Amazing GRACE is a new learning community for Clergy and recognised Lay leaders co-ordinated by the Race Equality Resource group. Sign up here.
What is Amazing GRACE?
This is a learning community committed to understanding:
- The problem of racism
- The experiences of those who experience racism
- The privilege of those who do not
- The ways racism undermines the mission and ministry of the church
It is a learning community committed to taking intentional action - in whatever way is appropriate to each members circumstances - to promote race equality in our personal and ministerial contexts.
Why is it needed?
The vision given in Revelation 7:9 is of people of every nation, tribe, people and langauge worshipping God together, yet this vision is far from fulfilled in the life of the church today.
However, the sin of racism can prevent the full and equal flourishing of God's children and barriers exist for people of colour which are invisible to their white church family. It is the responsibility of the whole people of God to tackle this injustice.
The learning community aims to be a supportive yet challenging space where particpants can reflect on racism through engagement with Scripture, resources and stories, then work together to identify ways that we can act for race equality in our different contexts.
Bishop John says:
"These are profoundly uncomfortable times. We are being disturbed and we need to be disturbed. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth. The truth is often uncomfortable but it is ultimately our friend. Those of us who are white need to see what many of us have – unwittingly perhaps – resisted seeing. We need to see both the reality and the extent of racism. More uncomfortably than this, we need to see that it is not simply the problem of other people but that we too are part of the problem."
Who can join?
We are inviting clergy and recognised lay leaders to particpate.
Sessions
14th March – Introduction to course
18th April – We need to talk about Race
16th May – Privilege, Power & Whiteness
13th June – Black History & Critical Race Theory
11th July – Racism & The Church of England
18th July – Practical Action & Contextual Learning
All sessions will run on Zoom 7:30pm – 9:15pm.
Contact
For more information please contact Neil.Masih@Coventry.Anglican.org