Made for goodness: a kairos moment

The passing of Professor Jason Arday has stirred a wave of sadness and anger in many hearts. His loss compels us to look closely at race, public life, our institutions, and the language we choose when speaking about one another.

I sense this is a sacred moment for the Church. It is more than a date on the calendar; it is a season brimming with grace and a summons to action. God is inviting us to consider not just our thoughts, but the people we are becoming.

Desmond Tutu, in Made for Goodness, gives us hope by saying we are made for goodness. This is not because we are perfect, but because something deeper lasts beyond our successes, failures, reputations, and mistakes. We are created in the image of God.

This truth carries special weight for us in this moment.

Professor Jason Arday took part in important conversations about race, diversity, merit, and British institutions. But before he was in the news or seen as a symbol, he was a son, husband, father, brother, friend, and colleague.

This is where our journey must begin: with the person.

Truth matters. Accountability matters. We must not shy away from difficult questions. Yet the Gospel calls us further: how do we honour one another as we seek the truth together?

There is a world of difference between holding someone accountable and shaming them, between asking thoughtful questions and stripping away their humanity.

Tutu’s teaching on ubuntu reminds us of our deep interconnectedness. We cannot rise by pushing others down. When we shrink someone to a stereotype, a racial label, a political tool, or a target, we forfeit something precious in our shared humanity.

This is why racial justice is not a side issue for the Church. It beats at the heart of the Gospel: in creation, where every person reflects God's image; in the Incarnation, where God took on our humanity; and in the Body of Christ, where our differences are not erased but woven together in communion.

This kairos moment may be summoning the Diocese of Chester to action. Now could be the time for parishes to take bold, practical steps. Churches might open their doors for listening sessions where every voice is welcomed, form racial justice groups, review outreach to ensure true hospitality, or create opportunities for learning and honest

conversation about race and dignity. When we act together, these reflections take on flesh and become visible in the life of the Body of Christ.

Can our churches become places where every person is truly seen?

Such communities confront racism rather than sidestep it; no one must be extraordinary just to belong; difference is welcomed as a gift; truth is spoken with compassion; and even the hardest accountability never strips away a person's God-given dignity. In one parish, for instance, when a member voiced feeling excluded because of their background, the congregation opened a space for honest conversation. They gathered in a listening circle, sharing stories and concerns. Together, they examined their practices, refreshed church materials to mirror their community's diversity, and made intentional efforts to embrace newcomers. These simple, concrete steps became a living sign that the church is willing to grow into the community God dreams it to be.

Professor Jason Arday’s family shared words we should remember: Kindness is needed in life, not just in death. This may be the challenge before us, and also the invitation.

· To notice each other sooner.

· To stand with each other more bravely.

· To listen more deeply.

· To challenge racism wherever we find it.

· And to build communities where everyone knows they are seen, valued, and belong.

This transformation can begin with simple, intentional acts. Greet each person by name and offer a genuine welcome. Make room for newcomers to share their stories. Create moments in worship or fellowship for people to speak about what belonging means to them. Encourage members to notice when someone is left on the margins and invite them in. Through these small gestures, everyone in the church and community can feel seen and cherished.

This is the Church we are called to become.

A Church that speaks truth with love, seeks justice with fortitude, chooses reconciliation over dehumanisation, and never forgets the deepest truth of all:

We are made by God, made for each other, and made for goodness.