Methodism in Britain will focus its attention on Wales next month, as Cardiff hosts the annual Methodist Youth Conference from 16-18 November 2007 in the new Urdd Centre in the Bay area – where popular BBC TV series Doctor Who is based.
The theme this year will the the abolition of slavery and the quest for freedom.
The Methodist Youth Conference is an annual event that gives an opportunity for young people aged 13-25 from all over Britain to meet and discuss important issues they are interested in and how these relate to the Christian faith. It is aimed at all young people who are connected with or wish to be connected with the Methodist church, say the planners.
“This is a great opportunity for the young people,” declared the Rev Susan McIvor from the Cardiff Circuit, who is one of the organisers of the conference. “They have chance to meet lots of other Methodist young people, talk about their concerns and draw the whole church’s attention to these issues.”
Each year the conference has a specific theme, and in 2007 the young people have chosen to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the UK and the freedom Christians find in their faith today.
The conference is held in a different location in Britain every year and this time it is being held in the Urdd sleepover centre in Cardiff Bay.
Katie Demery, aged 16 from Cardiff commented: “We think that the young people will love Cardiff Bay with its Doctor Who and Welsh Assembly connections. We also have lots of great activities planned for them. In fact, we’re a bit concerned that it will be so good they might not want to leave at the end of the weekend!.”