Racial Justice
CLM is a growing, diverse church, with over 60 nationalities. We seek to be a genuine, Christ-centred community, where people from all cultural backgrounds are welcome, included, can belong, grow and flourish in their God-given gifts.
We seek to bring the Kingdom of God into every life and sphere of society, including on the issue of racial justice – which is an ongoing priority at CLM.
CLM has a Racial Justice Committee, comprising of James Ombudo, Stella Orim, Martin and Esther Storey, Donald Browne-Marke and Jonathan Chand. The committee meets at least three times per year, to provide a forum for ongoing discussion, accountability and strategic planning to ensure ongoing action for Racial Justice. The committee is also in place to keep on-track the current Elders’ Commitment to Racial Justice, which was signed off by the Elders and Taskforce for Racial Justice in the summer of 2022, following the outworking of an initial ‘Action Plan’ (see below).
View the current Elders’ Commitment to Racial Justice here.
The Taskforce for Racial Justice was established in the summer of 2020: Following the killing of George Floyd in May 2020, the issues of racial injustice were brought into sharp focus - not only in the US, but also here in the UK. At that time, a questionnaire on Racial Injustice was sent to all members of CLM, to help inform our response.
The Taskforce supported the Elders in processing and responding to the completed questionnaires. They facilitated small group and 1-2-1 conversations, creating safe spaces for people to share their experiences and pain due to racism.
The Taskforce collated all that they had heard into recommendations to the Elders of CLM, from which a detailed Action Plan was produced in February 2021, under 7 headings of Teaching and Learning, Conversation, Training, Leadership Development, Inclusion and Belonging, Mission, and Prayer.
View the original Elders’ Action Plan for Racial Justice here.
Over the following 18 months, this Action Plan was outworked by the Eldership and staff of CLM, with support from the Taskforce and all actions were addressed in full or in part, to the point where an updated approach was required. Those on the Taskforce for Racial Justice had fulfilled their 2-year term of service, and in September 2022 the Racial Justice Committee was formed to take its place.
Need Support?
If you are part of CLM and you have been affected by racial injustice or racism and would like to receive some pastoral support or counselling, there are members of CLM’s Pastoral Support Team, including a qualified counsellor and psychotherapist who have experienced racism themselves and are available to help. To find out more or to request a call, please e-mail: rj@clmchurch.co.uk
Sunday Messages
CLM’s Sunday messages can be found on CLM’s YouTube channel.
Pastors Martin and Esther spoke into the journey of developing the Elders’ Action Plan, and more broadly into racial justice, on Sundays 21 and 28 February 2021 as a key update to the congregation at that time.
In October 2021 CLM ran a 3-week Standing Together series on Sunday mornings and in our Life Groups, looking at ‘God’s Heart for Justice’, ‘God’s Heart for All Nations’ and ‘Lament: Touching God’s Heart’. After the 3 weeks, we held an Evening for Lament for Racial Injustice, sharing laments that had been written collectively in some of CLM’s Life Groups. It was a poignant and significant evening of worship, lament, confession, repentance and prayer.
If you would like to read some of the laments that were shared you can do so by clicking here.
And in September 2022 we ran a 5-week Series called, ‘Invited,’ (inspired by King’s Church London). Based in the book of Acts, ‘Invited’ considered how the early church grew and spread beyond the familiar cultural boundaries of the disciples, as God’s heart for a diverse church, from all nations, peoples, tribes and languages began to be realised.
Recommended Resources
CLM members are encouraged to engage in self-education about racism, racial injustice and how we can act to bring change. We are aware that there is an abundance of excellent resources on the subject of Racial Justice. Here are just a few suggestions to get started – especially if this area is new to you:
*Please note these resources are not our own and we do not necessarily endorse all the personal or theological views expressed.
BOOKS
We Need to Talk about Race. Ben Lindsay (2019)
ISBN 9780281080175
Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People about Race. Reni Eddo-Lodge (2017)
ISBN 9781408870587
White Privilege. Kalwant Bhopal (2018)
ISBN 9781447335979
Black and British: A Forgotten History. David Olusoga (2016)
ISBN 9781447299769
Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of the Empire. Akala (2018)
ISBN 9781473661233
Gracism – The Art of Inclusion. David Anderson (2007)
ISBN 9780830837373
Be the Bridge. Latasha Morrison (2019)
ISBN 9780525652885
PROGRAMMES AND VIDEOS
Panorama – Let’s Talk About Race
BBC Presenter Naga Munchetty travels across the country to understand what race and racism mean in the UK today (March 2021)
Christine Caine and Dr Anita Philips: A Conversation About Race and the Church
Dr. Anita sits with Christine Caine for a conversation about race and the church that will change the way that you see everything!
Black and British: A Forgotten History
Historian David Olusoga explores the enduring relationship between Britain and people whose origins lie in Africa.
Enslaved
What happened to the 12 million Africans stolen from their homes? Piecing together the untold story of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, a global business that thrived for centuries.
Small Axe
Love Letters to Black resilience and triumph in London’s West Indian Community, directed by Oscar winner Steve McQueen. Vivid stories of hard-won victories in the face of racism.
ADDITIONALLY
We would strongly recommend taking a few minutes to read Tearfund’s excellent ‘Guide to Respond to Racial Injustice’. It includes some Bible studies, prayers, personal reflections, a helpful glossary of terms and a more comprehensive Resource section should you want to go further: