STATEMENT ON EARTHQUAKE IN TURKEY AND SYRIA

On behalf of the World Methodist Council, Bishop Ivan Abrahams conveyed condolences to the Turkish and Syrian governments and relatives of people who lost loved ones in the earthquake that struck in the early hours of Monday morning.

Five thousand people are known to have died, and thousands more have been left destitute. Abrahams said; “This tragedy requires a global response, and he appealed to Methodists people and relief agencies to support the search and rescue efforts and assist the survivors. “Our hearts go out to all those who are bereaved and we continue to pray for a speedy recovery for the injured.”   

STATEMENT BY THE WORLD METHODIST COUNCIL ON THE PASSING OF POPE EMERITUS BENEDICT
XVI

Together with other World Communions, the World Methodist Council extends its condolences
to His Holiness Pope Francis and the entire Catholic Church on the death of Pope Emeritus
Benedict XVI.

Pope Benedict was a towering intellectual figure who published sixty-six books, three
encyclicals, and three apostolic exhortations. His support of informed theological dialogue
between Churches, including the dialogue between the World Methodist Council and the
Roman Catholic Church, was a hallmark of his pontificate. Pope Benedict’s impact on Christian
unity through prayer and theological discourse is an enduring legacy of his ministry. 

On learning of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict’s death, the President of the World
Methodist Council, Rev. Dr. JC Park, commented, “His most significant contribution has been
the spiritual and theological retrieval of the uniqueness of Jesus. His magnum opus Jesus of
Nazareth, is the living witness of Jesus ‘who is close to the Father’s heart.’” (John 1:18)

May Benedict rest in peace and rise in glory.

SAD DEMISE OF THE MOST REVD. DR. ANAND CHANDU LAL, FORMER MODERATOR OF THE CHURCH OF NORTH INDIA AND FORMER BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF AMRITSAR, CNI

All Partners in Mission,

With much sorrow it is shared that the Most Revd. Dr. Anand Chandu Lal, former Moderator of the Church of North India and former Bishop of the Diocese of Amritsar (CNI) departed this life today, Saturday, 17th December, 2022.  

We are thankful to God for the life, witness and leadership of the Most Revd. Dr. Anand Chandu Lal in the Church of North India, especially in the Diocese of Amritsar. We believe that the contribution he made to the Church at large will always be cherished with gratitude.

As Moderator of the Church of North India he brought in new theological dimensions and insights into the process of Ministerial formation in the Rural & Dalit context of the Church by introducing the Towards Holistic Understanding of Mission program at the CNI Synod level which left an indelible imprint on the life, mission and Ministry of the Church.

As Bishop of the Diocese, he raised the Diocese of Amritsar, Church of North India from scratch and brought about a legal identity and financial stability in the face of many legal & property matters and created a congenial atmosphere to carry out the pastoral care ministry among the Churches in the Diocese. 

On behalf of the entire Church of North India family, especially my brother Bishops and the Office Bearers of the CNI Synod, I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved household. May God grant His peace to all those who are grieving for this great loss.

May the soul of the faithful, the Most Revd. Dr. Anand Chandu Lal rest in peace, and rise in glory.

With prayers 

THE MOST REVD. DR. P. K. SAMANTAROY

GENERAL SECRETARY, CNI SYNOD

MWM Conference & AGM 2022

The World is My Parish – Global Methodism Our Future online conference and AGM takes place Saturday 24th September 2022 from 9.30-13.00 online with a keynote address by Bishop Ivan Abrahams, General Secretary of the World Methodist Council. He has served as the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of South Africa. Bishop Ivan has provided prophetic leadership and direction. He is a renowned ecumenist and advocates for social justice.

MWM AGM will take place from 12:30-13:00.

Please register for the half-day online conference by completing this form. YOU MUST REGISTER IN ADVANCE by 17th September 2022

Passing of Mikhail Gorbachev

Former Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev photo at European Parliament Energy Glob Awards

World figure, Russian leader, and winner of the 1990 World Methodist Council Peace Award recipient, Mikhail Gorbachev, has died at the age of 91. The Council joins the many people around the world in remembering this influential man who worked diligently as he broke the mold to work for peace for his country and the planet. Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Gorbachev was often revered more by others in the world than the citizens of his country. 

Gorbachev reinforced persuasively the notion that dialogue is always preferable to war. He was cited for his contributions to human understanding, international stability, and a changing world.

