A service marking the fifth anniversary of the killing of George Floyd took place on Sunday, 25 May, at St John’s Church, Waterloo Road, London. A copy of the service booklet can be downloaded here.
Bishop Nick represented the Scottish Episcopal Church, serving as one of the co-celebrants alongside ecumenical colleagues. He led the Confession, based on the protest hymn written by the Rev R DeAndre Johnson “It Is Enough”.
There are no words that can contain
the depth of sorrow, grief and pain
That mothers, sons, and all exclaim:
Kyrie eleison!
“It is enough!”, the prophets cry
yet still Black men are doomed to die
by those who wish to vilify:
Kyrie eleison!
It is enough! The harm must cease
from warring madness by police
who are sworn to protect, keep peace:
Kyrie eleison!
It is enough! We cannot wait!
No more excuse for bias, hate!
Your savagery we cannot take:
Christe eleison!
It is enough! We cannot breathe!
Will you stand there and watch us bleed?
Are you not moved by cries and pleas?
Christe eleison!
O my soul, it aches and yearns
For a day when passions burn
For others with deep love, concern:
Kyrie eleison!
I’ve had enough of these charades,
of clichés and hasty crusades
whose triteness wounds and cuts like blades:
Kyrie eleison!
There are no words that can contain
the depth of wounds our souls sustain
each time a grieving heart exclaims:
Kyrie eleison!
From Lament to Action was organised by the Racial Justice Advocacy Forum and Churched Together in Britain and Ireland. It invited people to come together to reflect, mourn, and discuss how we can turn grief into meaningful action. It aimed to unite and inspire positive change.
Five years ago, people around the Diocese responded to the killing of George Floyd by creating materials which are still relevant today.
Read “Pray, Learn, Support” by Mary Louise Collins.
Find a starter pack of Anti-racism Actions.
Images by JMAK group, courtesy of CTBI and RJAF.
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