Tony Holden thank-you note {May 2026} ‘Radical disciple – the influence and significance of John J. Vincent’ [Ian K. Duffield and Robert P. Hoch-Yidokodiltona 2025].  

Thank you very much to all who made this book happen. I retired as a Methodist minister in 2003 so my involvement with John and UTU was a long-time ago.  

I was at the London Bow Mission (with many), under David Moore’s leadership, from 1976-1987. Within its largesse, Barbara and I were able to develop our own commitments.  

For Barbara this was 30 years in the London Borough of Newham’s Community Education, interfaith dialogue, and the women’s movement.  

For me it was focussing on racial justice and urban mission including UTU. I was half-time as minister at Stratford Methodist Church E15 where we had our greatly valued experience of a local church and congregation.  

Within those years I worked in the regional ecumenical Zebra Project (on black and white partnership), as chair of the (national) Christian’s Against Racism and Fascism, as editor of (the ecumenical) One for Christian Renewal. And finally for the Methodist Division of Social Responsibility (as field-officer for multi-racial projects).  

From 1987-1999 I was the Methodist Church’s officer for urban mission, the ‘Mission alongside the poor’ Programme, and worked in committee and editing with Anglican Urban Mission and as a trustee of what is now Citizens UK.  

So, [from within the Methodist and ecumenical institutional churches], I worked with John including when he was Methodist President, I visited UTU (often staying with David Dale), and – as the essayists – valued John’s exceptional leadership, encouragement, practice and northernness.  

Now at 85 I’m limited by ill-health and a wheelchair. It all does feel a long time ago. But it was worth the doing. It was greatly enriched by many marvellous people – including John and Grace. So, thank you for the book. Thank you for JJV. Our best wishes to him and to UTU. Our love to all who work for justice and peace and “alongside the poor and disadvantaged.” Tony and Barbara Holden.