Racial justice

The Diocese of Rochester stands committed to a vision of the Church as a community where truth and compassion meet, and where our belonging in Christ transcends borders, politics, and culture.

We are living in an increasingly fearful and divided society. Fear breeds intolerance, which can descend into hatred and hostility, especially when stoked on social media.

The diocesan Called Together vision commits the Diocese of Rochester to embracing and celebrating the rich diversity within our churches and communities.

“As Christians, we are called to stand alongside the vulnerable, the marginalised and all those who feel unsafe. We must meet people’s fears, speak into them, and counsel peace, respect, and the dignity of all people.”
Bishop Jonathan Gibbs

A commitment to diversity and inclusion

The key objectives of the diocesan vision are to grow missional churches, with missional leaders and missional disciples, that are, among several other goals, younger and more diverse.

Additionally, each of the four workstreams of the vision are to be seen through the lens of growing safe and healthy cultures, because if we are truly seeking God's kingdom, then we must reflect its values of righteousness, peace, wholeness, and fullness of life for all.

Serving and equipping people across all ages, ethnicities, backgrounds and contexts, including urban, suburban, estates, rural, and new housing means:

• Modelling generous listening and respectful conversation, especially when views differ strongly, creating room for everyone to be heard.
• Speaking truth with humility, ensuring our witness reflects the love, justice, and compassion taught by Christ in all circumstances.
• Nurturing safe, welcoming spaces in our churches and community gatherings where each person feels valued, affirmed, and fully included, regardless of race, background, faith, identity, or perspective.

Find out more about the Called Together vision

Work underway

In 2025, Bishops Jonathan and Simon were pleased to announce the appointment of Zara Rawlinson as the Racial Justice Officer for the Diocese.

This new post, funded by the national church, is a vital part of helping support the Diocese’s outworking of From Lament to Action, a national report that has proposed a suite of changes to bring about a change of culture in the life of the Church of England.

With the help of the Diocese's Racial Justice Officer, a set of long-term, collaborative tools, resources and training are now actively being developed to help parish foster unity, respect, and compassionate dialogue over time.

This includes work to:

• Develop a support network for church leaders, role-holders and colleagues from UKME/GMH backgrounds across the Diocese
• Drawing together a Racial Justice Task Force open to any colleagues who are passionate about driving change in this area
• Creation of adaptable frameworks and training that all churches can use together

Responding to issues of identity and belonging 

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God." (Matthew 5:9)

Conversations about identity, national pride, race, faith, and belonging can be sensitive and complex.

In recent months, several groups have invoked faith or national symbols to define who belongs, or who does not, in public life.

While faith can inspire unity and courage, when combined with exclusionary messages it can also wound and divide.

To help with this immediate need, a resource has been developed to offer guidance and encouragement to churches seeking to respond to issues around racial justice, identity and belonging in their communities.

Called, Faith Identity and Belonging – A Rochester perspective (Nov 2025) - it has been developed by the Diocese's Racial Justice Officer, in collaboration with Bishop Jonathan, Bishop Simon, and other senior leaders in the Diocese.

It includes:

• An affirmation of the Diocese’s commitment to diversity and inclusion
• Ways that parishes and individuals can support each other
• Some simple steps that can be taken locally
• Theological reflection
• Links to helpful resources

Download the resource 
 

Racial Justice Sunday resources

The Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) Racial Justice Sunday 2026 resource offers a rich range of materials to support churches, schools, and communities in engaging with racial justice as a core part of Christian discipleship.

Called, 'Love your neighbour, the resource is intentionally wide-ranging and designed to be used flexibly.

Bishop Jonathan and Bishop Simon have encouraged churches and schools in Rochester Diocese to mark Racial Justice Sunday and engage with the materials in the way that is manageable and appropriate for their context.

"As bishops we encourage all parishes to mark this day in prayer, worship, teaching and fellowship; not to see this as a once a year event but as the platform for deeper conversation and spiritual reflection round racism, which is both evil and idolatrous in the way it diminishes people and the God in whose image we are all made.' Read their message in full

What the resource includes

• Worship and liturgical material – prayers, readings, and reflections suitable for use in services
• Biblical and theological reflections – exploring racial justice through scripture and faith
• Lived experience reflections – centring voices and stories that deepen understanding
• Discussion and reflection questions – suitable for PCCs, staff teams, study groups, or personal reflection
• Practical actions and prompts – encouraging small, meaningful steps towards greater inclusion and belonging
• Materials for different contexts – adaptable for churches, schools, and community settings

How it can be used

• Select one prayer, reading, or reflection for use in worship
• Use a short section to prompt discussion in a PCC or staff meeting
• Encourage personal or group reflection using selected questions
• Use the resource as a starting point for conversation, rather than a complete programme
• Identify one practical action that can be embedded locally

Racial Justice Sunday provides an important moment for focus, but the resource also encourages reflection on how this work can continue beyond marked days, becoming part of everyday church life, culture, and practice.

Support is available through the Diocese's Racial Justice Officer, for those wishing to embed the resource locally, alongside wider diocesan work to develop further tools and guidance to help sustain this work over time.

Access the CTBI material

Further support

Parishes and individuals are warmly invited to contact the Diocesan Racial Justice Officer for advice, resources, or to share feedback.

Key Contacts