Set All Free
The bicentenary of the passing of the parliamentary act to abolish the slave trade within the British Empire in 1807 was marked by a service at Hackney Church on 25 March. The service was organised by Mathilda Small-Byam for the Circuit Women's Network. She lit candles (left) provided by Sheba (Sisters Helping to Empower Black people to Achieve) as an act of remembrance for the millions who suffered and died in the centuries of transatlantic slavery. Prayers were led by Mathilda, Beatrice McClean, Merlin Williams and Delphina Herbert with readings from Joan James and Doris Burgin. Ernell Watson read a peom by her heroine Maya Angelou.
Anthony Jumpah talked about the history of the slave trade and Shaun Sanders outlined John Wesley's campaigns against it. Superintendent Leroy Logan from the local police described how Scripture was misused to justify slavery. The MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, Diane Abbott spoke about its contemporary consequences while Doris Burgin reflected on human trafficking and other modern forms of slavery. In an inspiring sermon, Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin, vicar of Holy Trinity, Dalston and All Saints, Haggerston challenged the congregation to consider what enslaves us today.
The pictures below show Leroy Logan discussing scripture, Mathilda Small-Byam and Diane Abbott, Rose Hudson-Wilkins and the choir which came together for the service.
Set All Free Link
Set All Free - Set All Free by Churches Together in England to commemorate the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act in 1807.