Black History Month
A selection of resources, events and articles to help Baptists reflect on and mark Black History Month
Resources
Wonderful Youth - a new resource for Black History Month 2019
Even though there are a vast number of resources on the Christian market to enable young people to reflect on their Christian faith, few (if any) intentionally enable Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic people to see their image reflected in the resources. This new resource aims to address that imbalance. Drawing on culturally diverse images, exercises and activities, Wonderful Youth is unapologetically multicultural.
The material seeks to affirm, both theologically and culturally, all young people between the ages of 13-16. The 2019 resources are based on the theme 'No Outsiders'.
Lest we Forget
Ten years on from
The Apology, here are five study reflections for small groups using differing cultural perspectives. These aim to equip Baptists to reflect on the 2007 Baptist Union Apology and explore ways to address the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade.
The
study guide is available to download free of charge from our Resources Library.
Forthcoming resources
Book: Multi ethnic preaching
In partnership with Spurgeon’s College and the Centre for Baptist Studies, the Racial Justice Hub plan on producing a book to help and support Baptist preachers, preach in a multicultural world. Some of the chapters that will feature in the book are: the need for multi ethnic preaching? Multi ethnic hermeneutics, and communication, contextual theology of preaching and other relevant themes aimed to equip preachers be the best they can be in a rapidly changing world.
Just Aware:
It has become increasingly clear that much can be gained by bringing together previously separate Baptist initiatives concerned with race, gender, and disability around a single focus on justice. One outcome of this convergence is the development of a new resource, Just Aware which can be used across our communities to help groups of Baptists explore and enlarge their understanding of and commitment to justice as a fundamental core value. This is not a one size fits all package that can be rolled out in different contexts without further preparation. The Guide will provide:
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An introduction to some of the theological background to this initiative:
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A summary of educational and practical criteria to be kept in mind by the facilitators as they prepare to facilitate a session for a group
Just Aware is designed to help small groups within our Baptist Together community to deepen their commitment to issues of justice in their local context – facilitators can be available to lead sessions with groups of Deacons, Regional Teams or any other group that thinks that Just Aware might be able to enrich their work of mission as Christian disciples.
Hospitality resource with refugees
Many Baptist churches provide a safe and hospitable space for asylum seekers and refugees. There are many churches that also struggle at doing hospitality with refugees. This set of Bible study notes, exploring themes on leadership, lamenting with the stranger and doing theology through a liberation lens with the stranger with film footage from a church that has sought to be hospitable, can help small groups reflect on how best they can develop a hospitable church with the stranger.
Events
Sam Sharpe Lecture
The 8th annual Sam Sharpe Lecture will be delivered by Professor Verene Shepherd (Professor of Social History at the University of the West Indies in Mona and Director of the University’s Institute for Gender and Development Studies) on the theme of Reparations.
It takes place in London on 22 October and Birmingham on 24 October.
Articles
Martin Luther King
2018 marked the 50th anniversary of the death of Martin Luther King, civil rights activist and Baptist minister. Several Baptists reflected on his legacy.
Windrush
2018 marked the 70th anniversary of the Empire Windrush arriving in England.
Other
BME Women Ministers’ Network
A network for black and minority ethnic (BME) women who are lay or accredited ministers or in the process of training to become lay or accredited ministers. The Network was launched by the Baptist Union of Great Britain in 2014 in recognition of the small number of BME women ministers emerging.
Click here for more.
Inspiring Leadership Programme
An annual two-month gap programme which seeks to encourage mainly Baptist young people of colour, between the ages of 18-23, to develop their leadership potential in Jamaica with the support of our Union’s long-standing partner, the Jamaica Baptist Union (JBU).
Click here for more.
Centre for Missionaries from the Majority World
Helping British indigenous Christians and churches and majority world pastors and missionaries work together for mission. The
centre is led by Baptist minister Israel Olofinjana.