Anti Racism Statement
Formally adopted by
all churches in Huyton Deanery.

We believe that all people are created in the image of God and are of equal worth (James 3v9)

Therefore, all peoples should be treated with respect and dignity.

We know without doubt that people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds have been victims of racial prejudice, and that the church has at times contributed to this racism. We repent of this. We repent too for those parts of our history and structures of society and institutions that have perpetuated racial inequity.

We acknowledge racism to be sinful. It fails to recognise God’s likeness in the people it targets. It also blinds us to the reality of suffering many experience, and is therefore contrary to the very essence of the Gospel and the great commandments given to us by Jesus to love God and our neighbours as ourselves (Mark 12:31)

We believe in transformation. Through an awareness of sin, confession and amendment of life, the Holy Spirit can and does change hearts and minds, and can bring healing even beyond our imagining. We will do all that we can to challenge racism and create opportunities for the Holy Spirit to stir all people towards a more just society (Romans 12:1-2)

We recognise both the urgency of the challenge, and the scale of the change needed. We repent that in our own lives as well as the wider church, justice hasn’t flowed like a mighty river (Amos 5:24) that at times we have consciously or unconsciously added to the pain of our BAME sisters and brothers. We will do all that we can as churches and individuals to listen carefully to those for whom racism is a lived experience. As our eyes and ears are opened, we will name, challenge and seek to overcome racism in ourselves and others. We know and lament that justice delayed is justice denied, and that whilst racism goes unchallenged, people die and suffer.

In the name of the Father who created us, the Son whom we follow, and the Holy Spirit in whom we live and breathe.