cutting ties with the Bermuda synod, The Royal Gazette learned yesterday. The Methodists are at odds over many issues including the church's teachings.

Many Methodist members complained that the local churches, which have been linked with the United Church of Canada for more than 60 years, have become so liberal that they are straying away from Biblical doctrine.

However others see the Methodist churches here as an integrated group of progressive bodies which have flexibility as an asset.

And a survey has shown that membership in the local Methodist churches has steadily declined between 1980 and 1991.

From 1980 to 1991, only membership in the St. George's congregation remained the same at 112.

Membership in the Marsden Memorial Methodist and Centenary churches decreased from 250 members in 1980 to 220 in 1991.

Those at the Wesley Methodist congregation in Hamilton fell from 402 to 312.

Congregations in Somerset and Southampton also saw a drop from 164 people to 146.

And the decline is expected to continue if the eight local congregations cannot see eye-to-eye on many issues, including whether to sever ties with the UCC.

The UCC's decision to allow a homosexual to be ordained was the last straw to many Methodist members who feel the body is too liberal.

Last month the local congregations held a referendum to vote on whether to keep the Bermuda-Canada link.

While the majority -- 319 members were in favour and 148 were against keeping the ties with the UCC, the matter is understood to be far from resolved.

And yesterday Cobbs Hill-Grace Church Minister the Rev. Bailey Snow confirmed that all of the 52 members at the Cobbs Hill Methodist Church voted to break away from the UCC.

He also revealed that both congregations were not happy about a number of other issues and were considering splitting from the Bermuda synod.

An announcement is expected on April 19.

The Rev. Snow, who is Canadian and has been in Bermuda for three years, said it was obvious that some local Methodists felt that the link to the UCC was a hindrance.

Noting that the UCC recently advertised a book which was written by a feminist in Canada and which promoted homosexual relationships and marriages, he said people who know their Bible will not tolerate such things.

And one Methodist member, who asked not to be named, agreed.

"We think we have deviated from the Bible doctrine,'' he said. "Perhaps it is a reflection of the times we're living in. We've been forewarned about this -- people preaching those which are tickling to the ears (telling people what they want to hear).

"But I'm really disappointed that the clergy are the ones who have given in to this. I believe there are more unbelievers in the clergy than in the congregations.'' The man, who stressed that he believed in unity but not at the expense of turning a blind eye to the Bible, said a split was inevitable because the synod were trying to patch things up with "a band aid''.

A former female member of the Centenary congregation said she left after almost 10 years because "their whole doctrine was becoming unsound''.

While admitting that she joined the church because she "liked the style of the ministry at the time'', she said she disagreed with the stance of the UCC and she wanted her child to grow up in a church where "the teaching is Biblical''.

But both Minister of the Southampton Methodist Church the Rev. David Chisling and Wesley Methodist lay preacher Mr. Leo Mills said they have not witnessed an exodus from their congregations.

And they denied that the Methodist churches were moving away from Biblical teachings.

"I don't think the Methodist are taking a liberal stance on anything,'' Rev.

Chisling said. "A lot has to do with interpretation. You go to a church where you're comfortable. Many people are not comfortable with some of the issues The United Church of Canada wants to address.'' The Rev. Chisling also said members of the Bermuda Methodist church had to learn to use the church system to make their concerns known.

But, he added, "it's time for people to stop pulling the church to pieces''.