Network of Activists
The Network of Methodist Activists began as a group of Methodist friends who believed that those engaged in activism within the church needed mutual support. It’s not a campaigning organisation with a single focus, but a community that encourages one another in the often challenging and isolating journey of seeking justice.
Members of the network are motivated by their faith. We draw strength from the Methodist tradition, which has long been committed to both spiritual and political transformation. At one of our gatherings, someone asked: “How can we be recognised as people of faith - specifically as Methodists - when we’re part of a larger crowd at a demonstration?” Many groups carry banners that clearly show who they are. But using a banner that simply says ‘The Methodist Church’ wasn’t appropriate, as not every protest aligns with an official church position. Still, we wanted to be visible as Christians and Methodists.
That’s when the phrase ‘We are Methodists’ was suggested. Its simplicity and clarity allow us to be identified without claiming to speak for the whole church.
Since then, the banner has appeared at various demonstrations. It has helped others recognise our presence and sparked meaningful conversations. People have said, “It’s good to see the church is here.” Others have asked why we care about certain issues, leading to discussions about our faith, God’s hopes for the world, and even personal stories - like someone sharing memories of attending a Methodist church in their youth.
People attend protests for many reasons, but all seek change. Those who carry the ‘We are Methodists’ banner do so because they long for a better, more just world - one that reflects God’s kingdom. Whether it’s climate injustice, economic inequality, hostility toward refugees or the horrors of war, these are not part of God’s vision. That’s why our banner will continue to be seen at demonstrations where justice, dignity and fullness of life for all are being sought – and so that those outside the church catch a glimpse of what our faith says about the world.
Jo's Story
On 7 October 2019 at around 9am, I sat down in the road on Lambeth Bridge in central London. I was swiftly arrested and carried to the end of the bridge by four police officers, where I waited for some time with another arrestee for transport to a police station. Once I’d been booked in, I was held in a cell until around 5am the following morning. I was with others from Christian Climate Action and other faith groups affiliated with Extinction Rebellion (including Jews, Muslims, Buddhists) meeting together in prayer and protest.
Unsurprisingly, I met mixed responses. Some people said it was wrong to disrupt ordinary people’s lives, and that I was wasting the time and resources of the police. It was a while before I could return to working with schools because it was around this time that Extinction Rebellion had been placed on the counter-terrorism policing ‘Prevent’ list of extremist ideologies – something that was later retracted as a ‘mistake’. But I was overwhelmed by the number of people within and outside of the Church who thanked me for publicly taking a stand. It has opened up many opportunities for conversations with people of all ages about justice, God and creation care.
I thought and prayed long and hard about whether to get involved, whether it as acceptable to go as far as being arrested for the climate. The process of discernment is a bit of a jigsaw – here are some of the key pieces:
In 2015, Cumbria (where I was stationed as a minister) was hit by storm Desmond, causing enormous disruption. Bridges and roads weren’t blocked by protesters, but washed away, leaving some communities with 80-mile detours for as long as five months. In comparison, blocking some bridges in central London for a few hours or days is a small inconvenience. There will be much worse to come, and we as a country have far more resources to cope with the effects of climate disruption than some of those hardest hit.
I was impressed by the ethos of Extinction Rebellion – the firm commitment to non-violence and acting in love, with a clear commitment to standing for and on behalf of all people and the whole earth, including the police and any others involved in opposing their action. Extinction Rebellion haven’t always got everything right – it’s a human organisation – but I was particularly inspired by the witness of retired priest Sue Parfitt and retired lecturer Phil Kingston, being arrested in their late seventies and eighties.
I felt God spoke clearly to me in a Connexional committee (of all places!) when we were led in devotions using 2 Samuel 12 – the story of Nathan challenging King David. The speaker wasn’t talking about climate justice, but I heard that story with fresh power. We, the developed world, are already using far more than our fair share of the earth’s resources, and yet we continue to take from the world’s poorest communities. Nathan took a huge risk, and we as Christians are also called to take risks in order to speak truth to the power.
It struck me that protest is like pulling the red alarm handle to stop a train. The sign says ‘penalty for improper use’ – if we pulled the handle because someone spilt their coffee, we would rightly be in trouble. But there are occasions when pulling the handle is exactly what is needed. I and so many others had already tried letters, petitions, marches and changing our own lifestyle. Something bigger is needed to make people take notice – we still need the driver to stop the train that is hurtling into the climate crisis.
I did think carefully about the personal cost – I could have been fined, even imprisoned, and left with a criminal record. For many people this would end their career, and I’d be the first to say this has to be a considered decision based on personal circumstances – there are many ways to support without actually being arrested. But my understanding of the Church’s safeguarding processes is that the nature of any offence is taken into account when deciding whether someone poses a risk in their role. I felt reasonably confident that non-violent direct action at a climate protest would be understood by the Church as the faith-motivated call for justice that it is. So, wearing my collar, I sat down in the road as a witness – for my children, for all God’s creation. If not me, then who?
Hannah's Story
In 2023, I took part in two prayer vigils outside the Labour and Conservative Party Conferences, organised by Joint Public Issues Team and Christians Against Poverty. The vigils highlighted the urgent need to take action to end UK poverty and took place as conference attendees visited the event.
As we prayed for people affected by poverty and political leaders at the conferences, we stood in solidarity with people struggling against poverty and demonstrating our concern to decision makers. I found them powerful opportunities to deepen my commitment to take action.