The celebration of February as Black History (or African Heritage) Month begins this week. Officially recognized in Canada since 1996, this is a time to honour the contributions and struggles of peoples of African descent.
2020 Black History Month Service(54.44 KB): A worship service marking the legacy of slavery in Canada and the British Commonwealth with the theme of “all are made in the image of God.” By the Rev. Paul Douglas Walfall.
Black History Month: An introduction to the little-known history of Black peoples in The United Church of Canada, from 100 years of Union United in Montreal to the present day across Canada.
Black History Month Nancy Oliver-MacKenzie: Nancy Oliver-MacKenzie shares the history of Montreal's Union United Church and its long-time role in the work for social justice for the Black community and beyond.
UN Decade for African Descent: Join The United Church of Canada and the United Church of Christ USA in promoting recognition, justice, for people of African descent.
Psalm for Black History Month: "Before I knew to call you God or Dieu / Languages from across many seas / I learned to call you in the languages / Of my kin and others..."
To wrap up Black History Month for 2022, Isaac Makarios Kamta shares how Western perspectives of African history have been diminished to support White supremacy.
For Black History Month, Albertine Chokoté Naoué asks what each of us can do to deconstruct thoughts and behaviours that are harmful to ourselves and others.
Rev. Andrew Kinoti Lairenge writes that growing up in post-colonial Kenya, he did not know what it was to be a person of colour or visible minority. It is in Canada that he is learning to be Black.
Row on row we stood… in the brand new courtyard… row on row of young girls in navy tunics or navy skirts, white starched shirts, ties, and polished oxfords. I wore my new navy blazer with its red school crest, because it was a special occasion. The Honourable Lieutenant Governor… Read more
Why did I write a worship service and sermon for Black History Month? It’s a difficult question to answer. I was filled with excitement and dread at the prospect. I was excited because the topic of race and identity is volatile at the moment (well, really, when hasn’t it been?) and the… Read more
Rev. Dr. Paul Douglas Walfall on the West African concept of “Sankofa," which teaches us that it’s not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten.