Over 70 curates and training incumbents gathered at Forest Hills Hotel to enter into an ongoing conversation between peers about racial justice.
The day focussed on three themes around racial justice: Seeing, Thinking, and Doing.
Participants were challenged to think about their experience and background, and how this shapes their wider views on race; they engaged in some theological reflection on issues of participation and belonging, considering what it means to be called to be in community; and they were challenged to consider how they would continue to engage in the work of justice.
Sharon and Calvert Prentis led much of the day and offered their personal and professional insights. Sharon is Dean of Ministry at St Mellitus College and Canon Theologian of Lichfield Cathedral, whilst Calvert is Diocesan Director of Ordinands in Birmingham Diocese.
The Bishop of Stockport, Sam Corley said: "It was brilliant to be part of the day and we were led expertly by Sharon and Calvert in the ongoing work of seeking racial justice - work that is a responsibility of us all. We were helped to examine our biases and reflected on how to better reflect the communities we serve as we try to become more effective allies of people who, for too long, have been oppressed, excluded, and overlooked."
Chair of the Diocesan Race and Ethnicity Forum, Julie Okundaye, also took part in the day and shared insight into her role and challenged participants to "open the space for conversation" on issues of racial justice. She asked attendees: "What can we do in our different parishes to make this real?" Julie also expressed her keenness for as many people as possible to engage in the work of the Diocesan Race and Ethnicity Forum.
The Revd Jenny Bridgman helped organise the day and said: "I was thrilled to see so many curates and training incumbents joining together, as we encouraged and challenged one another to engage in the work of racial justice and inclusion, and I'm looking forward to carrying this area of work forward in the work we do with curates and across other areas of training and ministry development."
