral Session, which deals with the admission and discipline of ministers, met yesterday morning and afternoon. Tomorrow evening at Fisher wick Presbyterian Church in Belfast, which has been kindly lent for the occasion, four new ministers will be ordained. They are one woman and three men. The Rev Janet Unsworth has been serving in Newry, the Rev Alan Falls in Inishowen, the Rev Nigel McBrien in Roscrea and the Rev Colin Weir in Dunkineely.
This morning the business of the Representative Session begins, and continues until Tuesday. This session comprises equal numbers of ministers and lay people. Daily Bible studies are being led by Bishop George Irvine of the Methodist Church in South Africa.
He and his wife are not the only visitors from overseas. Others are present from the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church, USA, the Methodist Church of Nigeria, and the United Church of Canada.
Concerning church matters, important reports will be presented on the subjects of Lay Presidency at the Lord's Supper, and the proposed Covenant with the Church of Ireland. The Council on Social Responsibility will present for publication a report on suicide.
Gideon Ouseley was the outstanding Methodist preacher in the first half of the 19th century, preaching fluently in Irish and English. He was also a colourful character, whose methods were highly original. The Rev Dr Norman Taggart has published a new study of Ouseley and the Irish Methodist Mission, of which he was one of the founders. It is a timely re-interpretation of the great evangelist.
Dr Taggart raises interesting questions about Ouseley's work, and explores the relevance of his ideas to the contemporary situation in this country. Copies of the book, Gideon Ouseley, may be had from Dr Taggart, of 5 Ashcroft Close, Lower Ballinderry, Lisburn, BT28 2AZ. The cost is £3 each plus postage.
ECONI has announced its annual Summer School, which will take place this year from July 10th to 14th at the Belfast Bible College. The theme is transformation. Participants will explore the relationship between Christ, faith and the issues of cultural identity, spirituality and politics.
The ECONI office is at Howard House, Brunswick Street, Belfast.