Our vicar the Reverend Susan Binks is part of the newly formed Diocese of York Racial Justice Group, more news will follow but you can read about it here.
It builds on Archbishop Stephen Cottrell's response at the Church of England's General Synod (read the text here) to the Racial Justice Commission's report 'From Lament to Action'.
Rev'd Sue's commitment flows out of the friendships and connections built up over the years between Kirkdale Benefice and the communities of False Bay Diocese, South Africa.
In Archbishop Stephen's words; "Companions, the work of racial justice is the work of the gospel. In Christ there can be nothing less.
So let me quote from the Kairos statement of 1985 written by black theologians in Soweto and still a challenge for the Church of England today - “For those Christians who find themselves on the side of the oppressor or sitting on the fence, the way forward is to cross over to the other side and to be united in faith and action". It is now at last to this faith and action and delivery that the Church of England must now commit itself in love and for the sake of the gospel."
We take seriously that commitment in our small part of the Church of England, there is much action required but in faith we pray:
A Collect for Black History Month from the Church of England
Compassionate God,
who sent Jesus Christ
to deliver us from all manner of injustices and inequalities,
create in us new hearts and enlarged visions,
to see the image of God in every person
irrespective of background, race and ethnicity.
May we be generous in our love of others
as we work towards ending misunderstanding, racism and injustice; creating communities of human flourishing,
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Prayer offered to mark Black History Month by The Scottish Episcopal Church
God of our Salvation,
you have created the people of the world in your own image:
Give us grace, we pray, to rejoice in the differences of culture,
language, and race by which you have enriched humanity;
to repent when we fail to recognise Christ in one another;
and to pursue justice and peace for all your children;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who, taking our human nature,
accepted death upon the cross, and lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for eternity.
Amen.
