Reflecting on the importance of racial justice was at the heart of the special Racial Justice Eucharist on 11 February at Guildford Cathedral. The Racial Diversity Advisory Group collaborated with the Cathedral to create this special service.
The liturgy emphasised the diversity of God’s creation, giving thanks for the gift and beauty of human diversity.
Bishop of Dorking, Rev Paul Davies, presided while Rev Canon Bev Hunt was the preacher. Rev Sheila Samuels led the intercessions and a Nigerian master’s student, Chinenye, read one of the lessons.
Rev Bev Hunt borrowed the unique Windrush Cope from Southwark Cathedral which Bishop Paul wore throughout the service. It’s a ceremonial robe, commissioned to tell the story of life in Britain for the Windrush generations and their descendants. The cope was created by artist Terry Duffy and first worn at the Windrush 70th anniversary service at Westminster Abbey. On the inside, the artist added “Whoever wears this cope will have the power to change minds.”
At the end of the service, Bishop Paul thanked Rev Bev Hunt for all she has contributed to the diocese. After a significant career in the National Health Service, Rev Bev was the first UKME/GMH person to be ordained in 2008 in the Diocese of Guildford. She pioneered the racial diversity and racial justice work in the diocese.
Bev said, "It is encouraging to hear about the number of parishes that celebrated Racial Justice Sunday locally."
Rev Bev steps down from her role as Racial Justice Officer and the Bishop’s Advisor on UKME/GMH issues at the end of February. The diocese has come a long way in racial diversity since then, but we have more work to do for our congregations and our leadership to reflect the racial diversity of our diocese.
Racial Justice Sunday is for all churches to reflect on the importance of racial justice, to give thanks for the gifts and beauty of human diversity, and to commit to end racism and acts of discrimination. It is, however, more than an annual reminder of the Church’s commitment to the task of anti-racism. In the words of Richard Reddie from Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, this Sunday represents “a call for Christians to engage in the righteous struggle for racial justice because racial justice is everyone’s business.”
