Bishop Jonathan Gibbs the Bishop of Rochester, and Bishop Simon Burton-Jones, the Bishop of Tonbridge, are pleased to welcome Zara Rawlinson to the new role of Racial Justice Officer for the Diocese.
This new post, funded by the national church, is a vital part of helping support the Diocese’s ongoing commitment to the 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.
Zara comes to the role with a background in community engagement and equity work across education, charities, and corporate organisations, and has worked in mental health and anti-racism for several years.
Reflecting on her role, Zara says she is excited about playing her part, as the Diocese seeks to be a place of flourishing for all:
“I am delighted to be here supporting the Diocese in taking meaningful steps towards becoming a place where all people feel valued, represented, and supported."
She adds:
“I really want to meet and hear from people across the Diocese; whether that is learning of their successes in this area, talking honestly about the challenges they’re facing, or exploring ideas for future work.
“I’m passionate about creating spaces where people feel empowered and included, and I am excited to work alongside everyone in the Diocese on this journey.”
Over the next six months, Zara says her key priorities will be:
- Building relationships – taking time to get to know people across the parishes and diocesan teams, hearing their stories, and understanding their contexts.
- Increasing engagement – encouraging conversations and shared work around racial justice, ensuring this is part of the life of the whole diocese.
- Educating and supporting – offering resources, guidance, and space for learning so that together we can make progress.
In welcoming Zara, Bishop Jonathan and Bishop Simon say that her arrival could not come at a more crucial time.
“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.
“As Christians, we are called to stand alongside the vulnerable, the marginalised and all those who feel unsafe. So, we must meet people’s fears, speak into them, and counsel peace, respect, and the dignity of all people.”
They continue:
“We must not just talk the talk but also walk the walk, and so we give thanks for all that Zara brings to this Diocese to help us as we seek to better celebrate, value and represent the diversity of our parishes and diocesan teams.
"This is kingdom-building work that is not the responsibility of one person alone, so please join us in welcoming and supporting Zara in her new role."
Zara will now begin work to develop a support network for church leaders, role-holders and colleagues from UKME/GMH backgrounds across the Diocese, as well as a drawing together a Racial Justice Task Force open to any colleagues who are passionate about driving change in this area.
Zara can be contacted on: zara.rawlinson@rochester.anglican.org