Racial Justice & Unity
St Germain’s journey so far
As St Germain’s church we’re people, living stones you might say, coming from many tribes and nations. We speak many languages, eat a wide range of interesting food, like different sorts of music, sometimes wear different clothes, and share much from the richness of our difference. What we’ve discovered is that although sharing these things is good, they don’t tell much about each others’ life experiences.
The murder of George Floyd in 2020 was a catalyst for some church members to share their experiences of being treated differently because of their colour and culture. We’ve begun to understand each others’ hurt and pain differently, learned how to ask each other questions, and are learning how to ‘fulfil the law of Christ’ by sharing one another’s burdens.
It matters to us that we become people who live out what it means to be a Christ-centred community. Suffering from racism is a daily occurrence for many people. As children of God, we are not called to live as perpetrators or victims of racism. God invites us to live radically differently, to be counter-cultural by loving our neighbour as ourselves and to love God with our whole being.
Structures as well as individuals often push our brown and black sisters and brothers to the margins. We live in a broken society where many have been ignorant of this, and of the pain and hurt caused. We want to end this injustice and have deeper and more meaningful relationships where everyone is valued equally. Since George Floyd’s murder we’ve been on a journey of Courageous Conversations as a church family. We would love you to join us on this journey.
After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. Rev 7:9
Racial Justice Team
St Germain’s Events
2022
Saturday 26th February - The Help
Saturday 2nd April - Harriet
Saturday 7th May - The Butler
Saturday 18th June - Small Island
Saturday 13th August - Belle
Saturday 22nd October - Hidden Figures
study
We have been having a look at what the Bible says about Racial Justice. Here are some of the resources we have used.
2021
St Germain’s
Racial Justice and Reconciliation: a series of courageous conversations
Tearfund
How to Respond to Racial Injustice
Study 1 – Recognising and responding to systemic racism
Study 2 – Jesus and communal sin
2022
2023
After The Flood: The Church, Slavery and Reconciliation
This 67-minute feature documentary shows how the 18th-century Church became embroiled in chattel slavery. We discover how the Church justified its involvement in the trade and its lasting impact. The film then explores what this means for Christian reconciliation today. Watch the trailer here
Discussion and Reflection sessions x 3
2024
We Need to Talk about Race - Understanding the Black Experience in White Majority Churches
This year we will be running a four-part “pop-up” group study series based on Ben Lindsay’s book. The studies cover a range of topics from the black experience in churches and wider culture, to the history of racism and the role of slavery, to radical solidarity, social action and the road ahead.
books
Ben Lindsay - We need to talk about race
Latasha Morrison - Be the Bridge
Anthony G Reddie – Is God Colour Blind
David Olusoga – Black and British
Doreen Lawrence – And Still I Rise, A Mother’s search for Justice
Richard Reddie – Race for Justice
Reni Eddo-Lodge – Why I’m No Longer talking to White People about Race
Sue Monk Kidd – The invention of Wings
Chine McDonald – God is Not a White Man
Channel 4 Empire State of Mind
Television
IPlayer - Panorama: Is the Church Racist?
IPlayer - Black and British: A forgotten History
IPlayer - Enslaved with Samuel L Jackson
ITV Hub - Charlene White: Empire’s Child
ITV Hub - Ashley Banjo: Britain in Black and White
All 4 - Ghetto Britain: 30 Years of Race
All 4 - Unremembered: Britain’s Forgotten War Heroes
All 4 - Empire State of Mind
IPlayer - Back in Time for Birmingham
