Commitment to Racial Justice

The 1st of August was Emancipation Day and so on Sunday 2nd August, as part of our streamed Eucharist, we made a commitment to Racial Justice both Corporately and Personally.

People of God, we stand in the line of Moses, the prophets & Christ crying out for justice and peace.
God calls us to be a people of reconciliation, serving a world in need.
Courageous people have taken the risk of standing up and speaking out for the least and the lowest.
This work involves risking ourselves for the sake of God’s love, moving beyond ourselves in order to seek and serve Christ and one another.
We are all called to the work and ministry of racial justice and reconciliation.
Therefore let us join with people of faith and no faith, throughout the world, in committing ourselves to racial justice.

And so we pledge together:
Do you support justice, equity, & compassion in human relations.
I do.
Do you affirm that white privilege is unfair and harmful to those who have it and to those who do not.
I do.
Do you affirm that white privilege and the culture of white supremacy which infest our nation and church must be dismantled.
I do.
Do you support racial equity, justice, & liberation for every person. I do. •Do you affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person.
I do.

Therefore, from this day forward:
Will you strive daily to understand white privilege and white supremacy and how their existence benefits you individually.
I will.
Will you commit to help transform our church culture to one that is actively engaged in seeking racial justice and equity for everyone.
I will.
Will you make a greater effort to treat all people with the same respect that you expect to receive.
I will.
Will you commit to developing the courage to live your beliefs and values of racial justice and equality.
I will.
Will you strive daily to eliminate racial prejudice from your thoughts and actions so that we can better promote the racial justice efforts of our church.
I will.
Will you renew and honour this pledge daily, knowing that our church, our community, our nation, and our world will be better places because of our efforts.
I will.

Based on the “Racial Equity Pledge” by First Unitarian Church of Dallas, Texas;
adapted by St Francis Xavier Church, New York & Fr Robert Thompson

with thanks to Fr Robert Thompson and the united benefice of St Mary’s Kilburn and St James West Hampstead.