After a week of racial violence, some guidance for church leaders and ordinary Christians on practical acts of compassion and concern in the context of those who wish to inflame violence and create divisions.

‘The word became flesh and moved into the neighbourhood’. Jesus came as a stranger into our world in order that we might be welcomed from being strangers into being family members. In this season of Pentecost, we are not slaves to fear but rather believe that through Christ, we are children of God. We continue to lament the violence in this past week. We lament the sexual assault of a teenage girl and pray for healing for her and her family. We lament that this became a trigger and was used to justify racial violence in our towns, causing damage to property, deep fear in local communities and the wounding of police officers. The recent racial violence in various towns this week runs in direct opposition to all that our Christian faith stands for. We are mindful of the fear and isolation this causes for those who already do not feel they belong in our communities. We offer our real sympathy to those who have been intimidated and terrorised by this violence. We are appalled that this has happened in our communities to people made in the image of God.

Many of our churches and denominations have spoken out to condemn the violence. What practical steps can churches now take? Here are some suggestions:

Short term:

• If you have friendships already formed with people who are not originally from Northern Ireland, text them and check in with them to see how they are doing. Ask people who indicate they are struggling, or just people who are your friends, if they would like to talk, offer to take them out for a coffee.

• Don't let racist comments or opinions go unchecked. Learn and present facts. Have the courage to communicate that as a Christian you are dismayed by what is happening and standing alongside those being targeted.

• Lament the current context in your prayers: Some examples are: page 10 in our From Every Nation Handbook: https://www.irishchurches.org/assets/files/resources/download/From-Every-Nation-.pdf page 18/19 of Racial Justice Sunday resources: https://ctbi.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Racial-Justice-Sunday-2025-English.pdf

Mid Term:

• Engage with what is going on as churches. As church leaders, reach out to local churches in the area, to discuss how you might work together to combat racism and consider what it looks like to provide shared safe spaces. Could your church invite members of local communities feeling under threat into your churches for some tea & buns, an opportunity to share and to even pray with them. People always remember who showed love and concern when they most needed it.

• Also as churches together, engage with the community to try and understand the suffering and tensions which are driving individuals towards violence. What are the valid concerns that need to be heard on issues like access to services and community safety. As churches be ready to listen with compassion whilst not condoning racism in any form.

• Reach out pastorally to those of other cultural/national backgrounds in your congregation. In your Sunday morning service express solidarity with those suffering and fearful, and teach from the bible why in Christ's church and kingdom there is no place for prejudice towards or 'othering' of any group or individual.

• As a leadership team, make a list of all the major organizations, particularly the health service who heavily rely on workers from other countries. How might these partnerships be acknowledged and valued.

• If you are a church leader and have links with local schools, check in with the principal to offer support to the pastoral care team and find out how the issue of racism is being addressed.

Longer Term:

• How might your leadership team, youth group and bible study groups learn together about God’s plan for a diverse kingdom. Develop your own church’s anti-racism statement so that it is clear that people from all cultures are welcome to your church.

• Work through the ‘From Every Nation Handbook’ which provides a theological context for why the work of anti-racism is important and helps lead congregations in practical ways from being a place of welcome to a place of belonging: https://www.irishchurches.org/assets/files/resources/download/From-Every-Nation-.pdf

Let us together ‘learn to do right, seek justice and defend the oppressed’ Isaiah 1:17.