Introducing the Vice President of the Methodist Conference,Ruth Pickles
Ruth Pickles began her officeas Vice-President of the Methodist Conference on Saturday 3 July 2011 when the Conference met in Southport. Her answers to these questions give you an impression of the woman behind the role.
How and when did you discover faith in God?
I can’t remember! From birth I was taken to church on Sundays as my parents were committed Christians who were heavily involved in the Methodist Church. So I was part of a Christian community, had the Bible read to me before I could read, and learnt many hymns and songs at an early age. I remember doing ‘Scripture Exams’ by post when I was a child, as was fairly common in those days. As a teenager I was blessed to belong to a large and very active Youth Club (Saturday Club at North Harrow Methodist Church), which also had a Youth Fellowship on a Sunday. We were encouraged to question our faith critically, and I made my own decision to become a follower of Jesus and a member of the Methodist Church.
I remember giving my ‘testimony’ in church when I was about 17; I was studying science subjects in the sixth form and was convinced that God is at work through the laws of science and nature, and in the mechanisms of living cells. At the same time, I saw God at work in the human love around me.
Who has most inspired you on your Christian journey?
There have been many people who have contributed to my Christian journey, but if I have to pick out the one who has influenced me most it would be the Revd John Farley. John was chaplain at the University of Sheffield during most of my five years there. A New Testament scholar, he opened up the Bible to me and my contemporaries in a completely different way to any thing I had experienced before. It was in the days of John Robinson’s Honest to God: we were expected to read it and discuss it critically in our MethSoc groups! John remained a wise friend until his death in 2006.
Why have your chosen your theme – ‘Learning as disciples of Jesus’?
Well, you have to take into account the incoming president’s theme alongside it – together we have chosen ‘Learning and Caring as disciples of Jesus’. Those who are familiar with Our Calling, which has been encouraging congregations to examine their faithfulness to the work of God, will recognise it asone of the four themes. Learning has always been a passion for me. I trained as a teacher of science, and taught for some years. At the same time my church involvement was with young people on a Sunday morning and evening, and I loved the journeys of faith exploration we made together. Then for eight years I worked as a training and development officer in my own Methodist district – I love to see people gaining new understanding and skills, and growing in their faith. I am still involved in thiskind of work, and hope to be able to continue it as part of my vice-presidential role.
What are your hopes and dreams for the Methodist Church?
That we can be a ‘learning Church’, reflecting on our situation and experience, so that we nurture that which is of the kingdom and embrace change where we need to be different and do things differently. I believe we still have much to offer to people if we are faithful to our Methodist ethos (or ‘charisms’ as our general secretary puts it) in a way that is culturally relevant.
What do you think are greatest challenges facing the Methodist Church today?
I suppose that the challenge is to do just that – to be a ‘learning Church’ in all that entails!
What book (apart from the Bible) has been a source of inspiration to you?
This is a hard question. I love books, and usually the last one I enjoyed has been ‘the best’!
One that was published in 1972 but still speaks to me, and I still refer to it, is John V Taylor’s The Go-Between God, which I find a very helpful insight into the workings of the Spirit. But John Vincent’s & John Davies’ Mark at Work revolutionised the way I do Bible study with groups.
As 2011 is the Year of the Bible, what is your favourite Bible verse and passage? Why?
Although everyone I have mentioned so far is called John, I would choose Luke 15:20from the parable of the two brothers (“So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him” (NRSV)). This image of God as one who runs towards an errant child with a hug and a kiss is one I should not want to live without.
What do you do to relax?
I enjoy reading novels, walking, Scrabble and playing with my grandchildren. Sharing a meal with friends with lots of laughter is a great way to end the week!
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