WMRJI annual gathering 2026: Building courage and confidence for racial justice practice
You are invited to the WMRJI Annual Gathering 2026: Building Courage and Confidence for Racial Justice Practice, taking place from Tuesday 22 to Wednesday 23 September at Yarnfield Park, Staffordshire, ST15 0NL. This gathering is open to clergy, lay leaders, and anyone involved in or wanting to support racial justice work in their diocese or parish.
Arrival and room allocation will begin at 10am on Tuesday 22 September.
As the Church of England continues its journey of reckoning with racism, this gathering offers a vital space to pause, reflect, worship, learn, and strengthen one another for the work ahead. Racial justice isn’t the responsibility of a few. It’s a shared calling of the whole Body of Christ.
Over 24 hours, we’ll gather across the six dioceses of the West Midlands to build the courage and confidence needed to lead racial justice work with faithfulness, humility, and hope.
Through keynote addresses, guided conversations, shared learning, prayer, worship, and practical reflection, we’ll explore how we have arrived at this moment and how we move forward together with boldness and care.
This year’s theme is rooted in Zechariah 4:10:
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.”
Together, we’ll celebrate the small but significant steps already being taken across our churches, schools, and cathedrals, while discerning courageous priorities for the year ahead.
The programme includes keynote contributions, shared learning, worship, regional reflection, collaborative learning, and space to connect with others committed to racial justice practice across the Church.
Spaces are limited, and we strongly encourage you to secure your place as soon as possible. This is an important opportunity to connect with others, deepen your practice, and be part of shaping a more just, truthful, and inclusive Church.
