The Methodist Conference has elected and inducted its president and vice-president for the next year.
Rev Mark Slaney, current chair of the Scotland District and Shetland District, said he has felt the “growing sense of the weight, honour and privilege” ahead of taking on the top job.
Rev Slaney preached his first sermon aged 15 and was ordained 24 years ago. He had been involved for youth work for a decade; undertaken study partnerships in India and Sierra Leone; and worked as a builder’s mate, cleaner and van driver.
Addressing the conference, he said: “I am endlessly grateful to God for our salvation and life in Christ Jesus, for that divine call on our lives that accepts us just as we are and offers us a vision of who we could become together, giving purpose and reason and making us better people and the world a better place, in partnership with the Holy Spirit.
“Be assured of my commitment in serving the Methodist people and our ecumenical, interfaith and mission partners throughout the year to come.”
Rev Slaney also thanked his parents “to whom I owe the beginnings of faith and a place in the Methodist Church. I reflect that I inherit both your Christian convictions and your experiential and discerning questions".
Caroline Stead, a preacher in West Yorkshire and former maths teacher, will serve as vice president. The role is reserved for lay people or deacons.
“In the year ahead I am looking forward greatly to living out this calling in service to the Church that is growing, inclusive, evangelistic and justice-seeking, a Church that has given me so much up to this point in my life," she said.
"In particular, I am excited at the prospect of being able to visit many people and places, to share my lived experience of inclusivity and to support the many volunteers who give so much to the life and mission of the Church."
“Joy and sorrow” are Rev Slaney and Stead's chosen words to work with for the upcoming year.
The ceremonies took place during the Church's conference in Telford on Saturday.