Manchester Synagogue Attack

The President and Vice-President of the Methodist Conference and local Methodists have responded with prayers, sadness and solidarity to this morning's attack at a Manchester synagogue.

The President and Vice-President expressed their shock at the terror attack at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation.

The President said, "This is terrible and shocking news especially on such a holy day for the Jewish community. We pray with those who mourn and reaffirm our commitment to overcoming division in our communities. Antisemitism must be named for what it is, a sin against God, and I encourage the Methodist people to reach out to our Jewish neighbours with words of prayer, support and condolence."

Holy God, who breaks down the walls of division,

we cry out to you in solidarity with our Jewish sisters and brothers following the abhorrent attack upon life and community in Greater Manchester.

We pray that those who have died may rest in your eternal peace and that you would comfort those who mourn.

We pray for those in our communities who are afraid to walk the streets because of their faith and traditions.

On this day held especially holy to the Jewish community, we pray that you would guide our path and lead us through the wilderness.

Where there is enmity, we pray for peace; where there is division, healing; and where there is hatred, a mending of broken bonds.

Holy God, bring reconciliation to our nation that all might live justly and peacefully in the land.

Amen.

The Revd Jez Hackett, Superintendent of Bury Methodist Circuit, shared the following statement and prayer:

We in the Bury Methodist Circuit stand with and pray for our Jewish sisters and brothers in response to the appalling attack on the Jewish Community at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue. An attack on any day would be awful but on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish Calendar, it is made even worse.

There may be many things that make communities different, but our humanity is rooted in the shared belief that we are made in the image of God, and we offer our wholehearted support, love and prayers to the Jewish Community in Bury, Manchester, and across the country.

As it has so often in the past, we are sure Manchester will rise in response to these horrible events as a city united, demonstrating the love and care that makes this region such a special place to live, and we will do all we can to be a part of that.

God of peace,

We offer you our prayers for the community of the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue,

For those who have been injured, we pray for your healing.

For those who filled with fear and anxiety, we pray for your peace.

For those who have bravely responded from the public and emergency services, we pray for strength.

For those in the wider community who are hurting at the wounds to their local brothers and sisters, we pray for comfort.

Today, may we hear your words of peace and love.

May we enact them in every part of our lives.

And may we be rooted in the truth of your image being at the very heart of our shared humanity.

In the name of Christ, the Prince of Peace we pray.

Amen.

The Manchester Circuit, and the Methodists at Crumpsall Methodist Church, released the following statement:

We are shocked and saddened by the events of today, on this most special of days for the Jewish community.

We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community in Manchester, and share their shock at such an appalling attack.

Manchester is a place of unity - choosing to come together as a community in the face of fear and hate.

Our thoughts and prayers are offered for those impacted and affected today.

We are grateful to those involved in the ongoing work of community building in Crumpsall and across our city, especially at this time the emergency services and our community faith leaders.

We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community in Manchester, and share their shock at such an appalling attack.

The Revd Ian Rutherford, City Centre Minister, Methodist Central Hall Manchester, Co-Chair of the Greater Manchester Faith and Belief Advisory Panel and a member of GM Faith Community Leaders, released the following joint statement:

"We stand in solidarity with the local Jewish community following a serious incident at a synagogue in north Manchester. This is an appalling attack on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year.

We share the Mayor of Greater Manchester`s thoughts: "We think of them and their families as they recover from this incident”.

We affirm the work of the emergency services and pray for the wider Jewish community who are understandably in shock.

We ask that people do not speculate on any aspect of the incident.

Today and every other day the Faith Communities in Greater Manchester actively stand together against hate and with our diverse communities.”