London bombings:
British Methodists
rendered first help

By KATHLEEN LaCAMERA

LONDON -- In the early moments after bomb blasts rocked London on July 7, Methodist churches in the city centre did whatever they could to help people caught up in the explosions.


More than 50 were killed dead and as many as 700 wounded. Located across the street from the train station where one of the rush-hour bombs exploded, King's Cross Methodist Church opened its doors to those who were wounded, in shock or stranded in the immediate aftermath of the blast.


Deacon Janice Hacon, who lives above the church, said: "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. Some people were brought here to wait for ambulances, while others found their way to us on their own."


Several kilometres 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.


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.


The Rev 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 as 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 Methodist Church in Britain, 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 organisation.


"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." -- United Methodist News Service.

Kathleen LaCamera is a United Methodist News Service correspondent based in England.

THE REV TOM STUCKEY:
Issued statement expressing
outrage and concern.
-- UMNS picture.

QUOTE:

PAIN AND DESTRUCTION

'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.'