After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:

‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’ (Revelation 7:9-10)

Behind the scenes at CMF HQ, a blog is usually passed back and forth between writer and editor. First drafts are polished. Edits and tweaks are made. Comments are suggested and accepted or rejected. And then, after this labour of love, it’s finally ready to publish, and the blog can go ‘live’.

But…

This blog is a little different. This blog isn’t finished; at least, we hope not! It is simply open. Open for viewing. For discussion and prayer. Our hope is that we might highlight the diversity of voices represented across our growing Christian nursing and midwifery fellowship in the British Isles, which we have begun by recording some soundbites from our black nurse and midwifery members. But we want to add more stories to this collection in the future, including those from other ethnic minority members.

We’re aware that listening to these soundbites is likely to evoke a range of emotions in both our black and other ethnic minority members, as well as in our white members. However, as a fellowship, we don’t shy away from difficult topics and believe that these are important conversations worth having. As Paul writes to the Corinthians, we are one body with many parts and ‘parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it’. (1 Corinthians 12:25b-26) We give thanks to God and celebrate with our brothers and sisters who are seeing positive changes in their workplaces and lament with those who are still witnessing and being victims of racism and prejudices.

Thank you to all our brave contributors for your openness and vulnerability with us. We hear you. We are listening. If you have a story to share as well, please get in contact with us. As well as these five-minute soundbites, we welcome longer written pieces, blogs or articles. This is only the start of what we hope will be a much longer and fruitful conversation.

Here are some ways in which you might respond to the stories you’ve heard today:

pray

Pray using the 24-7 Prayer Lectio 365 method

Pause (Psalm 46:10) Exalted God, we still ourselves before you now. We choose to breathe deeply and slowly. We humble ourselves before you and acknowledge that you alone are God.

Reflect (1 John 4:19) Loving God, we thank you for how perfectly and unconditionally you love us. That ‘we love because you loved us first’.

Ask (John 13:34-35), Holy God, would everyone know that we are yours by our distinct love for each other?

Yield (Psalm 139:23-24) All-knowing God, ‘search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting’.

keep talking

If you’re feeling churned up and want extra support from us, please do get in touch with the CMF Pastoral Care and Wellbeing team. They are ready and willing to extend care, time, and a listening ear to you. We would also encourage you to continue this conversation in your local CMF nurses and midwives’ small group and in your workplaces.

act

If you have witnessed or have been the victim of racism in the workplace, please consider contacting a Freedom to Speak Up Champion in your NHS trust. They are available to support staff and aim to help bridge any barriers that may prevent people from speaking up. The champions are impartial and confidential, offering encouragement and will be useful at signposting you to the appropriate avenues. Their aim is for everyone working within the NHS to feel valued and respected at work and know that their views are welcomed.

The audio stories being shared by our members will continue to appear on this blog and CMF’s social media over the coming days and weeks of October. Listen to Onahi’s story below:

Onahi’s story