Coinciding with World Mental Health Day and Black History Month, the Diocese of London has launched the trial of an innovative new support service for Global Majority Heritage (GMH) / UK Minority Ethnic (UKME) clergy experiencing racial trauma.
The Diocese of London is piloting a trauma-informed coaching service to support clergy who have experienced racist trauma. The pilot funding has been provided by the National Racial Justice Unit and will allow for one to one coaching support for up to six sessions.
The pilot follows the recommendations of ‘If it wasn’t for God,’ a report published October 2022 by the theologian Dr Selina Stone looking at the factors which allow ordained GMH/UKME clergy to flourish in the Church of England. The report recommended providing full funding for independent culturally sensitive therapeutic and spiritual support for all GMH/UKME clergy.
The Healing Together service will be provided by Inchange, a group of expert facilitators and consultants specialising in social justice and therapeutic healing. They support individuals with trauma-informed one-to one coaching support to explore experiences of racism and discrimination, survival responses and patterns around trust, conflict and change.
The Diocese is marking Black History Month in a number of additional ways, which this year coincides with the 60th anniversary of Dr Martin Luther King’s visit to London and his iconic sermon at St Paul’s Cathedral, ‘The Three Dimensions of a Complete Life.’ The Diocese will be hosting a talk with Dr Robin Whitburn looking at the impact of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X on black civil rights activism in the UK in the 1960s. Further details can be found on the Diocese of London website.
The Rt Revd Anderson Jeremiah, Bishop of Edmonton and lead Bishop for Racial Justice in the Diocese of London, said:
“London is proud to be one of the most diverse dioceses in the country. With over 250 languages spoken across the capital, it is part of our mission to ensure that God’s message is heard across every community and in every corner of London. Sadly, as lead Bishop for Racial Justice in the Diocese I hear on a too-frequent basis of times when clergy have been failed or subject to harm because of the colour of their skin. This trial is a landmark first step forward for the Diocese, and I pray that clergy within London and beyond who have been affected by racism can find support, healing and the continued strength to fight for change.”