ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT TO THE
ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2009

Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Methodist family,
Ecumenical Fraternity and friends from various walks of life.

Greetings and Blessings in the name of our Lord and Saviour as we gather here again, at the MethodistCollege Auditorium for the Annual Methodist Conference 2009.

We extend a warm welcome to Rev. Donald Ker, the Secretary of the Irish Methodist Church and representing the British Irish Methodist Conference, and Ms Ker. Your presence and your experience in post conflict reconciliations will be a tremendous blessing to all of us, in the present context while enriching this Conference as well with your experience in administration and pastoral skills.

We also extend a warm welcome to the delegates from the Dortmund Evangelical Church-Rev. Dr. Elga Zachau, Mr Hartmut Winkels and Ms Inge Winkels. We do hope that your presence will not only strengthen the partnership but that it will also be a constructive influence that will help our Church to meet the challenges of our time.

We also welcome all our ecumenical Partners and very specially Rev. Roshan Mendis, President, Christian Reformed Church, Rev. Saman Perera-Moderator, Presbyterian Church, Rev. Kingsley Perera-Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Baptist Sangamaya, Ven. Godwin Weerasuriya-Coordinator Confederation of Churches, Colonel Lalzamlova, Territorial Commander, Salvation Army, Ven. Shantha Francis, Archdeacon of the Diocese of Kurunegala, Church of South India along with Mr Bharath Patak of UMCOR and Mr Amjad of Muslim Aid. We are honoured and enriched by your presence.

After decades, we are meeting in an atmosphere where the guns are silenced, where the road links are re-established to all parts of the country. In this climate filled with opportunities as well as challenges, we welcome all who have gathered here from all parts of the country, a richness that we, as Methodists always cherish. As a Church, we have withstood the test of time and remained as one family, with one administrative centre for the whole island, always living up to the expectations of the phrase that is dear to all our hearts "a Methodist is a friend of all and an enemy to none". We thank God for His gracious mercies for enabling us to strive to live up to this ideal.

Discerning the Signs of Our Time

The Vision & Mission of the Church

Some Significant Sign Posts

Peace and Reconciliation Efforts

Churches, Buildings, and Properties

Obituaries

An Expression of Gratitude and Thanks

Conclusion

The Centrality of the Cross - The transformative nature of the faith community

The Centrality of the Cross - To be an agent of non-violence

The Centrality of the Cross - To be an agent of reconciliation

The Centrality of the Cross - To be an inclusive agent