400 Constitution. The constitution and enumeration of the Districts shall be set out year by year in the stations appointed by the Conference and they shall be composed of the Circuits there specified. See the note above as to cls. 38 and 39 of the Deed of Union.
400A Nature and Purposes. (1) The primary purpose for which the District is constituted is to advance the mission of the Church in a region, by providing opportunities for Circuits to work together and support each other, by offering them resources of finance, personnel and expertise which may not be available locally and by enabling them to engage with the wider society of the region as a whole and address its concerns. The District serves the Local Churches and Circuits and the Conference in the support, deployment and oversight of the various ministries of the Church, and in programmes of training. It has responsibility for the evaluation of applications by Local Churches and Circuits for approval of or consent to their proposals, when required, or for assistance from district or connexional bodies or funds. Wherever possible the work of the District is carried out ecumenically. The District is thus an expression, over a wider geographical area than the Circuit, of the connexional character of the Church. (2) Since every member in the District is as such a member of the Methodist Missionary Society, the purposes of the District include the promotion of understanding of and support for the work of the Society to the end that every member may share actively in world mission. See Articles 2 and 4 of the constitution of the society (Book IV B, Part 3).
401 Circuit Boundaries. (1) All proposals for the division or amalgamation of Circuits or the alteration of their boundaries shall be considered by the district Policy Committee, which shall obtain the judgment of the Circuit Meetings involved, report those judgments to the Synod and advise the Synod on the proposals, having regard to the staffing and other circumstances of the Circuits and the density and general character of the population.
(2) Where alterations in circuit boundaries involve Circuits in another District the district Policy Committee shall advise the Synod, which shall initiate the necessary consultations. (3) When any proposal for alteration in circuit boundaries is before the Conference any Circuit Meeting or Church Council involved has the right to make representations to the Conference. (4) If agreement cannot be reached between the Synod and any Circuit Meeting involved the resolution of every Circuit Meeting involved, as well as that of the Synod, shall be laid before the Conference. The Conference may not alter circuit boundaries without first consulting the Synods concerned (Deed of Union, cl 38). (5) In any case within the last preceding clause any alteration resolved upon by the Conference shall take effect only if confirmed by the Conference of the year next following.
402 District Committees. (1) Each district Synod shall at its autumn meeting annually appoint a district Policy Committee, to serve until the close of the next autumn Synod. (2) [Revoked]. (3) Each district Synod shall at its autumn meeting annually appoint such other committees as are required by Standing Orders, to serve until the close of the next autumn Synod, and may at any time and for any period not extending beyond the close of the next autumn Synod set up or continue special committees to deal with district affairs or with such connexional, circuit or local matters affecting the District as may from time to time arise. As to other committees required by Standing Orders see S.O. 442(1) (city centres), 462 (youth officers), 463 (formal education), 464 (M.I.H.) and 472 (manses). (4) In the following clauses of this Standing Order district committee' means the district Policy Committee or a committee appointed in accordance with clause (3) above. (5) The Chairman of the District and, unless the Conference otherwise directs, the secretary of the Synod shall be, ex officio, members of every district committee and in relation to such committees they are in this Part called the ex-officio members'. By cl. 42(b) of the Deed of Union (Book II, Part 1) the Chairman of the District is, ex officio, the chairman of all district meetings having relation to the Synod. (6) The persons who are eligible to be members of district committees are those who, if ministers and probationers, are members of or (in the case of forces chaplains) entitled to attend the Synod or, if not ministers or probationers, are members in the District or members of other communions involved in partnership schemes within the District which have been approved by the Conference. As to forces chaplains entitled to attend the Synod see S.O. 355(3). (7) [. . .] (8) All members of district committees other than the ex- officio members and those whose appointment is otherwise provided for by Standing Orders shall be elected by the Synod [. . .]. (9) The elected members of a district committee may be re-elected at the autumn Synod for one year or for the life of the committee whichever is the shorter. After six years' continuous service they shall not be eligible for re- appointment before the expiry of one year, except that (i) secretaries and treasurers shall not of necessity relinquish their committee membership until they have completed a term of six years in office, and (ii) where special experience and exceptional service on the part of a committee member or officer makes it desirable, the Synod may by the votes of not less than three fourths of those present and voting re-appoint annually beyond six years. (10) The appointment of elected members shall take effect from the close of the Synod at which they are appointed and in clause (9) above year' means the period from appointment or re-appointment until the close of the next autumn Synod.
403 Connexional Affairs. (1) Each district Synod shall at its
spring meeting annually appoint the following officers to be
responsible within the District, in conjunction with any
committees which may be appointed for the same purpose, [. .
.] namely two secretaries and a treasurer for each of the
following areas of work:
Home Mission
Overseas
Ministries
Education and Youth
Social Responsibility
Property.
The above officers shall report to the spring Synod. The
secretaries for property affairs are also called the
district property secretaries' and one of them shall act as
secretary to the district trustees.
(2) Each district Synod shall at its spring meeting annually
appoint the following associate officers to be responsible
within the District, in conjunction with any committees which
are
required or may be appointed for the same purpose, for
particular functions, as specified [. . .]:
Industry Secretary
Rural Life Secretary
London Affairs (in London Districts) Secretary
Stewardship Adviser
City Centre Churches (where applicable) Secretary
Network Four persons
Junior Mission for All Secretary
Local Preachers (See clause (2A) below)
Further Training for the Ministry Secretary
Accompanied Self-Appraisal Officer, Trainer
Ministerial and Diaconal Sabbaticals Secretary
Church Membership Secretary
Music Secretary
Wesley Guild Secretary
Lay Training Secretary
Lay Worker Training and Development Secretary
Children Secretary
Youth and Community Secretary
Formal Education Secretary
Methodist International House (where applicable) Secretary
MAYC World Action Co-ordinator
Radio and Television Secretary
Community Relations Secretary
Methodist Homes for the Aged Secretary
World Development Secretary
Health and Healing Secretary (if desired)
The Auxiliary Fund Treasurer
Manses Secretary
Archives Archivist
NCH Action for Children Co-ordinating Secretary
As to the above functions see for the church in industry S.O.
303(ii), the London Mission S.O. 363, stewardship S.O.
302(x), city centres S.O. 352, Network S.O. 350, M.A.Y.C.
World Action Art. 12 M.M.S. Constitution (Book IVB, Part 3),
Junior Mission for All ibid., Art. 11 and S.O. 362(6), local
preachers S.O. 302(ix), further training for the ministry S.O.
302(ix), self-appraisal S.O. 755, sabbaticals S.O. 757, music
S.O. 302(vi), Wesley Guild S.O. 302(ix) and 327, children and
youth and community S.O. 302(iii), formal education S.O.
303(iv), Methodist Homes for the Aged S.O. 241, world
development S.O. 304(iv), the Auxiliary Fund for retired
ministers S.O. 364(1), archives S.O. 337 and NCH Action for
Children S.O. 240. (2A) The associate officers for local
preachers' affairs shall be the secretary for such affairs,
the district tutor and, if available, a district convener for
the Local Preachers Mutual Aid Association who is eligible to
be a member of district committees.
(2B) The responsibilities of NCH Action for Children Co-
ordinating Secretary shall be to provide an active and co-
ordinating influence in the distribution of information from
NCH Action for Children and to encourage the development of
voluntary support for its work. For NCH Action for Children
see S.O. 240.
(3) The district secretaries specified in clause (1) above shall from time to time, and at least once in each connexional year, convene a meeting of the officers and associate officers responsible for related work with the Chairman and the secretary of the Synod, to review and set forward that work in the District. The NCH Action for Children Co-ordinating Secretary shall be a member of the meeting convened to review [. . .] work in the area of social responsibility. (4) The appointment of the above officers and associate officers shall take effect from the 1st September next following. After six years' continuous service an officer or associate officer shall not be eligible for re-appointment before the expiry of one year, except that where special experience and exceptional service make it desirable the Synod may by the votes of not less than three fourths of those present and voting re-appoint annually beyond six years.
404 Expenses. (1) All district expenses, including those of the Synod secretary, shall be paid out of the District Expenses Fund. (2) Payment of the travelling expenses of members attending district committees shall be at the discretion of the Synod. For expenses of attending Synod see S.O. 416.
405 Lay Workers. (1) If it is desired to employ a lay person in pastoral, evangelistic or administrative work in a District, otherwise than as a youth officer, in circumstances in which Standing Order 570 would apply to a comparable circuit appointment, then such employment must be by the district trustees, a scheme shall be prepared by the district Policy Committee dealing with the matters specified in clauses (3) and (4) of Standing Order 575 and the procedures of clauses (4) to (10) of that Standing Order and clauses (3) and (5) of Standing Order 570 shall be followed. (2) Any person appointed under this Standing Order shall act under the direction and pastoral care of the Chairman.
406 Employment of other Persons. If it is proposed to employ a lay person for any district purpose otherwise than under Standing Orders 405 or 462 then such employment must be by the district trustees, who shall, where Standing Order 438A applies, comply with its provisions and obtain the prior approval of the district Lay Employment Sub-committee under that Standing Order.
For the definition of the word Synod' see cl. 1(xxxiv) of the Deed of Union (Book II, Part 1) Cl. 40 of the Deed of Union (Book II, Part 1) provides for the establishment of district Synods and by that clause the Synods are to be so constituted and to have such powers as the Conference may provide.
