learning network scotland & shetland region
All are welcome Methodists have always been clear that no-one is beyond the
reach of God’s love. Salvation is there for everyone who turns to God, and not
just for a chosen few. Our Worship Our place in the Methodist family The
Methodist Church in Scotland is part of the Methodist Church in Britain and the
worldwide Methodist Movement -see the World Methodist Council. History The first
Methodist societies were formed in the 18th Century by those who heard John
Wesley and his preachers. John Wesley and his preachers were itinerant; they
travelled almost incessantly. John Wesley believed that no preacher should stay
with a society for more than 6-8 weeks; after that the people would no longer be
attracted by the preaching. Methodist Structures Local churches are grouped into
Circuits, within which preachers, deacons and presbyters are shared. The Circuit
Meeting is chaired by the Superintendent Minister of the Circuit. There are 7
Circuits in the Scotland District, which covers all of Scotland, apart from
Shetland. Representatives from all the Circuits attend the Scottish Synod, over
which the Chair of the District presides. The Scotland District sends
representatives to the Conference of the Methodist Church in Britain, over which
the President of the Conference presides. Ecumenical Relations The Methodist
Church in Scotland belongs to the EMU partnership between the Scottish
Episcopal, Methodist and United Reformed Churches in Scotland. It is one of nine
member churches of ACTS – Action of Churches Together in Scotland. Local
Methodist churches have many connections with other denominations; in some
places, they belong to Local Ecumenical Partnerships or United Churches. What is
Distinctive about Methodism?
