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Remember, reflect and respond - commemoration of the bicentenary of the abolition of the Slavery |
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The Council of Black Led Churches (CBLC) and Birmingham Churches Together (BCT) will be hosting a special commemorative service to mark the bicentenary of the abolition of the Slave Trade in 1807. The event takes place on Sunday 25th March 2007 at the Bethel Convention centre, Kelvin Way, West Bromwich. Key civic, political and community leaders from the West Midlands region are expected to be in attendance.
"Many people are unaware of the impact of the Christian Church in bringing about the abolition of the slave trade in 1807" says David King, organiser of the event and Church Coordinator for Christian Aid. "Black and white Christians of every class came together and created a popular movement, lobbying Parliament to end the brutal and exploitive act of the trade in Africans as slaves. This event will honour their work, demonstrating that today's church is a living testimony that their efforts bore results and their prayers were answered."
Led by Bishop Dr Joe Aldred, Chair of the Council of Black Led Churches, the service will kick off with a traditional time of praise and worship followed by an eclectic programme including music from Witness the award-winning Birmingham based gospel artiste; a drama written and performed by Kajans Youth Group, and a special keynote address from Rev Dr Joel Edwards, General Director of the Evangelical Alliance UK. The theme of the event will be to "remember, reflect and respond."
Bishop Aldred said, "this date is significant as it is the day on which the Parliamentary bill became the Act to abolish the Slave Trade in the British Empire. It marked the beginning of the end of slavery as it was being practiced at the time. Sadly, contemporary forms of slavery persists today, which reminds us that our work of liberating the oppressed is not done. All forms of human enslavement must be challenged and eradicated so that every human being anywhere in the world can live in dignity, prosperity and wholeness."
Revd Beverley Theodore, Development Manager of CBLC commented:
"2007 is a year to make history, through mobilising our efforts toward tackling and eradicating the huge legacy of the slave trade. It is also a time to remind the world that such events should never again be repeated in human history. CBLC will be organising further events over the coming months to highlight these issues and create a space for positive dialogue and action within all sections of the community. This is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss".
With the event likely to be oversubscribed tickets will be required for entry. Tickets cost £5 each and can be obtained from Wesley Owen bookshop Carrs Lane, Birmingham; Wesley Owen bookshop Darwall Street, Walsall; Christian Literature Crusade (CLC) Bookshop, Stephenson Street, Birmingham, CLC Bookshop Worcester Street, Wolverhampton; Vision Gospel Media (VGM), One stop Shopping Centre, Perry Barr, Birmingham; VGM, Swannies shopping Mall, Sutton New Road, Erdington, Birmingham and Lozells Bookshop, Lozells Road, Lozells, Birmingham.
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