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Urban Regeneration: London Churches Renew Their Vision 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 24 January 2000

The Rt Hon Hilary Armstrong, Minister for Local Government and the Regions, gave strong affirmation to 80 London clergy and church workers on 19 January. "Often there is no other organisation with such an extensive local network of local people as faith communities have," she said. "Churches have a wealth of experience to bring to partnerships. They are rooted in the life of local communities, as well as having buildings where community activities take place."

The Minister was addressing a conference on partnerships in urban regeneration, organised by the London Churches Group at Friends House, Euston Road. There was a high level of energy, and participants were keen to engage in discussion and raise searching questions about partnership. They expressed their appreciation of the networking which was made possible by the conference.

The Minister challenged the churches to promote inter-faith working, particularly through the new London-wide Council of Faiths, being developed by the Inner Cities Religious Council. She said that whereas the Christian churches have representative structures in the London Churches Group and the London Church Leaders Group, other faiths do not have the capacity to organise themselves in the same way.

The Government is committed to social justice and social inclusion, the Minister maintained. "The goal is that of a more inclusive and just society. I am confident that faith communities are fully behind this in principle - it is at the heart of their values."

R David Muir, Executive Director of the Black Christian Civic Forum UK was the other keynote speaker.

He quoted the Church of God General Assembly, 1996, to show that Christians have to play a part in politics and civic affairs. He added, "Christians have a moral obligation to transform society, but we can't do it on our own. We need to sit at table with others. Our agenda may be called redemption or social improvement or something else, but if it results in people's lives being more whole, with opportunities for all, it comes to the same thing."

David Muir insisted that actual involvement is necessary in community building. "Never allow other groups or individuals to do for you what you should do yourself - you miss the struggle."

In response to questions, he strongly supported efforts to combat racism in our church structures. He also said that churches should work to reduce the significance of race as a major factor "in deciding who gets what. If churches don't speak on that prophetically, God will surely judge us most harshly."

Ann Morisy of London Diocese and Elizabeth Simon, Executive Officer of London Churches Group, reported on the hopes of the churches in London to establish effective bodies to enable them to promote church action in regeneration and interact fully with the new London Assembly and Mayor.

Ends

For further information contact: 

Diocesan Communications Officer
Tel: 020-7939 9400
Mobile: 07831-694021
Fax: 020-7939 9468