410 Constitution. (1) Subject to Standing Orders 737(6) and 774(1A) and clause (6) below the Representative Session of the district Synod shall consist of: (i) the Vice-President and all ex-Vice-Presidents of the Conference, being eligible; (ii)all ministers and probationers stationed in the District, all ministers [. . .] residing for the purposes of the stations in the District and any other minister or probationer entered in the stations as a member of the Synod; (iii) all deaconesses and deacons who are stationed in the District or who, not being stationed in another District, are members in the District; (iv) two circuit stewards of each Circuit in the District, or their substitutes elected by the Circuit Meeting; (v) lay representatives or their substitutes elected by the Circuit Meeting of each Circuit in the District to the number of one more than the ministerial establishment of the Circuit, rounded up if necessary to the next whole number; (vi) all full members of the district Policy Committee; (vii) the lay representatives, if appointed, of the Synod to the Methodist Council and the connexional Property and World Church Committees; (viii) [deleted] (ix) all eligible lay persons who are Conference-elected representatives to the Conference; (x) all lay representatives elected to the Conference by the last preceding autumn Synod; (xi) in Districts in which there is a theological college, student ministers elected by the student ministers of each college in the following proportions, up to thirty student ministers two representatives, for each additional thirty student ministers (or part thereof) one representative, with a maximum number of four representatives from any one college; (xii) all lay officers and associate officers appointed under Standing Order 403(1) and (2); (xiii) Synod- elected lay members, as specified in clause (5) below; (xiv) all eligible full-time youth officers appointed in the District under Standing Order 462 and all lay workers employed in the District under Standing Order 405 or 570; (xv) the secretary of the synod. For eligibility of lay persons see clause (3) below. As to the dates of appointment of members of the Policy Committee see S.O. 402(10). As to ministers without appointment see S.O. 762, 763. As to the meaning of ministerial establishment' in item (iv) see S.O. 737(4), the effect of which is incorporated in the definition at S.O. 005(viA). For the Policy Committee see S.O. 430. Associated members are not, as such, members of the Synod. For lay representatives to the Methodist Council, connexional Property Committee and World Church Committee see S.O. 210(1)(iv), (v) and (2), S.O. 331(6)(iv) and 333(3)(ii) respectively. For Conference-elected representatives see S.O. 103. For the election of district representatives to the Conference see S.O. 417. For the secretary see S.O. 414. (2) No minister or probationer may be a member of more than one Synod. For the position of forces chaplains see S.O. 355(3). (3) Subject to head (xi) of Standing Order 410(1) a lay person is eligible to be a member of the Synod only if a member in the District or a member of another communion who holds office or is an elected member of a meeting under the constitution of a partnership scheme in the District authorised by the Conference or (if so empowered) by the Synod. (4) A circuit steward entitled to attend the Synod as such may not decline to do so while claiming the right to attend and vote in some other capacity. (5) The number of Synod-elected members shall be a multiple of three fixed by the Synod, being not less than nine nor more than 24. In appointing such members the Synod shall consider its own composition as a whole with regard to age, sex and ethnic origin. They shall be appointed by the spring Synod in its Representative Session and serve from the beginning of the next autumn Synod for three years, one third retiring each year. Upon retirement they may be re-appointed once only for a further three years, after which they shall not be eligible for a further appointment to take effect before the expiry of one year. When a casual vacancy occurs during a three-year term (whether first or second) the Synod may fill the vacancy at either of its meetings with immediate effect, but the person then appointed shall serve in the first instance only until the end of that three-year term, when he or she shall be treated for all the purposes of this clause as having completed a first three-year term. In this clause year' means the period from the beginning of one autumn Synod until the beginning of the next. (6) In the Shetland District the Representative Session of the Synod shall consist of the persons specified in heads (i), (ii) and (iii) of clause (1) above, together with all other members of the Circuit Meeting of the Lerwick and Walls Circuit.
411 Meetings. (1) Subject to clause (8) below the Synod shall meet in the autumn each connexional year in Representative Session and in the following spring in Representative and Ministerial Sessions. For the constitution and functions of the Ministerial Session see Section 48. For the duty of ministers and probationers to attend see S.O. 750 and, as to supernumeraries, S.O. 774(4). (2) Subject to clause (3) below the autumn Synod shall be held during the fortnight following the first Sunday of September and the spring Synod during the period between the third Sunday of April and the second Sunday of May. (3) If the above dates prove unsuitable in any District the Chairman shall inform the President and may with his or her permission call the Synod for a date up to a week earlier. (4) In each District in which a candidate for the ministry has been nominated, the Synod shall meet in Ministerial Session between the meeting of the district Candidates Committee and the 15th February and such a meeting may be held in any other District at the discretion of the Chairman. When such a meeting is held it shall, so far as the Chairman at his or her discretion thinks practicable, deal with all the business of the Ministerial Session except (i) that from the district Probationers Committee and (ii) such matters for report as are not known at the date of that meeting. See S.O. 704. (5) The Chairman shall have authority to call an additional meeting of the Synod on any application by ministers or members which appears to him or her to require it. (6) The Chairman shall send to all members of the Synod notice requesting their attendance on the days appointed for the spring and autumn meetings of the Synod, specifying the business to be brought forward and making particular mention of any subject remitted by the Conference to the consideration of the Synod. (7) The Synod in its Representative Session may admit visitors, if it so desires. (8) The Synod of the Channel Islands District shall not hold an autumn meeting unless either the preceding spring Synod so directs or the Chairman, after consultation with the Secretary of Synod and the Superintendents of the Circuits, deems such a meeting necessary. If there is no such meeting the business of the autumn Synod shall, subject to Standing Order 417 (2A), be transacted in September by the district Policy Committee, which for that purpose shall have all the powers conferred upon the Synod by Standing Orders and may alter the arrangements for its own meeting as set out in Part 10.
412 Functions. (1) The Synod is the policy-making court of the District, serving as a link between the Conference and the connexional Team on the one hand and the Circuits and local Churches on the other. It shall have oversight of all district affairs. It shall formulate and promote policies, through its various officers and committees, to assist the mission of the Church, to give inspiration to the leaders in the Circuits and to ensure the interrelation of all aspects of the Church's life throughout the District. It is a forum in which issues of public concern relevant to the witness of the Church may be addressed. The Synod's business is the work of God in the District, expressed in worship, conversation, formal business, the communication of Conference matters to the Circuits and the submission of memorials to the Conference. As to memorials see S.O. 419. As to district property see S.O. 910(2), 911(3), 913(2) and 966(2). For the functions of the Ministerial Session see S.O. 481.
(2) The Synod has authority to designate local ecumenical partnerships within the District and to approve the constitution of any such partnerships, such designation being made where possible in conjunction with a Sponsoring Body on which the Methodist Church is represented. (3) No such approval shall be given unless the district Policy Committee has complied with S.O. 434 (3) (v) and so reported to the Synod. After the Synod has given its approval its decision shall be reported to the connexional [. . .] Committee for Local Ecumenical Development and a copy of the constitution shall be sent to the convener of that committee. For the connexional committee see S.O. 334.
413 Procedure. (1) The Synod shall in its Representative Session deal with the matters set out in the agendas for the autumn and spring meetings in Part 10 so as to fulfil its responsibilities for the appointment of district officers and committees and of representatives to the Conference and to the Methodist Council and connexional committees, for the discussion of district policy and of the reports presented by the district officers and committees and for the consideration of motions of which due notice has been given. For notices of motion see cl. (4) below. (2) The details of circuit contributions to the various connexional funds shall be obtained from the reports of the respective district treasurers. (3) In the Channel Islands District clause (1) above is subject to Standing Order 411 (8), and in that and the Shetland District the procedure prescribed in clause (1) above may further be adapted by the Synods to meet the special conditions of those Districts, so that for example the whole Synod may meet in committee if so desired. (4) Notices of motion must be submitted in writing to the Chairman and secretary of the Synod fourteen days before the date of the Synod, and the secretary shall see that they are printed and distributed to the members of the Synod not later than its opening. Only on matters of urgency and by express permission of the Synod may notices of motion be submitted during a session of the Synod. (5) The rules comprising clauses (6) to (25) of this Standing Order shall be the rules of debate regulating the proceedings of the Synod, except that since much of the business of the Synod may be conducted in the form of conversations clauses (8) to (21) shall apply only when a formal resolution is under consideration. In these rules Chairman includes any person presiding in accordance with clause 42(b) of the Deed of Union or Standing Order 414(1). (6) Any member who wishes to speak shall catch the Chairman's eye but shall not proceed further until called upon by the Chairman. (7) Every speaker shall address the Chairman. (8) No member may speak more than once on the same question without leave of the Synod, except in the exercise of a right of reply under Clause (21) below. For this purpose an amendment or procedural motion raises a fresh question. For procedural motions see clause (15) below. (9) Unless previously presented every resolution or amendment shall be produced in writing when proposed, and shall immediately be handed to the secretary. (10) Every resolution or amendment requires to be seconded in order to be submitted to the Synod. (11) When a resolution or amendment has been duly submitted it may not be withdrawn without the leave of the Synod. (12) The seconder of a resolution or amendment may reserve the right to speak. (13) (a) Any amendment of the terms of a resolution may be proposed if it is relevant to the subject- matter of the resolution, unless the same result could be achieved by the rejection of the resolution. (b) If an amendment is carried the resolution as amended becomes the substantive motion, and as such may itself be amended under this clause. (c) When an amendment has been duly submitted no other amendment may be moved until it has been disposed of, but any member may give notice of a proposed amendment and may state whether it is to be moved in any event or if not in what circumstances. (14) A resolution may be disposed of by adoption (with or without amendment), rejection or withdrawal. Until it has been so disposed of no other resolution may be submitted except a procedural motion. (15) The following are procedural motions, which may be adopted by the Synod at any time: (i) that the vote be now taken; (ii) that the question be not put; (iii) that the question be referred to a committee; (iv) that the debate be adjourned; (v) that the Synod adjourn. (16) If a resolution and amendment are before the Synod: (i) a motion that the vote be now taken relates only to the amendment. (ii) a motion that the question be referred or that the debate be adjourned relates to both; (iii) a person moving that the question be not put must state whether that motion relates to both or only to the amendment. (17) A motion that the vote be now taken requires a majority of two thirds and shall be voted upon without discussion, but the Chairman shall not be bound to put it to the vote if of the opinion that there has not been adequate opportunity for necessary debate. (18) A motion that the question be not put may be discussed concurrently with the question to which it relates. (19) A motion that the debate be adjourned may specify the time of resumption or be a motion for adjournment to a time to be resolved upon later. (20) A motion for the adjournment of the Synod shall specify the time of resumption. (21) (a) When a vote falls to be taken, whether or not by the adoption of a motion under clause (15) (i) above, the following persons have a right to speak, and if more than one in the following order: (i) the seconder of the resolution or amendment to be put, if he or she has reserved the right to speak and has not already exercised that right; (ii) the mover of the substantive resolution, unless the question to be put is an amendment to which he or she has already spoken; (iii) if the question to be put is an amendment, the mover of the amendment. (b) The person entitled to speak last under sub-clause (a) above may deal only with questions or arguments put during the debate. (c) Before putting the question the Chairman shall call the Synod to order and read the resolution or amendment to be put. Except on a point of order no member shall speak after the question has been put until the vote has been taken. (21A) If there is a tie in the voting on a resolution to be decided by a simple majority the Chairman shall have a casting vote, whether or not he or she has already voted. (22) A resolution to rescind a decision of the current meeting of the Synod shall not be adopted unless at least two thirds of the members present and voting vote in its favour. (23) The Chairman shall call to order any speaker who departs from the question or violates the courtesies of debate. (24) Any member may raise a point of order on the ground that these rules of debate or the regulations of the Conference have been violated. The speaker then addressing the Synod shall give way until the point of order has been decided. The Chairman decides all questions of order. (25) A member who thinks himself or herself misrepresented may, by leave of the Chairman, interrupt the speaker to correct the misstatement, but must not enter into argument nor speak to the merits of the question under discussion.
