Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
The South Bedfordshire Circuit’s Church Leadership Team embarked (Feb. 2019) on an exploratory research initiative to examine EDI issues and approaches.
This has resulted in a Racial Justice Strategy for the South Beds Circuit which was launched in September 2021.
Please click here for a copy of the Strategy.
BUILDING A MORE INCLUSIVE CIRCUIT
Revd Arlington Trotman was appointed by the Circuit to move us forward in the area of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) policy and practice. This followed recent Methodist Church’s acknowledgement of racism, reports, and statements to end it, recognition of current Connexional work entitled The Inclusive Church, and the Circuit’s growing awareness of theneed to address issues of equality and diversity.
Since February 2019, Arlington has conducted: -
- research across the Circuit with recommendations;
- created an EDI task group in March 2020;
- now implementing the recommendations;
- created this EDI webpage where you will find helpful information and prayers, updated from time to time.
EDI policy and practice means that the Circuit, which is located in a very mixed area, with a variety of local contexts in which we encounter people from a whole wide range of backgrounds, is committed to just and equal treatment, and how to do it the best possible way.
This work includes:
the group developing and improving the Circuit awareness
- building more diverse and inclusive practices in all activities
In September 2021, the Circuit launched its Racial Justice Strategy. Please click here for a copy of the strategy.
The EDI steering group provided a collection of prayers in support of this ongoing work (Matthew 25:31-46), and these are now available, here, to be used by ministers, worship leaders, teachers, lay workers in various worship settings in conjunction with members.
PRAYERS supporting the South Beds Circuit's Equality Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) work - please click here.
PRAYERS - We together seek justice - please click here
Recommended Readings and Resources - please click here
For a review of 'Ghost Ships' - Institutional Racism and the Church of England - please click here