Every Council delegate serves on a Standing Committee. From the significant time set aside for committees to meet reports were made to the Council. Some highlights of the committee meetings are:

• Social Justice brought two resolutions seeking non-violent resolution in Syria, and a response to the Arms Fair in London.
• Ecumenical Relations proposed a new committee Faith and Unity to focus on and promote dialogue within the Methodist family.
• Family Life proposed a focus on Children and Rights of the Child.
• Youth and Young Adults proposed increasing active, essential participation of youth and young adults in the life of the Council.
• Education highlighted the critical importance of education to Council life and Christian development.
• Evangelism shared their passionate Vision and theme for 2016. One family, One Mission. That the World may know Jesus Christ.
• Worship and Liturgy are planning to make Liturgies and Children’s resources available on line.
• Theological Education shared a proposal for a leadership Academy
  A new and very significant Standing Committee Inter-religious Relationships, reported for the first time.
• Finance reminded of the decision made in Durban for member churches to be asked to contribute 50 cents per member to the
• Achieving the Vision Endowment. The aim is to establish a US$20 million endowment which can provide ongoing income to fund the Council’s work.

Affiliates to the Council also reported:

• Oxford Institute, the papers from the recent meeting are available on line.
• Epworth Old Rectory, reminded of the treasure of Methodism which belongs to us all.
• Ministerial Exchange encouraged
• World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women have been focusing on the Millennium Goals
• Methodist and Uniting Church Men brought forth a resolution to mobilise Methodists to fight hunger.
• World Methodist Historical Society are committing themselves to increased networking with member Churches

A common recurring thread in Committee reports was the need to increasingly use e-mail and virtual meetings to involve more people, more easily share information and reduce costs. Our work was also inspired and enabled by phenomenal worship.

The Methodist Peace award for 2013 was awarded to Marion and Anita Way. Missionaries in Angola and Brazil, the citation noted, “In 54 years of continuous service the couples work helped more than 15,000 children and 45,000 families, and more than 100,000 through the outreach that their organisations conduct”. Sadly Marion died in May 2013, but Anita was present to receive the medal, citation and cheque for US$1000.