414 Officers. (1) When the Chairman of the District is unable to attend any meeting of the Synod a chairman for the occasion shall, unless the President is present as a member of the Synod, be elected by the Synod from among the ministers then present. Cl. 42(b) of the Deed of Union (Book Il, Part I) provides that the Chairman of the District is, ex officio, the chairman of the Synod, except that the President of the Conference is to preside when present at meetings of the Synod of which he or she is a member. For the power of the President to assist at any Synod, if requested, see S.O. 111(1). (2) There shall be a secretary of the Synod elected by the Spring Synod for the next connexional year.
(3) When a lay person is elected as secretary, the Synod shall also elect a minister as ministerial secretary, who shall act as secretary of the Ministerial Session, and shall fulfil in respect of that session the duties specified in Standing Orders 415 and 419(1). (4) The district Policy Committee shall nominate one or more persons for the office of secretary and (if required) ministerial secretary. (5) The Synod may also elect an assistant secretary.
415 Minutes and Records. (1) The secretary of the Synod shall provide three complete copies of the minutes of every meeting of the Synod, duly signed by the Chairman and the secretary. (2) The Chairman and the secretary of the Synod shall each retain one of these copies until no longer required for current reference in the conduct of business; the third shall be sent immediately after the spring Synod to the Secretary of the Conference for preservation in accordance with Standing Order 125.
416 Expenses. (1) Ministers, deaconesses and deacons in full work and probationers are entitled to receive from their circuit stewards the amount of their expenses of attending the Synod. (2) Supernumeraries, ministers without appointment and retired deaconesses and deacons are entitled to receive from the secretary of the Synod the amount of their expenses of attending the Synod. (3) Lay representatives of Circuits attending the Synod may, if they desire it, claim their travelling expenses from the circuit stewards.
417 Conference Representatives. (1) Except as provided in Standing Order 355(3) district representatives elected to the Conference must be [. . .] ministers who are members of the Synod or persons who are members in the District or are members of other communions who hold office or are elected members of meetings under the constitution of partnership schemes in the District authorised by the Conference or (if so empowered) by the Synod. All members of the Conference not otherwise specified are to be elected by the Synods in Representative Session (Deed of Union, cl. 14(6), Book II, Part 1). For district allocations see S.O. 105. For expenses see S.O. 141(2). S.O. 355(3) concerns forces chaplains. (2) Subject to clause (2B) below the election shall be made by the autumn Synod by ballot vote after nomination. In electing such representatives members of the Synod shall have regard for the composition of the membership of the district as a whole with regard to age, sex and ethnic origin. (2A) All nominations made under clause (2) above shall be signed by at least two members of the Synod and shall include the nominee s: (i) Circuit in which he or she is stationed or a member; (ii) current appointments or offices within the Church, if any; (iii) age at the date fixed for the opening of the Representative Session of the Conference, in one of the following groups: under 25; 25 to 44; 45 to 64; 65 and over; and (iv) ethnic origin; and up to 25 words of relevant additional information, and shall be made available to all members of the Synod then present before the ballot vote takes place. The second sentence of clause (2) above shall be quoted on all nomination and ballot papers. (2B) If there is no autumn meeting of the Channel Islands Synod the district Policy Committee shall designate the required number of persons for election by the spring Synod. Without prejudice to the ultimate authority of the Synod to elect such representatives as it thinks fit the procedures for the notification of particulars, filling of vacancies and otherwise shall so far as may be apply to persons so designated as to persons elected by the autumn Synod. (3) Any person elected as a district representative to the Conference who cannot attend shall immediately inform the Chairman. Vacancies arising for that reason or by the availability of additional places shall be filled by election at the spring Synod, or, if arising after the spring Synod [. . .] by the person or persons in the appropriate category, [. . .] who received the highest number of votes next to those who were elected or, if the election was by single transferable vote, by the person or persons who would, in the opinion of the Chairman, have been the most likely to be elected had the vacancy occurred before the election, having regard to the votes actually cast. The power of the Conference itself to fill vacancies does not extend to district representatives (cl. 17 of the Deed of Union, Book II, Part 1). (4) The secretary of the Synod shall forthwith after the election and, if there is any change by reason of the filling of vacancies, after every change inform the Secretary of the Conference which [. . .] representatives of the District will be aged under 25 at the date fixed for the opening of the Representative Session of the Conference. (5) The district representatives shall meet the Chairman for consultation as he or she considers appropriate but at least once shortly before the date of the Conference.
417A Youth Conference Representatives. The autumn Synod shall elect up to two eligible members to be members of the Methodist Youth Conference. For the Youth Conference see S.O. 250.
418 Connexional Bodies. Suggested names for nomination as district members of [. . .] connexional bodies shall be brought to the Synod by the district Policy Committee, members of the Synod having the right to add other names. The bodies concerned and the district representation involved are as follows: Methodist Council, by rota (S.O. 210(1)(iv), (v) and (2)). Property Committee, by rota (S.O. 331(6)(iv)). World Church Committee, by rota (S.O. 333(3)(ii)). Central Finance Board: one person (Methodist Church Funds Act 1960, Second Schedule, regulation 2 (c), Vol. 1, p. 66). The nominations' to the Central Finance Board are direct appointments not requiring any action by the Conference and are for a period of three years unless the Synod specifies otherwise when making the appointment (ibid., regulation 5). The nominations are to be made during the spring Synod. S.O. 203(3) and (4) specify matters to be taken into account in making nominations and appointments. Representatives serve for a maximum continuous period of six years (S.O. 203 (3A)).
419 Memorials and Resolutions to the Conference. (1) The Synod may in either of its sessions make memorials to the Conference on any connexional subject. A memorial, if approved by a majority of those present and voting, shall be signed by the secretary of the Synod and a note shall be added stating the number of persons voting for and against the resolution. Memorials shall be sent immediately to the convener of the Memorials Committee [. . .]. Memorials received by the convener later than the Wednesday next after the second Sunday in May will not be presented to the Conference. For procedure of the connexional committee see S.O. 138. (2) The Synod may in either of its sessions submit a resolution to the Conference on any matter of connexional interest. Such a resolution shall be accompanied by a reasoned statement and shall reach the Secretary of the Conference by the Wednesday next after the second Sunday in May if it is to be considered by the Conference of that year. The Chairman of the District shall determine which of the district representatives should move and second the resolution in the Conference. For the procedure in the Conference see S.O. 134.
By cl. 42(a) of the Deed of Union (Book II, Part 1) the Chairman of each District is to be a minister elected by the Conference by a clear majority. He is the chairman of the Synod and all meetings connected with it (cl. 42(b)). Cl. 42(c) provides that in the home Districts the appointment shall run from the 1st September following election and continue while the Chairman is appointed to the station, and deals with disqualifications and the filling of casual vacancies. As to Chairmen of overseas Districts see Book IVB, Part 4.
420 Qualification. A minister appointed to be the Chairman of a District shall be a minister in the active work.
421 Nomination Committee. (1) For the purpose of proposing a minister to the Synod to be nominated to the Conference for designation as Chairman for the next year but one, and for the other purposes specified in this Section, a nomination committee shall be appointed in the last year but one of the existing Chairman's current period of appointment, and also if the Chairman intimates the intention of retiring at the end of the next following year. For the function of the committee in proposing a name for immediate appointment in certain cases see S.O. 421A(6). (2) The committee shall consist of fifteen members, of whom five shall be representatives chosen from a list of persons appointed annually by the Conference, not being members of Synod or stationed or members in the District, and nine shall be the members of a district panel [. . .] appointed annually by the autumn Synod upon the nomination of the district Policy Committee. In appointing the district panel the Synod shall appoint at least three substitutes. [. . .] In addition the President, or an ex-President at his or her request, shall preside.
