“But God has put the body together…so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it.”
~ 1 Corinthians 12.24-26
“Racism is a gaping wound in the body of Christ”
~ Lord Boateng, Chair of the Archbishops’ Anti-Racism Task Force, Address to General Synod 2021
“My desire is for us to be a Christ-like and Jesus-shaped community that reflects every race and heritage in the Diocese of York: in our mission, our congregations and our leadership”
~ Archbishop Stephen, Foreword to Diocese of York Racial Justice Charter.
The Diocese of York is committed to growing healthy churches which reflect the diverse nature of the multi-cultural and multi-ethnic kingdom of God. This is rooted in our common Baptism which confers on each of us an identity of those who belong to Christ and to each other. Baptism reminds us of our fundamental dignity as human beings and calls us to resist sin, including the sin of racism.
Diocese of York Racial Justice Charter
In November 2022, the Diocesan Synod adopted a Racial Justice Charter.The Charter explains how the work of anti-racism and the aim of improving diversity and inclusion in the church are part of the wider priorities of our Diocesan strategy Living Christ’s Story.
The Charter requires the diocese to honour a set of commitments. Some of these commitments arise from the report From Lament to Action which was the work of the Archbishops’ Anti-Racism Taskforce.
From Lament to Action names the racism that is embedded in our society and its institutions. It tackles the legacy of empire and the Transatlantic Slave Trade and of how this has been memorialised in monuments and statues. It shines a light on attitudes of a fear of those who are different. It also highlights the lack of progress and change in the church and the actions needed to address it so that our churches can be places where everyone can fully participate.
In April 2022, a Diocese of York Racial Justice Advocates Group was commissioned. It exists to:
Support clergy, lay leaders and churches in the work of becoming anti-racist;
Provide a safe space, prayer and support for Global Majority Heritage clergy and lay leaders in the Diocese of York who have experienced, or continue to experience racism, in their ministries;
Pray for the work of racial justice in the Diocese of York.
The Diocese of York Racial Justice Advocates Group is made up of people from diverse backgrounds and experiences who are passionate about working towards racial justice. The group meets three times a year and is open to all.
The group is led by co-chairs Yvonne Bowling and Revd Rob Suekarran. Racial Justice Advocates in each Archdeaconry are available to preach or visit churches to support them in their work of becoming anti-racist.
Get in touch if you would like to explore becoming a Racial Justice Advocate, or would like an advocate visit your church.
In 2024 Gerald Fox became the Racial Justice Education Adviser for the Diocese. His role is to help resource parishes and lay and ordained ministers to understand diversity and inclusion, to be able to embrace difference well, and to become individuals and communities who are anti-racist. Gerald is happy to hear from you if you have any questions about, or would like to explore resources around, the issue of racial justice.
This is a suggested reading list of books about race, racism and the church which are suitable for the general reader. You might find these helpful to inform your thinking as an individual or promote discussions about racial justice within your parish.
In the UK, Black History Month takes place every October. It is an opportunity to celebrate the contribution black heritage and culture has made to British history and society. You can find further information at the Black History Month website (www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk) along with news, resources, and listings. Churches are invited to use the Liturgical Resources for Black History Month. These include Services of the Word, a Eucharistic service, Prayers of Lament and of Commission, and links to further resources for Bible studies, youth work, Messy Church, and music.
Racial Justice Sunday
Racial Justice Sunday takes place on the second Sunday of February and is an opportunity for the church to reflect on the impact of racism in our society and to commit itself to pursuing racial justice. Churches are invited to use the Liturgical Resources for Racial Justice Sunday.
The Difference Course
The Difference Course has been developed by the Archbishop of Canterbury in conjunction with the Reconciliation Leaders Network. It is a 5-session course suitable for small or large groups, either in person or online. Although not specifically about race, it encourages us to think about how we navigate difference and disagreement while pursuing a just and flourishing world. It could serve as a useful preliminary to more substantive discussions about racism and anti-racist practice in your setting. All the resources are free and can be found here: The Course – Difference: Make your faith count in a complex and divided world (rln.global).
We Need to Talk about Race
‘We Need to Talk About Race’ is a four-part home group study series based around Ben Lindsay’s book of the same name. You don’t need to read the book to complete the studies, but doing so will help you get the most from the course. The sessions cover a range of topics from black experiences in churches and the wider culture, to the history of racism and the role of slavery, to radical solidarity, social action and the road ahead. The resource can be found here: We Need To Talk About Race – Home Groups.
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