Christians across the nation commit to action on racial justice

Churches marked the anniversary of George Floyd’s death on 25 May.

26 May 2021

Christians across the nation marked the anniversary of George Floyd’s death yesterday, and committed to ongoing action against racial injustice.

Many church traditions joined together at midday to light a #CandleOfJustice and pray the #CandleOfJustice prayer, and then joined CTBI’s national ecumenical service at 7pm online

#CandleOfJustice: a moment of action

1) Prayer - Candle of Justice

“Churches, schools, charities, and communities across the nation joined together in lighting a candle and praying the #CandleofJustice prayer in commemoration of George Floyd and others who have died or been injured by the brutality of racism,” shares Shermara Fletcher, CTE’s Principal Officer for Pentecostal, Charismatic and Multi-cultural Relations.

“This simple but effective act of national solidarity is the first step in showing that everyone can participate in working together for a just, fair, equal and equitable society.
 
“As people lit their candle and prayed in their communities, I pray that their commitment spans beyond the anniversary of George Floyd and will take them on a journey of playing their personal and institutional part to tackle racial injustice, and challenge the toxic supremacy that hinders the image and flourishing of all.”
 
Throughout the day many engaged on social media and shared their candle photos – a selection of which are shown at the bottom of the page.

Responses on social media included:

“Our whole school assembly was focused on this. Nearly 400 children staying silent in their classrooms and focused on candles.”
 
The Most Reverend & Right Honourable Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York:
“It’s a year since the tragic death of #georgefloyd. @ChurchesEngland are encouraging people to pause for one minute at noon to remember him & all those who experience racism. Light a candle or shine a light from your phone. #CandleOfJustice”
 
Congregational Federation, one of the 51 national Member Churches of Churches Together in England:
“To mark today’s anniversary of the killing of George Floyd, churches across the nation will be uniting at 12noon to light a #CandleOfJustice, pray and commit to taking personal and institutional action to tackle racism in our society and our churches.”
 
The Free Churches Group, an ecumenical association of Free Church denominations and groups, including many of our national Member Churches:
“At this moment we are joining our friends from @ChurchesEngland, on the anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, to light a #candleofjustice and pray that God’s justice would be seen and for hearts to be changed by His love.”
 
Thy Kingdom Come, the global ecumenical prayer movement:
“We are joining in prayer with @ChurchesEngland & many others, to light a candle for justice, at noon today, to mark the anniversary of the death of George Floyd. Will you join us? #RacialJustice”
 
Pastor Agu Irukwu
, CTE Pentecostal President and senior pastor of RCCG Jesus House, shared a video encouraging people to join him in prayer:

Posts on social media

Watch the national ecumenical service Doing Justice: A National Service of Reflection on the Anniversary of the murder of George Floyd.

Read specially-written prayers for racial justice from our national Member Churches.