Centenary Symposium and Open House

Wesley House will host a symposium on how churches and other institutions wrestle with the legacy of slavery and colonialism. How might we shape communal memory in order to take responsibility for the past while pursuing a more just future?

The programme will include a keynote conversation, presentations on Methodism and the fight for justice, and a chance for group reflection on the challenges we face. The programme will be held in person, and participants are invited to join us for an Open House on the second day.

Friday 1 July 11.30am-6pm

Symposium - at Wesley Methodist Church, Christ's Pieces, Cambridge, CB1 1LG

11.30am - Join us at Wesley Methodist Church for tea and coffee

12.00pm - Welcome

12.15pm - Our Keynote conversation will feature Sonita Alleyne, OBE, Master of Jesus College Cambridge.

Born in Bridgetown, Barbados, and brought up in Leytonstone, East London, Sonita has had an extraordinary career in journalism and broadcasting. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts and the Radio Academy, and in 2003, was awarded an OBE for service to broadcasting. In 2020, she was named an Honorary Fellow of Fitzwilliam college and received an honorary doctorate from the University of the West Indies.

1.00pm - Sandwich lunch

2.00pm - Ministry & Memory - Papers, Reflections and Conversation with:

Ruby Quantson Davis - Living with the Discomfort of Decolonisation

The Revd Colin Smith - British Methodism and Its Opposition to Slavery

The Revd Dr Adam Ployd - Methodist Justifications for Slavery in the American South

The Revd Dr Valentin Dedji - Restitution? Compensation? or Status Quo?

3.30pm - Refreshments break

3.45pm - Implications: Small Group Reflection

5.10pm - Signing of MOU between Wesley House and the Methodist Church in Britain

5.30pm - Evening Prayer

Saturday 2 July 2pm-6pm

Open House - at Wesley House, Jesus Lane, Cambridge, CB5 8BJ

For those of you visiting Cambridge you have the morning to explore our beautiful city. Some suggestions for activities and accommodation can be found HERE.

You are welcome to leave you bags at Wesley House from 10am where tea and coffee will be available in the Dining Room.

2.00pm - Wesley House tours

2.30pm - Learn about the work of Wesley House

3.30pm - Afternoon Tea

4.30pm - Centenary Celebration Worship at Wesley Methodist Church, Christ's Pieces, Cambridge, CB1 1LG

To continue to support the work of Wesley House and events such as these we would be grateful for any donations.

If you have any queries don't hesitate to contact us at office@wesley.cam.ac.uk