Today is Slavery Remembrance Day. Today (23rd August) is Slavery Remembrance Day, or more accurately International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. Until I happened upon something yesterday I didn't know such a day existed. I knew the familiar story told in the UK. I knew the names we tend … Continue reading The Names We Forget
Racism
When Racism Is Shared, Silence Becomes Complicity
Recently, a video was shared on social media by Donald Trump that included a brief clip depicting Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as apes — a racist trope with deep, harmful roots. The post was met with widespread condemnation across the political spectrum, labelled racist and offensive, and was eventually deleted after hours of criticism … Continue reading When Racism Is Shared, Silence Becomes Complicity
Made in God’s Likeness
There are two accounts in the book of Genesis that describe God’s creation of humanity. Genesis 1:26-31 speaks of God creating people in God’s image to have dominion over the earth whilst Genesis 2:26-31 says that God first created man and subsequently woman to provide companionship as they tend and care for the garden. These … Continue reading Made in God’s Likeness
A Vision for Church: Repentant
Part of my training to become a pastor involved completing a theology degree. In addition to those elements of the course that focussed on academic study and essay writing we would also complete sessions to help us consider and prepare for the more practical aspects of ministry. There would be sessions looking at funerals and … Continue reading A Vision for Church: Repentant
Looking for a Fight
Jesus preached that we should love God and love our neighbours. This week I heard a preacher subtly preach condemnation, encouraging the congregation to boldly stand up for rights, to be ready to fight. It was a sermon that misused scripture and encouraged hatred for anything that is other. It was a sermon that subtly made space for racism, sexism and homophobia. The church is broken because it’s forgotten to love her neighbours and is choosing to fight them instead.
The Broken Church 