Seeking Justice and Joy

October 2024

Nitin Shinde, a part-time ordination student from Bristol Diocese in the second year of his two-year programme at Sarum College, attended last month’s provincial gathering of Global Majority Heritage (GMH) and UK Minority Ethnic (UKME) clergy and ordinands from across the southern dioceses at Church House, Westminster. Nitin is pictured here with the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Justin Welby.

Over 150 clergy and ordinands from across the southern dioceses attended the gathering at Church House, Westminster. The event was part of a series of annual gatherings recommended by the Archbishops’ report, From Lament to Action.

Nitin writes: The day began with a welcome and prayers from the Bishop of Edmonton, The Rt Revd Canon Dr Anderson Jeremiah and Rt Revd Dr Rosemarie Mallett, Bishop of Croydon, and a performance by Soul Sanctuary, a London-based Gospel choir.

Attendees engaged in introductory conversations around tables, fostering an atmosphere of mutual support and networking among UKME/GMH clergy and ordinands. It was a profound privilege to be invited to the Provincial GMH/UKME Gathering on Wednesday, September 4th, 2024. The event, themed “From Lament to Action: Seeking Justice and Joy, Celebrating Calling and Courage,” was a significant opportunity to represent both the Bristol Diocese and Sarum College in Salisbury.

Around 150 clergy and ordinands from the UKME/GMH community demonstrated unity in diversity at the gathering. Archbishop Justin Welby delivered an inspiring speech, emphasising our unity in Christ Jesus and the significance of reflecting the diverse UK within the Church of England. He encouraged the Church to welcome individuals from all backgrounds, highlighting how their diverse experiences enrich the Church’s mission and ministry.

Additionally, the Bishop of Chelmsford, The Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, spoke about Persian/Farsi Christianity, Bishop Rosemarie addressed African Chattel Enslavement, and Bishop Anderson discussed ministry to Dalits, reinforcing the profound value of diversity in shaping the church’s future.

Archbishop Justin beautifully captured the spirit of the day with the words from Psalm 133:1: “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.”

Throughout the gathering, participants shared their personal stories, and one key theme emerged for me: How do we create ‘space’ within the Church and give back from the wealth of our experiences?

It was truly heartwarming to witness this gathering as an opportunity for us to come together, enjoy each other’s company, listen to one another’s stories, and share in God’s abundant grace in our lives. The day concluded with a delightful dinner in the Marquee at the Lambeth Palace Gardens, making it a truly memorable event.

More about Sarum College Ministry Programmes

Other recommendations in the From Lament to Action report include:

• An expectation that shortlists for jobs in the Church will include at least one appointable UKME candidate – and for more senior roles, right up to bishops, specific requirements to ensure this happens.
• New approaches to shortlisting and interviewing which place a duty on the employer to improve participation on an “action or explain” basis rather than relying on “bland encouragements” for under-represented groups to apply.
• Recruitment bodies including the Crown Nominations Commission, which nominates diocesan bishops, to provide “valid, publishable reasons” for failure to include UKME candidates on shortlists.
• The House of Bishops inviting UKME clergy to become participant observers until there are at least six UKME bishops in the House.
• The appointment of full-time Racial Justice Officers (RJOs) in every diocese – for a five-year term, funded centrally, alongside a new Racial Justice Directorate, within the National Church Institutions, to oversee implementation of the recommendations of the Taskforce and the Commission.

About the acronyms
GMH stands for Global Majority Heritage, which refers to people whose ethnic backgrounds represent the majority of the world’s population, such as those of African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin American, and Middle Eastern descent.

UKME stands for UK Minority Ethnic, referring to people in the UK from minority ethnic groups. These terms are often used to acknowledge the diversity within communities and to promote inclusivity and representation in various sectors, including the Church.