421A New Appointments. (1) This Standing Order applies when the designation or (under clause (6) or Standing Order 423 (5)) appointment of someone other than the existing Chairman is under consideration. (2) (a) The Policy Committee shall prepare a brief statement of the needs and opportunities of the District which have a bearing on the kind of person to be appointed, for consideration by the nomination committee. In the preparation of this statement the Chairman currently in office and leaders of other Churches with whom the District has significant co-operation shall be consulted. The statement shall be sent to the Secretary of the Conference for circulation to the nomination committee before its meeting. (b) The members and substitute members of the district panel may meet with the Chairman currently in office in order to gain a better understanding of the particular requirements of the office as he or she has experienced it. (c) Members of the district Synod shall be invited at the autumn meeting or by post to send to the Secretary of the Conference suggestions of ministers within or outside the District who in their opinion should be considered for appointment. [. . .] Ministers are at liberty to submit their own names. (d) The Secretary of the Conference shall publish the date of the first meeting of the committee and invite suggestions [. . .] to be sent to him or her of ministers who might be considered for such appointments. Ministers are at liberty to submit their own names. (e) The Secretary of the Conference shall invite all members of the committee to submit names for consideration. In relation to these and all other suggestions he or she has received under sub-clauses (c) and (d) above the Secretary shall obtain a reasoned statement in a prescribed form from the proposer and references from the minister s Chairman and circuit stewards, and this information, together with a record of the minister s date of birth, year of entry in the ministry and previous appointments, shall be circulated to all members not less than one week before the meeting of the committee. Nevertheless consideration of further names that may arise in the course of the meeting itself shall not be precluded. (f) Members of the committee shall have liberty to discuss among themselves and with others any name that may be suggested from any quarter, and to ascertain what commitments any such minister may already have, and whether he or she would refuse nomination, but no person or group of persons shall before the meeting of the committee enter into any agreement or give or imply any undertaking to promote the nomination of any individual. (3) The Committee may adjourn its proceedings or call for any other information it requires and shall interview shortlisted ministers [. . .]. (4) The Committee shall ascertain before it comes to a decision whether the ministers under consideration would be willing to accept nomination. Such ministers shall have the liberty to accept or decline. (5) As soon as possible after the meeting of the committee the minister to be proposed to the Synod for nomination shall be informed. (6) If it becomes apparent before the meeting of the spring Synod that the existing Chairman or the Chairman-designate, as the case may be, will not be available for appointment as Chairman for the ensuing year then so far as time allows the procedure of this Standing Order shall be followed in relation to that appointment as it is normally followed in relation to designation.
421B Extended Appointments. (1) A chairman shall be designated and appointed in the first instance for a specified period, not exceeding six years. Every designation and appointment for an extension of the appointment shall be for a specified period, not exceeding three years. (2) Early in the last year but one of a Chairman's current period of appointment the district nomination panel shall meet to consider whether to recommend that the appointment should be extended for a further period. The panel shall interview the Chairman or may delegate the task to a sub-committee. (3) The convener of the district nomination panel shall notify the Secretary of the Conference of the panel's recommendation. If it is unanimously in favour of extending the appointment, and the appointment as extended will not exceed twelve years, the Secretary shall report the recommendation to the convener of the district Policy Committee. In all other circumstances the Secretary of the Conference shall thereupon convene a meeting of the nomination committee for the District, which shall make a recommendation. If it decides not to recommend an extension of the appointment, it shall proceed to propose a fresh nomination in accordance with Standing Order 421A. (4) Any proposal in the Synod to extend the designation of the Chairman beyond six years shall require a majority of 60% of those present and voting or, if the extension is beyond twelve years, 75%. (5) The nomination committee shall give special reasons for an proposal to extend a Chairman's term of office beyond twelve years.
422 Voting in the District. (1) A recommendation for extension or other proposal under Standing Order 421A or 421B shall be communicated, with a reasoned statement, to the District, and shall be considered in a special meeting of the district Policy Committee to which all district members of the nomination committee shall be called. The minister proposed (if not the existing Chairman) shall be invited to meet the Committee. A resolution to commend this name to the Synod shall be put to the meeting and shall require a simple majority [. . .] of those present and voting in the case of a first appointment and 60% of those present and voting in the case of an extended appointment or, if the extension is beyond a twelfth year in the appointment, 75%. If this resolution fails to obtain the required majority the nomination committee shall reconvene and propose another name which shall in turn be considered by a special meeting of the district Policy Committee as before. The nomination committee's proposal and reasoned statement shall be printed in the Synod Agenda, together with the recommendation of the Policy Committee. (2) Any four members of the Synod may submit a further name by sending it with a reasoned statement to the secretary of the Synod at least one week before the first day of the Synod and the secretary shall see that it is printed and distributed to the members of the Synod not later than its opening. All the nominations shall be presented to the Synod, with or without speeches as the Synod may determine. (3) The spring Synod shall vote by ballot on the names proposed to it by the operation of clauses (1) and (2) above, and its votes on all such names shall go forward as its nomination or nominations to the Conference, whether for designation or appointment, unless Standing Order 421B (4) applies and the required majority has not been obtained, in which case the Conference shall make no designation.
423 Designation and Appointment. (1) The nomination or nominations of the Synod for designation or appointment under Standing Order 422 (3) with the reasoned statements in support of each, and (where more than one) the votes cast in favour of each shall be printed in the Conference Agenda. (2) Any member of the Conference may add a further nomination either for designation or for appointment by notice of motion on the first day of the Representative Session, and if any such additional nominations are made the vote shall not take place until the day after a copy of the notice of motion has been placed in the hands of the members of the Conference. (3) The name or names printed in the Agenda and any additional nominations so notified to the Conference shall be presented to the Conference at the time of voting, with or without speeches as the Conference may determine. (4) If there is more than one nomination the voting shall be by ballot. The majority required for designation shall be a clear majority of those present and voting in the case of a first appointment and 60% of those present and voting in the case of an extended appointment or, if the extension is beyond a twelfth year in the appointment, 75%. If the required majority is not obtained for any person duly nominated at the time the vote for a designation takes place the Conference shall make no designation.
(5) If the Conference has made no designation by reason of Standing Order 422 (3) or clause (4) above, then in the following year the procedure of Standing Order 421A shall be followed in relation to the appointment. (6) In the year next following after the designation of a Chairman, the Secretary of the Conference shall propose that the designation be confirmed by appointment or re- appointment. (7) Provisions in Standing Orders 421 to 423 for designations or appointments for periods of years operate only to obviate any need for earlier application of the procedure under those Standing Orders and do not derogate from the ultimate authority of the Conference over stationing annually.
423A Non-separated Chairmen. (1) Standing Orders 421, 421A, and 422, clause (2) onwards of Standing Order 421B and clause (1) of Standing Order 423 shall not apply to the [. . .] overseas Districts. [. . .] For overseas Districts see Book IVB, Part 4. (2) In the case of the Shetland, Channel Islands, North Wales and Isle of Man Districts Standing Orders 420 to 423 shall apply with the following modifications: (i) Except as otherwise provided below the functions of the nomination committee and of the district panel of that committee shall be performed by the district Policy Committee. A resolution to propose a minister to the Synod for nomination shall require a simple majority [. . .] of those present and voting in the case of a first appointment and 60% of those present and voting in the case of an extended appointment or, if the extension is beyond a twelfth year in the appointment, 75%. In all other respects the committee shall determine its own procedure, subject to compliance with Standing Orders. (ii) The last sentence of Standing Order 421A(2) (a) shall not apply. (iii) In Standing Order 421A(2) (c) for Secretary of the Conference' substitute secretary of the Synod'. (iv) Sub-clauses (d) to (f) of Standing Order 421A(2) and clause (3) of Standing Order 421A shall not apply. (v) In Standing Order 42 1A(5) after committee' insert the Secretary of the Conference and'. (vi) In Standing Order 421B(3) the first and last sentences only shall apply. (vii) For clause (1) of Standing Order 422 substitute: (1) The district Policy Committee's proposal shall be printed in the Synod Agenda, with a reasoned statement'. (vii) In the Shetland District an ex-President or other person appointed by the President shall be a member of, and preside over, the district Policy Committee when it is performing the functions of the nominations committee under (i) above.
424 Responsibilities. (1) The prime duty of a Chairman is to further the work of God in the District; to this end he or she will use all the gifts and graces he or she has received, being especially diligent to be a pastor to the ministers and probationers and to lead the ministry and laity of the District in the work of preaching and worship, evangelism, pastoral care, teaching and administration. For the specific functions and duties of the Chairman see the references in the Index. For Chairmen of overseas Districts see Book IVB, Part 4. For the Chairman's rights in relation to certain appointments see S.O. 574. (2) The Chairman, in conjunction with the members of the Synod in its respective Sessions, shall be responsible to the Conference for the observance within the District of Methodist order and discipline. (3) It is the duty of the Chairman to exercise oversight of the character and fidelity of the ministers and probationers in the District.
425 The Circuits. (1) Chairmen are directed to visit at least once a year, if possible at the time of holding a Circuit Meeting, each Circuit within their respective Districts to which only one minister is appointed, or to arrange for a Superintendent in the same District to do so in their stead. (2) It is the responsibility of the Chairman to strengthen the hand of the Superintendent and uphold his or her authority and rights under the Methodist constitution. To this end the Chairman will endeavour to establish close relationships with all the Superintendents in the District, that they may have the benefits of his or her wider experience of the District and knowledge of connexional decisions and policy. (3) Each Chairman is authorised to visit officially any Circuit in the District to which he or she is invited by the Superintendent or respecting which, after consultation with the Superintendent, he or she is satisfied that his or her assistance or intervention may be necessary for the advancement of the work, the preservation of peace and order, or the execution of the connexional economy and discipline. Save in those Circuits to which he or she is appointed by the Conference as Superintendent the Chairman of the District shall not so far set aside the office and responsibility of the Superintendent as to intervene in the administration of a Circuit or to preside at any meeting for the administration of discipline or for any other circuit purposes in any Circuit except when, in special circumstances, the Synod otherwise directs, or by the invitation or with the consent of the Superintendent. Even in such circumstances, unless the Synod otherwise directs, the Superintendent shall be responsible for administering, after consultation with the Chairman and his or her own colleagues, any measure of discipline which may be deemed necessary. For the rights of the President in circuit affairs see S.O. 111(2).
426 Deputy. (1) If the Chairman of a District is temporarily unable to fulfil all or any of the duties of the office because of accident, illness, absence from the country, sabbatical leave or other cause, the district Policy Committee, or in cases of emergency the President, may appoint a deputy, being a minister in the active work stationed in the District, with authority to fulfil those duties which the Chairman is unable to perform. (2) Nothing in this Standing Order infringes upon the provisions in the Deed of Union for filling casual vacancies. See cl. 42(c) of the Deed (Book II, Part 1).
