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Set All Free - a commemoration
of the Abolition of Slavery
by Graham Pulham
The bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act provides an
opportunity for us to remember, reflect and respond to slavery past
and present. March 25th will mark 200 years to the day that a Parliament
Bill was passed to abolish the slave trade in the British Colonies.
And although slavery was finally abolished in the Americas in 1888,
it is estimated that there are tens of millions of people still in some
form of servitude today.
Set All Free was established by Churches Together in England and is
a collaboration between Christians (project partners include Churches
together in Scotland, CAFOD, CMS, Tearfund and USPG) and those happy
to work with a Christian ethos on the relevance of this bicentennial
commemoration. Set All Free's remit is to 'provide an honest
retelling of Britain's part in the Transatlantic Slave Trade,
examine the role of the church and society, and encourage healing, reconciliation
and action against racism and modern slavery'.
Published resources include a five week course which Churches Together
in Barnes have adopted as this year's ecumenical Lent Course.
The study combines evangelical zeal and a yearning for social justice
helping us to understand William Wilberforce, his colleagues and the
slaves as they campaigned and yearned for freedom and equality. The
titles for the five sessions are revealing - Amazing Grace!, Christ
is in all, A step on the way, All things come from you, Following in
your footsteps... - and each gives background discussion, a Bible
passage, action notes and a prayer. The leader's notes are both
challenging and practical. So ensure you set free some time this Lent
to join a course.
Lent courses will begin in the week commencing February 25th, but
prior to that lists will be circulated to each church inviting prospective
course leaders and hosts to sign up. Once we know how many courses and
when and where they will be running, a second list will be circulated
inviting others wishing to participate to sign up.
Further information regarding Set All Free can be accessed at www.setallfree.net
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