“As Christians, we are called to stand alongside the vulnerable, the marginalised and all those who feel unsafe. We must meet people’s fears, speak into them, and counsel peace, respect, and the dignity of all people."
Bishop Jonathan Gibbs
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.
The Diocese of Rochester stands committed, through our shared Called Together vision, to a Church where truth and compassion meet, and where our belonging in Christ transcends borders, politics, and culture.
On this page you can find out about:
- Commitment to diversity and inclusion
- Diocesan Racial Justice Officer
- Racial Justice strategy
- Resources
- Support for parishes
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion
Racial justice is not an optional extra for the Church. It is part of the Gospel, rooted in our call to love our neighbour, seek justice and build communities in which every person is valued as made in the image of God
The key objectives of the diocesan vision are to grow missional churches, with missional leaders and missional disciples, that are, among several other goals, younger and more diverse.
Additionally, each of the four workstreams of the vision are to be seen through the lens of growing safe and healthy cultures, because if we are truly seeking God's kingdom, then we must reflect its values of righteousness, peace, wholeness, and fullness of life for all.
Serving and equipping people across all ages, ethnicities, backgrounds and contexts, including urban, suburban, estates, rural, and new housing means:
- Modelling generous listening and respectful conversation, especially when views differ strongly, creating room for everyone to be heard.
- Speaking truth with humility, ensuring our witness reflects the love, justice, and compassion taught by Christ in all circumstances.
- Nurturing safe, welcoming spaces in our churches and community gatherings where each person feels valued, affirmed, and fully included, regardless of race, background, faith, identity, or perspective.
Find out more about the Called Together vision
Diocesan Racial Justice Officer
In 2025, Bishops Jonathan and Simon were pleased to announce the appointment of Zara Rawlinson as the Racial Justice Officer for the Diocese.
This post, funded by the national church, is a vital part of helping support the Diocese’s 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.
With the help of the Diocese's Racial Justice Officer, a set of long-term, collaborative tools, resources and training are now actively being developed to help parishes foster unity, respect, and compassionate dialogue over time.
This includes work:
- Developing a support network for church leaders, role-holders and colleagues from UKME/GMH backgrounds across the Diocese
- Drawing together a Racial Justice Task Force open to any colleagues who are passionate about driving change in this area
- Creating adaptable frameworks and training that all churches can use together
Racial Justice strategy
Following a period of listening and engagement, the Diocese's Racial Justice Officer has developed a strategy to embed racial justice within the wider diocesan vision, so that it becomes part of everyday culture, leadership practice and ministry, rather than a standalone initiative.
The Racial Justice - Belonging and Inclusion strategy (2026-2028), will be delivered alongside the Called Together programme, as we seek to grow safe and healthy cultures, and will ensure alignment of priorities, sequencing and reporting.
Where we are starting
Recognising that racism has shaped both society and the Church, in the past and today, our journey as a diocesan family must begin with honesty:
- Listening to lived experience
- Acknowledging harm
- Committing to sustained change
This is not about a moment or a statement. It is about long-term transformation.
What we are working towards
By 2028, we want to see:
- Greater racial and ethnic diversity in church leadership and governance, supported by fair and accessible pathways
- Increased participation and a stronger sense of belonging, particularly among people whose voices have been underrepresented
- Racial justice embedded within learning, formation and leadership development
- Churches and schools better equipped to understand, welcome and serve the full diversity of their communities
- Young people meaningfully involved in shaping the future of the Church
- Clearer monitoring of progress, learning and impact
How we will do this
This work cannot be delivered by one person, team or programme.To support wide collaboration and engagement, the strategy is designed to:
- Work through existing diocesan structures and leadership
- Support departments, churches and schools to take ownership within their areas
- Create opportunities for listening, learning and engagement
- Test and evaluate new approaches through pilot activity before developing them more widely
- Review progress and share what we are learning as the work develops
Our focus areas
We are organising this work through four connected areas:
- Structures, Governance and Accountability
Building fair, transparent and representative systems, with clearer responsibility for progress.
- Education, Formation, Training and Mentoring
Equipping people to recognise and respond to racial injustice and supporting inclusive leadership development.
