Diocese of Chichester

Black History Month
Black History Month service in 2022 with the Zinafe Choir at Chichester Cathedral

Latest news

RACIAL EQUALITY WEEK SERVICES 2024

At St Peter’s Brighton

4th February Sunday, 6.30 pm at St Peter’s Brighton

Service led by Bishop Will and Rev Dan Millest

Preacher: Bishop Will, Bishop of Lewes

At St Mary’s Broadwater

11th February Sunday, 10 am at St Mary’s Broadwater

Service led by Bishop Ruth and Rev Gaz Daly

At Worth Parish Crawley

Preacher: Bishop Ruth, Bishop of Horsham

11th February Sunday, 6 pm at Worth Parish, Crawley

Service led by Rev Sarah Upchurch

Preacher: Rev Dr Godfrey Kesari


National Church launches new projects to champion diversity

THE Church of England has launched an initiative to encourage stronger networking between clergy, ordinands, and lay ministers and leaders of Global Majority Heritage/UK Minority Heritage (GMH/UKME).

The new network, part of the Racial Justice Unit, is intended to meet one of the recommendations in the Archbishops’ Anti-Racism Taskforce From Lament To Action, which called for more effective sharing of information, alongside data collection and monitoring, to help to understand and drive the changes needed in the Church.

The national Racial Justice team is also planning a conference in mid-October, to which network members will be invited to gather to identify issues of common concern and coordinate strategies. The event will be the first gathering since the establishment of the Church of England’s racial justice unit and is part of a strategy of greater participation following the 2021 report.

To learn more about the network and join up with it if you wish, please visit the link below.

churchofengland.org/about/archbishops-commissions/racial-justice/register-gmhukme-communication-network


Date for your diary -

RACIAL EQUALITY WEEK SERVICES 2024

At St Peter’s Brighton

4th February Sunday, 6.30 pm at St Peter’s Brighton

Service led by Bishop Will and Rev Dan Millest

Preacher: Bishop Will, Bishop of Lewes

At St Mary’s Broadwater

11th February Sunday, 10 am at St Mary’s Broadwater

Service led by Bishop Ruth and Rev Gaz Daly

At Worth Parish Crawley

Preacher: Bishop Ruth, Bishop of Horsham

11th February Sunday, 6 pm at Worth Parish, Crawley

Service led by Rev Sarah Upchurch

Preacher: Rev Dr Godfrey Kesari


Addressing the social injustice of racism is a vital way churches can work together to ensure the flourishing of all. 

In the Diocese of Chichester, the Racial Justice Task Force is committed to working together on the journey of seeking racial justice – both within the church and in wider society.

On these pages you will find regular updates and all the information, guidance and resources to help your parish address Racial Justice issues in our communities. 

Who is the Racial Justice Officer in the Diocese?

Godfrey Kesari was commissioned on 8th October 2022 and can be contacted on this email address

racialjustice@chichester.anglican.org  

Documents

Racial Justice Strategy can be found here

Racial Justice Group Terms of Reference here

Chichester Diocese Committment to Anti Racism here



Junior Racial Justice Ambassadors

The Racial Justice Officers are keen to explore new ways for young people to get involved with this important work in our church and school communities. We need more young ambassadors across the county. If you are interested in becoming a Junior Racial Justice Ambassador, let you school know and ask them to contact one of the Racial Justice Officers

Racial Justice Sunday 2024 - resources will be available here

Please keep a look out on our news and events pages for the latest news on racial justice.


NEWS

Black History Month

Events TBC

Diversity Day at Steyning Grammar School

Hundreds of pupils from local primary schools gathered at Steyning Grammar school last month (February 2023) to take part in a Racial Justice and Diversity Day. The day was so successful that there are now plans to see similar events in other schools across Sussex.

A report on the day can be read here


Windrush 75th Anniversary: Bishop Leon’s Visit

To mark the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush, Bishop Leon Golding, Suffragan Bishop of Montego Bay in Jamaica, was invited to the Diocese of Chichester for a five-day programme of visits to churches and schools. Read all about the visit here


The Stephen Lawrence Foundation - Legacy for change 30 years on.

The Foundation, established amid unprecedented growing global awareness of racial inequality, exists to inspire a more equitable, inclusive society, and to foster opportunities for marginalised young people in the UK. Click here to read mor.


Union of Black Episcopalians Conference 2023

Godfrey Kesari attended the (UBE) Union of Black Episcopalians conference recently. He wrote this report for AMEN (Anglican Minority Ethnic Network) You can read it here