Celebrating Black History Month

October marks the start of Black History Month in the UK – a time to celebrate the invaluable contributions of Black people to British history, culture, and society. It’s also an opportunity for us in the Diocese of Manchester to reaffirm our commitment to racial justice, reflect on the progress made, and acknowledge the ongoing challenges faced by those of Global Majority Heritage.

We encourage parishes, chaplaincies, and schools across the diocese to mark Black History Month in ways that are meaningful and relevant to their local context. To help you to do so, resources are available from the Church of England, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, and the Black History Month website.

Resources from the Church of England

A range of resources including services of the Word, a Eucharistic service, prayers of lament and commission, and additional resources for Bible studies, youth work, Messy Church, and music.

Inspired by the Old Testament story of the sisters Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah, we learn from the past, live in the present, and share experiences to shape the future. Each day explores a different aspect of legacy, based on their names’ meanings, and the reflections have been written by Cathrine Ngangira, Priest in Charge at Boughton-under-Blean in the Diocese of Canterbury.

Resources from Churches Together in Britain and Ireland

Churches Together in Britain and Ireland have created a range of resources for Black History Month 2025, in line with the national theme: “Standing Firm in Power and Pride.”

From a Christian perspective, Black History Month is a valuable opportunity to celebrate how God has empowered Black women, men, and children to use their God-given gifts to enrich and revitalise the Church in the UK.

The resources include a sermon, a reflection, prayers, suggested Bible verses, hymns and songs, along with a directory of other useful materials. These are designed to support churches in engaging with Black History Month in spiritually meaningful and contextually relevant ways.

Black History Month Website

Shades Black History and Faith Tour

Taking place this month, the Shades Black History and Faith Tour celebrates stories of strength, commitment and resilience. Stories that often go unheard. In Jesus, who stood firm for truth and justice, we see the model of living boldly and faithfully, even when faced with opposition.

This year, we want to uplift the power of identity, community, and faith, encouraging us all to walk in the knowledge of our God given identity,  stand in unity, and shine God’s light on racial justice. We are especially excited to bring our Black History and Faith tour to churches as well as schools.

Over the past three years, the tour has reached many schools across Bolton, giving children and young people the chance to learn more about racial justice and the Christian faith. This year, with our team’s expansion into Greater Manchester, we hope to build on this momentum and invite churches to open conversations in their communities around diversity, inclusion, and faith. Whether this is a new step or a continuation of existing work, we encourage churches to join in.

Together, this Black History Month, let us all promote racial justice and bear witness to the truth of God’s kingdom.

Personal Stories

As part of their Black History Month reflections, the Church of England invited several prominent GMH female clergy from across the Church of England to share their experiences of racism in ministry and everyday life, and to offer advice to younger GMH individuals considering ordained ministry.

We are especially grateful to the Ven Karen Best, Archdeacon of Manchester for generously sharing her wisdom and insights from her journey.

Films

Working with the Shades Racial Justice and Faith Team and schools in Bolton, we have created two films A Million Colours and It’s Not Alright. These can be shown in services, shared on social media and used in Sunday School session or youth groups.

Visitor and Chocolate Digestive are two short film monologues by Testament under the title “Testament to Truth” which speak to the presence of racism within the context of the church and the contemporary Christian experience. Testament is an acclaimed West Yorkshire performer, poet, playwright, and rapper. These works, developed after extensive interviews into systemic and personal racism, were originally commissioned by the Leeds Church Institute and Bishop Smitha Prasadam.

After the Flood: The Church, Slavery and Reconciliation addresses the historical neglect of African Chattel Enslavement in British Christian history and explores biblical principles for racial reconciliation in our churches today. Archbishop Stephen Cottrell recommended this “to Bible Study and other small groups to help reflect on the meaning of us being truly one in Christ.”