- Belonging, Participation and Culture
Creating churches and diocesan spaces where people can belong fully and contribute meaningfully.
- Young People and Intergenerational Leadership
Supporting young people to participate, exercise leadership and shape the future Church.
How we will move forward
This work will develop in phases beginning by:
- Building shared understanding
- Strengthening ownership across diocesan leadership and departments
- Testing approaches through pilot activity
- Evaluating what works and using that learning to shape what comes next
Resources
Below are a range of materials to support parishes and individuals with a range of issues relating to Racial Justice.
For more support and advice, parishes and individuals can also contact the Diocesan Racial Justice Officer, Zara Rawlison on email: zara.rawlinson@rochester.anglican.org
Black History Month
Black History Month offers an opportunity to celebrate the contribution of Black people to the life of the Church, to learn from stories that have too often been overlooked, and to reflect on what it means to be part of the diverse Body of Christ.
This resource has been created to support clergy and lay leaders within the Diocese of Rochester, who would like to mark Black History Month in ways that are meaningful, accessible and rooted in Christian faith.
At the same time, we hope it will be useful long beyond October as the themes of belonging, justice, dignity, discipleship and learning from one another are not limited to a
single month, but form part of our ongoing calling as the Church.
Access the Black History Month resource pack
**Rochester Voices - the stories of four Black people who are contributing to the life of our Diocese today, and which form part of the Black History Month pack, will be available here shortly - please check back soon.
Responding to issues of identity and belonging
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God." (Matthew 5:9)
Conversations about identity, national pride, race, faith, and belonging can be sensitive and complex. In recent months, several groups have invoked faith or national symbols to define who belongs, or who does not, in public life.
While faith can inspire unity and courage, when combined with exclusionary messages it can also wound and divide.
To help with this immediate need, a resource has been developed to offer guidance and encouragement to churches seeking to respond to issues around racial justice, identity and belonging in their communities.
Called, Faith Identity and Belonging – A Rochester perspective (Nov 2025) - it has been developed by the Diocese's Racial Justice Officer, in collaboration with Bishop Jonathan, Bishop Simon, and other senior leaders in the Diocese.
It includes:
- An affirmation of the Diocese’s commitment to diversity and inclusion
- Ways that parishes and individuals can support each other
- Some simple steps that can be taken locally
- Theological reflection
- Links to helpful resources
Racial Justice Sunday resources
Racial Justice Sunday each February, provides an important moment to focus on Racial Justice, as well as encouragement for wider reflection on how our commitment in this are can continue beyond marked days, becoming part of everyday church life, culture, and practice.
"As bishops we encourage all parishes to mark this day in prayer, worship, teaching and fellowship; not to see this as a once a year event but as the platform for deeper conversation and spiritual reflection round racism, which is both evil and idolatrous in the way it diminishes people and the God in whose image we are all made.'
Bishop Jonathan Gibbs and Bishop Simon Burton-Jones Read more
Each year, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) produce resources that offer a rich range of materials to support churches, schools, and communities in engaging with racial justice as a core part of Christian discipleship.
Support is also available through the Diocese's Racial Justice Officer.
Visit the CTBI Racial Justice Sunday materials
Marking St George's Day
From early times the Christian Church has set aside Holy Days throughout the year to remember individuals whose lives most clearly demonstrate God’s power to transform human lives.
St George’s Day is a Festival in the Church of England’s calendar – a day which all churches would normally observe, with a range of specific provision for prayers and readings particular to that date.
St George’s story points us towards:
- Faith that is lived out, not just spoken
- Courage to stand for what is right
- A willingness to cross boundaries of culture and difference
- A commitment to dignity and justice
In today’s context, St George’s Day offers an opportunity not just to celebrate England, but to reflect on how we embody these values in our own communities.
The Diocese's Racial Justice Officer has created a set of resources to help churches mark the day.
Access the resources
Support for parishes
Parishes and individuals are warmly invited to contact the Diocesan Racial Justice Officer, Zara Rawlinson, for advice, resources, or to share feedback. Please email: zara.rawlinson@rochester.anglican.org
Key Contacts
Zara RawlinsonRacial Justice Officer |
|