Methodist Recorder

Leslie Griffiths reveals what he misses most about active ministry in this month’s column.

Methodist and Anglican leaders are reopening theological discussions on bishops, ordination and apostolic ministry — issues that have historically been among the most difficult barriers to closer unity between the two traditions. See Page One for full story.

In this month’s Faith on the Tracks, we meet some Railway Mission chaplains.

The President of the Conference, the Rev Richard Andrew, has revealed that he is living with prostate cancer and was initially told that he might only have two to three years to live, before further tests revealed that the disease could be treated. See Page One.

Reform UK has pledged to ban former church buildings from being converted for use by other faith groups as part of plans to “restore Britian’s Christian heritage” if the party wins a general election. See Page One for full story.

In a special feature, Alan Sharp looks at the way that folk music has influenced much of our hymnody down the years.

The Chair of the Yorkshire North and East District, the Rev Leslie Newton, offers his reflections on “Flourish”, the weekend-long all-age festival focusing on worship, creativity and exploring faith through “Woven Threads” to help the community flourish.

The chief executive of MHA (Methodist Homes), Sam Monaghan, has issued an appeal to the Government to rethink elements of its immigration reforms, warning that proposed changes risked treating social care staff as “second-class” workers. See Page One.

In our regular contribution from Wesley House, the Rev Dr Daniel Pratt Morris-Chapman reflects on intercultural Methodism, migration and the “World IN My Parish”. What does it means to be Church together in a diverse world. Read the full story in today's Methodist Recorder.

To mark International Mother Language Day (tomorrow) we have a Bible translation feature exploring mother tongues as linguistic justice: from Tyndale’s English New Testament to new full Bibles for small communities like Tokelau. Read the full story in today’s Methodist Recorder.

The Rev the Lord Griffiths says Methodism is strongest when it stays provisional: breaking new ground, taking risks, resisting the ‘mahogany phase’. From Wesley’s bold choices to Taizé’s example, he urges the new to be born. Read the full story in today’s Methodist Recorder.

In the latest in our series Methodism and Me, Steve Oliver reveals how God never gave up on him.

The authors of the Quiet Revival report have defended its claims of Church growth after senior social scientists and polling experts questioned its methodology and conclusions. See Page One.

The lives of 18th century women: this week Colin Ella gives an overview of the daughters of the rectory.

From Ash Wednesday to Easter: in this issue Adrian Burdon reflects on some books for personal and group study during Lent.

Fresh hopes for the next stage of the Gaza peace process are emerging following the recovery and burial of the final Israeli hostage, Ran Gvili, and a series of public statements from all sides reaffirming their commitments to the cease-fire framework. See Page One.

Valentine’s Day may be three weeks away, but before that is National Marriage Week (February 7 to 14). This week we provide resources for ministers and worship leaders to shape meaningful services during this time when love is in the air.

This week Bruce Thompson offers some thoughts for Holocaust Memorial Day.

A major new support package has been launched to help households overwhelmed by post-Christmas debt, as fresh figures underline the scale of financial pressure facing millions across the UK. See Page One for full story.

This week we have the first article in a new series: ‘Bible and Migration’.