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)(Word): 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.
Revival Out of Helplessness: Bible Study(495.66 KB)(PDF): The story of the Samaritan woman at the well can help us reflect on racism (from Mandate, Winter 2018).
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.
Prayers
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..."
We enter Black History Month with the reminder of the enslaved history of African-descent people brought by British and French settlers in Turtle Island.
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