Focused on ‘Honouring our Communities and Sharing our Stories’, during the event, we featured our parishes, chaplaincies, school groups and Christian initiatives who ‘live life abundantly’ (John 10:10) by making a positive difference in the lives of black-led/black-majority communities across our diocese.
The Rt Revd Dr Rosemarie Mallett, Bishop of Croydon and Acting Bishop of Southwark presided, and the address was given by Joseph Vambe, Church Relations Manager at Christian Aid.
During her welcome, Bishop Rosemarie said, “This service is part of a wider story that God is unfolding in our Diocese…seeking to reflect more fully the richness and diversity of the Body of Christ. ”
Joseph talked about the history of Black people in the UK – their achievements and how we must honour those achievements by continuing to build on them. He said, “We honour those who came before us…we are here because somebody planted something…now it is time for us to plant.’
There were music contributions by the Archbishop Tenison’s School Gospel choir, Choir from St Michael’s CofE Primary School and drummers from St Paul’s Church, Brixton. A member of Archbishop Tenison’s School said the first reading and The Rev’d Ejovwokoghene (Ivan) Ibuno the Gospel.
At the end of the service Bishop Rosemarie, Nicola Thomas (Diocesan Secretary) and the Chairs of the Area Racial Justice Groups read out the citations for shortlisted nominees for Southwark’s Community Honours – which recognises outstanding examples of Christian service and witness.
Congratulations to all the Community Honours Awardees: St John’s Walworth, St Mark’s Academy, Mitcham and St Stephen’s Norbury & Thornton Heath, and the shortlisted nominees – honoured for their work shared during the service and presented with an award. You can read more and catch up on the service and presentations here: Black History Month – The Diocese of Southwark.
Look out for more Black History Month events taking place throughout October and across the diocese on our website, Facebook and Instagram.
