Racial Justice Sunday report

Bishop Julie led celebrations for Racial Justice Sunday at St John's Hartford on Sunday 9 February attended by people from five continents from across Chester Diocese. They were welcomed into the colourful space at St John's Hartford with a delicious Caribbean lunch including fried chicken 

Revd Mike Smith, Vicar of St John's presented a video of welcome in nine of the many languages spoken in the church. He spoke about the joy of being united through faith in Christ, of the richness that their diversity has brought them, and of the need for to recognise and turn from the injustice that still exists in church, and more widely. The church runs its services in English, but screens the words of liturgy and songs in both English and Cantonese.  The Associate Minister, Lewis Li, has as vital role as a bridge for those coming to St John’s looking for a spiritual home.

Nadene Wright, Racial Justice Officer, and Bishop Julie talked about the thirty years of Racial Justice Sunday, and the ongoing need to address deep-rooted injustices, in society but also within the church.  Sung worship was led brilliantly by musicians from St Mary’s Church in Stockport, where a number of Cantonese speaking Christians have joined the church and are finding dynamic ways to introduce their community to it.  

The address was given by Revd Shemil Mathew, Vice Dean of Emmanual Theological College.  His words reflected the tone of the day, of celebration and gratitude for the variety of people that God has brought together into his church, but also great sadness and anger at the ongoing discrimination that many experience. He spoke about his own experience as someone looked down on and dismissed because of his race but also of the wonder of being part of a multi-ethnic community. He said, ‘We need to affirm the beauty and the dignity of the church as a coat of many colours’.