Stephen Lawrence, an 18-year-old black British teenager, was murdered on the 22<sup>nd</sup> April 1993, in a racially motivated attack in Eltham, Southeast London, about half a mile from where I lived at the time. The fallout from the investigation that followed had far reaching consequences, leading to calls of ‘institutional racism’ and for systemic changes to policing. Uncomfortable though it may be, in February last year, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, told General Synod that there was ‘no doubt’ that the Church of England ‘was still deeply institutionally racist’; and Synod members voted to ‘stamp out conscious or unconscious racism’ from within. This led to the creation of the Anti-Racism Taskforce to ‘carry out preparatory work ahead of the launch of the Archbishops’ Commission to address racism in the Church of England’. Their report is due to be published on Thursday April 22<sup>nd</sup>, which incidentally, is also the launch of Stephen Lawrence Day. After some years of working with the diocese concerning racial matters, I am delighted to say that the Racial Justice Focus Group (RJFG) has been set up in our diocese by the Bishops. This group, which has the backing of Bishop’s Council, is chaired by Bishop Jo. Its overall aim is to ‘<strong>promote greater racial diversity within the Diocese of Guildford and its leadership; and to ensure that people from all racial backgrounds are enabled to fulfil their potential within the Body of Christ’. </strong>Currently, two emerging strands of the group’s work include: creating a database to help to bring to light any aspects of racism in our processes and practices; and identifying and naming the realities and challenges of racial discrimination in our diocese. You can read more on the group here. Reflecting on the Gospel for Sunday, Jesus got alongside his disciples, who were afraid, and invited them to touch the wounds of his crucifixion and see that he is real (Luke 24.39). I would like to invite you to come alongside us, reach out and touch the wounds of racism and see that they are real; and fulfil Jesus’ prayer of unity that all his people might be one; and ‘that the Church, would be united in Christ and united with one another so that the world may believe in Him’ (John 17.21).As I close, I leave you with this prayer, which was written by the RJFG for this year’s Chrism Service:Father of all creationwe humble ourselves before you.We come as we are, united by your cross,as a people of diversity and difference.Different cultures, different ways, different names, different colour,different strengths, different gifts:We come as one in Christ.We are your people, and you are our God.Help us to follow your example, and reach out to others as you have reached out to us;and teach us to love one another as you have loved us.This we ask in Jesus’ name.Amen.
<div id="paragraphs-introduction-8052"><div><div>The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have today announced a new commission aimed at developing a radical and inspiring vision, drawing on Christian theology and tradition, that reimagines care and support. The Commission will set out proposals to achieve this vision.</div></div></div><div id="paragraphs-text-8053"><div><div>The origin of the Commission lies in Archbishop Justin’s 2018 book ‘Reimagining Britain: Foundations for Hope’. As the Archbishop articulated in a key chapter, ‘Health – and Healing for Brokenness’, caring equally for the health of all, regardless of perceived economic or societal value, is a clear sign of our values.The Commission aims to articulate the enduring values and principles which should underpin care and caring. It will seek to shape how we respond to ageing and disability in our society, challenging existing attitudes and models of care, where appropriate, and highlighting the positive and where things are working well.The Commission will aim to contribute to the national debate on the purpose of care and support and inform how care is provided in future, by identifying practical ideas, informed by extensive listening, and gathering examples of good practice. The Commission’s work aims to support the work of churches in communities across the country and to shape public policy as it relates to the nature and provision of care.The Commission will comprise up to 12 members, each bringing specific expertise and experience in the area, and will welcome contributions to its thinking from as broad a range of individuals and organisations as possible including all church traditions and other faith communities. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said:“At the heart of Jesus’ teaching is the belief that every single person deserves to receive the dignity and love that God offers them in abundance. Adults who need help and support to meet their needs are an integral part of our society, as are those who offer care in many different ways. We are called to welcome their gifts, learn from their experiences and support them where needed. Our prayer is that this Commission might be radical, visionary and challenging. We hope it may help us hear the voices of those who have been ignored, address the issues that have long been considered ‘too difficult’ and deeply examine the values we hold which are at the heart of how we treat those we live within society.”The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, said:“We have been drawn back to the core values of society and community during the last 12 months. Society is richer when there is dignity for all and we treat one another with compassion. We have become more aware of gaps in our society: we have not sufficiently valued and loved many people in care and those living with a disability. This Commission will advocate for them and will explore what it means to provide effective care and support in their communities. I will be praying for its work over the coming months.”The CEO of Ageing Better, Dr Anna Dixon MBE, who will Chair the Commission, said:“Sadly, today too many people are without the care and support they need to live a full life. I am delighted to have been asked to Chair the Archbishops’ Commission on Reimagining Care.“There is an urgent need for a new vision for care that is clear about its purpose and value and the values that underpin it. A vision that puts people and relationships at its heart and redefines the status of caregivers, both paid and unpaid, and those who need care and support. “We need to make some radical changes if we are to support one another to live well and fully participate regardless of age and ability; this is an issue for all of us, for the church, other faith communities and wider society.”The Bishop of Carlisle, James Newcome, who will Co-Chair the Commission, said:“I am delighted to be involved with the Archbishops’ Commission on Reimagining Care, which will be tackling one of the most urgent and far-reaching issues of our day. We have an excellent Chair and are already in touch with a number of highly experienced potential commissioners, so I look forward to stimulating meetings and a suitably challenging report.’
"Pray all the time," says St Paul (1 Thessalonians 5.17). I don't think he means do that activity we call “prayer” all the time. I think he means make your life a prayer. But to do that, we probably need focused moments of prayer. Over time – like a fine wine maturing in the barrel, or an onion being pickled in vinegar – we are slowly changed. We become prayerful.A love letter from GodThe whole Christian story of the birth, life, teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ could be summed up as a “love letter from God”.In Jesus, God declares his love for us. What we call prayer, those stumbling, faltering words that we use to speak to God, is simply our response.In other words, prayer can become like breathing. And it needs to be regular like eating. But it is most like loving. And it is most like loving because it is, at heart, a relationship.This is the most basic truth about prayer. Prayer is relationship with God; it is the relationship we are made for. Like all relationships it is not easy to describe. I know what it feels like to be in love. But it is hard to define it. Put together all the most beautiful love poems in the world and they are as nothing compared with a few moments of love itself.Being a Christian is like a love affair. In Jesus we see how God gives himself to us in love. “As the Father has loved me,” says Jesus, “so I have loved you.” (John 15.9)Prayer is an act of love and a participation in the life of love. In Jesus, God declares his love for us. In prayer we come into communion with God to express our love to him.So prayer can happen everywhere and anywhere. It’s not just something that happens in a church or other special place. Neither does it depend on special times – although we probably still need those special times to nurture the relationship.
Click on this link to watch the interview https://churchofengland.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=50eac70851c7245ce1ce00c45&id=e3642ffbc0&e=1d87734465
