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UK Mennonites call for reflection after 7/7

-16/07/05

The London Mennonite Centre (LMC), which runs a respected Britain-wide conflict transformation programme called Bridge Builders, has made a powerful plea for reflection and listening after last weekís terror attacks across the capital.

Mennonites are Christians with a strong commitment to practical peacemaking and community building through following the way of Christ. They are designated one of the three ëhistoric peace churchesí (along with Quakers and Brethren in Christ).

The LMC, which is a partner organisation to Ekklesia, says that as a Centre seeking to support the churches in Britain, ìwe are left with numerous questions following the bombings here in London on 7 July. We centre them around the question: To whom do we look?î

They go on to declare that in the light of last weekís tragic events Christians are called both to self-examination and to costly engagement with victims, perpetrators, the Muslim community, the nation and God.

The London Mennonite Centre is located in Highgate, North London. It began as a hostel for international students ad visitors in the 1950s, and has since become a centre in the Anabaptist tradition promoting peace and reconciliation. Its staff and volunteers come from a number of different nations and backgrounds.

The full statement reads as follows:

THE LONDON BOMBINGS: TO WHOM DO WE LOOK?

As Christians serving in London, and seeking to be a resource to British churches, we are left with numerous questions following the bombings here in London on 7 July. We centre them around the question: To whom do we look?

* We look to the victims, their families and those serving them. We are conscious that we and our loved ones came close to being caught up in the explosions. Our relief is tempered by our desire to offer support for those whose lives have been directly affected, and our prayers for them.

* We look to Muslims in Britain. We look not to blame but to understand and to draw alongside them ñ knowing that the Christian tradition has also given rise to violence and extremism, and aware that our understanding of Muslims and Islam is too limited. We want to grow in relationship and understanding with Muslim neighbours, and, as fellow people of faith, to stand against any efforts to scapegoat them and their communities.

* We look to the perpetrators. We pray for those who have tried to make themselves our enemies, and ask for Godís mercy and that they will turn away from violent methods.

* We look to this nation. We ask: How has the British Government conducted itself within the international community? How has the UK served the interests of the poor, marginalised and powerless, particularly in the Middle East? What has the UK done over the years that has provoked anger and hatred? We are conscious that honest answers to these questions will make us uncomfortable, and not leave our nation free from responsibility.

* We look in the mirror. As workers from different nations, we ask: How have we been complicit in the destructive actions of our governments? How has our passivity and lack of action contributed to our governmentsí willingness to use violence? How have we failed to reflect Godís love in the world? We know that we are not without fault.

* We look to our God. As the Psalmist reminds us: “Where does our help come from? Our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” We know that it is only Godís strength and justice to which we can look with confidence in a time of anxiety and uncertainty. The Lord is our keeper.


Find books now:

UK Mennonites call for reflection after 7/7

-16/07/05

The London Mennonite Centre (LMC), which runs a respected Britain-wide conflict transformation programme called Bridge Builders, has made a powerful plea for reflection and listening after last week’s terror attacks across the capital.

Mennonites are Christians with a strong commitment to practical peacemaking and community building through following the way of Christ. They are designated one of the three ëhistoric peace churches’ (along with Quakers and Brethren in Christ).

The LMC, which is a partner organisation to Ekklesia, says that as a Centre seeking to support the churches in Britain, ‘we are left with numerous questions following the bombings here in London on 7 July. We centre them around the question: To whom do we look?’

They go on to declare that in the light of last week’s tragic events Christians are called both to self-examination and to costly engagement with victims, perpetrators, the Muslim community, the nation and God.

The London Mennonite Centre is located in Highgate, North London. It began as a hostel for international students ad visitors in the 1950s, and has since become a centre in the Anabaptist tradition promoting peace and reconciliation. Its staff and volunteers come from a number of different nations and backgrounds.

The full statement reads as follows:

THE LONDON BOMBINGS: TO WHOM DO WE LOOK?

As Christians serving in London, and seeking to be a resource to British churches, we are left with numerous questions following the bombings here in London on 7 July. We centre them around the question: To whom do we look?

* We look to the victims, their families and those serving them. We are conscious that we and our loved ones came close to being caught up in the explosions. Our relief is tempered by our desire to offer support for those whose lives have been directly affected, and our prayers for them.

* We look to Muslims in Britain. We look not to blame but to understand and to draw alongside them – knowing that the Christian tradition has also given rise to violence and extremism, and aware that our understanding of Muslims and Islam is too limited. We want to grow in relationship and understanding with Muslim neighbours, and, as fellow people of faith, to stand against any efforts to scapegoat them and their communities.

* We look to the perpetrators. We pray for those who have tried to make themselves our enemies, and ask for God’s mercy and that they will turn away from violent methods.

* We look to this nation. We ask: How has the British Government conducted itself within the international community? How has the UK served the interests of the poor, marginalised and powerless, particularly in the Middle East? What has the UK done over the years that has provoked anger and hatred? We are conscious that honest answers to these questions will make us uncomfortable, and not leave our nation free from responsibility.

* We look in the mirror. As workers from different nations, we ask: How have we been complicit in the destructive actions of our governments? How has our passivity and lack of action contributed to our governments’ willingness to use violence? How have we failed to reflect God’s love in the world? We know that we are not without fault.

* We look to our God. As the Psalmist reminds us: “Where does our help come from? Our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” We know that it is only God’s strength and justice to which we can look with confidence in a time of anxiety and uncertainty. The Lord is our keeper.