On behalf of the North West England Methodist District, we extend our prayers to all those affected by the attack on the Jewish Community at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue.
Though our communities may differ in many ways, our common humanity is founded on the truth that all people are created in the image of God, a God whose love is for all.
We have shared below the statements from the Manchester Methodist Circuit, the Bury Methodist Circuit and a joint statement from the GMCA Faith and Belief Advisory Panel and Greater Manchester Faith Community Leaders.
We hope that you will share in the prayer offered by Rev’d Jez Hackett – Superintendent of Bury Methodist Circuit – for healing, for peace and for love.
The Bury Methodist Circuit have released a statement and prayer:
“We in the Bury Methodist Circuit stand with and pray for our Jewish sisters and brothers in response to the appalling attack on the Jewish Community at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue. An attack on any day would be awful but on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish Calendar, it is made even worse.
There may be many things that make communities different, but our humanity is rooted in the shared belief that we are made in the image of God, and we offer our wholehearted support, love and prayers to the Jewish Community in Bury, Manchester, and across the country.
As it has so often in the past, we are sure Manchester will rise in response to these horrible events as a city – united, demonstrating the love and care that makes this region such a special place to live, and we will do all we can to be a part of that.
God of peace,
We offer you our prayers for the community of the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue,
For those who have been injured, we pray for your healing
For those who have died and their families and friends, we pray for your presence and embrace
For those who filled with fear and anxiety, we pray for your peace
For those who have bravely responded from the public and emergency services, we pray for strength
For those in the wider community who are hurting at the wounds to their local brothers and sisters, we pray for comfort
Today, may we hear your words of peace and love
May we enact them in every part of our lives
And may we be rooted in the truth of your image being at the very heart of our shared humanity.
In the name of Christ, the Prince of Peace we pray
Amen
Rev’d Jez Hackett – Superintendent of Bury Methodist Circuit”
The Bury Circuit statement can be viewed on Facebook here.
The Manchester Methodist Circuit have released the statement below:
“The Manchester Circuit, and the Methodists at Crumpsall Methodist Church, are shocked and saddened by the events of today, on this most special of days for the Jewish community.
We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community in Manchester, and share their shock at such an appalling attack.
Manchester is a place of unity – choosing to come together as a community in the face of fear and hate.
Our thoughts and prayers are offered for those impacted and affected today.
We are grateful to those involved in the ongoing work of community building in Crumpsall and across our city, especially at this time the emergency services and our community faith leaders.”
The Manchester Circuit statement can be viewed on Facebook here.
A statement has been released from multi-faith leaders through the GMCA Faith and Belief Advisory Panel:
“We stand in solidarity with the local Jewish community following a serious incident at a synagogue in north Manchester. This is an appalling attack on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year.
We share the Mayor of Greater Manchester`s thoughts: “We think of them and their families as they recover from this incident”.
We affirm the work of the emergency services and pray for the wider Jewish community who are understandably in shock.
We ask that people do not speculate on any aspect of the incident.
Today and every other day the Faith Communities in Greater Manchester actively stand together against hate and with our diverse communities.”