The Inclusivity Alliance:
Christ Church & St John’s Radlett stand against racism
Jesus commanded us as Christians to love one another as brothers and sisters.
“Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light”
1 John 2:10
We are proud that our church community is multi-cultural and we value the richness that this diversity brings to our congregation. However, the protests in the summer of 2020 against racism and injustice have provided an opportunity for us to examine our role as a church in standing against racism in all its forms, and address wider systemic bias and injustice.
Christ Church & St. John’s established the Inclusivity Alliance to encourage a more equal, diverse, inclusive, cohesive and engaged church, and to challenge all forms of discrimination.
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:28
Our duties are to
- support Christ Church & St. John’s and their congregations in efforts to challenge racism and discrimination, and improve education in related areas.
- support the work of the PCC in matters relating to equality, diversity, inclusion, cohesion and engagement.
- assist the PCC in identifying areas of activities that require improved awareness and understanding of inclusion.
- support the PCC in the promotion of equality, diversity, inclusion, and engagement across the parish
- develop learning and development programmes and any other resources in partnership with the PCC
- create opportunities to engage with diverse communities in inclusive ways and learn from each other’s experiences.
Meaning of key terms used above
Equality: Equal (i.e. materially the same) and fair treatment and access to opportunity for all, irrespective of race, disability, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender assignment, religious belief, marriage or civil partnership status.
Diversity: promote and celebrate racial, social & cultural diversity (i.e. wide range of differences) as Jesus did
Inclusion: actively include (i.e. involve) everyone in our congregation and community to create a sense of acceptance and belonging.
Engagement: ensuring our anti-racism and wider developments are communicated regularly within our congregation, PCC and local schools, and we seek regular engagement (i.e. interaction) with local churches and other stakeholders.
We commend to you the Fourth Biannual Report of the Archbishops’ Commission for Racial Justice
Further Resources
- Ethnic Minorities Charter – The Diocese of St. Albans
- From Lament to Action – The report of the Archbishops’ Anti-Racism Taskforce: summary of recommendations, and Archbishops’ response
