Ro: Black History Month is a time to honour the achievements, resilience and contributions of black people throughout history. It is a celebration of identity and legacy and a time to recognise our excellence and influence throughout society, not just a reminder of struggle.

However, it is important to acknowledge that although Black History Month is a celebration of our culture with others, it should never be confused with the ongoing fight for equality and racial justice which is part of our every day.

Ro: I think it's a special time to embrace, live, and share the richness and diversity of black culture from throughout the diaspora. My lived lens is as a Caribbean man of mixed heritage but black culture goes so very far beyond that.

I always take time to reflect on history, particularly the Windrush Generation, whilst also looking forward, praying for and looking towards the fair society to which we should all aspire. I have really enjoyed book reviews and discussions, sharing food, cultural gatherings, and events where people share their stories. 

Above all, Black History Month is a collective and inclusive celebration which invites everyone around us to appreciate the uniqueness and contribution of black history and culture, and is a time for us all to learn, connect, and celebrate together.

Claire: We can only celebrate people when we really get to know them, so creating the environment where people who walk through our doors feel they belong and can be themselves is fundamental. 

Curiosity with kindness is another key skill; take time to hear how people of colour experience things, be compassionate, acknowledge what we don't know and learn to be an ally, then when we celebrate it comes from real understanding.

When I look around HTC, to me there is a brilliantly diverse community, and it’s fantastic to have so many black people who are using their talents to serve and lead in different ways.  There’s always a need for more people to be involved at church and we have ongoing opportunities to tap into the wonderful gifts of everyone in our congregation including black communities.  The more we visibly reflect the communities we serve, the more our communities will feel they belong.

Ro: Me and black friends at church have often spoken about the chip we had on our shoulder because we were told from a young age that we had to be three or four times as good as our white counterparts to achieve anything in our lives. That was a really difficult burden to carry for us all.

I think, therefore, from a gospel perspective as a church, we can say this is not what Jesus Christ, or our church family, asks of you, and we can encourage everyone to come and be met as and where they are.

So, while I really value and am proud that we've had a black church warden and a black local MP in our congregation, among other brilliant people, it’s not just about celebrating those Black friends who have a public platform. Jesus made each of us uniquely and there is joy in celebrating every life and contribution in our church.

And beyond celebrating those today, recognising those who have gone before us at HTC is a great encouragement. The impact of Wilberforce, Equiano and others who have worshipped at HTC has changed the lives of generations of black people, and I am so thankful that their boldness and obedience to their calling continues to live on and challenge each of us to live our lives bearing fruit for Jesus.

Claire:  Jesus has taught us so much on grace and kindness, and it’s something that is so important, particularly for us as a allies. My black and brown friends have shown me how their heritage, parenting, cultural background and life experiences influences how they respond or show up in situations, and that can require me to have a deep compassion and curiosity so I can respond with grace.

Ro: When I think of Black History Month through a gospel lens, I see our call to action call as one to champion the oppressed, those who need us most. Jesus is the champion of the oppressed, and his Kingdom is rooted in the oppressed. 

When a building's on fire, the victims don't put the fire out. We have firefighters. 

We didn't put out the fire of eternal sin, Christ has done that for us. 

Therefore, we must not expect the black community to put out the fire that is the stain of systemic racial oppression across generations. It takes a whole society to bring about societal change. History has taught us that reconciliation needs grace, so the only way we can come together societally is with grace to one another.

Ro: Grace and forgiveness. We need to be able to turn around and say, "I'm not going to hold against you those things that you're not aware of in my life and lived experience." 

In my case, that might mean letting go of a resentment towards those were oblivious to the fear and confusion I've been living through in recent months with the rise of racial rhetoric around us, and especially walking through Central London with my wife on the day of significant unrest because we had a prior engagement to which we had committed.

For my white friends, it means having the grace to able to acknowledge and understand our experiences, and really want to walk in our shoes. It's a two-way cycle. It's a full cycle of grace which will allow us to move past this.

In saying this, I feel that this is a moment in which the church has been called to stand for the oppressed, and to be bold and courageous, knowing this is what Jesus would do.

Claire: I have been struck recently by how my black friends, colleagues and neighbours have been impacted by the current unrest. In our busy lives, it can be easy to skip past how events might impact others, so it is key to take time to hear how others experience things, to be compassionate, to acknowledge what we don't know and try and create that environment where we as white people can be allies.

Ro: Jesus has overcome it all. Our time on Earth and our pain is temporary, but in Him what we have is eternity. Jesus has overcome every bit of prejudice that you could imagine. Jesus understands what it's like to be part of a marginalised people, He weeps with us. When we say He has overcome the world, this is very much part of what He has overcome.

Claire: Jesus is love.  He shows each of us what it means to love everyone, he shows us grace and compassion, and correction when we need it.  He wants His people to live life in all its fullness.  When that doesn’t happen, we know it’s because we live in a broken world but there is hope and as Christians we get to model unity, and it's exciting that we can demonstrate a radical difference to the world because of the love of Jesus. 

Ro: Celebrate Black History and Black Present. In 2018, I joined a fairly conservative, very white, affluent and middle-aged HTC. Today, HTC is increasingly vibrant and diverse in terms of age, socioeconomics, and race.

Take heart as a church where we are already beginning to role model what we want society to be, but also take action. We must be outward facing, and therefore use the change that we've seen to influence the outside world.

Claire: Let's continue to celebrate diversity. Black History Month is a good prompt to remember all the rich cultures and backgrounds, and as we do that remember it’s a kingdom thing. We’re all unique; fearfully and wonderfully made, and as we celebrate that richness, we show the world how incredible God’s creation is, and we want that message to spread through Clapham, London and beyond!