West Midlands Racial Justice Initiative

Tune in to our latest episode of Seasons of Justice from West Midlands Racial Justice Initiative, featuring Dr. Jill Ford and Ian Collinge from All Nations College. In this Pentecost season, we explore what it means for the Church to honour many voices in practice, through repair and shared power, not one-off gestures.
The conversation is practical and grounded, unpacking intercultural worship, the value of Ethnodoxology, how to avoid cultural extraction, and what dioceses and parishes can do next to move from “talk about cultural diversity” into change that lasts. If you’re a clergy leader, worship leader, PCC member, or simply someone who wants worship to reflect the breadth of God’s people, this episode will help you take your next step with clarity and care.

Seasons of Justice with Dr Jill Ford & Ian Collinge Seasons of Justice Podcast from West Midlands Racial Justice Initia...

You're invited to join ANIC's 3rd Anglican Intercultural Mission Conference, Saturday 21 March 2026, 9.30am - 4pm, St. John's Church in the City of Wolverhampton.

This important conference will explore the state of intercultural mission in the Church of England.

Register today on Eventbrite!

3RD ANGLICAN INTERCULTURAL MISSION CONFERENCE: The Primer Join us live at the 3rd Anglican Intercultural Mission Conference: The Primer for faith, culture, and mission vibes!

Our February WMRJI newsletter is out now, with news and updates on racial justice work across our partner dioceses.

West Midlands Racial Justice Initiative

WMRJI Newsletter | February 2026 Welcome to the February 2026 WMRJI newsletter. This month brings powerful stories of remembrance, courageous witness, and practical action for racial justice across our region.

Missed our recent podcast with the Chair of the The Church of England - Birmingham Racial Justice Board? You can listen to it here:

Seasons of Justice - with Revd. Canon Wayne Hamilton Seasons of Justice Podcast explores how faith is translated into bold, practical action for racial justice. In this episode, host Kevin Thompson is joined by...

In the run up to Racial Justice Sunday, we are pleased to share a list of sermon themes, along with prayer and liturgy points that you can use. Please visit our website under 'Resources and Publications' or use this link: https://birminghamanglican.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/IQA1T0p_iQsfSIHQQ3N9u-YMAVgnxYc4shqgT6WHYHRBptw?e=dg8CBT

🕊 𝗥𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 2026 | 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿 🕊

Racial Justice Sunday takes place on 8 February, and our churches across the West Midlands are invited to mark the day through worship, prayer, action, or reflection.

This year’s theme from Churches Together in Britain and Ireland is “Love Your Neighbour.” It calls us to resist narratives of fear and hostility, especially towards asylum seekers, refugees, and those made to feel they do not belong, and to embrace a biblical vision of unity where all are loved and valued as part of one human family in Christ.

📘 Explore and download the CTBI resources here:
👉 https://ctbi.org.uk/resources/racial-justice-sunday-8-february-2026

If you’re part of a Church of England church in the West Midlands, we’d love to hear how you’re engaging with Racial Justice Sunday. Please share your plans by completing this short 5-minute survey by 31 January:
👉 https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/2026RJSundays

📢 Deaneries — please circulate widely.

📰 Our January newsletter is out now!
Read it here: https://sh1.sendinblue.com/adqt717gxxpfe.html?t=1769446161543

It includes updates from across the region, reflections, and opportunities to stay connected in the Church of England’s ongoing racial justice journey in the West Midlands.

Please read, share — and let us know what’s happening in your context: [email protected]

The Update | WMRJI Newsletter January 2026 Welcome to the first WMRJI newsletter of 2026. As the new year begins, we’re spotlighting bold reflections, local action, and stories that speak to the heart of our shared calling: justice, repair, and joy. Inside, you’ll find updates from across the region, microgrants in motion, new leadership...

𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗥𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 — 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗮𝘂𝗹

Paul’s conversion begins not with certainty, but with a question: “Why are you persecuting me?” It’s a moment of interruption, truth-telling, and the start of a new path shaped by those he once overlooked.

This story echoes through our own work. At West Midlands Racial Justice Initiative, we walk alongside churches across the region as they respond to God’s call to justice — confronting inequality, widening belonging, and embedding equity into the Church’s life and leadership.

In the West Midlands, churches are responding to that same call — building spaces of belonging, listening deeply to those historically excluded, and reimagining leadership through the lens of racial justice. We give thanks for this courageous, hopeful work.

Conversion isn’t a one-time event. It’s the faithful, ongoing turning toward justice, repair, and the full dignity of all.

We are pleased to welcome Jennie Johnson as the new Director of the West Midlands Racial Justice Initiative.

For more information, please read our full press release:
🔗 https://wmracialjustice.org.uk/press-release-jennie-johnson-appointed-as-the-director-of-west-midlands-racial-justice-initiative/

📣 Windrush Day Grant Scheme 2026 – Applications Now Open!

Are you part of a community group, charity, CIC or local authority working in England? You can now apply for funding to deliver projects that commemorate, celebrate and educate about the Windrush Generation and their descendants. The scheme is designed to bring communities together, celebrate shared heritage, and amplify voices often overlooked.

Grants of £5,000 to £25,000 are available to support creative activities and events that:
• Raise awareness of the Windrush story and history
• Foster pride in contributions made by Windrush communities
• Inspire young people and support inclusive engagement across diverse groups
• Include a key event on National Windrush Day (22 June 2026) with wider activity before 31 July 2026.

Applications must be submitted by 11:59pm on 10 February 2026 via the Near Neighbours website.

👉 Visit the application page to apply or find out more:
https://www.near-neighbours.org.uk/windrush26-home

Let’s honour the legacy of the Windrush Generation and build connections that strengthen our communities.