Stainglass window
Christmas 2011
3rd Dec Advent Party
12th Dec @ 2pm
Carol Service at Oak tree Court
16th Dec @ 2.30pm
Carol Service at Stratford Court
17th Dec @11am
Carol Singing outside Co-Op
18th Dec Nativity and Christingle Service and Carol Service
24th Dec @ 11pm (Service starts at 11.30pm
United Service at URC Etwall Rd
25th Dec @10am
Christmas Day Service
"Set All Free"
Dear Friends,
The Abolition of the Slave Trade Act, which was passed by the British Parliament on 25th March 1807, was a step on the way towards ending one of the most brutal chapters in human history. The scale of the transatlantic slave trade is difficult to quantify, but it is estimated that around 9-15 million Africans were captured and enslaved on the continent. Conditions on the Atlantic crossing were horrific, and at least two in every ten Africans died (according to the booklet "Set All Free", published by Churches Together in England).
This month, then, as I'm sure you are aware, marks the 200th anniversary of the passing of that Act. On the day itself (a Sunday), there will be a large united event at the Bethel Center, Smethwick that evening (Churches Together in Hall Green are organising a coach). Our United Lent groups will also be thinking about the subject, using the booklet "Set All Free". Make sure you go along to one, if you are at all able-details are at the back of the church. And in our own church at various points, we will also be focusing on various aspects.
William Wilberforce first introduced a motion to outlaw the Slave Trade in the House of Commons in 1789. He spoke for three and three quarter hours ending with the words, "Sir, when we think of eternity and the future consequences of all human conduct, what is there in this life that shall make any man contradict the dictates of his conscience, the principles of Jesus, and the law of God?"
Wilberforce was, of course, not alone in the campaign, And there had been others before him who had begun the struggle. one of these was John Newton, who had been a frequent visitor to Wilberforce's childhood home, and whom Wilberforce looked on as "a parent". He had once been the captain of a slave ship, but became, after becoming a Christian, a leading evangelical Anglican clergyman and hymn writer. For Newton there was a deep connection between his belief that he had been freed from spiritual slavery by Jesus, and his determination to free others from physical slavery:
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
Amindst all the commemoration events this year, may we take time to think about what Jesus has done for us, and how that affects our priorities, and the way we live our lives.
A prayer from the "Set All Free" booklet: God deliverer, who sent your son, Jesus Christ to set your people free from the slavery of sin, grant that, as your servant William Wilberforce toiled against the sin of slavery, so that we may bring compassion to all, and work for the freedom of all the children of God; throgh Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen
Your friend and pastor,
Jonathan Calvert