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Minister's Letter - February 2015
Rev Peter Cornick
We hire our premises to many people, but you may think it unusual to allow a group of Muslims to use it. As long as no ‘worship’ takes place, it is perfectly acceptable under Methodist law. The Muslims concerned, all local people, wanted to hold a discussion about their way forward and future events – including an ice-skating trip! – and have a social gathering. In truth, we were, as a church, simply hiring our premises. But events made it become so much more. The day before the event, I became aware of a planned protest against the Muslim group. I sought advice from many sources, including our national head office and the police: should I cancel the event? The Muslim group appealed to us to show Christian hospitality in a moment of need. Whilst on the phone trying to get advice from one source, I was looking straight through the yellow cross on our front doors. Suddenly, the answer seemed crystal clear. Despite some local disruption, the Muslim group held their meeting and the police controlled the protest superbly. I spent the evening listening to some of the discussion and talking to many of the participants. The message I received was of a delightful group of people, eager to contribute to this community, work with others, and promote better understanding between us all. Because of circumstances, I found myself talking to men and women who were different from me; my own assumptions were challenged that night. And my own Christian faith grew. The Methodist Church calls us to be a good neighbour in the community and to challenge injustice. I often preach about both, but when the Muslim community asked me – and the church – to stand by them, I had to put my Christian faith into practice.

Minister's Letter - February 2015

Rev Peter Cornick

We hire our premises to many people, but you may think it unusual to allow a group of Muslims to use it. As long as no ‘worship’ takes place, it is perfectly acceptable under Methodist law. The Muslims concerned, all local people, wanted to hold a discussion about their way forward and future events – including an ice-skating trip! – and have a social gathering. In truth, we were, as a church, simply hiring our premises. But events made it become so much more.

The day before the event, I became aware of a planned protest against the Muslim group. I sought advice from many sources, including our national head office and the police: should I cancel the event? The Muslim group appealed to us to show Christian hospitality in a moment of need. Whilst on the phone trying to get advice from one source, I was looking straight through the yellow cross on our front doors. Suddenly, the answer seemed crystal clear.

Despite some local disruption, the Muslim group held their meeting and the police controlled the protest superbly. I spent the evening listening to some of the discussion and talking to many of the participants. The message I received was of a delightful group of people, eager to contribute to this community, work with others, and promote better understanding between us all.

Because of circumstances, I found myself talking to men and women who were different from me; my own assumptions were challenged that night. And my own Christian faith grew. The Methodist Church calls us to be a good neighbour in the community and to challenge injustice. I often preach about both, but when the Muslim community asked me – and the church – to stand by them, I had to put my Christian faith into practice.