Global Methodist Schools Conference 2023

Methodist Education International Conference 2023 Web Banner
Methodist Education International Conference Agenda

Announcement from the Methodist Education International Conference 2023 website:

Methodist Schools UK and the International Association of Methodist Schools and Colleges (IAMSCU) are pleased to invite you to the Transforming Lives Methodist Education International Conference for the family of Methodist educators in April 2023.  We are excited to offer a linked series of three events – each focused on a different stage of Methodist education, and each seeking to deepen our shared understanding of how our work can transform the lives of school children, as well as those in higher education and students of theology, and the lives of those in the communities around them.

The Conference coincides with the 275th anniversary of Kingswood School, the Methodist school established by John Wesley in 1748 and we are particularly pleased that the Bath/Bristol event will focus on the work of those leading and governing schools for children under 18 for the first time. 

We believe that the three linked events forming this Conference offer a very special opportunity to share, network, celebrate and enhance the educational opportunities for children and professionals in Methodist Education. Join us in April 2023 in London, Bristol/Bath and Cambridge for a range of keynote sessions, seminars and workshops engaging with the key issues and challenges in the education landscape today: from environmental sustainability to child mental health, from new resources and ideas to support teaching the history of Methodism to discussions exploring holistic theological education or role of values based education in shaping a just society, celebrate with local and international colleagues the relevance, diversity and transforming power of Methodist education by booking your place for one, two or all three of our linked events.

Thursdays in Black ambassadors: “we cannot be silent” about gender-based violence in faith communities

In a joint message on gender-based violence, sexual abuse, and faith communities, 26 World Council of Churches (WCC) Thursdays in Black ambassadors lament that the scourge of sexual and gender-based violence continues unabated—and call on faith communities to prevent such violence in their own spaces.

“As ambassadors for Thursdays in Black, and in our various leadership capacities, we have witnessed the increase in domestic and gender-based violence, including child marriage, in many countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, arising out of necessary movement restrictions and economic uncertainty,” reads the statement. “With the rise of digital communication, there is increased online sexual abuse and harassment with devastating effects on individuals, families and communities.”

The statement urges us all not to be silent. “We lament that far too many times, those who bravely come forward to share their stories are not believed, are shamed, are blamed, or are ignored,” the text reads. “Too many times we have seen victims silenced and perpetrators unpunished.”

The ambassadors note that they are heartened by the global growth of the Thursdays in Black movement and the visible solidarity shared across faith traditions to overcome rape and violence.

“We call on our faith communities to take the next step in practical action to ensure such violence does not happen in our own spaces,” the statement reads. “Following the WCC central committee recommendation, we invite all faith communities to state their commitment to overcoming sexual and gender-based violence, clearly and publicly, including the policies and steps they will take when abuse is reported.”

Access to support and justice for survivors must be integrated in our responses, the ambassadors urge.

“We welcome religious and theological reflection and education which interrogates our holy scriptures on the relationships between men and women and masculinities and femininities, our understandings of gender and gender identity, and our relationships with all people as part of humanity, the text concludes. “We encourage all people of faith to join us in Thursdays in Black to raise awareness and advocate for a world without rape and violence.”

Read the full statement

STATEMENT ON THE ST. FRANCIS CATHOLIC CHURCH MASSACRE IN OWO, NIGERIA

The World Methodist Council (WMC) joined religious leaders, civil society organizations, and
governments in condemning the coordinated attack on worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church.
According to the latest reports, as many as 50 may be dead, including children, and scores are wounded.


Bishop Ivan Abrahams, General Secretary of the WMC, said: “Gunning down innocent people
celebrating the Feast of Pentecost is a cowardly and sacrilegious deed.” He further expressed
condolences to the bereaved families and called for prayers for those wounded in the attack.


The WMC notes the increased number of attacks and kidnappings by armed groups, especially in the
northeast of Nigeria, where more than 40,000 have been killed and more than a million people
displaced.


We urge the Nigerian authorities to act decisively in apprehending the perpetrators to see that
justice is done through the courts


Statement on mass shooting – Uvalde, Texas

The General Secretary of the World Methodist Council called on Methodists to join prayers with the
community of Uvalde, Texas. He expressed his deepest condolences with the bereaved families and
those injured in the shooting rampage at Robb Elementary School.

According to the Washington Post more than 311,00 students experienced gun violence at school since
the 1999 massacre at Columbine High School.

The shooting on Tuesday comes only 10 days after 10 people were killed in a hate crime in Buffalo, New
York. (See statement of AME – Council of Bishops) Abrahams called for “decisive action to protect the
innocent and curb gun-violence”.

The World Methodist Council join with all people of goodwill calling for an end to violence, especially against children.

Put away violence and destruction, and practice justice and righteousness. 

              Ezekiel 45:9