proclamation of the creed in its liturgy and in the formulation of its historic document the Deed of Union , the Methodist Church hold central and dear . Synodality therefore should not imply for Methodists a sectarian separatist outlook of sacred selectivity .
Our connexionalism demonstrates a multi-faceted ecclesial vision which embraces spirituality and mission , governance and fellowship . It ’ s not contained within a rulebook of how to order ourselves ( important though that it is to have !). It is manifest in a Way of Life which touches every level of being in our Church , from the local to the National . And implicit within this is our commitment to becoming and being a justice-seeking church , committed to the principles of solidarity , dignity and justice as expressions of the equality , diversity and inclusion we seek . And part of this process involves listening to the different stories , often out of the pain of rejection and hurt in matters of gender , race , sexuality and social resources .
So a key question would be : for us , and maybe for others , if we are committed to the synodal process , whose voices are we hearing ? And how do we handle the tensions and disputes which arise because of the different people we are with our different readings of scripture and tradition . If conferring is so central , what are the limits to our discussions ? And in this , what is the relevant weight given to Scripture , Tradition , Reason , and Experience in our decision-making ? This has been a crucial factor in the whole handling of the human sexuality debate in the past 30 years .
In all this the place of young people , of women and of lay people in our church governance is crucial . How do we allow their voices to be heard and enabled and empowered to be an equal contributor around the table ? And what is the role of the Holy Spirit in all this ? The disturber or the comforter ? The one who casts down the mighty from their seats or forms a protective ring around those who hold the power and the ability to preserve the status quo ?
As we got to the end of the ecumenical symposium in Durham as a practical workshop in receptive ecumenism , we Methodists were challenged to reexamine our own sense and understanding of synodality , with the courage to embark on this synodal process recognising the tensions between aspirations and reality . Yes , with a renewed confidence in sharing what is good about a renewal movement focused on small groups and the connexional collaboration of an inclusive Church but open to the work of the Holy Spirit in letting go of fossilised structures for a renewed church in a period of decline , not inward looking but outward facing , prepared to embrace fellow pilgrims in an ecumenical journey which makes space for all with a generosity of grace which listens to all .
Let us hope that together we can , in the words of Sister Natalie , ‘ plant seeds and allow dreams to flourish , in strengthening relationships and learning from each other ’.
I end with verses from a Charles Wesley hymn which encapsulates that desire for unity through fellowship that he and his brother practised and preached in the birth of Methodism :
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