Our Racial Justice Officer, Keziah Gitonga, reflects on the importance of remembering the Windrush Generation, celebrating their contribution to the Church and wider society, and continuing the work of racial justice across the Diocese.
“On 21 June 2026, churches across the Diocese were invited to mark Windrush Sunday through worship, prayer and reflection. As one of my first initiatives as Racial Justice Officer, I wrote to every church in the Diocese encouraging congregations to engage with this important occasion, whether through a dedicated service, focused prayers, a sermon, a period of silent reflection, or conversations within their church communities.
Before exploring why Windrush Sunday matters, it is important to understand the history it remembers. The Windrush Generation refers to people who arrived in the UK from Caribbean countries between 1948 and the early 1970s after being invited by the British Empire to help rebuild the nation following the Second World War. The Windrush Scandal emerged decades later because of a combination of immigration policies and legislative changes that increasingly required individuals to prove their immigration status. Certain measures introduced through the Immigration Acts of 2014 and 2016 formed part of what became known as the government’s hostile environment policy. Many lawful residents who had every right to remain in the UK had never been issued formal documentation, resulting in some losing jobs and homes, being denied healthcare, detained or even deported. The scandal exposed the devastating consequences of injustice, discrimination and hostile immigration policies while overlooking the immense contribution that Windrush families had made in shaping modern Britain.
For me, Windrush Sunday was never intended to be solely about revisiting a painful chapter of British history. While we must be willing to name and challenge injustice, we must also celebrate the extraordinary contribution of the Windrush Generation. Across our churches, schools, the NHS, public services, businesses and communities, people from the Windrush Generation helped build modern Britain. They brought faith, leadership, resilience, culture and a deep commitment to family and community life. The Church of England has been enriched by their worship, ministry, music, leadership and witness. Windrush Sunday therefore calls us to hold together two important truths: we remember the injustice of the scandal, and we celebrate the immeasurable gifts of the generation that transformed both the Church and society for the better.
The story of the Windrush Generation is one of faith, perseverance, sacrifice and hope. As Christians, this is important because our faith teaches us that every person is created in the image of God. Diversity is not something to be tolerated; it is something to be celebrated. The richness of different cultures, experiences and traditions reflects the creativity of God and strengthens the Body of Christ. When people from different backgrounds worship together, learn from one another and serve alongside each other, the Church becomes a more complete reflection of God’s Kingdom.
This was one of the key messages I sought to emphasise in the resources shared with churches across the Diocese. Alongside information about the Windrush Generation and the Windrush Scandal, I provided liturgical suggestions, prayers, reflection materials, discussion prompts and educational resources that could help congregations engage confidently with the subject. My hope was that churches would use the opportunity not only to learn about history but also to consider what faithful discipleship and racial justice look like today.
An important element of the resources was highlighting the work of Liverpool Windrush Advocates, a local charity supporting members of the Windrush Generation and their families. Their work continues to raise awareness, provide support and amplify voices that are often overlooked. By sharing their work, I hoped congregations would gain a greater understanding of the continuing impact of the scandal and recognise practical ways they could engage with and support affected communities.
I was also privileged, as a member of a local Church of England parish, to be invited by my vicar to give a five-minute reflection during our Windrush Sunday service. Standing before my church family and sharing the history of Windrush was a particularly meaningful experience. It provided an opportunity not only to speak about injustice but also to celebrate the faith, perseverance and contribution of the Windrush Generation. It was encouraging to see members of the congregation engage thoughtfully with the message and reflect on how these stories continue to shape our society and our Church today.
This year’s Windrush Sunday also coincided with Father’s Day, creating a powerful point of reflection. While many families gathered to celebrate fathers and father figures, it was important to acknowledge those families affected by the Windrush Scandal whose fathers were detained, separated from loved ones or deported despite having every right to remain in the country they called home. Behind every headline and policy failure were real people whose lives were profoundly impacted.
The Church of England itself has been shaped by the legacy of the Windrush Generation. The Rt Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin became the first Black female bishop in the Church of England and has been a powerful advocate for racial justice and inclusion. The Venerable Dr Llewellyn Graham, himself a child of the Windrush Generation, has dedicated much of his ministry to addressing inequality and challenging racial bias. Alongside these recognised leaders, we should also honour the countless Caribbean men and women who arrived in Britain during the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Many experienced prejudice and exclusion, including within churches, yet their faith endured. They built communities, strengthened parishes and helped lay the foundations for the diverse Church we are blessed with today.
