The Amazing Graciousness of a Diverse God
A day of study and engagement during Black History Month
Marking Black History Month in 2022, Rochester Cathedral is pleased to be able to present a day of study and engagement in the cathedral on Saturday 29th October.
We are delighted to welcome Professor Anthony Reddie, Director of the Oxford Centre for Religion and Culture at Regent’s Park College, Oxford as keynote speaker, to give a lecture entitled ‘The Legacy James H. Cone: The Founding Father of Black Liberation Theology’.
The Reverend Canon Dr Gordon Giles, Canon Chancellor of the Cathedral will also speak on the hymn ‘Amazing Grace’ and its connections to the slave trade and subsequent place in the anti-slavery movement. The author, John Newton, lived, and married in Chatham and Rochester in the 1750s.
The Reverend Belinda Beckhelling will tell the story of Adjai Crowther, the first black Anglican bishop, with whom Rochester Cathedral has a living connection.
The Dean of Rochester, The Very Reverend Dr Philip Hesketh says:
“I am delighted that we can hold this event in the Cathedral as part of Black History Month. It recognises the rich diversity which is the Christian Church and an opportunity to celebrate the Cathedral’s own varied cultural life.”
The Lampedusa Cross and other exhibits will be on display in the Cathedral.
All are extremely welcome to attend for all or part of the day, for which there is no charge.
The Crypt Café will be open.
Planned programme for the day
10.30am Arrivals, exhibition viewing and coffee
11.00am Opening Worship
11.15am Welcome from The Rt Reverend Jonathan Gibbs, Bishop of Rochester (tbc)
11.30am “The bittersweet sound of grace in John Newton’s hymn”
The Reverend Canon Dr Gordon Giles, Canon Chancellor of Rochester Cathedral
12.15pm The Story of Adjai Crowther: the first Anglican black bishop
The Reverend Belinda Beckhelling, Cathedral Curate
12.30pm Coffee break
1pm “The Legacy James H. Cone: The Founding Father of Black Liberation Theology”
Professor Anthony Reddie, Director of the Oxford Centre for Religion and Culture, Regent’s Park College, Oxford
2pm Close (Lunch available in the Crypt Cafe)
How to book
Anyone intending to come, is asked to send an email saying so, to help us with our arrangements: belinda.beckhelling@rochestercathedral.org
Speakers
Professor Anthony Reddie
Anthony Reddie’s work in Black theology is Interdisciplinary and his research Interest has been the interface between Black theology and decolonial/transformative education as a means of conscientization and empowerment. He is the author of numerous books, articles, and book chapters, including most recently, Theologising Brexit: A Liberationist and Postcolonial Critique (Routledge, 2019), Is God Colour-Blind? Insights from Black Theology for Christian Faith and Ministry (SPCK, 2020) and Intercultural Preaching [co-edited with Seidel Abel Boargenes and Pamela Searle], (Regent’s Park College, 2021). He is also a recipient of the Archbishop of Canterbury's 2020 Lanfranc Award for 'exceptional and sustained contribution to Black theology In Britain and beyond.'
Canon Dr Gordon Giles
Canon Chancellor of Rochester Cathedral
Gordon Giles is Canon Chancellor of Rochester Cathedral. He is an editor of Ancient and Modern (2013) and, as a Director of the English Hymnal Company, also of the forthcoming Revised English Hymnal. He has written many books, The Music of Praise (BRF, 2002), The Harmony of Heaven (BRF 2004), O Clap your hands (SPCK, 2007); Fasting and Feasting (BRF, 2008), Comings and Goings (BRF 2015), At Home in Lent (BRF, 2018), At Home in Advent (BRF, 2020) among them. Out about with God (BRF) and Fifty Hymn Meditations (RSCM) are both due out later this year.
