Anglicans from across our diocese have been looking at how local churches can best support their communities in bringing people together and working to build bridges where there is division.
On Thursday, June 11 in Wakefield, Chine McDonald, Director of Theos, the religion and society think tank, was the speaker at both a study day for clergy and lay leaders and the Rt Revd Malcolm Chamberlain, Bishop of Wakefield's regular series of Follow Me events, which help Christians to think through issues facing the church and the world.
As well as being a writer, broadcaster and author, Chine is a Trustee of Christian Aid, where she was previously Head of Community Fundraising and Public Engagement.
She speaks and writes regularly on issues of race, faith and gender.
Chine encouraged those present to think through the issues which have led to increasing division in our communities, including the decline of trust in institutions and the collapse in shared clubs, unions and societies where people had space to encounter those unlike them and negotiate the difference.
Generational fracture, new political faultlines, issues around immigration and national identity and wider culture wars are all leading to a society that feels increasingly divided - although focus group studies often showed people felt more positive about their local communities than about the country as a whole.
Chine then led those present through thinking about how the church can act as a reconciler and a place of relationship.
Churches can be places where all are seen and valued as made in the image of God, our shared humanity is recognised and people do not ‘other’ those who are different. Group conversations focussed on steps local churches can begin to work towards.
Bishop Malcolm said: "We were delighted to have a speaker of Chine's expertise and experience with us to help us think through these really important and challenging issues.
"We know the issue of increasingly divided communities is a concern for churches across the Diocese of Leeds - as it is for the whole country.
"Chine was really inspirational in helping us to think through what divides people and how the church can try to build bridges and help to bring communities together again.
"I hope all who were there were able to go away with some real practical ideas about things we begin to do in our individual contexts and parishes."
Meanwhile at a study day in the Bradford Episcopal Area on Tuesday, June 16, Kersten England, Chair of the Bradford Culture Company and former Chief Executive of Bradford Council, helped clergy and lay leaders to think through both the learning and experiences from Bradford 2025, the district’s year as Capital of Culture, and how the church can reach out and engage with local politicians, especially following the changes that happened as a result of this year’s local elections.
The Rt Revd Toby Howarth, Bishop of Bradford, said: “Kersten was really helpful in reminding us of the positivity and renewal that came into the district as a result of Bradford 2025 and the opportunity that continues to bring for the future.
"She also spoke powerfully about how the Church of England's parish system and local councils both come with a responsibility - or call - to serve all of the communities in an area, despite the fact we might disagree.
"That’s why it’s so important for the church to reach out, to engage and to understand all the views of those in our areas."