‘THE WORLD DESERVES LEADERS WITH GENUINE AND SINCERE FAITH’

The Methodist Parliamentary fellowship hosted its annual Parliamentary Covenant Service on Tuesday, 16th January 2024, in the historic chapel of St Mary Undercroft in the Palace of Westminster. The event witnessed the gathering of Members of Parliament and Lords, fostering a spirit of unity and reflection, despite votes on the government's Rwanda Bill taking place in the House of Parliament above.

Among the Members of both houses taking part were Cat Smith MP, Sir Gary Streeter MP the Rt Hon the Lord Stunell OBE, the Baroness Sherlock OBE and The Revd Dr Leslie Griffiths; The Lord Griffiths of Bury Port presided over Holy Communion. Leading ‘The Covenant’ was the President and Vice President of Conference, (Revd Gill Newton and Deacon Kerry Scarlett) and Revd Tony Miles, Superintendent Minister of MCHW was the preacher.

Revd Tony Miles, who along with the team at Methodist Central Hall Westminster organises the event said: ‘It's biblical to pray for our leaders. This includes those serve in the House of Commons and House of Lords. The world deserves leaders with genuine and sincere faith; people with integrity and compassion; people who can be trusted and who put others first; people who speak up for the oppressed and marginalised; people who seek after justice and peace. This special service is an opportunity those gathered to make or renew their covenant with God: promising actively to do, or patiently accept, whatever God's will is.' Mr. Miles pondered one of John Wesley's probing questions in his sermon, "How is it with your soul?"

### ENDS ###

Notes

1. Methodist Central Hall is a global Christian family following Jesus at the heart of London. With members from over 35 national groupings the church has been based in its historic building since 1912. In 1946 the church moved out for two months so that the first meeting of the United Nations could take place in the Great Hall.

2. The Methodist Church has long associations with political life. John Wesley was much concerned with the poor and marginalised in 18th Century Britain, many of whom were excluded from participation in the established Church as well suffering from economic deprivation.Many of the early trade unionists, including the Tolpuddle Martyrs, were members of Methodist churches.

3. The Methodist Parliamentary Fellowship is drawn from members of both Houses of Parliament, has met for many years and holds an annual Parliamentary Methodist Covenant service in the chapel at the Palace of Westminster.