On 8 February this year we observe Racial Justice Sunday. It’s an opportunity for all churches to reflect on the importance of racial justice.
Polly said: “Let us give thanks for the gifts and beauty of human diversity and commit to end racism and acts of discrimination. Racism exists in the Church of England just as it does in society in general. We need every person in every church and every school to acknowledge and address it. Observing Racial Justice Sunday is just one way we can all be united in Christ and value the unique ways we all reflect the image of God.”
The 2026 theme is Love Your Neighbour. It calls us to be practical and courageous in embodying Christ’s Love.
One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, ‘Which commandment is the first of all?’ Jesus answered, ‘The first is, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” The second is this, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.’
Mark 12:28-31
This theme invites us to reflect on:
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How we welcome and include everyone in our communities.
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How we listen to and elevate marginalised voices.
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How we challenge racism when we encounter it.
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How we model Christ’s compassion in worship, leadership, and daily life.
What can your church do on Racial Justice Sunday?
As members and leaders of churches, it can be difficult to know how to talk about contentious issues. We can worry about ‘getting it right’, about causing friction and entering disagreement, but we can also worry about the impacts of not speaking up and the division in communities caused by anonymity and misinformation if we don’t talk to others who are different and work to understand each other better.
The Church of England resources for the Racial Justice Sunday highlight the need to carefully approach the resources and:
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acknowledge prejudice
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speak into silence
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address ignorance
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name fear
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admit vulnerability
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pay attention to power
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commit to action.
Use the resources available to pray together, to preach the gospel of both love and justice, to celebrate diversity and to commit to action.
Love your neighbour resources from CTBI.