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[Church of England] The bishop of Kirkstall, the Rt. Rev. Arun Arora, and the bishop of Croydon, the Rt. Rev. Rosemarie Mallett, have been appointed by the archbishop of York and the bishop of London as joint lead bishops for the Church of England on racial justice. Their role will involve acting as advocates on racial justice throughout the Church of England, including promoting implementation of the recommendations of “From Lament to Action,” the landmark report from the Church of England’s Anti-Racism Taskforce. Arora and Mallett also will serve as joint deputy chairs of the newly created Racial Justice Board, a committee of the Archbishops’ Council that will oversee its work on racial justice. They also will attend the Racial Justice Panel, an external independent scrutiny body that will provide assurance that the work on racial justice is being carried out effectively, in accordance with agreed plans and best practice. Their appointment comes after the General Synod voted to back the findings of the final report of the Archbishops’ Commission on Racial Justice, ensuring crucial resources remain available for racial justice, including a racial justice board, panel, and lead bishop. Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell said, “I warmly welcome and celebrate the appointment of Bishop Rosemarie and Bishop Arun as joint Lead Bishops for Racial Justice in the Church of England. “Their leadership comes at a significant moment, as we mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the 60th anniversary of the UN’s International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. “This is a time to reflect on the progress made, to acknowledge the work still to be done and the challenges ahead, and to renew our commitment to eliminate racism. “By standing together, we can continue to build a church – and a society – where everyone is treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.” London Bishop Sarah Mullally said, “We are all made in the image of God. It is not just our duty to respond to every person with care and compassion, which it is, but our faith demands that we are seek justice and equity for all. “Bishop Rosemarie and Bishop Arun have set an excellent example in their pastoral roles as bishops and in their work at a national level. I am delighted that they have been appointed to this role and offer my full support.” Mallett said, “I am delighted to be appointed to assist leading the Church of England in its work to deepen our understanding and practice of racial justice, in parishes, dioceses and in our church structures. “Racial justice is at the heart of the gospel, as we seek to serve God, as people of all places and races – all unified by being created in God’s image and saved by the love of his Son Jesus Christ. “There is a lot of good work being undertaken, and our joint leadership roles will enable the church to keep focused on working for a more racially just and equitable church and society. I look forward to working in this collaborative role with Bishop Arun, as we seek to model partnership working.” Arora said, “I am looking forward to working with Bishop Rosemarie in taking forward the continuing work of the church in this Gospel work. As part of my Christian journey, I have been inspired and shaped over decades by the dedication of followers of Jesus in their work for racial justice. “Whether Martin Luther King or Desmond Tutu, Rosa Parks or Jemima Prasadam, Charlie Freer Andrews or Trevor Huddleston, each has pointed to Christ’s example in their discipleship. As co-lead bishop I look forward to continuing the journey that the Church of England has begun and following Christ’s mission to celebrate a God of justice.” Mallett is the lead bishop on social and racial justice in Diocese of Southwark and led work on developing the diocese’s anti-racism charter. She is chair of the Oversight Group for the Church Commissioners’ work on African chattel enslavement and reparatory justice and is also the lead bishop representing the church on the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland trustee board. She served as an Equalities Commissioner for five years in Lambeth and currently acts as adviser to a Croydon community action project, which is focused on reducing violence affecting young people. She also serves as chair of the Southwark diocesan board of education. Arora was co-chair of the Archbishops’ Anti-Racism Taskforce, which produced the report “From Lament to Action.” The report, published in 2021, called for change in the Church of England after “decades of inaction” on racial justice, setting out 47 specific actions for different arms of the Church of England to implement across five priority areas. He is the author of the book “Stick with Love, Rejoicing in Every Tongue, Every Tribe and Every Nation.” He has served in a variety of parish contexts and has also served as director of communications for the Church of England and the archbishop of York.

