Stephen Lawrence Legacy Conversations
The 22 April 2023 marks the 30th anniversary of Stephen Lawrence’s murder in Eltham, south-east London, which remains a watershed moment for race equality on these shores. To mark this significant event, Christian Aid and Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) brought together 14 leading Christian thinkers and theologians to discuss the legacy of Stephen Lawrence’s racist killing and the current state of race relations in Church and society in Britain and Ireland.
The results of these thought-provoking and inspiring conversations can be seen over the next 12 days where we will get to hear more about racial justice in the Church and society, the Bible and racial justice, Christianity and the ‘culture wars’, colonialism and the Church, and the impact of equality, diversity and inclusion policies, among other prescient matter
Resources
Racial Justice Sunday is one of the many legacies of Stephen Lawrence’s life, and the resources provided for this year’s Racial Justice Sunday are ideal for observing the anniversary of Stephen Lawrence’s death.
Conversations
– Richard Reddie, Director of Justice and Inclusion, CTBI
A prayer for Stephen Lawrence Day
Almighty God, the source of all hope and justice,
Your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ brought us good news of love offering equality and inclusion of all,
You call us to radical action and not just empty words,
To stand-up against racism and all forms of discrimination against all our brothers and sisters.
On this the 30th Anniversary of the murder of Stephen Lawrence,
We pray for the family and friends of Stephen who still experience his loss,
We ask for forgiveness when we close our eyes, ears, and hearts to the injustices of those around us,
We call on those in authority to act against institutional racism that is part of everyday life and afflicts too many people of Global Majority Heritage,
We ask you to continue to bless the work of the Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation that keeps his memory and legacy alive.
God of grace, mercy, and love,
Move us to neighbourly love to all those who are hurt, angry and feel abandoned,
Release us from our self-centredness so we can help heal a world in pain,
Let us, your Church, speak out against discrimination against all those you created and love,
May our voices amplify the shouts for justice and equality for all.
We ask this in the name of the God of love, justice, and mercy who calls us to share peace, freedom, and liberty with all.
Amen