In the wake of the cruel and needless death of George Floyd and the widespread cry for an end to the "polemic of racism" we call upon our Methodist people to stand up against the sin of racism. Let us not just condemn the wicked actions of others in the present or the past, but let us examine our own hearts and attitudes. Like the related evil of sectarianism, racism can be deeply ingrained and yet hidden, under a veneer of respectability. In doing so, we are not saying anything new.

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected every country in the world. Very few countries have been able to limit its impact, and for most, Covid-19 continues to be a very serious threat.

However, the rapid development of several safe and effective vaccines is good news. We give thanks to God for this precious gift. As with many precious gifts, we want to ensure that vaccines are used effectively and shared generously.