“ As tragic as these last few weeks have been. As difficult, scary and uncertain as they’ve been, they have been an incredible opportunity for people to be awakened to some of these underlying trends. And they offer an opportunity for us all to work together to tackle them, to take them on, to change.”
— Barack Obama following the death of George Floyd

At Highgrove we want to be a community who are striving for greater understanding and change, and that includes in the area of racial justice. We are committed as a church to following the 10 step roadmap to racial diversity and unity, and encourage everyone to explore the following resources:

5 things you can do:

1. Read

There are loads of good books exploring the issue of race. Here’s two we would recommend you read if you want to dig deeper into this issue:

2. Watch

Black and British: A Forgotten History

A four part series in which the historian David Olusoga explores the enduring relationship between Britain and people whose origins lie in Africa.

  1. First Encounters
  2. Freedom
  3. Moral Mission
  4. The Homecoming

3. Discuss

  • Why not take an evening with your smallgroup to discuss the issues raised?

  • Dave and Chloe have offered to facilitate discussion with groups. If you would like to help facilitate these discussions in any way, let us know.

4. Pray

  • Read the Psalms and note all the places the nations are mentioned.

    •  

  • Ask God that your heart will reflect his heart.

  • Use this prayer:

Lord Jesus use this time to open my eyes to what I can’t see and haven’t seen and where I have deliberately fallen short of your love towards others.

We thank you that you are a God of forgiveness. I ask you to forgive me for the times I have fallen short and cleanse my heart of racism, division and prejudice.

Lord I pray that through your forgiveness you will grow in me a spirit of acceptance and honouring of people who are different to me.

I pray you will show me ways that I can challenge racism among my friends, family, in my workplace and in this church community. Open my eyes to things I can change in my own heart and attitudes and also in my areas of influence.

Lord may I become a person who brings peace and is willing to forgive as well as ask for forgiveness.

Amen

5. Act

  • Make a conscious effort to talk with someone who is from a different culture or ethnicity, listening closely to their story.

  • Proactively speak up about racism, challenging family, friends, and colleagues.