British Methodists help those caught up in London bombings
July 7, 2005
By Kathleen LaCamera*
LONDON (UMNS)—In the early moments after bomb blasts rocked the city, Methodist churches in the city center did whatever they could to help people caught up in the explosions.
News agencies reported that 37 were dead and as many as 700 wounded following the July 7 blasts. Located across the street from the train station where one of the rush-hour bombs exploded, Kings Cross Methodist Church opened its doors to those who were wounded, in shock or stranded in the immediate aftermath of the blast.
“We didn’t hear the blast but we heard the sirens, and as soon as we knew what was going on, we opened up and started serving cups of tea,” reported Deacon Janice Hacon, who lives above the church. “Some people were brought here to wait for ambulances, while others found their way to us on their own.”
Several miles away from the main areas affected by the blasts, officials at Methodist Central Hall, near the Houses of Parliament, opened the church’s chapel and restaurant to anyone who needed support and practical help.
“There’s very little information right now. Lots of people are confused. All transportation is closed down,” the Rev. Tony Miles told United Methodist News Service. “We’ve got signs out saying the chapel is open for prayer. People are here to offer help and support to those in distress. We’re just offering what we can.”
Those seeking refuge at Methodist Central Hall included a Methodist minister from Liverpool leading a group of young people from Liverpool and India on a day trip to London. Though details were sketchy, Central Hall staff said one of the Liverpool girls became separated from the group and ended up on a subway train that was bombed. At church, staff helped the group make phone contact with the girl and establish she was unharmed. She had yet to be reunited with the group.
Central Hall staff helped other members of the group call home to Liverpool and India to let worried relatives know they were OK.
“We’re taking every moment as it comes,” Miles said. “We’re trying to keep calm and meet people where their need is. People here are relatively calm. Most people in London are determined to carry on with things the best as they can. As a church, we’re praying for those affected and especially for those who are bereaved. They are in the forefront of our thoughts.”
As investigators worked to establish who was responsible for the bombings, the Rev. David Deeks, top staff executive of the British Methodist Church, and the Rev. Tom Stuckey, president of the Methodist Conference, released a statement on behalf of the British Methodist Church:
“We add our voices to those expressing horror, outrage and concern at the attacks on London this morning. We hope that nobody will use these attacks as an excuse to attack others, but we would also want those who carried out these attacks to see for themselves the pain and destruction they have caused. We pray for all those affected, and for those who are working tirelessly to rescue, aid and support them.”
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland and the Muslim Council of Britain issued a joint statement condemning the attacks “in the strongest possible terms.” The Methodist Church is a member of the churches organization.
“The scriptures and the traditions of both the Muslim and Christian communities repudiate the use of such violence,” the two groups said. “Religious precepts cannot be used to justify such crimes, which are completely contrary to our teaching and practice.”
Methodist staff who work in London national church offices — some within a mile of several bomb blast locations — reported facing severe problems in getting out of the British capital July 7 and began leaving for home within hours of the bombings.
At Kings Cross Methodist Church, nearly nine hours after the initial blasts, Deacon Janet Hays reported that the streets outside were “quite deserted.”
“There are a few police and ambulances around,” she said. “We still have a couple of people here who can’t get home. It’s strange to have this happening on your doorstep.”
*LaCamera is a United Methodist News Service correspondent based in England.
News media contact: Linda Bloom, New York, (646) 369-3759 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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