WE MUST LEARN AND BE BETTER

WE believe that all people, regardless of nationality, race or colour, are created in the image of God and, as such have inherent value and worth.

Therefore, we feel the need stand up and clearly declare, ‘Black Lives

Matter.’

In so doing, we are not saying that other lives don’t matter but recognising that Black lives are so often treated with a lack of respect and dignity.

Furthermore, we denounce all forms of prejudice and hatred as being against the command of Jesus to love your neighbour as you love yourself.

We believe that the cry for freedom and liberation is a prophetic act founded on Biblical principles, and we stand as allies in support of those who are protesting to be set free from systems of oppression and inequality.

We repent for the ways in which, both historically and presently, the church, in the actions of its members, has been complicit in perpetuating racism and other forms of discrimination.

We continue to commit ourselves to listening to those voices so often ignored by society, that we might learn and be better in the future.

Rev. Derek Allen, Christchurch Bacup & Holy Trinity Tunstead, Rev. Leila Allen, Christchurch Bacup & Holy Trinity Tunstead, Rev. Julie Barratt, St Paul’s Constable Lee, St Mary’s Rawtenstall, St Mary’s with St John’s Goodshaw and Crawshawbooth, Rev. Dave Bartram, Trinity Baptist, Bacup, Rev. Rod Bevan, St. Anne’s Edgeside, Father Philip Boast, St Joseph & St Peter Newchurch, Rev. Leroy Bowtell, Haslingden Baptist, Rev. Stephen Brown, St Peter’s, Laneside, Haslingden, Rev. David Burrow, Rossendale Methodist Circuit, Rev. Dan Cook, Christchurch Bacup & Holy Trinity Tunstead

Rev. Stephen Crook, Goodshaw Baptist, Rev. Jonny Hirst, Kay Street Baptist, Rawtenstall, Rev. Matt Hirst, Kay Street Baptist, Rawtenstall, Canon Anthony McBride, St James the Less, Rawtenstall, Father Chris McGrane, St Mary Bacup & St Anselm Whitworth, Rev. Glenn Scott, Edgeside Baptist & Helmshore Christian Fellowship, Richard Selby, Christchurch Ramsbottom, Jean Starkie, St Nicholas Newchurch, Rev. Joanna Watson, St John Facit & St Bartholomew Whitworth