Three years on from the foundation of the first, and to date only, UKME Chapter its members gathered recently to renew their focus and ministry.
Bishop Steven hosted members at Church House where they celebrated their fellowship and also the ministry of the Revd Canon Janet Binns who is stepping down after three years as chapter Dean.
Charnelle Stylianides, Director of People at the diocese, said: “It was a privilege to host so many members of the UKME Chapter for lunch, prayer and celebration. Through their dedication and resilience, they enrich our faith, strengthen our diocesan community and are paving the way for a more diverse future.”
The chapter meets twice a year for fellowship and prayer and often at other diocese-led events like the upcoming Chrism Mass. The gatherings are an opportunity to welcome new members, share news, signpost to useful resources and conferences and pray together. The chapter are also available to preach about racial justice and diversity throughout the diocese to spread the news about what is going on in the chapter.
The Revd Janet Binns said: “More than ever people can feel a little bit isolated. We do live in a society where there is a lot of unconscious bias that goes on. Racism in subtle ways. Without a chapter we would be in our parishes dealing with these things on our own and questioning whether to even speak up.”
Janet explained the chapter can be a place where members feel validated in their experiences and can share with others who have been through similar things. She added when the chapter launched there were just two incumbents who were people of colour and a further six UKME members who took other roles in the church and now there are more than 25. The chapter has also been a positive for recruitment with one clergy person saying the chapter was a reason for them looking for a role in the diocese.
Read Janet’s reflection on her time as Dean of the UKME Chapter.