It is also important to recognise that while the Windrush Scandal is most associated with the Caribbean community, its wider legacy has affected many other Black and minority ethnic communities, including African communities. Changes in immigration rules, documentation requirements and the wider hostile environment created uncertainty and fear for many long-settled migrants and their families. While the experiences were not always identical, the wider impact of these policies caused many people to question whether their rights, identity and belonging might also be challenged. Windrush Sunday therefore reminds us that justice requires us to stand alongside all those who experience exclusion, discrimination or barriers to belonging.
This initiative also forms part of the Diocese’s wider commitment to Repentance to Repair. Repentance requires more than acknowledging that injustice has occurred. It calls us to listen, learn and change. Repair requires practical action, stronger relationships and a commitment to creating churches where all people can flourish. Through providing resources, guidance and opportunities for reflection, we are helping churches engage with these important conversations in ways that are both pastoral and transformative.”
Reflections from Churches Across the Diocese
“What encouraged me most was seeing churches willing to engage. Whether through prayer, worship, discussion, education or reflection, congregations across the Diocese took steps to learn more about the Windrush story and its continuing relevance. The clergy who used the resources gave positive feedback of how they were able to hold conversations with their congregants and have a focus of prayer and liturgy was very helpful as it was a topic they were not familiar with before.
As one of my first actions as Racial Justice Officer, Windrush Sunday demonstrated exactly why our commitment to Repentance to Repair matters. Remembering the Windrush Generation is not simply about looking back; it is about shaping how we live today. We honour those who endured injustice, celebrate those who enriched our churches and communities, and commit ourselves to building a Diocese where every person is welcomed, valued and heard.
As we remember the Windrush Generation and reflect on the lessons of the Windrush Scandal, let us continue to hold in our prayers all those who have been affected by this injustice. We pray for individuals and families who continue to live with the consequences of wrongful detention, deportation, loss of livelihood and separation from loved ones. We also give thanks for organisations such as Liverpool Windrush Advocates and others across the country who continue to walk alongside those impacted, offering support, advocacy and hope as they seek justice, recognition and restoration.
As Christians, we are called to care for one another and uphold the dignity of every person. The question asked by Cain in Genesis 4:9,“Am I my brother’s keeper?”, is answered by the way we live as disciples of Christ. Windrush Sunday reminds us that we are indeed called to be our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, standing alongside those who experience injustice, listening to their stories, supporting those seeking justice and working towards a society where all people are treated with dignity, respect and compassion.
When we learn from the Windrush story, we help create a Church that better reflects God’s Kingdom, a Kingdom where people of every nation, culture and background belong. We remember the injustices of the past, but we do not stop there. We celebrate resilience, contribution and faithfulness. We commit ourselves to justice, reconciliation and hope. For we are all created in the image of God, and the diversity of our communities is not a challenge to overcome but a gift to cherish. The Windrush Generation has enriched our Church, strengthened our communities and helped shape our nation. Windrush Sunday gives us an opportunity not only to remember their story, but also to ensure that their legacy continues to inspire us towards a more just, welcoming and Christ-centred future.”
A Call to Action
“Windrush Sunday should not be the end of the conversation. It is an opportunity to continue learning, listening and building relationships within our churches and communities. I encourage every congregation to take time to hear the stories of those from the Windrush Generation and other ethnically diverse communities, to reflect on how welcome and belonging are experienced within their church, and to consider how they can actively promote justice, inclusion and reconciliation in their local context.
Let us continue to celebrate the gifts, talents and contributions that people from every culture and background bring to the life of the Church. Let us also remain committed to challenging injustice wherever it is found, confident that in doing so we reflect God’s love for all people and help build a Church that truly represents the diversity of the Kingdom of God.”
Resources and Support for Churches
If your church would like resources for Windrush Sunday, racial justice events, prayers, reflections or educational activities, or if you are seeking support in facilitating conversations around ethnicity, racism, discrimination and belonging, the Racial Justice Team is here to help.
For resources, advice or support, please contact:
