CONFERENCE 2025
5TH - 7TH JUNE
thomas street methodist church, portadown
LIVING Wholeheartedly
AS followers of Jesus
FOR THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE WORLD.
The two hundred and fifty-sixth Conference of the Methodist Church in Ireland will meet in Thomas Street Methodist Church in Portadown from Thursday 5th June until Saturday 7th June 2025.
The Ministerial Session will begin on Thursday morning. The Representative Session will begin with the Installation Service for Rev Alan Wardlow at 7.30pm on Thursday. The Ordination Service will take place on the Friday evening at 7.30pm and Conference will end around 7pm on Saturday 7th.
You can watch the representative sessions LIVE or catch up later on our YouTube channel.
Further information including the full programme will be available soon.
As a Connexion we continue to explore what it means to live ‘wholeheartedly as followers of Jesus for the transformation of the world' and at Conference, and in the Connexional year ahead, we will focus on how, empowered and filled with the Spirit, we are compelled by God's love to share the Gospel.
As we hear this word compel, we hear it in light of the Apostle Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 5:14 as he declares to the Church in Corinth that the love of Christ compels him. Paul is so convinced, so consumed, so transformed by the love of Christ that he cannot do anything but declare the truth of Christ to others.
This year, as we focus as a Connexion on growth and evangelism, we want to be renewed in our passion and conviction to make Christ known. Like Paul, we want to declare that the love of Christ compels us.
The Rev Alan Wardlow, as he steps into the role of President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, will lead us on this journey, inviting us to rediscover the power of the Spirit at work within us, and challenging us in how we are to live out the love of Christ everyday.
We are expectant and hope-filled for what God will do in His Church in this year ahead.
A prayer for Conference
God of wisdom and grace,
We celebrate your goodness.
As we journey towards Conference,
Grant us your wisdom and consume us with your love.
For, we surrender all to you.
In the worship and teaching,
Tune our ears and enliven our hearts.
In the business and decisions,
Make clear our minds and confident our actions.
As we gather, in love and compassion for one another,
Your presence will be with us.
And so, we pray,
That the love of Christ captivates us,
And your Spirit stirs and compels us.
That, together, we may be
Compelled to love,
Compelled to speak,
Compelled and restless to make you known.
In the name of Christ and the power of the Spirit,
Amen.
CoMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT
The Report and proposals from the Working Group on Comprehensive Assessment and Reserves will be brought to Conference on Saturday morning.
In this video from the Secretary of Conference, the Rev Dr Heather Morris helps explain what Comprehensive Assessment is and how it is used.
Originally shared in December 2024.
Conference Sunday
This year, we invite you in your local church to join with us for a Conference Sunday worship service on Sunday 8th June.
The Conference Sunday Service Resources are available to download now. These will enable you to craft a service suitable for your church or group that will help all to engage with this year’s Connexional theme.
Location
thomas street methodist church
33 Thomas St, Portadown, BT62 3NU
Two nearby local churches have kindly given use of their car parks during Conference and free parking is also available at Meadow Shopping Centre.
– Portadown Elim Church
Clonavon Ave, Portadown, Craigavon, BT62 3AE
– Portadown Baptist Church
117 Thomas St, Portadown, Craigavon BT62 3AH
Out and about
Below is a list of places close to Thomas Street to visit while out and about in Portadown.
Bob and Bert’s – 5 Market Street
Zio’s Restaurant – 41 William Street
Chimes Cafe – 18 Church Street
Perfect Blend – 25 West Street
Air Restaurant – 21 West Street
Rhiannon’s Cafe (inside Sitara Morgan) – 10 West Street
Cafe Nero – High Street Mall
Greggs – High Street Mall
Faith Mission – Magowan Buildings
Unch – 31-33 High Street
McDonald’s – Meadows Shopping Centre
Tim Hortons – Meadows Shopping Centre
Above all – 37 Castle Street
PRESIDENT 2025-26
Rev Alan Wardlow
lay leader 2024-26
Mrs Elaine Barnett
CONFERENCE 2024 HIGHLIGHTS
