Synod votes on District Merger Proposal

Last Saturday, 20th April, the Synods of both the Wolverhampton & Shrewsbury and the Birmingham Districts confirmed their support for the formation of a new combined West Midlands District from 1st September 2025.  The voting figures were 81% and 94% in favour respectively.
These results, together with the voting figures from the Circuits, will go forward in a process which will result in a recommendation to be voted upon by the Methodist Conference in June.  However, given the amount of work needing to be done to prepare a good foundation for the new District, the Joint Districts’ Task Group will now work on the basis that the Conference will also agree to a merger.
As the prayer shared by both Synods on Saturday acknowledged, these votes are not the end of the story.  However we voted, or would have voted, we pray that the Spirit will bind us one to another so that we may travel the road ahead together and in love.