Essex Container Deaths
National News: October 2019
The Moderators of the United Reformed Church (URC) General Assembly, the Revd Nigel Uden and Derek Estill, have offered a prayer for the families and friends of the 39 people whose bodies were found in a container lorry on an industrial estate in Grays, Essex, this morning. They have also expressed their shock and outrage at the abuse and exploitation that lead to those deaths.
"We have learned with shock of the deaths of thirty-nine people in a lorry container that arrived in Essex from Bulgaria."
"With all people of goodwill, we are appalled that incidents of this nature occur. The suffering and then death of so many people is a tragedy. The callous abuse and exploitation of some by others is an outrage."
"And the broader issues of a world where people end up feeling they must seek refuge in so perilous a way require urgent attention."
"Most immediately, we express sympathy to bereaved families and friends, and urge prayer for justice and peace."
Eternal God,
whose best name is Love,
we pray
with people who seek refuge,
with people who mourn,
with people who offer care,
that in a bewildering world,
the light of love might disperse
the shadows of abuse,
through Jesus Christ,
who lived that we might know love
and died that we might live,
Amen
The Revd Nigel Uden and Derek Estill
Moderators of the United Reformed Church General Assembly
Please feel free to use and share this prayer.
Read the BBC News story
Published 23 October, 2019
You may also be interested in

Going Bananas!Going Bananas! is the headline theme for this year 'Holiday Club' at Hoddesdon Methodist Church.Run daily between 25 — 29 July, between 9.50am and 12 Noon it looks like a lot of fun will be had by all!If you'd like more information please email: janice...

You are invited to join us on Saturday 21 May between 11am and 2pm for our Spring Fair at Christ Church, Waltham Cross.We will have lots of plants for sale, a cake stall, 'bottle' tombola and Raffle Tombola, delicious Hotdogs, refreshing tea and coffee to revive you!The funds raised on the day will be shared equally between Christian Aid and our Church funds.Al are...

Every gift. Every action. Every prayer. Every one of us can change lives.Click here to donate via our online envelopeDrought starves. It robs women of the power to farm and grow food for their families. Now, for the first time in a generation, global poverty is rising. Covid-19, conflict and the climate crisis...
Calendar

St Andrew's Methodist Church, The Stow, Harlow, CM20 3AF

Leaside Church, High Street, Ware, SG12 9BT

Hoddesdon Methodist Church

Ongar URC, High Street, Ongar, CM5 9EA
News stories




Publications



