Churches vote to stand with the poor
The Methodists and the URC have commited to stand with us alongside people in poverty
In the first ever joint meeting of the United Reformed Church Mission Council and the Methodist Council, the Councils voted to work together to challenge the causes of poverty and inequality ingrained in British society.
The joint meeting took place at the Hayes Conference Centre in Swanwick, Derbyshire, on 13-15 October and encouraged members of both Councils to explore the areas in which the Churches might be most effective when working together.
Council members voted to confirm their commitment to the living wage, to stand alongside those poorest and most vulnerable, and to campaign for benefit and wage policies that allow people to live and work in dignity. This will involve working with other partners, including the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Church Action on Poverty.
The Revd Dr Kirsty Thorpe, Moderator of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church, reflecting on the council, commented: ���The joint sessions have shown that the two denominations share much, perhaps more than they ever imagined. On issues such as poverty and the commitment to the young people and children in our congregations we share a common mind. It has been a positive three days and as a result of our time together we have reaffirmed our shared commitment to Jesus and our desire to serve him.���
���This joint meeting signals a real appetite in both Churches for being the best we can be as Christian disciples,��� added the Revd Alison Tomlin, President of the Methodist Conference. ���In all our discussions we have seen a deeper commitment to working together to make Christ���s love known in the world, to challenge poverty and injustice wherever we find it and to support and share with one another on our different journeys.���
