All Are Welcome

With tensions rising in communities across the UK, the Methodist Church has released a new recording of the hymn ‘Let us build a house where love can dwell’, known to many as ‘All Are Welcome’. More than 140 Methodist churches contributed their voices to the project.

The hymn is intended as a response to the recent protests in London, the disorder outside the accommodation of those seeking asylum and the 'Raise the Colours' campaign that have all led to a growing sense of intimidation. Crosses and other Christian symbols have even been seen at some demonstrations where they have been used to communicate hate rather than love.

Ben Lawrence, Digital Content Producer at the Methodist Church, who wrote the arrangement and produced the recording, commented, “Many people have been made to feel, not just unwelcome, but frightened and intimidated by what is happening. We want this to be a song of reassurance, friendship and understanding.”

“When we posted the invitation for churches to record their contribution we were staggered by the response,” continued Ben. “Within 48 hours of making the ask, over 100 church groups had sent in their recordings, illustrating the strength of feeling held by many when faced with intimidation in their communities.”

“The Methodist Church proclaims itself to be inclusive and justice-seeking,” said the Revd Jonathan Hustler, Secretary of the Methodist Conference. “We believe that the Church has been called into being to proclaim that God’s love is indiscriminate and unbounded, and which seeks to become a sign of God’s reign from which no one is excluded and in which no one is devalued."

‘Let us build a house where love can dwell’ was written by the American Lutheran composer Marty Haugen for the opening of a church building. Published in 1997, it has become widely used as a hymn of gathering.

It is hoped that Methodist Churches and those Christian groups will play and share the hymn in the coming weeks to reassure everyone in their communities that all truly are welcome.