The highlight of the final Aggregate Meeting of LPMA in the Bristol District was the service of celebration and thanksgiving in Bristol Cathedral on the Sunday evening, attended by some 600 people from many parts of the country. Revd Dr Neil Richardson, past President of the Methodist Conference, preached on realising impossible dreams alike for church, for preachers and for people with charitable ideals and preachers. A choir from the Bristol District ably complemented his message with music and worship.

On the Monday morning, in a simple and dignified ceremony at the Nailsea church, Dr Richardson formally launched The Leaders of Worship and Preachers Trust (LWPT); its logo and house style were revealed for the first time in publicity material and in new garments for the popular teddy bears, which have been in considerable demand from LPMA in recent years. Most of the morning was given over to a study session in which Dr Richardson led a discussion on the elements of continuity and change in contemporary preaching, which led naturally into an act of rededication for preachers and worship leaders led by Connexional Local Preachers' Secretary, Peter Relf. (See a fuller report by Philip Nuttall on Page 8 of the printed magazine)

The final business of the Aggregate was completed on the Saturday at Nailsea, and brought 156 years of mutual aid to a fitting conclusion. Mrs Lois Morton of Penrith was inducted as President by her predecessor, Noel Clarkson of Sale, and she delivered an address in customary fashion. Her role as President of LPMA will be limited but she will combine it with a promotional role for LWPT in its first year of operation. Members of Aggregate received the final report and accounts of the General Committee which looked forward to the continuation and expansion of LPMA's work under the wider powers of LWPT. Peter Relf, on behalf of the Methodist Church Local Preachers' Office, looked forward to possible changes to the role of his office in the light of the priorities determined for the Methodist Church and the commitment of the Connexional Team to make significant financial savings through a thorough re-assessment of all its activities.

The most significant outstanding business was to follow up on the resolution of the 2004 Annual Aggregate Meeting. This authorised the General Committee to set up the charitable company, LWPT, to negotiate agreements with LWPT, subject to the consent of the Charity Commission to transfer LPMA's assets and liabilities to it as a restricted fund, and then to bring a resolution to dissolve LPMA. The General Committee was able formally to report the achievement of most of these commitments, but a difficulty had arisen over potential legacies left to LPMA. Counsel's opinion had been sought and advice received that LPMA should be retained as a shell organisation in order to receive such legacies safely but this shell would be governed by the Board of Trustees of LWPT. The resolution to dissolve LPMA had to be amended accordingly but, as anticipated, it was passed by an overwhelming majority. Although the debate on this resolution brought to light some outstanding anxieties about the implications for change, most speakers wholeheartedly supported the modernisation process; some of them made particular reference to the supportive views of younger preachers for whom LPMA, in its traditional form, had little appeal.

A Service of Remembrance and Holy Communion, was conducted by Rev A Ward Jones, Chairman of the Bristol District. It was specially aimed at honouring the witness of all generations of preachers who have followed in the footsteps of John Wesley until the present age at home and abroad and to give thanks for the initiatives they have taken, from the earliest times, to support the vulnerable or those experiencing hard times. Though the structures may change, the ministries continue.

Representatives departed for home with bright hope for the future. They look forward to LWPT's annual "Assembly" of preachers, leaders of worship and Friends of LWPT, for fellowship and development. The first of these is planned to take place in East Anglia at the May Day Bank Holiday weekend, of 2006.

A Standing Vote by Ros Peedle When I arrived at Methodist Conference in Torquay, I was delighted to hear that a Resolution was to be introduced commending the work of LPMA over 156 years and wishing God's blessing on its successor, LWPT. The Vice President, Mr John Bell, himself a member of LPMA and very supportive of the change to LWPT, was in the Chair of Conference when the resolution was introduced by Jonathan Kerry, one of the Coordinating Secretaries. I was called onto the platform as the Vice President ceremonially lit the LWPT candle from the LPMA candle as we had done at Aggregate. The Vice President invited me to address Conference and, by a show of hands, we quickly established that almost every person present was a potential beneficiary of the wider work of the LWPT. I told Conference of our joy when the Charity Commissioners insisted that we insert the words "For the advancement of the Christian Religion" before our objects. The Resolution was put to Conference with a standing vote. The final acclamation of LWPT came when the candles were again lit at the Wesleyan Reform Union Conference in recognition of their role as potential beneficiaries and supporters of the new Trust.