West Midlands Racial Justice Initiative welcomes two diocesan board members

The West Midlands Racial Justice Initiative has recently appointed two new board members from the Diocese of Gloucester, Ann Sargent and Alexandra Dyer.

The Revd Canon Ann Sargent is Diocesan Director of Ordinands and Vocations Lead in the Diocese of Gloucester, and Canon Alexandra Dyer is a Reader and Honorary Lay Canon of Gloucester Cathedral.

As Racial Justice Board members, Ann and Alexandra will work in partnership with the Bishops, the Diocesan Secretary, the Racial Justice Director, and the Reference Group to adapt and implement the recommendations of the Lament to Action report. Reporting regularly to the Bishop’s Council, they also support the Church’s commitment to being a community that not only welcomes all people, but actively honours the image of God and the unique gifts present in every individual.

Alexandra said:

“As a new member of the Board, I am excited to be part of an initiative that encourages continued diversity in the Church. The Church is changing and evolving. We naturally welcome everyone in but sometimes it can be hard to feel part of the Church family. This initiative looks to address these challenges.

“I shall be joining the Risk Register sub-group. The Register identifies risks, but alongside that it looks to maximise the opportunities that come out of that. This ensures progress can still be made enabling the work to continue.

“I’m more of a listener and I consider carefully what is being said in meetings. Although I may be a quiet member of the board, I hope to hear about the various initiatives and creativity that will encourage all people from a variety of backgrounds to attend and be leaders in our growing church.

“As a Reader, I lead All Age Worship services in church. Outside of the church, I am a member of the Gloucester Branch of the Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA UK). We are a mission organisation that takes the gospel to motorcyclists in a variety of ways. We enjoy being of service at Biker Rallies, and talking at Men’s Breakfasts and church services about the work we do.”

Ann Sargent said:

“Some years ago my daughter reflected on her experience of growing up black within the Church. I’m not going to lie, it made a hard listen. She is a musician, and she used the Sam Cooke refrain ‘a change is going to come’ throughout her reflection. When I asked her about whether she would be comfortable with me joining the WMRJB she said simply ‘…just know it will change nothing’.

“She herself sits on arts boards in Wales as a classical composer. So I come to this board in the hope that together, within this region through challenging current practice and stimulating culture change, we can become the Church we are truly called to be – inclusive of all God’s people.

“I come to the board from my background in vocations and discernment, seeking to grow and encourage diverse leadership across the Church of England.

“Without a doubt, I am probably not the ideal person for this task, but I am willing to commit to seeking to hold the Church of England to account for the change that needs to come.”

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