‘Community as a Superpower’ - LCRF Annual Lecture 2025

‘Community as a Superpower’ - Bishop Rose writes:

"The theme for refugee week this year is focussed on community. For me, the very thought of community is about me recognising that I have something in common with others; about me choosing to be a part of something. This widens my horizons as I am not just left thinking about me and my survival but about how we can work together for the survival and the flourishing of all. As a woman of faith, I am reminded that God loved all the world that he created. At the end of his work of creation, God said, ‘Man this is good!’ I believe in the goodness of all that God created – in humanity of which I am a part - and with every breath that I am able, I want my work to be about building community. I am grateful to the people of South Africa for the word UBUNTU – which means, “I am because you are.”  In other words, it is because of you that I am here. Together, let us build flourishing communities wherever we go. This my sisters and brothers, is our superpower!"

About Bishop Rose Hudson

The Rt Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin is the Bishop of Dover and the Bishop in Canterbury. She as oversight for Canterbury Diocese.

Rose was born and raised in Jamaica. She was educated at Montego Bay High School for Girls and later at Birmingham University. She trained with the Church Army and was commissioned in 1982 as an Evangelist; she later trained for ordination at Queens Theological College on their part-time course, ordained deacon in 1991, priested in 1994 and served her title at St Matthew’s Church, Willenhall Road in the Diocese of Lichfield.For sixteen and a half years she served as a priest in Hackney (Holy Trinity with St Philip, Dalston and All Saints, Haggerston). In 2007 she was appointed as a Chaplain to Her Majesty the Queen and in 2010, she became the first female appointed to the position of the 79th Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons. In November 2014, she took on the additional responsibility as Priest in Charge of city Church, St Mary-at-Hill near Monument.

She has previously served as a member of the General Synod of the Church of England and also as one of the Panel of Chairs of the Synod. She has twice represented the Church of England at the World Council of Churches (in Zimbabwe & Brazil); she served as its priest representative on the Anglican Consultative Council for 9 years. She also served as a Selection Secretary for the Church of England, helping to select men and women seeking to test their vocation to the ministry. She does numerous preaching and speaking engagements nationally (and occasionally overseas). She was a member of the Broadcasting Standards Commission and has wide experience of media engagement including some religious broadcasting.

She is married to Kenneth, a prison Chaplain and they have 3 adult children.

About London Churches Refugee Fund

London Churches Refugee Fund (LCRF) was set up in 2007 at the request of a network of refugee charities in London. They are an ecumenical Christian-based organisation and inspired by the gospel, but support the relief of destitution among refugees regardless of creed or colour.

LCRF makes grants of up to £1,000 every Spring and Autumn to multiple front-line refugee projects in London. Their grants are used by the projects to purchase phone credit, travel cards, hygiene items, nappies, food, and emergency payments, to give to the thousands of destitute asylum-seekers in London who come to them for help. All the work of the charity is undertaken voluntarily (it has no staff and no office) so nearly every penny raised goes directly towards grant-making. To date, LCRF has raised and distributed over £425,000.

You can donate to London Churches Refugee Fund via its own website - click here