Migration and Pilgrimage

Around 25 European countries were represented when the European Methodist Council gathered in Hamburg at the beginning of October 2025 for its annual meeting.
 
From October 3 to 6, 2025, around 30 leaders from Methodist, Wesleyan and United Churches came together for the meeting of the European Methodist Council (EMC) in Hamburg. The discussions focused on the topics of migration and pilgrimage, with particular attention paid to migration as a common concern of all Churches.
In a discussion with Martin Mujinga, Chair of the African Methodist Council, it was emphasized that the Bible is a story of migration and that God, as a "migrant God", is at the side of people on the move. The social significance of migration was discussed in talks with the Hamburg State Councilor and with Leo Reynaldo Ferreira, General Secretary of the World Methodist Council (WMC).
The EMC sees itself as a forum for church leaders. It was noticeable at the meeting that there was an above-average representation of male pastors. The Council is aware of this challenge and is striving to increase the involvement of women and volunteer members. Several people who had shaped the work of the Council for many years have now retired. The upcoming generational change opens up opportunities for a new direction.
The meeting also included a farewell to Ullas Tankler, who had long served as Europe Secretary for the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM), the mission agency of The United Methodist Church. The organization announced that it will decide on the future filling of this position in early 2026.
The Global Methodist Church's application for membership of the EMC and the African Methodist Council was also discussed. Both bodies referred the request to the WMC and reaffirmed its position that reconciliation between the Global Methodist Church and The United Methodist Church is a prerequisite for membership.
The Mission in Europe Fund received a one-off donation of around GBP 500,000 from the British Methodist Church. The amount will be used to fund Europe-wide projects, particularly those that strengthen international Methodist relationships.
The funding is also important in view of the work of the new European Methodist Youth and Children's Forum (EMYCF). For many young adults, these international contacts are a crucial opportunity to experience Methodist identity and community beyond national borders - and after years without European events for young people and young adults, there is a lot of catching up to do in this respect.
Reference was also made to the European Lay Seminar, which will take place in Velletri, Italy, from October 9 to 14, 2026. The theme is "Peace, justice and creation: is there still hope?" This seminar is also an opportunity for young adults who have not been able to experience international church encounters during the pandemic - but is open to people of all generations. In this way, the EMC wants to make a further contribution to ensuring that the Methodist community in Europe remains alive and that new generations also take on responsibility in the church.
 
Source: Report by Maria Sonnleithner / Sigmar Friedrich
 
 
European Methodist Council
As the regional representation of the World Methodist Council, the European Methodist Council gives the Methodist, Wesleyan and United Churches a common voice in a changing European landscape. People from the Methodist family of churches in Europe meet regularly to better understand common challenges and support each other so that all can fulfill God's mission more effectively.