In February, we celebrate the rich Black history in The United Church of Canada. Union United in Montreal has been the home of a vibrant Black congregation for more than a century; Wilbur Howard became the church’s first Black Moderator in 1974. The leadership and participation of Black peoples and congregations continues today. Find additional resources at the United Church Bookstore.
Worship Ideas
- Black History Month Service: Fishing So Others Can Have a Meal (38.02 KB) (Word): What would it be like to live in Beloved Community? By Charmain Bailey. Includes a link to video sermon on YouTube.
- Black History Month Worship Liturgy: Stories of Black Experiences in Canadian Churches (43.32 KB) (Word): Includes links to videos and a podcast by the Young Black Scholars.
- Black History Month: Jesus in the Village (68.16 KB) (Word): A worship service celebrating and honouring those who have contributed to our world, and our villages, in the past and today.
Related Material
- 2025 Virtual Exhibit of “Here from the Beginning”: This video showcases the contributions and experiences of Black people within The United Church of Canada. "Here from the Beginning" is a virtual and print exhibition celebrating faith, history, community, and the United Church. It was created to help commemorate the 100th anniversary of The United Church of Canada, and to share more about the stories of Black people who have been part of the United Church from the beginning. More at herefromthebeginning.ca.
- Anti-Racism at Bedford United: How one United Church community of faith is responding to Black Lives Matter.
- Black History Month - Patricia Watson, Bedford United Church, Nova Scotia: For Black History Month, Patricia Watson share ways the wider church can learn from the Black communities of faith in Canada's Atlantic region.
- 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.
Worship Blog
“I Am Because We Are”
Zimbabwean-Canadian Takudzwa Lavin Nyariri shares about the joys and challenges of keeping one’s culture of birth while making their own space within mainstream Canada society.
Identity and Diversity between Two Realities
Mandimby Rakotondramboa writes that being an Afro-descendant student in Canada means cultural shock with an incredible amount of adaptation.
Forgiveness as a Way of Life
The Rev. Marie-Claude Manga reflects on her ministry and work as an ordained Black woman with The United Church of Canada
Come, Join Me Under the Palaver Tree
For Black History Month, Pastor Samuel Vauvert Dansokho recounts the devastating and lasting impact of colonialism on Africa.
Building a "Quilt of Belonging"
For Black History Month, Patricia Watson shares about ways to teach Black history using a variety of artistic expressions.
One Instrument in the Orchestra
Nancy Oliver-MacKenzie writes about the role of Montreal's Union United Church as a force for social justice for the Black community and beyond.
Learning to Be Black
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.
As Purple to Lavender
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
Facing the Past, Transforming the Future
“History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.” —Maya Angelou, “On the Pulse of Morning”
Why Did I Write a Worship Service for Black History Month?
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
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