On March 21, the Trump administration issued, with immediate effect, a near-total termination of the Unaccompanied Children Program, which provides legal representation to thousands of unaccompanied immigrant children across the country, including infants. The termination forces unaccompanied children – among the most vulnerable individuals in our immigration system – to navigate and somehow represent themselves in immigration court proceedings. Some ... Read More

[Anglican Communion News Service] A diverse group of nearly 50 church leaders, representatives of various faith traditions, ecumenical organizations, indigenous communities and climate experts gathered in Brazil’s capital, Brasília, March 18-20 to coordinate efforts for meaningful engagement in the lead-up to COP30, the 2025 United Nations Climate Conference, which will take place in Brazil in November. Their central concern: ensuring that local voices are heard. The meeting brought together advocates from across Latin America and the Caribbean, including Anglican partners such as the Anglican Communion Office, alongside other ecumenical bodies working on climate justice. At the opening prayer service at the Anglican Cathedral of Brasília, faith leaders reflected on the urgency of addressing the climate crisis and the role of faith in driving action. The Most Rev. Marinez Bassotto, primate of the Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil, underscored the importance of hope as an active force for change. “This hope is alive, keeps us moving, and compels us to act today. Waiting for tomorrow drives us to fight now. For those who believe, hope is a verb — it becomes action,” she said. “It should awaken in us an awareness of the deep interconnectedness of all creation, a reciprocal interdependence. This, in turn, must inspire us to an attitude of solidarity and care – a stance that reveals us as children of God.” Participants represented faith communities from across Latin America and the Caribbean, including Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Panama, Bolivia, Honduras, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic. Among them were Anglican, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Mennonite, Anabaptist and Reformed churches, as well as national and regional faith-based organizations and Indigenous networks. In addition to exchanging concerns and best practices through panel discussions, the group worked on a “Call to Action” to be presented to the COP30 presidency. With the upcoming global climate summit set to take place in the Amazon region, the impact of the climate emergency on Indigenous peoples was a focal point of discussions in Brasília. “We especially recognize the role of Indigenous peoples, who have lived in the Amazon for millennia, caring for the ecosystem and passing down knowledge through generations to preserve their home,” said Jocabed Solano of Panama, director of Memoria Indígena. “The church, in its commitment to environmental and social justice, must firmly support these communities in their struggle to defend their territories and acknowledge their invaluable contribution to the planet,” added Solano, who also serves on the World Council of Churches Commission on Climate Justice and Sustainability. Roman Catholic Bishop Jerry Ruiz, from Honduras, reflected on the significance of working ecumenically towards COP30. “Regardless of our religious beliefs, I believe that what unites us is the same spirit. We are united by the cry of the earth, the cry of the poor, the need for justice, the criminalized, displaced and murdered communities,” he said. “And this must help us overcome our differences, because it is the Kingdom of God that unites us in the same goal and the same objective.” The event was hosted by the World Council of Churches, ACT Alliance, Christian Aid, Anglican Alliance, Lutheran World Federation, Caritas Internationalis, National Conference of Bishops of Brazil and the Conference of Bishops of Latin America.

St. Mark United Methodist in Chicago and Holman United Methodist in Los Angeles serve their growing communities by empowering young people and providing effective outreach ministries.

Conservative attacks on “DEI” and “woke”* policies and practices in the United States intensified in the run up to the presidential election. So, it should not come as a complete surprise that from the moment of Donald Trump’s inauguration, an assault on “diversity, equity, and...

In this issue: The National Youth Cabinet meets, Youth and Young Adult Ministry recommends a video introduction to making communion bread, Josh Wilson concert at Camp Mardela, Jennifer Hosler named one of "12 Christian women shaping the church in 2025" by Sojourners.

The newly published resource "Hope for Children Through Climate Justice: Legal Tools to Hold Financiers Accountable" provides churches and communities essential legal tools designed to hold financial actors accountable for their role in perpetuating the climate crisis.

Third Sunday in Lent Look For the Helpers Sometime our suffering is the result of sin, our own and/or that of others. However, sometimes suffering just happens. Last fall two major hurricanes ravaged parts of the eastern United States: Hurricane Helene caused damage and destruction from the Gulf Coast of Florida through the Appalachian Mountains, […]

The watchword for the week: Seek the Lord while he may be found,  call upon him while he is near. Isaiah 55:6 Christ invites us to come and worship To rest from the things that are troubling us; To pray for the needs of those close to us as well as for the needs of […]

A new statement of the Bahá’í International Community offers several principles that it suggests could inform EU policies for combating the roots of racism.