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?