Conference Resolution

Home » News » Conference Resolution
c7e55320-2add-4502-89fb-2a32c448d3ac-format_jpeg-inline_yes

The 2016 Annual Conference of the Methodist Church passed a resolution containing the following text:

The United Kingdom, as a result of the referendum on 23 June 2016, has voted to leave the European Union. In this time of very significant change and uncertainty there is a need for leadership which seeks the common good and encourages people to work together, to respect one another and to uphold the dignity of all.

The Methodist Conference believes that the British Isles are enriched by diversity and celebrates the contribution made by those who have come from other parts of the world.

The Christian tradition calls for respect, tolerance, love of neighbour and hospitality to the stranger. All bear the responsibility of speaking and acting for healing, reconciliation, and mutual respect.

The Methodist Conference abhors and deeply regrets those actions and words which incite hatred and lead to the victimisation of groups within society and notes with concern that such actions and words have been normalised in recent public discourse. Believing that racism is a denial of the gospel and that to stay silent when others are abused is to collude with those who seek to promote hatred and division, the Methodist Conference calls:

  • on the Methodist people to challenge racism and discrimination
  • for a political debate which neither demonises any nor leaves the vulnerable (the foreigner, the immigrant and refugee) in danger of victimisation.
  • on political leaders to work together for the good of the whole community putting the needs of the nation before party politics.
  • on all those in positions of power and authority to hear the voices of those who have been marginalised and alienated and to respond to them in ways which offer real hope for the future.

    The Reverend Gareth J Powell
    Secretary of the Methodist Conference

    This statement is also shared on the Methodist Church website www.methodist.org.uk/nationallife where it can be turned into an email which will be automatically sent to your local Member of Parliament. The Conference also encourages the Methodist people to send this letter to their MP.

    The Conference also encourages the Methodist people to join the campaign to wear an empty safety pin as a badge symbolising solidarity against racism (please see www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36661097 for details).

    popular recent storiesAlso in the news

    D of E Expedition Welsh Hills 1
    On the Welsh Hills
    Alton Webteam: Sun 21 Apr 2:38pm

    On the Welsh HillsThe six young people who are tackling Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award expeditions this year were extremely fortunate with the weather when they undertook their practice expedition in the Brecon Beacons. They successfully demonstrated their navigational skills before continuing on their unaccompanied journey over two days. The high point, literally, was reaching the...

    Sonrise 3
    The Son is Risen
    Alton Webteam: Sun 21 Apr 2:23pm

    The Son is Risen5.45am on Easter Sunday. Why were sixty people from the five GAP churches gathering at Old Park Farm in Beech? To watch the sunrise, of course, and take part in a short act of worship to celebrate the risen Christ.A fire was burning, its smoke rising into the still dusky sky. As the full moon set in the west, the sun slowly climbed above the horizon, a ball of red...

    clock resized
    New Service Times 10am & 6.30pm
    Alton Webteam: Sun 14 Apr 8:06pm

    As of Easter Day 2019 we are changing our service times.We now have one 10am Morning Service every Sunday offering worship which seeks to be relative to all and includes both modern songs as well as hymns, led by a variety of musicians. There are activates in the Lighthouse Group for children unless it is our monthly all age worship services.The evening service is held at 6.30pm (on the first...