427 Scotland. The Chairman of the Scotland District may be known as the Chairman of the Methodist Synod in Scotland.
428 Stipends and Allowances. (1) The stipend of a Chairman set apart to that office is a charge on the Methodist Church Fund. (2) There shall be paid out of the Methodist Church Fund to the Chairmen of the North Wales, Channel Islands and Isle of Man Districts allowances each equal to the special allowance for a superintendent minister for the time being recommended by the Methodist Council. (3) All expenses incurred by Chairmen in the discharge of their responsibilities as such are district expenses within the provisions of Standing Order 404(1).
430 Constitution. (1) In addition to the ex-officio members the district Policy Committee shall consist of: (i) the representative of the District to the Methodist Council and the district lay representative to the Stationing Committee; (ii) the district treasurer, appointed by the Synod, for the Methodist Church Fund and the treasurer, so appointed, for the District Expenses Fund; (iii) one [. . .] of the secretaries appointed under Standing Order 403 (1) for each of the following areas of work: home mission, overseas, ministries, education and youth, social responsibility; (iv) the district property secretaries; (v) the district press and information officer; (vi) the district travel allowances secretary/treasurer (where appointed); (vii) the district redevelopment secretary; (viii) the district ecumenical officer; (ix) the district manses secretary; (ixA) one of the associate officers appointed under Standing Order 403(2) to be responsible for the interests of Network; (ixB) The chairman of the Lay Employment Sub- committee, or his or her representative from among the members of the sub-committee; (ixC) the district disabilities adviser; (x) the secretary of the committee, [. . .], appointed by the Synod; (xi) equal numbers of ministers and other persons, namely five each in the London Districts and three each elsewhere; (xii) (in the London Districts) the district secretary for London [. . .] affairs. For the ex-officio members see S.O. 402(5). For eligibility see S.O. 402(6).
For the district property secretaries see S.O. 403(1). For the press and information officer see S.O. 436. For the travel allowances secretary/treasurer see S.O. 433(1). For the redevelopment secretary see S.O. 437(1). For the ecumenical officer see S.O. 434(1). For the manses secretary see S.O. 403(2) and 472(2). For the secretary for London affairs see S.O. 403(2) and 444(1). (2) The above persons are all full members of the district Policy Committee for the purposes of Standing Order 410(1)(vi). The Synod may add as associated members, in any numbers and by any method of selection which it may judge expedient, any other eligible persons. The appointment of such associated members shall be for one year and may be renewed year by year. Lay persons so added shall not thereby become members of the Synod. For eligibility see S.O. 402(6). (3) Under head (xi) of clause (1) above five of the ten members in the London Districts shall be from Circuits designated from time to time by the Methodist Council, being the Circuits wholly or partly situated in the area of the former Greater London Council.
431 Responsibilities. It shall be the responsibility of the committee: (i) to formulate and promote policies which will advance the mission of the Church in the Circuits and Local Churches, and in particular to supervise the use of resources of personnel, property and finance and to assist churches and Circuits having exceptional problems; (ii) to encourage inter-circuit and ecumenical co-operation; (iii) to act in an executive capacity in matters remitted to the committee by the Synod; (iv) to keep within its purview all district concerns not dealt with elsewhere. For the committee's functions in relation to new towns see S.O. 353(4).
432 Funds. (1) Contributions payable to and grants received from connexional funds within the district shall be within the purview of the committee. [. . .] See Section 36. (2) The committee shall administer the District Expenses Fund. See S.O. 012 for general provisions relating to accounts. (3) The district treasurer for the Methodist Church Fund shall remit to the connexional Team by the 15th day of each quarter [. . .] all contributions to the fund [. . .] received from the Circuits. [. . .] See S.O. 532(2) as to payment by Circuits. See S.O. 012A for the duties of treasurers generally.
[433]
433 Travel Allowances. (1) In Districts where the Synod maintains a scheme for the averaging out of travel costs the committee shall nominate for appointment by the Synod a travel allowances secretary/treasurer to assess and receive from the Circuits involved the sums required and to receive, examine and pay the claims in respect of mileage reimbursement of ministers, probationers, deaconesses and deacons appointed to those Circuits; (2) In relation to Circuits not involved in any such scheme the committee shall adjudicate upon any [. . .] claim for mileage reimbursement concerning which any difference has arisen between the minister, probationer, deaconess or deacon and the circuit stewards. (3) Every claim for a mileage allowance shall be substantiated by a log showing all mileages travelled on circuit business. (4) [. . .]
434 Ecumenical Relationships. (1) The committee shall nominate the district ecumenical officer for appointment by the Synod and shall encourage ecumenical relationships and activities. (2) The committee is responsible for the consideration of making financial provision in the district budget for an adequate Methodist contribution to the expenses of ecumenical councils and for any other payments required for the carrying on of ecumenical work (including, where appropriate, the support of ecumenical Housing Associations) or otherwise for the fulfilment of the responsibilities specified in clause (3) below. (3) The committee (acting where appropriate by the ecumenical officer) shall: (i) represent and assist the connexional Committee for Local Ecumenical Development in the furtherance of ecumenical understanding in all areas of the Church's activity; promote, develop and co-ordinate ecumenical work within the Circuits; report annually, or as required, to the connexional committee; (ii) communicate the concerns and encourage the study of the reports of the Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland, Churches Together in England, Action of Churches Together in Scotland, Cytun (Churches Together in Wales), the Free Church Federal Council and the World Council of Churches and encourage Methodist participation in local councils of churches; (iii) endeavour to ensure that all extension work within the District, including the redevelopment of existing work and properties, is initiated ecumenically or after full consultation with the responsible officers of other denominations (major expenditure on the renovation of existing properties shall be deemed to come within these categories; in the furtherance of this endeavour the committee shall take into consideration such ecumenical background information as will assist its judgment on policy and building projects); (iv) be responsible for making recommendations to the connexional [. . .] Committee for Local Ecumenical Development on applications for sharing agreements under the terms of the Sharing of Church Building Act 1969, or any legislation amending or replacing that Act; (v) be responsible for recommending to the Synod the designation of local ecumenical partnerships and the approval of local constitutions, but only after submitting each such constitution to the [. . .] Committee for Local Ecumenical Development and the Faith and Order Committee and taking into account the advice of those committees; (vi) consider and report to the [. . .] Committee for Local Ecumenical Development on all applications for the designation of ecumenical areas; (vii) consider and report to the Synod or the [. . .] Committee for Local Ecumenical Development, as appropriate, on all proposals for the issue or revocation of directions under Standing Orders 512 and 611. For the connexional Committee for Local Ecumenical Development see S.O. 334, For the relevant functions of the Faith and Order Committee see S.O. 330(6). A Guideline to Methodist Procedures in Local Ecumenical Partnerships may be obtained from the convener of the connexional Committee for Local Ecumenical Development and should be consulted in the designation and inauguration of all ecumenical partnerships and in any revision of their constitutions. S.O. 512 and 611 concern the constitution of the Circuit Meeting and Church Council, respectively, in certain ecumenical situations. (4) The fulfilment of the responsibilities of the committee and the Synod specified in or appearing from clauses (1) and (3) above is part of the purposes of the District.
435 Nominations. (1) The committee shall nominate persons to the spring Synod for appointment as district officers (including associate officers) and to the autumn Synod for appointment as members of committees appointed by the Synod. As to district officers and associate officers see S.O. 403. (2) The committee shall nominate persons to the spring Synod for election as Synod-elected members of the Synod. See S.O. 410(1) (xiii) and (5). (3) The committee shall propose to the Synod the names of persons to be nominated by the Synod for appointment as district members of the Methodist Council and other connexional bodies. See S.O. 203, 418. (4) The committee shall also submit a nomination to the spring Synod for the appointment of a lay representative to the Stationing Committee. See S.O. 322(1) (viii).
435A People with Disabilities. The committee shall nominate for appointment by the Synod an adviser in respect of people with disabilities, who shall be responsible for encouraging the inclusion of people with disabilities within the worship, work, fellowship and outreach of the Church, by raising awareness of the issues and offering practical advice to Circuits and Local Churches in the District. Whenever possible the adviser shall be a disabled person.
436 Press and Information Service. The committee shall nominate and the autumn Synod appoint the district press and information officer, who shall promote the publication of Methodist news and information throughout the District and keep in communication with the connexional press and information officer and the circuit press and information officers.
437 Redevelopment and Circuit Advance Funds. (1) The committee shall nominate the district redevelopment secretary for appointment by the Synod and shall carry out the functions specified in Standing Order 962, appointing as necessary for that purpose ad hoc or regional groups, which shall report to the committee. (2) The committee shall carry out the functions in relation to circuit Advance Funds prescribed by clauses (2), (6) and (8) of Standing Order 955, assessing needs and resources of property, personnel and money as aspects of one totality.
438 Appointments. (1) The committee shall consider and make recommendations to the Synod on all applications from Circuits for additional appointments or withdrawals of itinerant ministers, probationers, deaconesses or deacons. The applications relating to ministers and probationers shall proceed from the Synod through the Stationing Committee to the Conference and those relating to deaconesses and deacons from the Synod to the Warden of the Methodist Diaconal Order. See S.O. 529. (lA) Every scheme for the appointment of a minister in a local appointment under Standing Order 746 (6) or (7) shall be submitted to the committee, which shall consider it and make recommendations to the Synod. No such appointment shall be made without the approval of the Synod. (1B) The committee shall meet additionally, if required, between its regular meeting in preparation for the autumn Synod and the 31st August to consider any proposals or provisional proposals submitted under Standing Order 545 (4) and make recommendations to the invitation committee and Circuit Meeting of the Circuits concerned and to the Synod. No extension of the period of invitation of a minister in local appointment shall take effect without the approval of the Synod. (2) The committee shall ensure that all the obligations and regulations concerning the appointments of ministers and probationers in the District have been observed. See, e.g. S.O. 540.
