‘We are fearfully and wonderfully made’: Bishop launches social media identity campaign

The Rt Rev Rachel Treweek, the Bishop of Gloucester, has long been going into schools to tell young people that their identity is not found in how they look but in the value God places on them.

She started the #say1thing campaign on Tuesday and urged followers to tweet a picture of themselves and a friend and tell their followers one thing that makes that person valuable without mentioning their appearance.

Bishop Rachel tweeted about some of her friends:

A friend for over 45 years. She is caring, generous and loyal.. .and a great artist! @LeverArts She knows me well – we have laughed together, cried together, prayed together, walked together, sang together, played in an orchestra together ..and so much more #say1thingpic.twitter.com/SMuQiKONta

— Rachel Treweek (@BishGloucester) July 16, 2018

She told Premier why she did it:

“As a Christian I absolutely believe that we’re all made in the image of God,” she said.

“We’re each unique and God loves us and knows us by name and of course I want every young person to know that.

“But this is actually starting where they are, I think lots of time we think up ideas of how to engage with young people instead of saying ‘what are the things that concern you?’

“And this whole area of body image and the stress that young people, particularly girls but boys as well, feel that they are made to feel that their worth comes through what they look like – I would say no, we are fearfully and wonderfully made as it says in Psalm 139.”

Jessie Smart, author of ‘More Than Just Pretty’, works with teenage girls and told Premier: “We weren’t born thinking that the world revolves around appearance but somehow we learned it from society at some point along the way…now is the time to unlearn it!

“I work with teenage girls on a regular basis…and I see how releasing and what freedom it brings to girls to actually realise that they are more than what they look like.”

This is @JenLovegrove , she is incredibly thoughtful and teaches me a LOT about friendship. She overcomes SO much and I see such strength in her! I’m super proud to call her my best mate #say1thing#changethemessage#MoreThanJustPrettypic.twitter.com/jJvCrUHFLh

— Jessie Smart (@JessieFaerber) July 17, 2018

Listen to Bishop Rachel and Jessie Smart here:

We all have the power to change the message on social media. Let’s stop talking about the ‘perfect body image’, and start sharing the important things in life!
Join us and #say1thing about your best mate that’s not linked to appearance pic.twitter.com/yOb2GNjRET

— Gloucester Diocese (@GlosDioc) July 17, 2018

“Emma – thank you for being such a kind and fun person to be around in geography and life! You are such an awesome encourager, you’re always building other people up which is very cool.”
~ Sent in by Susie #say1thingpic.twitter.com/uUB25bIyzM

— Gloucester Diocese (@GlosDioc) July 16, 2018

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.

A week-long social media campaign named #say1thing encourages people to tweet a compliment about someone which isn’t based on looks.