Race and Community Relations Committee

Records of the Committee and its predecessor, the Race, Pluralism and Community Group. Includes minutes from Committee meetings, meeting papers, correspondence, Secretary's papers, and files of material accumulated by the Secretary when gathering information on particular topics.

The Race, Pluralism and Community Group (RPCG) was formed in 1981 following the acceptance by General Synod of the proposals outlined in GS 450 'Pluralism And Community: A Task And An Instrument For The Church of England'. In 1988 the name was changed to the Race, Pluralism and Community Relations Committee. External funding for the Committee came from the Mothers' Union, the United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, Church Mission Society and the Bible Churchmen's Missionary Society. In 1984 the Terms of Reference of the Group were as follows; a, To act as a resource to the Church in the dioceses and parishes in enabling church-members and congregations to make an informed Christian response and contribution to a multi-racial society based on plurality of cultures and religions and within this context. b, To develop means of promoting the Projects Funds of the Community and Race Relations Unit of the BCC. c, To encourage the production of and to make available educational material relating to community and race relations, relations with people of other faiths, and relations between white and black-led churches, with the developing plural society in this country; d, To gather information about initiatives in thie field being taken within the Church of England and other British Churches to make this available in writing, through meetings or in the forms; e, To consider and advise on matters brought to its attention by the Board, by any of the agencies with which it is in contact, or by people working in the field; f, To draw attention of the appropriate Board (or other Synodical agencies) and central organisations matters concerning community or inter-faith relations, or relations between white and black-led churches, on which in its judgement policy decisions are required, or in respect of which further theological reflection should take place; g, To hold meetings or consultations; h, To receive from time to time reports from the Field Officer on his activities i, To meet at least once a year; j, To set up such sub-groups on a temporary or permanent basis as it considers necessary in carrying out its duties; k, To seek funds to enable it to pursue specific objects e.g publications or conferences beyond the limits of its annual budget. Much of the work under the auspices of the Committee was completed by the Revd. Kenneth Leech who operated as the Race Relations Field Officer of the BSR until 1988. In early 1988, and following the departure of Revd. Leech, Glynne Gordon Carter was appointed as Secretary of the Committee. The RPCG was succeeded in late 1987 by the Race and Community Relations Committee, which held its first meeting on 4 November 1987.