Judith Crompton has been involved in the Unitarian General Assembly and also in the Unitarian movement with local and regional activities most of her life. Here she writes about her first Foy Conference earlier this year. You can find out more about the Foy Society here: Foy Society

“As a first-time attender at a Foy Conference my initial reaction was one of regret that I had not joined FOY many years ago. Meeting old friends and making new was a source of the very best form of Unitarian fellowship. The warmth of welcome, comfort and delicious food all added to a memorable weekend.

With leader, Rev Winnie Gordon, we were introduced to a theme which proved to be not only
challenging, thought -provoking, but also very distressing. In the opening session we learned of what is known as “Blue on Black Mortality”. Speaker Ian Minter told us of many cases of deaths in custody (yes! Here in Great Britain – not the USA) of black people, almost always male and young, who are detained and carried off to the police station. Apparently, many of these are discovered to be suffering from mental health issues. I am ashamed as a retired magistrate of more than 30 years’ service knowledge of this upsetting situation was unknown to me. Had it been known I would certainly have been putting pressure on the Magistrates Association to address the issue. Dipbuk Panchal gave us a vivid view on racism from his perspective when a serving police officer. This made us aware that racism, in the British Police Force, is still a very real problem.

Rev. Winnie Gordon appalled us with a list of racist comments known to have been made by Unitarians in Unitarian places of worship. Did you think that there were no or few black or ethnic minority people in our churches because they hadn’t found us yet? Not the case. When asked “where are you from”? and the reply was one of the multi-ethnic towns or cities, they were then asked “No, where are you really from?” We could begin by using words and music by people of colour in our services – not just Maya Angelou or Kahil Gibran.

I look forward eagerly to my next Foy Society Conference. In our closing session the opinion was voiced that next year we might discuss matters of equal importance but perhaps not as emotionally draining! Amen to that!”

Judith Crompton, Retired Lay Leader, Rivington Chapel