World Social Justice Day

For World Social Justice Day, we have a blog from Canon Ellen Loudon:

I am often asked what is social justice in a Christian context and what makes social justice mission? Social justice is the way we pursue a fair and equitable society by acting in solidarity with those who are suffering, working for the common good, striving for peace and seeking the dignity of work and participation for all people.

As Anglicans we define mission in this way:

1. To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom

2. To teach, baptise and nurture new believers

3. To respond to human need by loving service

4. To transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation

5. To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth

The third, fourth and fifth marks of mission are profoundly focused on the bigger difference we make in the world – how we as a church strive for social justice. This is our mission. In this way we pursue kindness, reconcile ourselves to God and each other, and sustain this life we share on earth as we seek the kingdom of God.

I was appointed Director of Social Justice at the Diocese of Liverpool ten years ago in June. A great deal has happened in the world and in our diocese in this part decade that has made our pursuit of social justice possible. We have seen our parishes have responding to human need in their work to fight food poverty, we have seen the opening of social supermarkets, and many foodbanks have become special community spaces, churches have opened their doors to serve food to people who are hungry, knit and natter groups have offered company to those who are lonely, The Mothers Union has raised awareness of the violence against women, Together Liverpool has connected social action by creating the Network of Kindness, many have supported the strangers amongst us – asylum seekers and refugees, some of us have had training to help us understand our unconscious bias, some churches have gained funding to improve access or lower their carbon footprint and our anti-racist strategy has enabled us to begin our journey toward being aware of our past failings as a church as well as confront discrimination today. In all this, and the many others ways we are transforming unjust structures, sustaining the earth or responding to human need, our Diocese and Cathedral have been a witness to the glory of God.

But we know there is still a great deal of work to be done and God is calling each of us to play our part – however big or small – in being God’s hands and feet in the pursuit of social justice.

On this World Social Justice day, I pray that we will continue to do all we can to strive to make a bigger difference in our small corner of the world and work together for that day when we see justice and mercy in all the world.

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Let us pray:

Loving God of Justice,

Help us to be your people in this place.

Enable us to respond to human need by loving service.

Give us courage to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation.

And equip us to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth.

By being the bigger difference in your world we ask that you

give us a voice to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom,

and the skills to teach, baptise and nurture new believers.

So that we will see your Kingdom come.

In the name of your son Jesus Christ who came to save.

Amen

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If you’d like to know more about the social justice work we share please go to our webpage. or contact me – Rev Canon Dr Ellen Loudon, Canon Chancellor and Director of Social Justice at Ellen.loudon@liverpool.anglican.org.