Allyship has become an important buzzword in recent years; the voluntary standing alongside those who are experiencing persecution, so that they, and their cause, might be strengthened by the support of people who do not necessarily share their lived experience, but who choose to lend their voice, compassion, or power to others on the front lines of inequality. In doing so, allies selflessly choose to risk their safety by opening themselves up to the same assaults that those who they stand alongside may face. It is comforting to have an ally by your side in adversity, but God goes one step more radical: solidarity.

In Jesus, God didn’t just lend his power to humans, or fight on their behalf. He chose to become one of us; divesting himself of power and privilege in the Incarnation event which spanned over three decades and transformed the world to come.

As we look forward to the 2024 Bampton Lectures, given by the Rt Revd Dr Rowan Williams on Tuesday 27^th February and 5^th March, we must ask ourselves, not only what can we learn from God’s solidarity with humanity in Christ, but also: what is demanded of our beloved institutions of church and state if we are to follow Christ’s example? Should we simply lend our power or must we divest it? Must we even be prepared to lose what we cling to most tightly, in order to save it?