Coat of Many Colours: A service for Racial Justice Sunday
Bishop Martin will lead this diocesan service for Racial Justice Sunday on the theme of:
Coat of Many Colours
at St Anne's Church, Bewdley.
Sunday 9 February, 4pm.
This year is an important one for racial justice on these shores as it marks the 30th anniversary of Racial Justice Sunday, which was established by the Methodist Church in 1995 following the tragic racist murder of Black teenager Stephen Lawrence in southeast London in April 1993.
The theme this year has the title ‘Coat of Many Colours’, reflecting the increasing diversity that exists in our churches. Both the Old Testament, or the Hebrew Bible, and the New Testament are replete with references to diversity, in this world and the Kingdom to come. One only has to reflect on verses that speak of a ‘house of prayer for all nations’ (Isaiah 56:7), the events of Pentecost (Acts 2) or the ‘multitude … from every nation’ (Revelation 7:9-17), which all include words meaning ‘every tribe and nation’, to see that ethnic diversity is part of God’s divine plan. 
There is little doubt that British churches, especially in the larger cities, are a microcosm of the world in a congregation, which is indeed a blessing that must be celebrated. Yet, despite this amazing reality, inequality still exists in the church and is still a factor that blights the experiences of too many people of Global Majority heritage or Black and Brown backgrounds. This leaves people not feeling as if they belong in the house of the Lord, or not being given the opportunity to use their God-given talents to further the Lord’s Kingdom.
All are welcome to this diocesan service for Racial Justice Sunday at which Bishop Martin will preach and there will be the opportunity to hear experiences and perspectives from those of Global Majority Heritage and make a commitment to work towards a better world.