Reclaiming Histories: Slavery, Race and the Churches

Yesterday, on 5 June 2025, there was a collaborative day of impact, co-organised by USPG, LCI (Leeds Church Institute), and CRPL. The purpose was to bring folk together to learn, reflect on, and think concertedly about the many entanglements between, on the one hand, Christianity, churches and the Bible, and, on the other, legacies and persistent impacts of enslavement and racism. This is intended to lead on to action and change.

Key presenters: Jo Sadgrove, Garfield Campbell, Carlton Turner and Evie Vernon O'Brien

The day combined a range of events: a film-showing of After the Flood (created by the Movement for Justice and Reconciliation), which received a mixed critical reception in the room; small-group and whole-group discussions; presentations by and dialogue with three theologians: Garfield Campbell, Carlton Turner, and Evie Vernon O'Brien; a presentation by Dwayne Hutchinson about LCI’s Churches Against Racism campaign, which included the short film Chocolate Digestive; and free-flowing talk over coffees and lunch.

Dwayne Hutchinson (LCI)

Thanks go to all the presenters and participants, as well as to the University of Leeds Rapid Action Fund.

Discussions in progress

Group discussions

This event is just the start and we are readying for more. (Photo credits: Emma Temple, LCI)