Mid week Eucharist 2^nd October black history month 2025 

October is Black History Month in the UK, an occasion to recognise and celebrate the invaluable contributions of black people to British economy, culture, and history.

The story of Black communities has often been told through lenses that often misrepresent, oversimplify, or entirely overlook the rich and diverse experiences of those who lived it.

Over this month St Mary’s will be marking this time through our mid week worship services where our sermon slots will be reflections on the experience of black people. We hope this will be a time of deep reflection to help us all become more aware of our actions and the dynamics in society and the church, which can negatively impact black people and minority ethnic groups.

 Collect by MLK

Ever present God, you called us to be in relationship with one another, and promised to dwell wherever tow or three are gathered. In our community, we are many different people; we come from many different places, have many different cultures. Open our hearts that we may be bold in finding the riches of inclusion and the treasures of diversity among us. We pray in faith.

Amen

First Reading

Ephesians 2. 11-18.

11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Gospel

 John 3. 16-21

¹⁶ For God so loved >span class="apple-converted-space"> his one and only Son, >span class="apple-converted-space"> in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸ Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. ¹⁹ >span class="apple-converted-space"> has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. ²¹ But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

Sermon

I’m going to give a trigger warning about my sermon this morning as I will be talking about some difficult subjects.

Yesterday I was at the Global majority heritage and UK Minority ethnic gathering of Anglican church leaders, which met in Westminster in London. This is a yearly gathering which provides an opportunity to share stories about the experiences of church leaders throughout the country who identify as GMH or UKME. A main thread of the conversations was around the English and British flags and how many feel these have been hijacked to intimidate those who are not white. Despite protestations and claims of patriotism it's often hard not to see the use of the flag as deliberately provocative and designed to exclude or even expel. People recalled hearing the chant ‘there ain’t no black in the Union Jack’ back in the 70’s and 80’s and sadly it feels as if nothing has changed. It’s hard to describe some of the motivations today as anything other than racist. At the gathering I heard stories of people being intimidated and attacked by participants at these protests, but I also heard stories of people having conversations with people and listening to their concerns, to their sense of loss and disenfranchisement, their anger at the lack of opportunities for their families and communities. As a representative of the Church, I recognise I have a responsibility to try to create space for dialogue to help reconciliation. Although that can feel like being a lamb that has been sent to be in the midst of wolves, Jesus sends us out to be a light to the nations. That means being a light to all. However, as a Christian leader I will not tolerate words spoken or written that fuel violence or hate.

In our first reading the writer says, For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace

The root of our Christian belief is rooted in the faith of the Jewish people, it is the generosity of Jesus Christ who was born a Jew, that enables us to be reconciled to God. If you profess to believe in Jesus Christ then you believe that the Son of God, born into a Jewish home, born in the Middle East born to a poor woman, is Lord of all and has saved us all from sin. Jesus did this so that we all could be welcomed into the loving arms of God, no matter what colour our skin is.

The recent tragic event that happened outside this church have been hijacked by some who feel that this tragedy was in some way to do with race, when the fact is it had nothing to do with race, whatever the ethnicity of all of the assailants, and everything to do with the wave of violence against women. UN data indicates that almost one in three women (30%) have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, with 51,100 women and girls murdered by intimate partners or family members in 2023 alone, averaging one woman every 10 minutes.

It saddens me to have to talk about this during black history month, but it speaks into the reason why we have to promote and celebrate the many black and brown British people who made and continue to make this country what it is, because black and brown people are still being demonised for no good reason. Racism exists among us and is used to divide us and promote fear. As it says in our gospel reading from John, Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. ²¹ But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

If we are hearing the word of God or the teaching of Jesus Christ being used to divide us, we need to ask ourselves, where is the Prince of peace? Where is the God of justice who sent his only son into the world, not to condemn it, but that we may all have eternal life? What can we do to bring this truth into the light?

Amen

Intercessions

Gracious God as we ponder and reflect this Black history month, we ask that you create in us new hearts and enlarged visions, to see the image of God in every person irrespective of background, race and ethnicity. Help us to hold onto the truth that Jesus came among us not to condemn the world but to bring abundant life to all.

Lord in your mercy

World

Lord of life we pray for our world, for the good things you bring. The beautiful changing of the seasons and the delight that this brings to both young and old. Lord, we bring you our world a place filled with light but also filled with darkness. We pray for Gaza, for Yemen, for Syria, Afghanistan, for Ukraine. We pray that your light and truth may bring justice to those who continue to suffer due to the ravages of war.

Lord in your mercy

Church

Almighty God, we pray for the church hear in this place and ask for you light to rest among us. We bring to you the wider Church of England as we anticipate the next Arch Bishop of Canterbury to be announce by Friday. We pray that this appointment will mark a new chapter in the life of the Anglican Church, that brings your light to those who find themselves in darkness.

Lord in your mercy

Community

God of love we pray for our community here in Banbury. After the heartbreaking events that happened in the grounds of this holy place, we lift up to you all women and girls who are victims of sexual violence. According to the UN data, since we began this morning’s service 2 women have died. In a moment of quiet we bring their hurt and pain and those of their family to you…..may your arms of love surround all those who feel alone, bring healing to broken hearts and bodies.

Lord in your mercy

Post communion

Keep, O Lord, your Church, with your perpetual mercy; and, because without you our human frailty cannot but fall, keep us ever by your help from all things hurtful, and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.