- the nurture and support of local preachers and leaders of worship.
- the oversight of connexional team support for local preaching and leading of worship.
- consultation with District Officers.
Specific aims relate to sharing the vision, discussing training needs, engaging in dialogue with other groups and supporting Local Preachers and Worship Leaders.
The Connexional Local Preachers' Committee (CLPC) met on 28-29th January 2006. Peter Relf presented a report of his work over the past year, including development of the Standing Orders, training issues, and his secondment this year. Important issues discussed at the meeting included:
- The future support of local preachers
- Concerns and areas for consideration raised by the District Officers
- The future role of the Connexional Local Preachers' Secretary
- Revision of Standing Orders
- The role and membership of the Connexional Local Preachers Committee
- Links with LWPT, and Ichthus as a forum for communication and dissemination of information
- Committee.Links with the College of Preachers
- The Necessitous Local Preachers Fund
Appropriate action plans were developed and Ichthus will be used to inform local preachers of developments. The members of the Connexional Local Preachers Committee are: Terry Ayres, Ian Beavis, Andrew Bennett, Nicola, Briggs, Peter Brown, Nick Butler, Diane Coleman, Catherine Hutton, Clive Marsh, Jo Kingston, Ken Kingston, Ros Peedle, Peter Relf, Sandra Ride, Donald Smith, Godfrey Talford, Alison Tomlin, Morag Walder and John Whitehead. We all appreciate the work and support of Terry Wright. Morag Walder (Chair)
In the early 1880s, the LPMA General Committee appointed Trustees to oversee the investment of funds. Each appointment was lifelong. In the 1960s changes to charity law meant that the `Trustee' function went to a separate company. Norman Silson was the last `Trustee', outlasting all the others until 19 December 2005.
Norman was a very gracious and prayerful person who was key to the life, work and financial health of LPMA. In recent years, ill-health prevented him from taking an active role in LPMA, but he continued to pray for and encourage through letter-writing those who were taking the lead. He was fully aware of LPMA's need to change and supported the transformation to LWPT. LWPT is incorporated so that there is no longer a need for investments to be held by a separate organisation. With the kind of forward thinking that typified Norman, the move to LWPT means that the management of investments is now fully appropriate for the 21st Century.
Past President of LPMA
On 23 November 2005, Howard Fitall's splendid life and ministry came to an end. Howard became a Local Preacher in 1955, aged 24 and became an LPMA member two years later. He served on the General Committee from 1984 and had the notable distinction of being elected twice to the office of President, in 1991 and 2000. This unusual honour shows the high regard in which Howard was, and is, held.
In Circuit life, he was appreciated for the quality of his preaching and leading of worship. He was always ready to include children and young people. He shared his keen interest in hymn-writing with congregations by introducing how the chosen hymns came to be written. More recently, Howard started to write hymns himself. He thoroughly enjoyed being a Local Tutor. To the task of tutoring he brought a depth of scientific and theological understanding.
Readers of 'Ichthus' will have noticed such qualities in the articles, book reviews and devotional material that Howard contributed to the magazine over the years. On the LPMA/LWPT website, after becoming a convert to the lectionary(!), he provided notes for preaching themes for each Sunday of the Christian year. They are still on the website and are a continuing legacy for us.
Above all, Howard was a delightful person and a faithful Christian. His wisdom, friendliness and gentle humour have enlightened, encouraged and refreshed us as we journeyed together. We give God thanks for enriching our lives and strengthening our faith through the life of Howard Fitall.