BLACK HISTORY MONTH / RESOURCES
After The Flood Documentary
The Movement for Justice and Reconciliation presents, AFTER THE FLOOD: THE CHURCH, SLAVERY AND RECONCILIATION.
This new 67 minute feature documentary shows how the 18th century Church became embroiled in chattel slavery. We discover how the Church justified its involvement in the trade and its lasting impact. The film then explores what this means for Christian reconciliation today.
Why After the Flood? The documentary aims to be educational and redemptive, and addresses the historical neglect of slavery in British Christian history. It looks at biblical principles for racial reconciliation in our churches today. This is a pre-requisite for British churches to confront slavery, and necessary to overturn injustices resulting from its legacy.
Rent or buy here: https://atfdocumentary.vhx.tv
Churches Together Black History Month Resources
BHM is very much about writing back into history those events and activities that have conveniently been overlooked or deliberately ignored. Racial justice is something that falls into this category. Prior to the murder of George Floyd in May 2020, churches were reluctant to engage in racial justice work – the sort of work that challenged systems and structures that hindered real equality and inclusion.
It was left to those brave men and women who are featured in this resource to encourage churches to ‘do the right thing!’ While racial justice now appears to be on everyone’s lips, akin to the climate emergency, it is important to recognise those heroes and sheroes who ‘fought the good fight’ when it was unfashionable to do so. Indeed, they often-faced tremendous opposition in doing so. It is, therefore, necessary to honour these individuals; any racial justice progress we now see in the church is a result of their sterling efforts.
Last year, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) published Racial Justice Champions: Volume 1 to celebrate this special month. This publication consists of 25 women and 25 men of faith (from a variety of ethnicities), who have pioneered racial justice in church and society over the last 25 years.
I have always argued that BHM tells the story of everyone’s history. The history found in this resource speaks of the British churches’ struggles to address racial justice. As such, it is British history. And much like Racial Justice Sunday (RJS), BHM is everyone’s business – it tells of the synergies and efforts of Black, White and Asian Christians in the pursuit of racial justice. Finally, I would argue that this history, much like RJS, includes subjects and topics that are worthy of celebration and study throughout the year, and not just for 31 days in a calendar.
Richard Reddie, Director of Justice and Inclusion, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI).
Source: https://ctbi.org.uk/black-history-month-2022/
Racism And The Church
Three things you can do as an ally church.
1) SIGNPOST people and leaders to www.racismandthechurch.co.uk and help resurface the conversation to STOP racism.
2) SHARE or SIGNUP to the CHARTER OF CHANGE, some simple principles for your church to help frame and create better church environments.
3) REGISTER for THE GOOD FOUNDATIONS CHECKLIST, 10 practical steps that you can start applying in your church congregations today.