Keyboard Trust’s Carmen Carrol shares how Christians in Bristol are joining together to speak out on racial justice…
We’ve seen several things around the world being shaken; be it economics, our freedom of movement, climate change, politics, the monarchy, and the church. In Hebrews 12:27, it talks about the shaking of the earth and heaven, so that what cannot be shaken may remain. To know the value of something it has to be tested to its fullest capacity so that you know if it’s reliable.
Racial Justice has never stopped shaking; we witnessed the brutal murder of George Floyd, and we came together in solidarity demanding change. The shaking continued with the toppling of statues that have symbolised systematic racism for over a century in various towns and cities across the globe. Here in Bristol, the statue of slave trader Edward Colston is now being displayed in a local museum.
In our city, the church showed up and spoke out, taking part in the protest, standing for racial justice. You can read the statements we gathered or listen to the podcasts. We created spaces for tough conversations and took steps towards developing resources.
The Keyboard Trust was set up by Together4Bristol and Churches Together in Greater Bristol (CTGB). Our purpose is to engage with churches and faith leaders that represent the diverse denominations located throughout the city. We aim to build unity between its congregations and to foster a more inclusive representation.
Our Steering group is made up of several local church and community leaders including Bishop Raymond Veira from House of Praise (Church of God of Prophecy); Bishop Renford Brown & Jackie Stewart from New Testament Church of God and Pastors Osien and Fatima Sibanda from God’s House International. Our enabling group also has the CTGB Chair Pastor Eric Aidoo from City Road Baptist Church and the Anglican Diocese of Bristol’s Advisor Rev Chris Dobson as members.
We all want a transformed society, so this means we challenge the status quo and work together in honesty. The common denominator is that we are all human beings – so when one hurts, we all hurt, if one cries we all cry, if one rejoices we all rejoice. If one needs justice, we all tackle it together with a wave of righteous anger.
Read more about Bristol’s Keyboard Trust.
Photo credit: Chris Dobson