The appointment of a Racial Justice Officer was a key recommendation of the Chelmsford Diocese Racial Justice Task and Finish Group Report that was agreed by Chelmsford Diocesan Synod in November 2021. Our Racial Justice Officer is supported in their role by a network of Racial Justice Advocates across the Diocese.
On this page
Contact details of our Racial Justice Officer and our Racial Justice Advocates can be found below.
Meet our Racial Justice Officer
The Revd Sharon Quilter has served as the Racial Justice Officer for the Diocese of Chelmsford since September 2022.
As Racial Justice Officer, Sharon is playing a leading role in shaping the Diocese’s approach to ethnic diversity, inclusion and equity, implementing the recommendations of the Task and Finish Group Report.
Sharon also serves as an Associate Priest in the Halstead Area Team Ministry and was a member of the Chelmsford Diocese Racial Justice Task and Finish Group.
Commenting on Sharon’s appointment, the Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani said:
“Sharon’s appointment as Racial Justice Officer is an important first step in the implementation of our Racial Justice Task and Finish Group Report. Too often in the Church of England we have talked about the evil of racism and produced reports and plans that we have failed to implement. This time must be different. Sharon will bring experience, drive, and great skill to this role. At the same time, we must remember that it is all our responsibility to tackle racism and promote racial justice and Sharon will need support and prayer from across our diocesan family.”
The Bishop of Colchester who chaired the Racial Justice Task and Finish Group said:
“The Racial Justice Task and Finish Group was determined that their report must not go the way of previous racial justice reports and that mechanisms must be put in place to ensure that recommendations will be implemented. Consequently, the Task and Finish Group recommended that a part time Racial Justice Officer should be appointed to work alongside the Racial Justice Advisory Panel. I’m delighted that our Diocesan Synod supported these recommendations and that Sharon has been appointed to this role. She will bring great dynamism and wisdom from her own experience in the church, from her role as a member of the Racial Justice Task and Finish Group and from her previous career in the financial sector. Please join me in praying for her as she begins this next chapter in her ministry and please do support her as she works to enable and empower all of us to bring about the change we need in our diocese, churches and local communities.”
Commenting on her appointment, the Revd Sharon Quilter said:
“It was an honour to serve on the Chelmsford Diocese Racial Justice Task and Finish Group and to help identify a series of hugely important recommendations to bring about the cultural, structural and strategic shifts required to help combat racism in out Diocese and in the communities we serve. I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to serve as Racial Justice Officer and to help turn those recommendations into actions. I am very much looking forward to working with people from church communities across Essex and East London as collectively we work to tackle racism and promote racial justice.”
Contact Sharon
Meet our Racial Justice Advocates
A network of Racial Justice Advocates across our diocese support the work of our Racial Justice Officer. The details of all our Racial Justice Advocates are below:
Chizo Anyanwu
Braintree Deanery (Colchester Area) Racial Justice Advocate
I am Chizo Anyanwu, Racial Justice Advocate working with Rev Sharon Quilter for Chelmsford Diocese. I am also the local evangelist and deanery synod representative for St Pauls Church Braintree. I am a conscientious, detail-oriented optometrist and care coordinator with an outstanding knowledge of social
work activities. I am also an expert in geriatric and paediatric care. I have a compassionate and friendly nature and enjoy working as part of a team.
My role as Racial Justice Advocate is to promote equality and diversity in a Christ-like manner, offering a listening ear particularly to those in the Colchester Episcopal area and to provide support where needed.
Click here to email Chizo Anyanwu
Revd Beth Joss-Pothen
Havering Deanery (Barking Area) Racial Justice Advocate
My name is Beth Joss-Pothen, and I am the Rector of St Andrews’ Romford. I am pleased to offer my help, support and a listening ear to any people in the Havering area who are concerned about racism in their church communities. I aim to be a friendly, supportive and effective advocate for anyone with questions or concerns, or who would like guidance
on how to address issues of racial justice in theircommunities. My particular interest is in using art as an effective and accessible tool of communication and would welcome any inquiries from churches seeking to incorporate art into their church’s journey.
Click here to email the Revd Beth Joss-Pothen
Phillis Njuguna
Epping and Ongar Deanery (Bradwell Area) Racial Justice advocate
I am part of the Lay ministry team at Epping St John’s Church. I am one of the Racial Justice advocates team.I participated in a Project for the Racial Justice Commission working on Reparations. I am the Thrive Project Coordinator for our Survivors Group working with survivors of Domestic violence which is sponsored by Epping Team Ministry working in Collaboration with Changing Pathways domestic Abuse service in Essex.I also have a role as a Trainee cultural specialist IDVA for Changing pathways.
Revd Becca Rogers
Newham Deanery (Barking Area) Racial Justice Advocate
My name is Becca, and I am really excited about being part of the racial justice advocacy team. As well as being part time Associate Minister in Custom House, East London, I work with the Margaret Clitherow Trust, a national charity who work with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people. My role is all about encouraging churches and local Christians to engage with Travelling communities near them. I've done this role
for 18 months and it has been a joy to get to know many Traveller people, as well as learn about their way of life. They have a lot to teach us!
Travellers have a tough time in many ways and suffer from prejudice and discrimination. The more I learn, the more I realise this to be true. However, they are also some of the most prayerful people I have met, and most open and respectful of the church. To therefore be a 'link' between the local church and these communities is a joy and privilege. I'm also excited to learn from the other racial justice advocates and support the Diocese as a whole in this work.
Click here to email the Revd Becca Rogers
