Baptists to hold multicultural 'Gathering' in West Midlands
Wednesday 05 March 2008
The Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB) is to hold a multicultural event this autumn which will build on the historic apology for the transatlantic slave trade issued by the Baptist Union Council last November.
The Gathering, being held at Sutton Coldfield Baptist Church on Saturday 27 September, is promised by organisers to be 'a dynamic and inspirational expression of our diversity and unity in God' and has been 'designed to reveal the rich cultural heritage within the Baptist family'.
Speakers at the event include Tearfund President and broadcaster Elaine Storkey, businessman and former London mayor candidate Ram Gidoomal, Head of Spiritual Care within the Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Care Trust Sandra Thomas, and London Baptist Association regional minister Kumar Rajagopalan. Worship will be led by Cid Latty, minister at Christchurch Baptist Church in Welwyn Garden City.
First coordinated by the Racial Justice group about fifteen years ago, The Gathering has taken place most years in a different part of the country, its purpose being to bring together Baptists who are concerned for racial justice, enabling networking and also inspiring and encouraging people.
Racial Justice Coordinator, Wale Hudson-Roberts, believes that 'The Gathering' will be an important landmark on the journey that the Baptist Union is taking to become more inclusive. "As our theme for The Gathering, taken from Esther 4:14, says, this event is 'For such a time as this'. It is my hope that many Baptists will be drawn together to celebrate our diversity and unity in God," he said.
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