The Archbishop of York will join Dean Govender and members of the Church of England's Racial Justice Unit at Manchester Cathedral on Racial Justice Sunday.
All are invited to attend this Sung Eucharist service, which is taking place on Sunday, 9th February at 10.30am.
Archbishop Stephen, who will preach during the service, said:
"As we prepare to gather to mark Racial Justice Sunday, I thank God for the opportunity it gives us to journey closer to the heart of the gospel. What God has done in Jesus Christ, through his dying and rising, has formed us into a new humanity. In Christ, all the old barriers are broken down, and we now find ourselves with new perspectives and new relationships with each other. We should collectively aspire to be part of a Church which includes every tribe, every language, every nation, and which could truly offer hope and joy to our world."
Dean Rogers added,
“Racial Justice Sunday is being celebrated throughout the Church of England and we are delighted the Archbishop of York will be the preacher at Manchester Cathedral as we mark this important day. The Church of England is making slow but steady progress on greater equality, and the presence of Archbishop Stephen at this service reflects the commitment that he and the national church have in promoting greater inclusion and racial justice within the church. Please do join us on February 9 for this important service.”
Canon David Onabanjo, Intercultural Mission Enabler for our diocese said,
"It’s 30 years that Racial Justice Sunday was inaugurated, and we give glory to God for giving us that awareness and discernment that His creation was made perfect and diverse with the union of peoples on earth together.
"We must not however forget that the Racial Justice Sunday came into being 30 years ago because of the tragic racist murder that cut short the young life of Stephen Lawrence. As someone from the Global Majority Heritage, I have seen some improvement in race relationships. However, sadly too much racial injustices and hatred still exist in our society.
"The Good News of Christ that we continually proclaim in our churches and communities should be as intended, to reflect our diversity - that we are one from every nation, tribe, people, and language that must unite and thrive together. We are blessed in the Diocese of Manchester for the Intercultural Missional work that is enabling and promoting global cultural awareness in the parishes, where we work towards making all cultures of the church form ‘The Culture’ of the church. Therefore the 30th year of Racial Justice Sunday is a year to reflect and review to make things better for all, especially for those from the ethnic minority backgrounds."
Canon David will lead the intercessions during the service.
The Revd Phil Cansdale, Director of Mission and Ministry added:
"I'm really pleased that we can join in with Racial Justice Sunday this year. Now in its 30th year this is such an important opportunity for churches to be living out our commitment to be a welcoming 'spiritual home' for everyone across our local communities.
"Of course, this is so much more than just a Sunday. It's a beautiful call for the people of God to more fully reflect the kingdom of God, where every nation, tribe, people and language are brought together in amazing diversity. In my first few weeks working in the Diocese it's been a huge encouragement to see our commitment to this, where values of hospitality, welcome and generosity are at the heart of our intercultural mission.
"And yet there's so much more work to be done, both in a world where many still struggle for racial justice and a church where we still have much to learn. I do commend David Onabanjo's work as Intercultural Mission Enabler, celebrating and welcoming the wide ethnic and cultural make-up of people living across our diocese, as well as the Shades project which continues its outstanding work promoting racial justice amongst school aged children."