God’s Church – a home for all: walk
09 February 2022
Daud Irfan, Methodist Youth President 2021/2022, accompanied by the Revd Irfan John, his father and the Wales Synod Enabler for Culturally Diverse Congregations, are to walk from their home circuit in Cardiff to Wesley’s Chapel in London, raising awareness of the need for more diverse leadership in the Church.
They are calling on young people, especially those from culturally diverse backgrounds, to join the walk, realise their leadership potential, and for churches and circuits to raise up their young leaders.
After a service of celebration, the walk will set off from Rumney Methodist Church, Cardiff on Sunday 27 February. As the pair walk the 160 miles to London, they will be stopping at various Methodist churches along the way, arriving at Wesley's Chapel in City Road on Saturday 5 March where a service attended by leading Methodists will welcome the walkers. The Leadership on a Journey exhibition held recently at the museum in Wesley’s Chapel, had highlighted culturally diverse people within the Methodist Church in positions of leadership.
Daud commented, “As we look to encourage Black British, British Asian and global diaspora leadership through this walk, I hope that others will join me along the route and that local churches will open their doors and host events relating to my theme and purpose. Though the UK is becoming more ethnically and culturally diverse, this representation is still not often seen within the Church.
“I want to see more children and young people joining the Methodist Church, growing in faith and taking on leadership roles. In particular, as the first ever Youth President of an Asian heritage, I want to see more children and young people from diverse cultural backgrounds take on leaderships roles within the Methodist Church.”
The Revd Irfan John will accompany Daud for the walk, bringing his has passion and dedication for working alongside culturally diverse people. Daud commented, “As my father and now my colleague, he has been an inspiration and helped me to shape my theme.
Itinerary:
27 February - Circuit service at Rumney Methodist Church, Cardiff to celebrate the beginning of the walk. Daud and Irfan to leave at midday and arrive in Caldicot in the evening.
28 February – Walk to Hawkesbury Upton, crossing the Severn.
1 March – Walk to Swindon. Potential evening visit to a Methodist Church in Swindon.
2 March - Potential morning visit to a Methodist Church in Swindon. (Ash Wednesday) – walk to Chilton
3 March – walk to Henley-on-Thames.
4 March – walk to Uxbridge. Potential visit to St Andrew’s Methodist Church, Slough.
5 March – arrive at Wesley’s Chapel for welcome/celebration service.
Further details on how to participate will be posted here or email Ella Sibley-Ryan ( Sibley-Ryane@methodistchurch.org.uk )