Synods

This week the Methodist Church focuses on synods. In the Cape District we will be meeting in Belhar. Synod is made up of all ministers and about five lay people from each circuit. The lay delegates from our circuit (False Bay Circuit) are Russell de Vree, Bradley Adams, Herdia Wicomb, Nobulali Mbilini and Jongile Sani. This year we will be having elections for Presiding Bishop and also for the vice-chair of the district.

We will be discussing proposals for new ways of electing church officials from the presiding bishop to society stewards and cell or class leaders. There are also a pile of amendments to the Laws & Disciplines to be discussed and commented on.

We also hear reports from the various mission focus groups and organisations in the district.

There is also the EMMU report which tracks the progress of student ministers (presbyters and deacons) and recommends students for ordination. New candidates for the Order of Evangelism/sts are also accepted.

Then on Sunday the ministers are sent into different pulpits around the district. Wesley Mission will have Rev John Wessels from Rosebank Methodist Church with them. Beacon Ridge has not been allocated a synod preacher so they will have a local preacher from our circuit (Mr Oswald Lynch).