The Irish Methodist Church happily calls itself a Connexion; the word by very long tradition being always spelt with an x instead of the more usual ct.
In doing so it is primarily asserting that all the Methodist congregations are linked through the structures of circuit, district and Conference for mutual support and encouragement as well as for discipline. That structure reaches throughout Ireland, and because some circuits and districts straddle the Border, statistics are never recorded for Northern Ireland or for the Republic alone.
One notable expression of that connexional consciousness is to be seen in the admission of new ministers. Where other denominations give this responsibility to the diocese, the presbytery, or even the congregation, the admission of new Methodist ministers is always the responsibility of the Conference, the decision and ceremonies taking place annually wherever the Conference meets.
At Dublin this year three people were accepted for training to be ministers. Mr Mervyn Ewing and Mr Paul Richie were accepted for the itinerant ministry, and in due course will be appointed to circuits throughout the country, spending not more than eight years in succession at any one place.
Mrs Heather Bell was accepted for local ministry, and will serve circuits within reach of her home. All three are to be trained at Edgehill Theological College in Belfast.
Nine students have completed their training in college, and were commissioned as probationers. They will serve for some years on circuit under the direction of an older minister, and will undertake further studies during that period. Rev Stephen Taylow has been appointed to Kilkenny and Carlow, Rev Stephen Hancock has been sent to Waterford, where the Methodist people worship with the Presbyterians in a joint congregation. Rev Damien Boyle goes to the large west Cork circuit, and will live in the south-west of the county. Rev Alan Falls is to work in the Londonderry circuit, which includes the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal. Rev Thomas Stevenson is appointed to Omagh and Fintona, and will reside at the latter town. Rev William Mackay will be living at Cranagill, and working in the Charlemont circuit, while Rev John Alderdice will serve in Tandragee and Richhill. Rev Alan Lorimer will join his wife, Rev Pauline Lorimer, in the Larne circuit. Mrs Lorimer completed her college training two years ago. They will work as a husband-and-wife team in joint ministry. This is the second such team in the Connexion. Rev Peter Mercer was accepted for local ministry and will begin this in the Newtownabbey Mission circuit, working mainly in Mossley.
Five ministers, having successfully completed their probation, were ordained in a service last Sunday evening. Rev Wesley Campbell is stationed at Whitehead in Co Antrim, and Rev Rosemary Lindsay is at Lucan. Rev David Nixon, who has been working in Moville, will, after a short period of further (mainly language) study, go overseas as a mission partner. Rev Ivor Owens has charge of the churches at Birr, Athlone and Tullamore. Rev Robin Waugh ministers in the Lurgan circuit.
The President of the Methodist Church in Ireland serves for just one year and the new President is Rev David J. Kerr. As his successor, for the year 1999/2000, the Conference has designated Rev Kenneth A. Wilson. Dr Wilson has ministered in the Caribbean (at Nevis) as well as in various Irish circuits. He is at present living in Bray and superintending the Dun Laoghaire circuit.
By coincidence both the Protestant services to be broadcast by RTE tomorrow will be led by Methodist congregations. The broadcast from the television studio on RTE 1 from 11.15 am will be led by Rev Noel Fallows and members of the Sutton, Clontarf and Skerries churches. The broadcast on Radio 1 Medium Wave, commencing at 10.45 am, will come from Roscrea. It will be led by Rev Richard Rowe and members of the north Tipperary circuit.
A number of young people aged 17 to 25 will spend a week at Blairvach in Scotland on a programme arranged by the Methodist Youth Department. In addition to outdoor pursuits, this includes Bible study and discussion groups led by Mr Mark Russell of Lurgan, and Mr Julian Hamilton, the Methodist Youth Evangelist.