438A Employment. (1) This Standing Order applies whenever a lay person is employed under a contract of service by a district, circuit or local body of the Church [. . .] . (2) The district Policy Committee shall appoint a Lay Employment Sub-committee to be responsible for the oversight of the management of all lay employments to which this Standing Order applies within the District. The sub-committee shall, in addition to the ex-officio members, comprise or have ready access to persons of sufficient breadth of knowledge and current experience of employment law and personnel management to enable the sub-committee competently to discharge its functions and shall, if reasonably practicable, include a person employed under a contract to which this Standing Order applies. There shall be a chairman and a secretary of the Lay Employment sub-committee appointed by the district Policy Committee. (3) The connexional Team shall, at no charge to employing bodies, provide such guidance on personnel management law and practice as may from time to time be required, and shall publish and distribute to district Lay Employment Sub- committees lay employment document packs including, in particular, standard forms of: (i) application for employment; (ii) contract of employment, including general terms and conditions of employment; (iiA) special terms and conditions of employment for particular appointments or circumstances; (iii) conditions of occupancy by lay employees of residential property provided by or on behalf of employing bodies; (iv) statements of general employment policy. (4) [. . .] (5) The Lay Employment Sub-committee shall discharge the following functions: (i) scrutinise and make recommendations upon district, circuit and local proposals for schemes of appointment for lay employees under Standing Orders 405, 570, 571, 572, 670 or 671, as required by Standing Order 575; (ii) receive and distribute as necessary to district, circuit or local employing bodies proposing to enter into contracts of employment the standard forms and notices required under clauses (3) and (4) above, together with such other notices and forms for guidance as may be expedient for the efficient conclusion of the proposed contract and management of the employment; (iii) give or withhold approval in accordance with clause (6) below to all proposed contracts of employment to which this Standing Order applies, and register all such contracts made; (iv) report as required to the Team all contracts of employment of lay employees; (v) advise employing bodies in the District on all matters concerning contracts of employment and management of lay employees including, in particular, those relating to disciplinary proceedings; (vi) give or withhold approval in accordance with clause (9) below to all proposals to terminate contracts of employment on any grounds; (vii) be responsible for drawing the attention of employing bodies to good employment practice and procedures, and to the desirability of complying with them. (6) Every new contract of employment to which this Standing Order applies shall: (i) require the prior approval of the Lay Employment Sub- committee; (ii) unless the sub-committee consents to any variation, be in the standard form; (iii) unless the relevant member of the connexional Team consents to any variations, include any relevant [. . .] special terms and conditions published under clause (3)(iiA) above; (iv) if the employee is to occupy residential property provided by or on behalf of the employing body, and unless the relevant member of the connexional Team consents to any variation, include the standard conditions of occupancy. As to (iv) see also S.O. 929(5). (7) Any requirement of Standing Orders for consultation with another body in relation to terms and conditions of employment to which this Standing Order applies shall be deemed to be satisfied if the contract is in the standard form and includes any relevant [. . .] terms and conditions published under clause (3)(iiA) above, and in that event approval shall not be withheld by the sub-committee and shall be deemed to have been granted if no decision is given within seven days after the application has been lodged. (8) No formal disciplinary proceedings shall be taken in respect of a lay employee, nor letters of warning written, except after consultation with the Lay Employment Sub-committee or its chairman or secretary, provided that in cases of emergency a lay employee may be suspended from employment pending such consultation. (9) No contract of employment to which this Standing Order applies shall be terminated unilaterally by the employing body without the prior approval in writing of the Lay Employment Sub-committee. (10) The approval of the Lay Employment Sub- committee shall be sufficiently evidenced by the signature of its chairman or secretary. For other provisions affecting employment see S.O. 018, 462, 570-5 and 670-2.
439 Grants. (1) The committee shall consider and make recommendations to the Synod and the connexional Team on all requests from Circuits for grants, apart from applications in respect of sites and buildings. As to applications for grants in respect of sites and buildings see S.O. 960. (2) The Conference, with all possible emphasis, draws attention to the fact that grants are made for one year only and that they must not be considered by Circuits or by Districts to be regular continuing income. Where continuance of a grant beyond one year is necessary such continuance is dependent on an annual application, which will be considered on its merits. The Conference directs that in every possible case renewed grants shall be of a diminishing amount. All existing grants are to be carefully scrutinised with a view to their possible withdrawal or diminution. (3) Forms of application for grants shall be completed in duplicate and forwarded by Circuits to the district [. . .] secretaries concerned not later than the end of December. (4) The Superintendent and one other representative of each Circuit applying for a grant shall be invited to attend the committee when their application is being considered, but shall have no vote. (5) The committee shall ensure that the purposes for which grants have been obtained have been fulfilled. (6) [. . .]
440 Home Mission Responsibilities. The district [. . .] officers for home mission work shall promote consideration of the total mission of the Church in the District. They shall obtain all necessary information from each Circuit in the District with the purpose of forming a correlated policy of mission. They shall promote methods of evangelism and means of developing spiritual life and growth.
441 Industry. The associate secretary and (if appointed) committee for the Church in Industry shall be responsible for the oversight, promotion and coordination of the work of the church in industry within the District.
442 City Centres. (1) A Synod may designate a church or project within the District as a city centre church or project if (i) it is in a conurbation of over 250,000 people or a city which exercises a role as a regional centre, and (ii) in the case of a project it is a mission or ministry project carried on by a Church Council or Circuit Meeting in furtherance of the purposes of the relevant Local Church or Circuit. Before such a designation is made the Synod shall consult with the Methodist Council. Where this power is exercised the Synod shall appoint a City Centre Committee for each such church or project, and may appoint a district City Centre Committee. The Synod shall then notify the connexional Team that the church or project is to be included on the official list maintained under Standing Order 352(1). (2) Although the constitution of a (local) City Centre Committee so appointed may vary considerably from place to place it should adequately represent the interests of the church or project, its Circuit and other Circuits in the city and the District, and also those of the connexional Team in respect of church and society and property. (3) Each such committee shall advise and assist in the management of the relevant project or church and of any other churches which depend on that church s support. Except as provided in clauses (4) and (5) below, the committee shall be the invitation committee for the Circuit. For the functions of the invitation committee see Section 54. (4) Where, in the opinion of the Methodist Council, a Circuit Meeting and its Invitation Committee are effectively fulfilling the above functions of a City Centre Committee the council may authorise the continuance of this practice. (5) In the case of a city centre project on the official list or in the case of a city centre church on the [. . .] list which is part of a larger Circuit of which it is not the head, the Circuit Meeting shall appoint an invitation committee in accordance with Standing Order 541. In the exercise of its functions the circuit committee shall consult with the connexional Team and take account of any prior agreement made between the Circuit, the District and the Team or its divisional predecessors concerning the city centre church or project. See S.O. 540 (5). (6) (a) It shall be a district purpose of any District in which capital money arises from the disposition of any property subject to Standing Order 944 to apply such capital money and its income in continuing the work of God in the relevant city centre, as directed by the Synod. Any such money is model trust property. Any such money is district property and the managing trustees are the district trustees; see para. 2 of the Model Trusts (Book II, Part 2) and the definitions of district property' and district purposes' in para 1. S.O. 944 concerns disposals of city centre premises. (b) The district City Centre Committee, if constituted (or if not the district Policy Committee) shall in full consultation with the Circuit in which the property was located, (if still constituted as such with one or more remaining Local Churches), bring to the Synod proposals for the application of capital money and income.
443 Rural Life. The associate secretary and (if appointed) committee for the Church in Rural Life shall consider the work of the Church in rural areas and related topics concerning rural life and be the link between the District and the connexional Team.
444 London [. . .]. (1) In each of the London Districts the associate secretary and (if appointed) committee for London [. . .] affairs shall bring before the Synod all material required to enable the Synod to give due consideration to the interests of mission in London and the London Mission Fund, and shall also carry out any other duties assigned by the connexional London Committee [. . .]. For the committee and the fund see S.O. 363. (2) Where a committee is appointed it shall include the district officers for home mission and property affairs.
445 Forces Chaplaincies. The district [. . .] secretary for home mission affairs shall report to the spring Synod upon the work of all full-time and part-time forces chaplains serving in the District, embodying in the report those received from the secretary of the Forces Board for that purpose. As to the reports from the secretary of the Forces Board see S.O. 355.
446 Other Home Mission Affairs. (1) The officers, in consultation with the connexional Team, shall arrange for deputations to visit the Circuits on behalf of home mission and in the furtherance of district policy. (2) The officers shall receive and embody in their report to the Synod reports from prison chaplains in the District. See S.O. 354(1). (3) [. . .] (4) The adviser for Christian stewardship is responsible for the promotion and extension of the concept and practice of stewardship within the District. For the connexional Team s responsibility see S.O. 302(x).
447 [. . .]
450 Responsibilities. (1) The district officers for ministries affairs [. . .], in association with such committees as may be appointed, shall have general oversight of the fellowship and training aspects of the life of the Church and shall be the link between the District and the connexional Team. (2) [. . .]
451 Local Preachers. The associate officers and (if appointed) committee for local preachers' affairs shall support the work of the circuit local preachers' secretaries, in particular in the training of preachers and development of fellowship, and shall promote the exchange of ideas about the work of local preachers among the Circuits and the branches of the Local Preachers Mutual Aid Association and between the Circuits, the Local Preachers Mutual Aid Association and the connexional Team. For the circuit secretary see S.O. 562 and for the work of local preachers in the Circuits generally Section 56.
452 Church Membership. The associate secretary and (if appointed) committee for church membership shall enquire as to measures taken in the Circuits for attracting new members and for training and sustaining them, undertake responsibility for maintaining the number and increasing the efficiency of class leaders and pastoral visitors, and receive the annual returns of members and of the community roll and [. . .] other relevant returns [. . .] in the local and circuit schedules [. . .]. For the annual return of members see S.O. 812 (1).
453 Network. The associate officers for Network, [. . .] and (if appointed) the committee, shall undertake responsibilities for the various mission and training activities of Network and review and encourage the work among women. For Network see S.O. 350.
