Ministers from churches across the Archdeaconry of Rochester joined together to take part in an interdenominational service for Black History Month.
Organised by the Gravesham & Kent branch of the Black History Month Association, the service took place at Emmanuel Baptist Church Gravesend.
Revd Fr Cyril Showers from Northfleet Churches was the preacher, Ethlyn Roy-Johnson (LLM) led the service, and the Revd Michael Payne, vicar of St Aidan’s, Gravesend was also in attendance.
The theme for the service was, ‘Walk in Unity’ taken from Ephesians 4, and was an opportunity to give thanks to God for a rich history and to celebrate diversity.
The service brought together black and other ethnic groups through hymns, songs, poetry and the sharing of food.
Ethlyn Roy-Johnson said:
“This has been an opportunity for us to share in a renewed hope for the future in terms of current issues being experienced by the local community, such as inclusion, denouncing racism, and fostering encouragement that such open conversations are taking place.
She continued:
“Maya Angelou brilliantly summed up the reason for such an occasion like this when she said, ‘We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their colour.’”
The Association now plans to work with and support young people in Gravesham and wider Kent. Starting next year, they plan to hold an annual prom-style dinner and dance to reward deserving BME young people in Kent who make a difference in their local communities.