As you come to the end of your Lent journey, we hope you feel clearer on the next steps you can take. We have tried to flesh out what it looks like to join the fight and move from the side-lines to action.
We have talked about the importance of knowing the signs of modern slavery and what to do with your suspicions. We have discussed the incomparable value of community resilience and investing in our neighbourhoods so criminal gangs cannot target vulnerable people. We have explored the importance of strategic partnerships and robust safeguarding practices and have rejoiced in the power of therapeutic art and other community initiatives that help victims in their recovery. Our prayer is that these elements will become part of your journey.
You may be wondering: what is God calling me to do next and what do I need, to take the next step? At The Clewer Initiative, we have developed a swathe of practical tools and resources to help churches, communities, partners and the public take action against modern slavery. We have posters, apps, training courses and seminars which have all be designed to equip and inform.
If you have been stirred by the material in Journeys and are looking for further support or have a question about next steps, please get in touch with us by emailing clewerinitiative@churchofengland.org
We can connect you with your diocesan lead for modern slavery, who will let you know about projects in your area and support you as you explore the best way forward.
It may be that you are only just beginning to find out about modern slavery, and are unsure how to respond or what capacity you have to help. If this is the case, please don’t despair or feel powerless! Remember the famous proverb, “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
As we take that single step, we can remember the Apostle Paul’s prayer in 2 Thessalonians. He writes: “with this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.”
This is our hope. As we face an enormous task, we pray that our good and faithful God will transform our efforts into something life-changing.
