"Who am I as a Pilgrim and a Migrant?"

Between 3rd and 6th October leaders and representatives of Methodist, Wesleyan, United and Uniting churches from across Europe gathered for the Autumn Meeting of the European Methodist Council (EMC).

The meeting brought together voices from across Europe and the global Methodist family to explore how faith, migration, and identity intersect in today’s changing world. The reflections shared at the gathering offer encouragement and challenge for our own church communities in Britain.

God’s beloved

One of the most moving reflections was the call to listen to one another’s stories and recognise that we are all part of God’s family. Sharing life together—across cultures, languages, and experiences—helps us see the image of God in each person. As one participant said, “Migration will always be part of our human story. Our calling is to move from ‘them’ to ‘us’—to see all people as God’s beloved.” This is a challenge to open our hearts and homes, and to walk alongside those who are seeking welcome and belonging.

Moving from integration to inclusion and belonging

A highlight of the weekend was a session called “Walking with the City: Faith, Dialogue, and Public Witness,” which explored how churches can play a vital role in building understanding and inclusion in society. Through a public conversation with a local civic leader from Hamburg, Germany, participants heard how interfaith initiatives were helping foster civic cohesion.

This led to group discussions about how churches can become true communities of belonging—moving beyond simple integration to genuine inclusion. Stories from across Europe revealed both the challenges and the creative responses churches are making as they continue to welcome and walk alongside migrant and refugee communities.

Courage and compassion

There was also a strong sense that being a pilgrim is about walking with courage in a divided world. In response to growing polarization and extremism, the conference reflected on how European Methodists can respond with courage and compassion. Reaffirming the Church’s calling to create safe and welcoming spaces for all and to speak out for peace and justice.

Rediscovering a pilgrim identity

Reflections led by representatives of the African Methodist Council and the World Methodist Council encouraged participants to rediscover the pilgrim identity of God’s people and to see migration not as a crisis, but as a shared opportunity. Their presence reminded the gathering that the European Methodist story is part of a worldwide journey of justice, peace, and discipleship. The World Methodist Council’s vision of a “Connexion of Connexions” placed the Conference’s conversations in the context of a worldwide family united in love, respect, and shared mission across all borders.

Pilgrims of hope

The gathering ended with a renewed commitment to walk together in faith—listening to one anothers stories and living out God’s reconciling love Europe and beyond. The image of being “pilgrims of hope” was a powerful one: people on the move, not alone, but journeying together in faith and service.

For our churches here in Britain, this is an invitation to reflect: How are we walking with those who feel displaced? How are we creating spaces of welcome? And how are we living as pilgrims—open to God’s leading, and ready to journey with others?

The full press release from the European Methodist Council can be read here

The EMC exists to connect Methodism in Europe, bringing together leaders from across the region for prayer, reflection, learning and discussion on the issues facing the church in Europe. It provides opportunities for churches to work together to greater understand shared challenges and to support each other so that we can all be more effective in God’s mission. The Methodist Church in Britain is a member of EMC and benefits greatly from the journeying together with our European partner churches.