Rev Christel Erving, reflects on her role as Anti-Trafficking Project Coordinator for Liverpool Diocese as leaves for pastures new.
“It has been a real privilege to carry out the role of Anti-Trafficking Project Co-ordinator for the diocese over the last 12 months. During this time I have had the opportunity to work alongside and meet some tremendously inspiring people. People who’ve seen a need and simply tried to meet it, people who invest so much in speaking out for those with no voice, people who tackle and pursue the gangs behind this crime. But perhaps most inspiringly those who themselves have been victims of slavery in one form or another and are not only re-building their lives but also giving so much to those still trapped by this heinous crime against humanity.
As I move on to pastures new I would be delighted to recommend this role to anyone with a heart for the least in our world. It has been one of the most fulfilling aspects to my curacy and also one in which I have learned so much. I am certain that the right person would be able to pick up where I leave off and achieve so much more. As a Diocese, we are currently only touching the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what we could do to respond to Modern Slavery in our region. Someone with a real passion for a role like this could develop this into a key part of our diocesan-wide ministry and I look forward to seeing how this will develop in the future.”
In The Diocese of Liverpool, the work of the Clewer Initiative fits perfectly alongside our international commitment to learning from the horrors of Trans-Atlantic slavery through the Triangle of Hope Project. Canon Malcolm Rogers, lead officer for the Triangle of Hope here in Liverpool recently attended and spoke at the Clewer Initiative conference in Bristol.
In Malcolm's address, he outlined how our role as a city and diocese in the triangular trade, requires of us a very real and wide ranging commitment not only to learning but to the eradication of modern day slavery and all forms of exploitation and prejudice.
He told us, "The Gospel is all about our identity in Christ, in whom there is no distinction. Slavery exists because human beings are capable of treating others as less than human. In other words, it is the very opposite of the gospel. The church quite rightly has repented for allowing its theology and practice to become so terribly skewed. It must also use its shameful past to ensure it never participates in or contributes to the enslavement of others again. This requires wisdom and courage in today's world as the number of enslaved peoples continues to rise.
Together with The Clewer Initiative and our partners in Kumasi, Ghana and Virginia, USA, we declare that in Christ all are equal, all are known and loved by Him, and only belong to Him. We will work together to do all that we can to challenge and eradicate the heresy and cruelty of slavery in our world.
Find out more
Full Job Summary linkneeded for the ​Liverpool Diocese Anti-Trafficking Project Co-ordinator here.
If you’re interested in applying for the role please contact
Rev Canon Dr Ellen Loudon
Director of Social Justice & Canon Chancellor
Diocese of Liverpool
ellen.loudon@liverpool.anglican.org