Waking Up to and Addressing Whiteness in the Anglican Church

A Racial Justice Conference

Tuesday, 17 October 2023

St Martin-in-the-Bullring, Birmingham

We're delighted to be organising our first racial justice conference this autumn. On the theme 'Waking up to and addressing Whiteness in the Anglican Church', this event is for clergy and laity who are already pursuing racial justice and working at addressing the culture of whiteness in our churches.

  • Timing: Tuesday, 17 October 2023, 9.15am - 4.30pm (we have a block hotel booking the night before, for those travelling from a distance)
  • Location: St Martin-in-the-Bullring, Birmingham
  • More info (including agenda for the day): Download the conference programme
  • How to book: Please complete the application form below

Speakers & Facilitators

Racial Justice Conference Reconciliation Initiatives

Tricia Hillas — Conference Chair

Tricia is Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons, and the Canon Steward and Archdeacon at Westminster Abbey in central London. She is also a member of the Archbishops’ Commission for Racial Justice in the Church of England.

Racial Justice Conference Reconciliation Initiatives

Martyn Snow — Keynote Speaker

Martyn is the Bishop of Leicester, since spring 2016. He is actively involved in interfaith work and his diocese’s Intercultural Worshipping Communities programme, and has a background of working with the church in different parts of the world. He entered the House of Lords in 2022.

Racial Justice Conference Reconciliation Initiatives

Sharon Prentis — Conference Speaker

Sharon is the Deputy Director of the Church of England’s Racial Justice Unit, and also Canon theologian at Lichfield Cathedral. She has previously served as Dean of Ministry at St Mellitus College, and Intercultural Mission Enabler and Dean of BAME Affairs for Birmingham Diocese.

Racial Justice Conference Reconciliation Initiatives

Alastair McKay - Conference Facilitator

Alastair is Director of RI, having founded the charity in 2017; and is the Associate Priest in the parish of Malvern Link with Cowleigh. An author, he also works as a freelance consultant, coach and adult educator. Alastair co-founded and directed Bridge Builders for 20 years until ordination in 2015.

Racial Justice Conference Reconciliation Initiatives

Carey Haslam - Conference Facilitator

Carey is RI’s Racial Justice Lead, and has co-developed the Being White programme, alongside Alastair. She is a highly experienced trainer and facilitator in conflict resolution, mediation and diversity. She is also an Associate Consultant and Trainer with enei.

Book your place

Thank you for your interest in attending our Racial Justice Conference. Please complete the application form below, if you’d like to attend.

Assuming your application is accepted immediately, you will be notified and invoiced accordingly. The standard cost of the conference is £75 per person, or £65 for those who’ve completed RI’s Being White programme. However, if you are paying for yourself, and need bursary help, please email us.

Alternatively, you may be contacted with a request for further information.

Details of our data protection and privacy policy can be seen here.

Application form for our Racial Justice Conference

About You

7. Are you...(Required)

8. Have you participated in a Being White programme led by RI?(Required)

Your Contact Details

Sharing Your Details

12. I confirm that my name and email address can be shared with other conference participants(Required)

Overnight Accommodation

13. Do you expect to need hotel accommodation locally the night before the conference? (Note: not included in conference price, but preferential rate secured)(Required)

Dietary Restrictions and Special Needs

14. Do you have any special dietary needs or restrictions?(Required)
15. Do you have any mobility or other physical needs or restrictions that we should be aware of?(Required)

Reasons For Your Application

"There is no doubt when we look at our own church that we are still deeply institutionally racist.”
The Most Revd Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, at General Synod in February 2020

“I think that it’s the obligation of the people that have created and perpetuate and benefit from a system of oppression to be the ones that dismantle it.”
Joaquin Phoenix

“There is something deeply perverse in expecting those who are oppressed and excluded to be the architects of dismantling that oppression and exclusion.”
Elizabeth Henry

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