Racial Justice Sunday

This Sunday is Racial Justice Sunday and has especial resonance this year: not just for the events of last summer (the killing of George Floyd, the increasing cry that Black Lives Matter and, here in Bristol, the toppling of the statue of Edward Colston) but also for the ever more evident truth that Covid-19 is widening inequality and having a disproportionate impact on black and minority ethnic communities.

Sunday's Gospel, an account of the transfiguration, reminds us of the hope we have in Christ, even if we're left babbling like Peter not knowing quite how to respond. And Paul, in his letter to the church in Corinth, quotes God to encourage us to see beyond the darkness of troubled times: "Let light shine out of darkness".

And yet, on Racial Justice Sunday, another perspective hangs in the air: both these readings could be (and probably have been) used to suggest, not only that being bleached dazzling white is the best way to be, but also that darkness needs light to make it acceptable.

Language is the only way we have to communicate our understanding and if we are serious about learning the language of racial justice, of diversity and inclusion for every individual, each one made in the image and likeness of God, then we need to listen to how our words impact and affect those whose voices are often ignored or unheard.

This month is LGBT+ History month as well: what is true for our BAME sisters and brothers is no less true for our LGBT+ sisters and brothers as well. St Mary Redcliffe declares itself to be "Singing the song of faith and justice as a thriving, inclusive Christian community" ... and so we are; and yet we aren't as good as we could be.

What do we need to do more of ...

what do we need to be better at ...

what do we need to stop ...

so the entry to our church community is as open as the arms of the Christ we proclaim?

< Older Post

Newer Post >

More blog posts

The Sermon on Sunday 25th January 2026

By matthew.buckmaster • January 31, 2026

Preached by the Revd Simon Goodman

Appeal for Choir Chaperones

By joe.cryan • January 30, 2026

We Need Your Help! Choir Chaperones – Thursday Afternoons St Mary Redcliffe has a thriving music department – in fact it is right at the centre of our mission here – singing the song of faith and justice. A key part of this is our work with children who make up our treble line. Over the last year, we have seen a number of families move on from the choir as their children have grown up, and therefore we are in need of recruiting some choir chaperones – maybe you could help us? A choir chaperone attends rehearsals and is there should a child need some help. This might be that you take them to the toilet, help them find music, or contact their parents should they need it. 99% of the time, you can sit there and read a book or get on with some work, but they are essential for that 1% of the time where something unexpected might happen. We can easily find interesting tasks for you to do alongside this (e.g. covering some copies, tidying up music) but the main responsibility is looking after the trebles in the choir. At the moment we particularly need them for Thursday Afternoons – from 4:15 through to 5:30 for our Girls Chorister Rehearsals. We are also looking for people with experience of working with primary school children to help out at Sing Start! which runs from 5:30 till 6:30, also on a Thursday evenings. Any person who would like to help on this role would be subject to a reference check, attaining a DBS and completing some safeguarding training. If you feel you could volunteer to help the choir, or want some more information about what it would involve, contact our Director of Music on joe.cryan@stmaryredcliffe.co.uk