454 Lay Training. The officers together shall take measures to improve the effectiveness of the church's ministries (lay and ordained), make known ideas and initiate schemes to equip the people of God for discipleship and service.
455 Guilds, etc. The officers shall have the oversight of Wesley Guilds, Christian Endeavour Societies and similar organisations.
456 Further Training for the Ministry. The associate secretary for further training for the ministry shall encourage further training on a regional basis, cooperate with schemes organised by other churches, advise on the membership of the courses of general and specialist learning and ensure that the results of further training are appropriately used in the District.
456A Sabbaticals. The associate secretary for ministerial and diaconal sabbaticals, who may be the same person as the associate secretary for further training for the ministry, shall be convener of the advisory groups appointed under Standing Order 757, clauses (5) and (6), and shall co- ordinate consideration in the District of sabbaticals for ministers, deaconesses and deacons. For the associate secretary see S.O. 403 (2). As to sabbaticals see also S.O. 364(2), 757.
457 Other Concerns. The officers shall encourage tuition in biblical and other studies and develop the place of drama, art and music in the Church.
460 Education and Youth: Responsibilities. The officers and associate officers for education and youth affairs [. . .] in the District, in association with such committees as may be appointed, shall review the work among children and young people in the District with a view to encouraging its development and effectiveness in accordance with connexional aims and policy [. . .].
461 [Revoked]
462 Youth Officers. (1) Whenever the employment of one or more youth officers, to work in a District or group of Districts, is under consideration the Synod or Synods concerned shall consult the connexional Team. For the responsibilities of the Team see S.O. 328. (2) If such an appointment is to be made the Synod or Synods shall appoint a management committee as set out in clause (3) below to carry out the responsibilities specified in clause (4) below. (3) (a) The management committee shall consist of: (i) the Chairman or Chairmen of the District or Districts involved, who or one of whom shall be the chairman of the committee; (ii) a district [. . .] secretary for education and youth affairs from each District; (iii) members nominated in each District by the meeting held under Standing Order 403 (3) for education and youth affairs [. . .]; (iv) members nominated by the Policy Committee of each District; (v) representatives of the connexional Team; (vi) the secretary and the treasurer of the committee, who may be additional to the above members and may be nominated by the committee. (b) The youth officer or officers shall normally be in attendance. (c) The number of members under heads (iii), (iv) and (v) above shall be determined by the connexional Team in the light of the number and involvement of the Districts concerned and other relevant circumstances. (d) Any minister, probationer or member may be appointed under head (v) above, and Standing Order 402 (6) shall not apply. S.O.402 (6) deals with eligibility for membership of district committees.
(4) The responsibilities of the committee shall be generally to arrange and oversee the officers' employment by the Methodist Council, and in particular: (i) to ensure adequate finance for the youth officer scheme in the District or Districts, proposing budgets for acceptance by the Synod or Synods, and preparing and making grant applications to local authorities and other bodies; (ii) to oversee all income and expenditure; (iii) to recommend to the council the appointment and dismissal of youth officers; (iv) to provide adequate equipment and resources; (v) to provide pastoral and day-to-day support for the youth officers; (vi) to determine policy and priorities, having consulted the youth officers in that regard, and to undertake with them an annual appraisal of their work; (vii) to provide adequate information to the Synods involved and other responsible church courts to ensure continuing support; (viii) to provide adequate information to keep the aims and achievements of the scheme before local Churches and Circuits and before local authorities and other grant-making bodies. (5) The District or Districts concerned shall be responsible for providing for any expense incurred in relation to the employment of youth officers under this Standing Order, including redundancy payments and other expenses arising out of termination of employment, and the budget for the scheme shall make provision accordingly.
463 Formal Education. (1) The Synod shall appoint a district committee for Formal Education Affairs which, with the associate secretary for such affairs, shall be responsible for the consideration of matters relating to the statutory system of education, shall, where applicable, have charge of the interests of Methodist day schools, shall bear responsibility for the religious interests of Methodists in all kinds of educational institutions within the District, ensuring that there is adequate ministerial oversight for them, and shall report to the Synod. (2) While the constitution of the committee will be largely determined by the size and situation of the District it should be so framed as to be able to discharge, if necessary by division into working groups, the wide variety of its duties. (3) The committee shall consider any application for a loan for the building or repair of any Methodist school within its purview, including those which are joint projects with other denominations, and submit its judgment on every such application to the connexional Team, reporting to the Synod. For the responsibilities of the Team in relation to primary schools see S.O. 342. For the functions of the district committee in relation to any proposal to transfer or discontinue such a school see S.O. 342(5), and in relation to applications for loans S.O.342 (9). (4) The committee, in consultation with circuit officers wherever appropriate, shall nominate to the spring Synod one or more ministers for appointment as being responsible for the oversight of Methodist students in universities and other institutions of higher and further education in the District. The name of any minister so nominated shall be notified immediately to the member of the connexional Team responsible. For consultations before the invitation of ministers in such cases see S.O. 540 (1). (5) The committee shall take all possible steps to ensure that parents and those having pastoral responsibility report to the responsible minister the arrival of Methodist students at universities and other institutions. The Conference has directed that it shall be understood that, in fulfilling these regulations regarding work among students, the committee is to ensure that the Methodist Church within the District takes its place, alongside other denominations, in ministering to the student population at large, including overseas students whether there is a Methodist International House or not. Circuits concerned are urged to invite as their ministers persons who are particularly suitable for this task and so to organise the work of the ministerial staff that the responsible minister has adequate time for pastoral and evangelistic work among students.
464 Methodist International Houses. In Districts, other than the London Districts (where special arrangements obtain), where there are Methodist International Houses the Synod shall appoint a Methodist International House Management Committee, which shall be responsible, both to the Synod and to the Methodist Council for the oversight of the day to day running of the House in harmony with the aims approved by the Conference and for ensuring its economic viability. It shall report to the Synod and, as required, to the connexional Team. Each M.I.H. outside London is district property (S.O. 966(4)) and the district trustees are accordingly its managing trustees (Model Trusts, Book II, Part 2).
465 Social Responsibility. (1) The officers and associate officers for social responsibility affairs [. . .], in association with such committees as may be appointed, shall encourage within the District study and action on all social responsibility concerns. (2) The associate officers shall further the Church's interest in their respective responsibilities by providing for the development and oversight of the relevant parts of the work [. . .] in the District, drawing on and responding to the resources of the connexional Team.
470 Responsibilities. The officers and associate officers for property affairs [. . .], in association with the district Policy Committee, the district Manses Committee and such other committees, if any, as may be appointed, shall be responsible for the matters specified in Standing Orders 472, 473 and 474 and in Section 96. For the district Policy Committee see S.O. 430, 960(3), 962, 963, 966(1), (2).
471 Advisory Panel. The Synod may appoint an advisory panel of persons qualified and experienced in property matters, estate management, town planning, administration or building design, to be consulted as desired.
472 Manses. (1) The Synod shall appoint a district Manses Committee to carry out the functions specified in Standing Order 965 and generally to consider all matters relating to the decoration, sanitation, fittings and general suitability of all manses and diaconal accommodation in the District, and to all furnishings required by Standing Order 753 or 792. (2) The associate secretary for manses shall be the secretary of the committee.
473 Archives. The Synod shall appoint a district archivist whose concern shall be to advise Circuits and Local Churches as to the proper custody or disposal of all documents and records. Special attention should be given to cases where properties are passing out of Methodist use. The archivist shall be responsible for monitoring both the proper deposit of records locally and the sending of lists of new deposits to the connexional archives liaison officer. For provisions as to the disposal of records no longer in current use see S.O. 015. For the connexional Archives and History Committee see S.O. 337.
474 New Chapels. The officers shall call for and consider reports on the progress of the work and the state of the structure of those chapels within the District which have been opened, and the shared schemes which have been inaugurated, within the previous five years and, if necessary, refer such reports to the connexional Team.
475 [. . .]
476 Scotland. (1) The General Committee of the Relief and Extension Fund for Methodism in Scotland shall consist of: (i) the Chairman and secretary of the Methodist Synod in Scotland and the ministerial secretaries responsible for home mission and property affairs (being the ex-officio trustees of the fund); (ii) the other trustees and the secretary and treasurer of the fund and the lay secretaries responsible for home mission and property affairs; (iii) the Superintendent of each Circuit in the District; (iv) lay persons nominated by the Synod and appointed by the Conference. The fund is governed by a Deed of Trust registered in the books of the Lords of Council and Session at Edinburgh on the 4th November 1869. The constituting of the committee has from time to time been altered by the Synod, with the consent of the Conference, as authorised by the Deed. The Deed narrates resolutions of the Conference of 1869 as to the raising, administration and purposes of the fund, constitutes and appoints trustees, declares the trusts on which they are to hold the fund and makes ancillary provisions. The following summary of some of these narratives and provisions is set out here for convenient reference only and has no authority: (1) The purposes of the fund are to assist, by way of grants and loans without interest, in (a) the liquidation of debts on chapels and manses in Scotland, (b) the purchase or erection of places of worship or sites, (c) the acquisition of manses or investment of money to meet rents. (2) Money from the fund is to be granted only to schemes sanctioned by the connexional Property Committee. (3) The trustees are to submit to the committee an annual report and statement of accounts, which the committee is to transmit to the President, and the committee is to report annually to the Synod and the Conference. (4) The committee is to meet in connection with the spring and autumn Synods and at other times if the Chairman of the District thinks fit. (5) The committee is at its autumn meeting to appoint one or more secretaries and one or more treasurers. (2) Annual collections on behalf of the fund shall be taken in all places of worship in Scotland on a Sunday, in addition to donations and subscriptions received from trust funds and personal contributions. (3) The arrangements for raising the fund shall not interfere with the Standing Orders relating to the Methodist Fund for Property, collections and subscriptions for which shall be gathered and forwarded as though no separate fund for Scotland existed. See S.O. 362 (5). (4) In the Synod the business of the fund shall be considered in connection with that of the connexional funds.
