A diocesan service entitled ‘A Coat of Many Colours’ was held for Racial Justice Sunday on 9 February, at St Anne’s Church in Bewdley. The service was planned by members of the Diocese of Worcester Racial Justice Forum.
It included reflections and encounters with a range of different cultural experiences and traditions, while prayers and hymns, including a hymn from Kenya, showcased the diversity of our communities and heritages.
Lay Minister, Robert Barbour interviewed Harriet Chimani as part of the service. Both Robert and Harriet are members of the diocesan Racial Justice Forum and Harriet is also a member of Bishop’s Council. Harriet moved to England from Zimbabwe in 2001, eventually settling in Inkberrow in 2010. They were the only black family in the village, but felt they were welcomed by the community, St Peter’s church which they attend and her son’s primary school.
Robert asked Harriet how African heritage is different to the Windrush generation and people of West Indian heritage who migrated from the Caribbean. Harriet said for Black Africans in land-locked Zimbabwe, slavery wasn’t part of their experience, but colonisation was. This has created something of an inferiority complex for many people from Zimbabwe which still impacts.
Harriet said:
“The biggest change I would like to see in our diocese is less focus on slavery and the negatives and more celebration of ethnic minorities and what they can bring, I would love to change the black history curriculum, because children only know what they are taught.”
Harriet also talked about raising her boys and the need for them to see inspirational literature that has language and images they can relate to.
Harriet continued:
“It’s good to know that the church is aware of and thinking about different communities and heritages and what it’s like to be a minority. Being part of the Racial Justice Forum has helped me find a voice. It has given me the opportunity to highlight some practices and the confidence to suggest some changes to ensure all feel recognised and included.”
The Bishop of Dudley and Acting Bishop of Worcester, Martin Gorick preached at the service.
He talked about his experiences from his time as a parish priest in Smethwick, Birmingham in the 1990s, saying:
“I was privileged to have many of the first generation of Black Anglican Christian’s who had arrived from the West Indies, and their British-born descendants, in my parish and church…I heard their stories and tried to find ways to bring them to a more prominent place in the life of the church. Sarah had come from Jamaica in 1960. When we had a baby, it was Sarah who left delicious Jamaican food on our doorstep, but she’d never shared her cooking with the church community. I asked her why not and discovered that she didn’t make quiche or sausage rolls or any of the other items mentioned on the sign-up sheet before parish functions. We introduced a ‘Bring and Share’ supper and never looked back.”
He continued:
“All across our diocese Christians are arriving in our churches from across Africa, south and east Asia and elsewhere. Many are working in our health and care services. They bring such faith and life and could be at the very heart of the renewal of the church in this country. We want to be part of a happy, safe and diverse Church where we celebrate unity in our diversity".
Harriet’s son read from the bible, Colossians 3:
“As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another… Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
The theme of the service was ‘A coat of many colours’. During the service attendees were invited to come to the front and help weave cloths of different colours into a frame as a way of making their own commitment to racial justice and create our own coat of many colours.
There was very positive feedback from attendees after the service.
Diana commented:
“I thought the service was wonderful! Great to see it so well attended too.”
The Revd Hazel Charlton visiting from Halas parish said:
“It was uplifting and thought-provoking. I was reminded that we are united in God’s love for each and every one of us!”
Download the Order of Service for this event here: Racial Justice Sunday 2025 Order of Service
