26 October 2017
Responses to the Paris attacks
Prayer: Eternal God
Eternal God,
in whose perfect realm
no sword is drawn but the sword of justice,
and no strength known but the strength of love:
guide and inspire all who seek your kingdom,
that peoples and nations may find their security
in the love which casts out fear;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
The Remembrance Sunday Collect - Methodist WorshipBook, p. 563
Hymn: Hopeless to help in this violence, thiscrisis
Andrew Pratt has written a hymn of reflection in response to theFrench shootings of 7-9 January 2015, which he has added tofollowing the tragic events of 13 November 2015:
"Hopeless to help in this violence, this crisis,
here in the focus of bloodshed and fear,
common humanity binds us together,
love at the centre, not hatred's veneer.
History repeats in a city of beauty,
here amid elegance: danger's embrace.
Love is our purpose when those filled with hatred
break down relationships, nullify grace.
Give me your hand, then let peace grow between us,
let us rebuild what distrust might destroy.
Now in this moment we'll make a commitment,
love is the weapon we'll use and deploy."
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Statement from the Methodist Church inBritain
The President and the Vice-President of theConference have issued the following statement about the attacks inParis:
"We, and all the Methodist people,pray for all the victims of the attacks in Paris on Friday night. We hold in our prayers all those who seek to offer comfortand support in the days and weeks ahead."
The Revd Steven Wild, President ofthe Conference, and Dr Jill Barber, Vice-President of theConference.
Statement from the World MethodistCouncil
The World Methodist Council condemns the terrorist-motivated multiple bombings, shootings, andhostage-taking attacks in Paris yesterday, the secondtime in less than a year that such attacks have taken place onFrench soil.
The savage attack on innocent, unarmed civilians attending aconcert, soccer match and eating at restaurants showscowardice and is an affront to human dignity. At the time ofthis statement, 129 people had been confirmed killedand more than 200 wounded.
World Methodist Council General Secretary Bishop IvanAbrahams extends the condolences of the WMC to the nextof kin of those killed and to the French nation. He alsocalls on all people of goodwill to remember thoseafflicted by this tragedy in their thoughts and prayers, includinginvestigators and officials in the ongoing investigation. May Godhelp us work toward and realize a day when violence no longerexists.
Statement from the United Methodist Church inCentral and Southern Europe
Bishop Patrick Streiff, of the UMC of Central Southern andSourthern Europe, has said:
"Together with all people of good will, of whatever religiousbelief, we are horrified by the depth of violence despising humanlives and finding pleasure in the death of others.
We are people who believe in Christ. Our life shall witness thatChrist is the "Prince of Peace". He has blessed those who makepeace. This shall model our answer to the terrible attacks inParis.
In a time when Islam is on the forefront of the news throughviolent extremists, we want to meet our Muslim neighbours withrespect and honour and to let them feel that for us the love of Godis offered to everyone.
In a time when refugees arrive in high numbers in our Europeancountries, we want to support politicians and the civil society inoffering them a place to live among us, be it for a limited or along term, and without consideration of their religiousbackground.
In a time when terrorist attacks reach Europe, we want tosupport those who help alleviate the refugee disaster in the MiddleEast, particularly in the countries around Syria, and also in manyregions of Africa, whether through State development aid ornon-governmental organizations.
As people who follow Christ, we promote an open, democratic andplural society. We do not condone the tendencies of nationalistradicalization in the States of Europe. As United Methodists weunderstand ourselves as part of the worldwide Body of Christ. Inthe face of violence, we are called to be peacemakers."