Northern Ireland

Young Methodists take stand against racism

The Irish Methodist Youth Ambassadors have released a video and statement in support of the wave of anti-racism protests
The Irish Methodist Youth Ambassadors have released a video and statement in support of the wave of anti-racism protests The Irish Methodist Youth Ambassadors have released a video and statement in support of the wave of anti-racism protests

YOUNG Irish Methodists have joined the wave of anti-racism protests by urging people to take a stand and say "enough is enough".

A group called the Ambassadors, who represent and advocate for children and young people in the Methodist Church, said they felt "called to continue highlighting and responding to the ongoing events around the world as a response to the killings of George Floyd and many others from the black community".

"Racism is a massive globe-spanning issue, and whilst the media have been portraying that it is mainly an American issue, we know that this is not the case," they said in a statement accompanied by a YouTube video.

There was an urgent need "to follow in the Methodist tradition of standing up against racism, established even before the abolition of slavery" and say that "racism in any form is not OK".

Although there is a "beautiful diversity" in congregations, they said "we can be striving to do more".

"We recognise that racism and discrimination are still real issues which affect the everyday lives of some people living in our very own communities and churches.

"For those of you who are wounded and scarred because of how these issues have affected you, we stand beside you and are praying with and for you.

"This cannot just be a one-off statement; this must be an ongoing and personal process too.

"We all have a part to play, both individually and as a church family."

Meanwhile, the Church will today install its new president, the Rev Dr Tom McKnight, and lay leader Hazel Loney, in a livestreamed ceremony.