On Monday 29 September, Christians from across Leeds, Yorkshire, and further afield will gather at the Community Wellbeing Hub in Chapeltown (LS7 3EZ) for Responding to Questions Against Racism, to explore questions from the local community about faith and racial justice, and have the hard, ongoing conversations needed for real change.
Responding to Questions Against Racism, is being coordinated by the Leeds Church Institute, with support from Churches Together in England (CTE) and Churches Together in Britain and Ireland.
CTE Principal Officer for Pentecostal, Charismatic and Multicultural Relations, Min. Shermara Fletcher-Hoyte, said: “True racial justice must reach every corner of our nation. Communities in the North, like those in Leeds, face unique challenges and opportunities that the church must meet with the same energy and commitment as anywhere else. By creating space for honest dialogue, shared meals, and united action, this initiative ensures that voices too often overlooked are heard, valued, and equipped to shape change. We stand alongside these efforts because when one part of the body suffers, the whole body suffers and when one part flourishes, the whole body rejoices.”
Responding to Questions against Racism is the first event in a planned series. Questions asked by attendees at a launch event last year will be put to a panel of Christian leaders and Ministers experienced in challenging racism, and then discussed in groups that bring together a range of community voices.
The panel will include Rev Graham Brownlee (Baptist minister), Bishop Arun Arora (Anglican Diocese of Leeds), Bishop Tony Parry (New Testament Church of God), Lay Pastor Sunita Wasson (Salvation House of God), Dr Ann Marie Mealey (Director of Catholic Mission, Leeds Trinity University), Rev Dave Ho Young (Anglican Diocese of Leeds), Rev Dr Inderjit Bhogal (Founder of City of Sanctuary, former President of Methodist Conference), and Siaa Lianne Mathurin (CEO of Wellsprings Together).
The event will also include a performance from writer, rapper, educator and world record-breaking beatboxer, Testament. Testament’s work will provide a creative way into exploring the themes that emerge through the evening, with a bespoke original spoken word piece in response to the discussions on the night.
The event will start with a shared meal at 6pm, followed by the panel conversation, and plenty of time for you to discuss your responses – and what questions have been raised for you by what you’ve heard. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Book a place at Responding to Questions against Racism event on 29 September.