Archdeacon to chair Racial Justice Board
THE Archdeacon of Liverpool, the Ven. Dr Miranda Threlfall-Holmes, is to chair the brand new Racial Justice Board (General Synod, 28 February), it was announced this week. She might be working alongside the Board’s deputy chairs: the lead bishops for racial justice — the Bishop of Croydon, Dr Rosemarie Mallett, and the Bishop of Kirkstall, the Rt Revd Arun Arora — who were appointed in March (News, 21 March). Dr Threlfall-Holmes said: “Racial justice is a vital part of the justice and righteousness that the Church hungers and thirsts for. Our parishes and dioceses are on the front line of hearing and responding to injustice and delivering on our commitment to racial justice, and the Racial Justice Unit is there to resource, equip, and support them on this.” Dr Mallett and Bishop Arora said: “Miranda is a gifted theologian and dedicated priest with a passion for seeing justice and equity reflected and lived out in all features of church life and in society. We are really delighted that she is taking over this role and we’re looking forward to working along with her.”
Diversity is theme of latest online hub in Ireland
THE Church of Ireland has developed a latest online hub to deal with issues and trends about migration and ethnic diversity, and to tell and help churchpeople to “respond in ways inspired by their faith”. A series of video messages, leaflets and reports and available, including the handbook From Every Nation? produced by the Irish Council of Churches. There are also suggestions for responding during and after times of tension. churchofireland.org
Methodist Church publishes hymn for migrants
WORSHIPPERS at greater than 140 Methodist churches have contributed to a latest recording of the 1997 hymn “Let us construct a house where love can dwell”, commonly referred to as “All are welcome”, in response to the recent protests in London and “the disorder outside the accommodation of those in search of asylum”, a press release published last Friday said. The Church’s digital-content producer, Ben Lawrence, who made the arrangement and produced the recording, said: “Many people have been made to feel not only unwelcome, but frightened and intimidated by what is going on. We want this to be a song of reassurance, friendship, and understanding.”
Lancashire bishops back investment initiative
THE Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Revd Philip North; the Bishop of Lancaster, the Rt Revd Dr Jill Duff; and the Bishop of Burnley, Dr Joe Kennedy, in a joint statement, have welcomed the Government’s “vital” announcement of latest investment in towns across Lancashire. Neighbourhoods in Ribbleton, Blackpool, Fleetwood, Morecambe, and Blackburn with Darwen will each receive £20 million over the following decade from the national “Pride in Place” fund. An extra six councils, including Burnley, Preston, and Pendle, will receive £1.5 million each to support wider regeneration. The three bishops said last Friday that they saw the strength and potential of their communities each day: “The Church of England is present in every certainly one of them — through our parishes, our schools, and our partnerships with local leaders. We aren’t outsiders looking in, but neighbours and fellow residents, committed to walking alongside these communities in faith, service, and love.”
LGBTQ+ charity closes after eight years
THE Ozanne Foundation, which has worked with global religious organisations to tackle prejudice and discrimination on the grounds of sexuality and gender identity, has ceased operations after eight years. The Foundation, arrange by Jayne Ozanne, a former member of the General Synod, who resigned in 2023 over the Church’s treatment of LGBT+ people, disbursed its assets and ceased to operate on Tuesday. Ms Ozanne returned home to Guernsey last yr, where she has been elected as an area politician.
Church Choir Awards recipients announced
THE Royal School of Church Music and the Cathedral Music Trust have announced the recipients of this yr’s Church Choir Awards. The winners include St Botolph’s, Boston; Holy Trinity, Guildford; St Gabriel’s, Newcastle; St Peter’s, Earley; Bradford Catholic Youth Choir; St Martin in Roath, Cardiff; and St Mary the Virgin, Merton Park, Southwark.
Fifth annual Journeying poetry competition
A CHRISTIAN non-profit organisation, Journeying, which organises walking tours and pilgrim holidays in Britain and Ireland, has announced its fifth annual poetry competition. It is now accepting original and unpublished poems of any length on the theme “hope” until midnight on 15 November. The judges are David Arkell and the Revd Gill Page, who each have poetry collections published. The winner, to be announced on 15 December, will receive £100. Send entries to: info@journeying.co.uk
Quaker Week to concentrate on second commandment
THIS yr’s theme for Quaker Week (27 September to five October) is “Love Your Neighbour”. Quakers in Britain said in a press release that the theme “speaks on to the urgent need for compassion and solidarity within the face of growing racism, Islamophobia, antiSemitism, and nationalism”. During the week, Quaker Meeting Houses across the UK will host events, discussions, and spaces for quiet reflection for the general public.
