Entitled Women in the Shadows, we are focusing on the suffering facing women and girls who are trapped in sexual exploitation, forced labour and county lines drug smuggling and the ways in which different organisations are supporting and helping victims and survivors. We hope that many churches and communities will use the films and devotional material as the focus for Lent this year.
The Course will seek to expose misunderstanding surrounding these subjects and inspire listeners to think about what they could do to make a difference. It will also explore God’s heart for the poor and marginalised and our response.
Each film will include fresh and challenging insight from a range of contributors including Jen Baines (GLAA), Louise Hulland (author and campaigner), Sister Lynda Dearlove (women@thewell), Rosie Hopley (Beloved), Karen Anstiss (Caritas Bakhita House), Shayne Tyler (Fresca Group), Clive Davies (Chief Superintendent, East Surrey Police), Bill Crooks (Mosaic Creative), Bishop Alastair Redfern and a representative from Hestia. We are also working with acclaimed writer, April De Angelis and a team of actresses to write and dramatise four survivor testimonies that will help audiences understand the true horror of modern slavery.
The devotional material for each week of Lent will include a short Bible study, reflection and prayer and is being written by Bishop Alastair Redfern, Rev Edwina Fennemore, Rev Caroline Pinchbeck, Bishop Simon Burton-Jones and Canon Jane Brooke.
Further information will be available in early January. To sign up to receive the course as soon as it is available, email clewerinitiative@churchofengland.org