20 March 2019
The President and Vice-President of the Methodist Conference have released the following statement in relation to the ongoing Brexit discussions.
The Westminster Parliament continues to struggle with the Brexit process. Like no other issue of our time, Brexit has divided our politics, our society and our communities. The coming days and months harbour uncertainty and, for many, even fear.
We know that faithful Methodists hold a spectrum of views on Brexit, as they do on many other issues that shape our country and world. We do not minimise the challenge of responding to this hugely emotive issue. Yet we believe that, as Christians, we are bound to one another in Christ, whatever our differences. And we are called serve to our communities even, perhaps especially, in these troubling times.
Churches around the country have been providing safe spaces of welcome, reflection and conversation. Places where name-calling and abuse are not acceptable, but where differing views can be heard. Offering such a gift of welcome to our communities is not always easy. We hold each other in prayer as we try to serve others at this time.
We also pray for the politicians and civil servants, in this country and in the EU, who are at the centre of this storm and must make important decisions. We pray for those with whom we disagree as much as those who share our personal views.
While we may feel at sea, blown about by a chaotic political process, we believe that we have an assurance that flows from the faithfulness of God. And therefore we can offer love, practice compassion and speak justice to the communities we serve.
Rev Michaela Youngson, President of the Methodist Conference
Mr Bala Gnanapragasam, Vice-President of the Methodist Conference