As God’s Church, the Body of Christ, we are all called in our rich diversity and difference to reflect the love of God to the world as we proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ in word and action. Despite our calling, we too often struggle to live with difference and fail to reflect God’s diverse creation. Racial Justice is one part of the way we work out our calling as the Church for all people for the sake of a broken and divided world.
In December 2023, Diocesan Synod passed ten recommendations for ways in which our Diocese might engage more intentionally with racial justice.
The main two principles are:
The Diocesan Synod reaffirms that all people are created in the image of God and are equal, and recognises that Racial Justice is a particular focus which sits within a larger commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in our diocese.- The Diocesan Synod affirms Racial Justice as a key priority for each one of us in our mission and is an urgent response to some of the injustices, inequalities and prejudices experienced daily in our communities and churches, yet unseen by many in our congregations.
You can read the full report including all ten recommendations here.
Racial Justice Task Group
We are putting together a Racial Justice Task Group. If you feel like this is something you would like to be involved in or if you would like to know more, please contact the Rt Revd Mark Wroe, Bishop of Berwick bishopofberwick@newcastle.anglican.org .
Resources
From Lament to Action
In June 2020 the Church of England’s House of Bishops agreed to the creation of an Archbishops’ Taskforce, which would lead to a Commission. They mandated these groups to implement “significant cultural and structural change” on issues of racial justice within the Church of England.
‘From Lament to Action’ proposes a suite of changes to begin bringing about a change of culture in the life of the Church of England. Read the full report (published April 2021).
Racial Justice Sunday
Racial Justice Sunday is for all churches to reflect on the importance of racial justice, to give thanks for the gifts and beauty of human diversity, and to commit to end racism and acts of discrimination.
Racial Justice Sunday is marked on 11 February 2024. There are a range of liturgical resources from The Church of England and worship resources from Churches Together in Britain and Ireland.
Stephen Lawrence Day
On 22 April 1993, at the age of just 18, Stephen was murdered in an unprovoked racist attack. Stephen Lawrence Day, marked each year on 22 April, is an opportunity for people, communities, and organisations to come together and honour Stephen’s life and legacy, stand up against discrimination in our daily lives, and work towards a more hopeful tomorrow. A range of resources from the Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation can be found here.
Black History Month
Black History Month, celebrated each October, is a momentous occasion to recognise and celebrate the invaluable contributions of black people to British society. Find out more and download resources here.
A prayer
Merciful God,
You are righteous and love justice:
Stir the hearts of your people that,
Rejoicing in our diversity,
We may repent of the wrongs of the past,
And, by your grace, seek the peaceable kingdom of your Son,
Our Saviour Jesus Christ,
Who lives and reigns with you,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God, now and for ever.
Amen.