The announcement of Stephen Poxon being elected President of the Methodist Conference was only briefly mentioned in the previous church magzine. We are now able to add more details -

The Revd Stephen Poxon has been elected President Designate of the Methodist Conference for 2008-9, and Mr David Walton has been elected Vice President Designate.

Stephen has served in Jamaica, Wales and the North West of England, and is currently chair of the North Lancashire District. He is currently secretary of the Methodist Missionary Society and has been chair of the World Church Committee and the Council for Methodist Youth Work. He says "I am deeply humbled by this honour and look forward to the challenges to come in a year’s time."

Stephen is married to Deacon Myrtle Poxon, who served as Vice President of the Methodist Conference in 2004-5. When Stephen becomes President, it will be the first time that a married couple have between them been both President and Vice President.

David Walton is a Manchester-based solicitor and an enthusiastic musician. He is currently Conference Record Secretary and Chair of the Law and Polity Committee. He says "I am keen to explore with others how faith is lived out today, especially in the workplace."

Stephen and David will be inducted at President and Vice President as the first items of business at the 2008 Methodist Conference, which will meet in Scarborough from 5-10 July.

12 July 2007