The Diocese of Worcester Racial Justice Forum met in January to begin thinking about our plans for 2026. The forum has two new Chairs, Jacqueline Shalloe, parish priest in Kidderminster and Joseph Diwakar, Diocesan Director of Mission and Ministry, and we are developing our action plan to sit alongside our approved diocesan Racial Justice Charter.

There are plans in the Diocese for two services to mark Racial Justice Sunday on 8 February. St Anne’s Church in Bewdley will be holding a Service of the Word with Holy Communion using the material provided by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. The service will focus on listening to a range of voices in order to present a more balanced narrative around the issue of immigration, staying true to the teachings of Christ to welcome the stranger and feed the hungry, whilst seeking to respond to concerns in love. In Kidderminster, Bishop Martin will preach at a service to which the local council leaders and police have been invited.