480 Constitution. The Ministerial Session of the Synod shall consist of the ministers and probationers who are members of the Representative Session. Probationers have not the right to vote. For the membership of the Representative Session see S.O. 410, 737(6), 774(1A). As to forces chaplains see S.O. 355(3). For meetings see S.O. 411(1), (4).
481 Functions. The members of the Ministerial Session meet to recall and reflect upon their ministerial vocation, to watch over one another in love, to make recommendations to the Conference concerning candidates and probationers and to consider the work of God in the District. To that end they shall deal with the business contained in the agenda in Part 10. For the specific functions and procedure of the Ministerial Session in relation to candidates and probationers see S.O. 704, 717. Either session of the spring Synod may submit memorials to the Conference (S.O. 419).
482 Candidates Secretary. The spring Synod shall in its Representative Session appoint a minister to be district candidates secretary, whose duties shall be: (i) to receive from Superintendents the names and addresses of candidates for the ministry of whose nomination notice has been given; (ii) to arrange to meet each candidate, and his/her spouse or fiance if he/she is willing, with the Chairman of the District and the candidate's Superintendent prior to the September Circuit Meeting; (iii) to receive completed nomination forms from Superintendents immediately after the March or September Circuit Meeting; (iv) to arrange for the connexional written examinations, the trial sermons and the meeting of the district Candidates Committee; (v) to send the district schedule and all documents relating to a connexional Team member responsible for candidates [. . .] not later than the 21st February;
(vi) to stimulate the recruitment of candidates for the ministry throughout the District. As to (i) and (ii) see S.O. 701(2), as to (iii) see 701(6) and as to (iv) see S.O. 702 and 703(1) and (2). As to (i) and (ii) see S.O. 701(2), as to (iii) see 701(6) and as to (iv) see S.O. 702 and 703(1) and (2).
483 Candidates Committee. (1) The autumn Synod shall appoint a district Candidates Committee for the examination of candidates for the ministry, which shall report to the Ministerial Session of the Synod. For the specific functions and the procedure of the committee see S.O. 703. (2) The committee shall consist of: (i) the Chairman of the District and the secretary and (if appointed) the ministerial secretary of the Synod; (ii) the district candidates secretary; (iii) six other ministers; (iv) nine lay persons. (3) The Superintendent of the Circuit sending forward a candidate and the minister who has pastoral charge of the candidate and one of the lay assessors appointed under Standing Order 701(5) shall have the right to attend and speak when their candidate is under consideration but shall not have the right to vote.
483A Candidates Chaplains. The district Policy Committee shall appoint one or more ministers or other persons, to act as chaplains to the candidates for the ministry in the District, in such a way that each candidate has a chaplain who is not stationed or in membership in the candidate s Circuit and that no chaplain has the care of more than three candidates. The chaplain shall minister to the candidates in his or her pastoral care throughout the connexional year and shall accompany them at a meeting with the Chairman and the district candidates secretary in the autumn, at the time of the district Candidates Committee meeting for interviews and at the time of their appearance before the Ministerial Session of the Synod. The chaplains shall also be available to minister to any other persons in the process of candidature in the District.
484 Probationers Committee. The autumn Synod shall appoint a district Probationers Committee consisting of the Chairman of the District, the secretary and (if appointed) the ministerial secretary of the Synod, the Superintendent and a circuit steward from each Circuit in which a probationer is stationed, not less than two other lay persons and not less than two other ministers, of whom one shall be appointed district probationers secretary. For the functions and procedure of the committee see S.O. 716 (2), (3), 717 (5) and 718 (1), (2).
485 [. . .]
486 Supernumeraries. Applications from ministers for permission to become supernumeraries and from supernumeraries to return to the full work shall be presented to the Ministerial Session of the Synod. See S.O. 770, 775.
487 Obituaries. (1) The Superintendent shall immediately inform the Chairman of the death of any minister or probationer occurring within the Circuit. (2) The Chairman shall instruct the Superintendent to prepare, or to arrange for the preparation of, an obituary for inclusion in the Minutes of Conference and to forward a copy to the Chairman for presentation to the Ministerial Session of the Synod. It shall be within the competence of the Synod to make any modification of the obituary which it may consider desirable. (3) Upon the motion for the approval of the obituary opportunity shall be afforded to members of the Synod of paying personal tribute to the deceased minister or probationer. (4) Immediately after the Synod its secretary shall forward all obituaries to the Secretary of the Conference. For procedure in the Conference see cl 23(j) of the Deed of Union (Book II, Part 1) and S.O. 153. (5) The Superintendent of any minister or probationer who dies between the Synod and the close of the Conference shall prepare an obituary and forward copies to the Chairman of the District and to the Secretary of the Conference.
490 The Council Constitution. There shall be a Council for Methodism in Wales, appointed annually by the Conference and constituted as follows:- (i) the [. . .] ex officio members specified in Standing Order 201; (ii) the ecumenical officer of the Methodist Church and two members of the connexional Team responsible for church life; (iii) the secretary and treasurer of the council and the All-Wales Co-ordinator, all appointed by the council; (iv) the Chairmen of the Cymru, South Wales, North Wales and Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury Districts; (v) the secretaries of the Cymru, South Wales and North Wales Synods; (vi) the ecumenical officer and the secretary of the district Policy Committee from each of the Cymru, South Wales and North Wales Districts; (vii) the two persons appointed by the council to each of the Cytun Commissions for Ecumenical affairs, Wales and the World and Evangelism; (viii) ministers and other persons elected by the Representative Sessions of the following Synods, namely two ministers and four other persons each from Cymru and South Wales, one minister and two other persons from North Wales, and one minister and one other person from Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury.
491 Responsibilities. (1) The Council for Methodism in Wales shall provide opportunities for consultation and joint planning, particularly in respect of: (i) joint Welsh and English relationships; (ii) mission and evangelism; (iii) ecumenical affairs; (iv) education and youth; (v) social matters. (2) The Council has authority to submit suggestions to the Conference and offer recommendations to Synods.
492 Home Mission Fund. The Synod of the Cymru District shall maintain and administer within the District its own Home Mission Fund for the same uses and by the same methods as pertain to the Methodist Fund for Home Mission [. . .] in the other home Districts.
493 J.M.A. Income. Circuits in the Cymru District are not included in the scheme of distribution of sums collected by Junior Mission for All prescribed by Standing Order 362(6).
494 Candidates. A candidate for the Welsh work who is eligible for and desires to pursue a university course may be permitted to do so by the Synod of the Cymru District if, in the opinion of the Synod, he or she possesses exceptional qualities likely to render the intended course of special advantage both to him or her and to the Welsh work. Any cost involved shall be met by the Welsh Training of Candidates Fund.
495 Ordination. (1) When all the requirements of ministerial training have been fully met those preachers on trial for the Welsh work who have completed their probation shall on the nomination of the Ministerial Session of the Synod of the Cymru District be ordained during the spring Synod [. . .] in a service at which the President or a deputy shall preside and shall be proposed to the next Conference for admission into full connexion. (2) Each ordinand shall be ordained by the laying-on of hands with prayer by the President or a deputy, assisted by other ministers in accordance with Standing Order 719, one of whom may be nominated by the ordinand.
496 Stationing. (1) There shall be a Welsh Stationing Committee, consisting of: (i) the Chairman of the Cymru District and the secretary of its Synod; (ii) the lay representative of that District on the connexional Stationing Committee; (iii) three ministers and five lay persons elected by the Representative Session of that District. (2) This committee shall prepare for the use of the Cymru District Synod a preliminary draft of the stations of the ministers in the Cymru District for the ensuing connexional year. (3) There shall be a committee, consisting of: (i) the Chairman of the Cymru District and the secretary of its Synod; (ii) the lay representative of that District on the connexional Stationing Committee; (iii) all ministers and lay persons from that District who are members of the forthcoming Conference. (4) The committee shall submit to the connexional Stationing Committee a first draft of the stations of the ministers in the Cymru District for the ensuing year and shall arrange any matter of dispute in connection with stationing which may arise between the close of the Synod and the meeting of the Conference, or during the Conference. For the procedure of the connexional committee see S.O. 730, 731
497 Bilingual Circuits. (1) Where a Circuit contains one or more Local Churches in the Welsh work and also one or more in the English work the operation of Standing Orders shall be modified as set out below. (2) Each such Circuit shall appear in the stations both in the Cymru District and in an English District. The two Synods shall consult, through their Chairmen, on any issue of policy before them which affects the Circuit. (3) Ministers and probationers stationed in the Circuit or residing in it for the purposes of the stations, and deaconesses and deacons stationed in it, shall be members of both the Cymru Synod and the relevant English Synod, except that they shall be answerable in matters of discipline solely to the Cymru Synod if in the Welsh work and solely to the relevant English Synod if in the English work. (4) Subject to clause (3) a member in the Circuit shall be eligible for membership of one only of the two relevant Synods, according to the language of the relevant Local Church. (5) At least one of the circuit stewards shall be from the Welsh work and one from the English work. Each circuit steward shall be a member of the relevant Synod, but with a maximum of two per Circuit per Synod. (6) The total number of lay representatives to Synod from the Circuit under Standing Order 410(1)(v) shall be that prescribed by that Standing Order, if even, or one more if odd, divided equally between the two relevant Synods. (7) Substitutes may be elected for circuit stewards or lay representatives to Synod in accordance with Standing Order 410(1)(iv) or (v). (8) For the purposes of Standing Order 452 the annual returns of members and others shall be made to the Cymru District for the Welsh work of the Circuit and to the relevant English District for the English work. (9) For the purpose of the approval of property schemes under Section 93 and the administration of property affairs generally the relevant District shall be: (i) in the case of local property the Cymru District where the managing trustees are the Church Council of a Local Church in the Welsh work, and the relevant English District in other cases; (ii) in the case of manses and diaconal residences the Cymru District where the occupant is in the Welsh work, and the relevant English District in other cases. (iii) in the case of other circuit property, including circuit Advance Funds, the District specified for the purpose by the Circuit Meeting.