Minute for Mission

February 5—The Journeys of Black Peoples

February is Black History Month. Here is one of the ways Mission and Service supports anti-racism work in the church.

In 2005, The United Church of Canada held a national consultation called The Journeys of Black Peoples in The United Church of Canada. The Journeys of Black Peoples network came into being out of that consultation because of members’ concerns and the desire to live out the church’s anti-racism policy. That policy states we will participate fully, organize for diversity, act justly, and speak to the world.

The Journeys network continues the consultation’s work, aiming to achieve specific goals, including having national gatherings in 2007 and 2010. The Journeys of Black Peoples addresses the unique concerns of Black peoples in the United Church, dealing with inclusion, and advocating for justice to enable Black peoples to make more meaningful contributions to the whole church.

People who attended the 2010 national gathering reflected deeply on what it means to be African-born, Caribbean-born, and Canadian-born, to share a common racial identity, common cultural characteristics, and yet multiple identities. The group also considered relationships between Black and Aboriginal communities. They affirmed that Journeys is indeed intercultural because of the multiple cultures represented.This network of Black peoples can alleviate some of the isolation and marginalization that many Black peoples express and will help us become a racially just church. The church’s policy and the network gatherings and programs are all supported by Mission and Service. Together, we can fulfill our vision for the church. [available in French (online only)/disponible en français (en ligne seulement) Visit www.united church.ca and search for “minutes for mission.” Visitez le site www.united-church.ca et recherchez “minutes for mission.”]