08 August 2011
Methodist minister in Tottenham offers support to victims of London riots
The minister of St Mark's Methodist Church in High Road,
Tottenham, is among a group of Christian leaders offering support
to the victims of the riots in Tottenham.
This afternoon Methodist minister the Revd Dr Valentin Dedji will
visit the family of Mark Duggan who was shot dead on Thursday. The
Revd Dr Valentin Dedji, who has been a Methodist minster in
Tottenham for 11 years, said that the damage caused by the riots
was horrendous.
"There are many families who have become homeless overnight," he
said. "Many public services and private businesses have been
destroyed. The rebuilding process will be long.
"We work very strongly ecumenically in Tottenham. We think that it
is our mandate to grieve with those who are grieving. We want to
support the families and victims of the riots; to be with them and
to pray with them whenever there is loss of life. We don't know yet
why or what happened; that is part of the healing process."
This evening Christians will gather with other faith leaders in
Tottenham to hold a peace vigil in Monument Way at 7pm.
"I have received calls from Australia, Canada, France and Kenya
offering support," said the Revd Dr Valentin Dedji. "The support
from colleagues, ordinary community members and friends from abroad
has been very uplifting. What we need is the continuing prayerful
support from everyone. Above all, may God give us his wisdom, his
spirit of discernment and guidance."