From the Minister

     October 2025                                                           

Dear Friends,

When I returned from holiday late August, I was surprised and a little disturbed to see the number of union and St George's flags that had sprung up around the country and in Sudbury. I am proud to be British and I'll happily get the red, white and blue bunting out for a royal wedding or wave a flag at a special event, but there seems to be a sinister subtext in this recent display of nationalism that feels frightening and I know that friends from different ethnic groups feel intimidated.  Whilst many displays wish to show pride in our country, some individuals are using the flags as a symbol of far-right ideology, indicating that certain people are not welcome here.

The flags led me to reflect on the stories that we all tell often unconsciously, by our words, by our actions and by use of symbols. This led me to find out a little more about the real St George and I wonder how many of those displaying the flag know his story.

St George was a Greek, who was raised in Cappadocia, now in modern day Turkey. He was a committed Christian who served in the Roman army and who was martyred under emperor Diocletian. He was made a saint in the fourth century and is celebrated in most main Christian traditions as well as being considered holy by Muslims. He is the patron saint of, amongst others, England, Georgia, Malta, Portugal, Ethiopia and Ukraine.  Little is known about his life other than his dedication to his faith and the legend of the dragon was not attributed to him until about 5 centuries after his death!

So, the story of the real St George is one of faith and commitment and his legacy is as a figure that unites many different people and countries.  It is a story of courage, faith and service that is part of the best of our country’s values.  How can we share this part of the story and seek to overcome the division that seems to be fanned by inflammatory posts in the press and social media and figures such as Tommy Robinson and the English Defence League.

The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Course reminds us that ‘in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, nor slave nor free nor male nor female, but all are one in Christ Jesus’.  We are called to recognise and affirm our common humanity and we do this as we listen, address the concerns of the anxious from every background and make space for the vulnerable to be heard.  We do this in our own use of language and social media and in the stories that we tell.  May we seek to make our stories reflect God’s story of love and respect to reclaim the cross of St George for all.  May we be active in supporting and defending the vulnerable and in asserting that all are welcome in the Methodist Church.

 

God bless.