Response to Racism

On May 25, 2020, George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, was killed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during an arrest for allegedly using a counterfeit bill. A white police officer, knelt on Floyd's neck for almost nine minutes while Floyd was handcuffed and lying face down in the street, begging for his life and repeatedly saying "I can't breathe". 

This has, quite rightly, provoked a massive outcry, and outpouring of pain in the US, and at home here in the UK. Our hearts are broken and we are often lost for words, but we stand and pray with families and communities who are grieving, who experience discrimination and injustice on a daily basis.

As a church, we recognise that racism is a problem in the UK, in our city, our communities, our churches – and it is something that, as Christians, we are committed to fight against.

There are no quick fixes or easy answers. The journey to reconciliation, healing, and equity for all, will be a long and painful one – but it is one that we are committed to, working with all people, and with God’s help.

We will listen and learn. We will examine ourselves and change where we need to.

As church family together, we stand against racism, and we commit to stand and fight against all kinds of injustice and oppression. We do this as followers of Jesus, because we know this is what He did, and it’s what He does now.

We pray that we will be filled with the Holy Spirit; overflowing with love for our neighbour, and believing that even as we are weak, frail and flawed, we are strong with Him. 

“But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” Amos 5:24

“I have a dream…”

by Jasmine, a member of our church family at Ebe.

Resources

We Need To Talk About Race

Understanding the Black Experience in White Majority Churches

By Ben Lindsay

Esther and Black Lives Matter - Playlist of videos by Krish Kandiah

We should not underestimate the cultural moment we are in. Discover what we can learn from the radically challenging ancient little book of Esther for life, hope and courage today.