Bicentenary 1807-2007 SLAVE TRADE ABOLITION
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Souvenir Issue SLAVEBicentenary TRADEcommemorating ABOLITION 1807-2007 musically in a worship service attended by Queen Elizabeth II, Prime Minister Tony Blair, a congre- gation of 2,000, including descen- dants of former slaves, and a TV and radio audience of several million. Burton said he looked at the commemoration service as an opportunity for healing and reconcili- ation. He said the group chose to perform the song, ‘There Is A Balm In Gilead’ with the hope that ‘as people listen they will hear that God is willing to heal, forgive our sins and make us whole.’ Robin Taylor- Hunt, the great, great, great grand- son of William Wilberforce, in a letter to The Times newspaper, complemented ‘the wonderful A news roundup of special events staged in Britain to commemorate the bicentenary of the singing of the black Adventist Abolition of the Slave Trade Vocal Ensemble’ as part of ‘an by Victor Hulbert, Communication director, BUC outstandingly nuanced, balanced and creative act of worship’. dventists believe in freedom of ‘Amazing Grace’ in real life. reality of how Britain was a ‘major This followed a special edition of and the bicentenary of the Historic Westminster Abbey beneficiary of slavery’; yet it was Songs of Praise two days earlier in Abolition of the Slave Trade hosted a service on Tuesday, 27 also the British who ‘led the struggle which the Ensemble joined together AAct on 25 March 1807 gave March to commemorate the bicente- to abolish the system’. The Adventist with Antonia Francis of the Chiswick Adventists across the country nary of the Abolition of the Slave Vocal Ensemble, conducted by Ken church and baritone Sir Willard opportunity to show the meaning Trade Act. The occasion spoke of the Burton, were among those who led White, in a moving programme that AllStar challenged the past and considered the importance of healing in the present. An especially touching part of the programme was an interview with Vonetta Winter, a Barbadian descendant of slaves who had a particular hatred for slave trader John Hawkins. She had cursed him and his descendants, yet in a recent visit to Gambia had met up with Andrew Hawkins, a descendant of the infamous sea captain. Hawkins is part of Lifeline Expedition and went to the Gambia to apologise personally for the wrongs of his ancestors. It was a profoundly moving moment when the two came together. LifeLine was also active in >2 Top left: Sir Willard White (centre), Ken Burton (right) and the Adventist Vocal Ensemble rehearse for Songs of Praise. Left: Wilberforce needed all his skills as an orator, plus a great deal of stamina, to present the case against the Slave Trade to a House of Commons of powerful, dug-in vested interests. Britain during the bicentenary events think that my great, great, great the legacy of Slavery?’ It was an recording, ‘Let the sound of free- including a 200 mile walk from Hull aunts and uncles and grandparents evening of hot debate which ended dom’, performed by the Chorale to London. Adventist Chris Rogers, were chained up like this for no rea- with a strong challenge by the along with St John’s College Choir in along with wife Su and daughter son at all. But Jesus teaches us to evening’s co-ordinator, Marge a special programme from Asha, joined the walk in Billinghay, forgive and I would like to forgive Lowhar, ‘It’s not enough simply to Cambridge University, appearing on and were so impressed by the spirit those who did this to my ancestors.’ talk about these issues. We have to BBC Radio 2’s ‘Good Morning of forgiveness and love being shared Daniela Charles, from Year 4, added, ask ourselves, What difference am I Sunday’ with Aled Jones on 25 by the 14-strong team of marchers ‘I don’t think it matters what colour going to make.’ March, and the Songs of Praise and that they joined them for a day’s you are, the important thing is never Those attending the lecture also Westminster events mentioned marching on Sabbath 10 March and to lose sight that God loves us all got a taster from Mervyn Weir’s pro- above, I asked Ken about his per- then again as part of the Walk of and that in his eyes, we are all duction ‘Nobody Knows’ to be spective on Amazing Grace and the Witness from Whitehall to special.’ launched this September at the current bicentennial. He replied, Kennington Park. Su said, ‘Singing On Sabbath 24 March, Adventist Drum Theatre in Birmingham. This ‘Freedom has always been at the top “Amazing Grace” in the cold out- churches across the country joined will coincide with a brand new exhi- of God’s agenda from the beginning Equiano and the priest in a taster for Mervyn Weir’s upcoming ‘Nobody Knows’ doors with people united by the in singing ‘Amazing Grace’. In Level Forum, ‘Let My People Go’ bition at the Birmingham Museum of the world and will be a true reality vision to see modern day slavery Beckenham Hope Community church on the life of former slave and when this world as we know it will abolished was certainly exhilarating.’ the hymn instilled passion for com- for all Seventh-day Adventists and ery. It was his essay on Slavery that ardent abolitionist, Olaudah Equiano. give way to a new world where all The walk also gave the family oppor- munity mission in the context of makes the hymn, “Amazing Grace” enlisted William Wilberforce MP to The segment provided a thought- will be peace and justice. This is tunity to be interviewed by film- their inauguration as a church that to be of particular meaning. be the public voice that led to the provoking illustration of some of the my firm belief, and the very thing maker, Michael Lienau as part of the very Sabbath. In multi-cultural I applaud the work of men like abolition of the Slave Trade. Their issues between church and slavery that gives me hope from day to LifeLine project. Newbold, a saxophone rendition in Clarkson, Wilberforce, and Newton. music ministry was appreciated by as a priest and freed slave dialogued day.’ During the journey, LifeLine both church services reminded wor- What was common to them all was the many relatives of Thomas together. That is the hope in the heart of passed by Hyland House Adventist shippers of God’s amazing grace to that they were Christians . and Clarkson and Granville Sharp in Many other events, lectures and every Seventh-day Adventist. school, taking morning assembly all of us. This was also emphasised without the efforts of these men attendance at the service. promotions took place around the A more comprehensive report of and sharing with the children what by BUC President, Pastor Don perhaps I would not be here today.’ A Level 7 Evangelistic forum Union. However, events can best be Adventist participation in the events slavery meant and what had hap- McFarlane. In a video interview on It was Thomas Clarkson who the aimed at the business community in summed up by London Adventist of the bicentenary is available on the pened in the past. They explained the BUC website, downloaded or Ipswich Adventist Gospel Choir had the London area focused on the role Chorale director, Ken Burton. After a BUC website, the importance of forgiveness and viewed over 700 times and shown in in mind as they sang the spiritual, of the church as an oppressor or lib- heavy schedule this spring, including www.adventistnews.org.uk/news looking to the future. Volunteers then a number of churches, he stated, ‘I ‘Ev’ry Time I Feel De Spirit’, in erator of slaves. In a 3 April meeting an especially commissioned BBC abolition. yoked and chained both children and am a product of slavery, and many morning worship at St Mary’s at the London Docklands museum, adults of the European members of members of our church here in the Church, Playford. Clarkson is buried specialist speakers tackled the topic, LifeLine. It made an impression on United Kingdom are products of in the local churchyard and was one ‘Has the church been more respon- the children. Genevieve, a Year 3 slavery.’ He continued, ‘This makes of the great British Abolitionists who sible for enslaving rather than (Above & below) Hull to London LIFELINE march x2 caught the attention of film-makers as well child, said, ‘I feel really sad when I the bicentenary of the abolition of devoted his whole adult life to end- emancipating Africans and what is as TV crews see what a yoke looks like and to the slave trade a very special event ing the African slave trade and slav- the role of the church in dealing with NUTRIENT HOW IT HELPS FOODS TO EAT Beta carotene Converted to vitamin A in the body and is a key antioxidant, Yellow / orange and dark green helping to dispel ‘free radicals’ that cause disease. vegetables & fruits Bioflavenoids This group of phytonutrients aid the immune system by Fruits and vegetables protecting the cell membranes against incoming infection. Carotenoids Natural plant chemicals, such as beta carotene, increase the Sweet potato, orange fruits and vegetables amount of infection-fighting cells and are powerful antioxidants. LIFELINE walk from Hull (home of Wilberforce) to London, reaches Hyland House SDA School, Walthamstow Glyconutrients Act as a natural immune-boosters by enhancing ‘killer’ and Garlic, onions, yams, sweet potato, ‘T Helper’ cells to fight infection. parsnip, carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, tomato, berries, pineapple, pawpaw, rice bran and aloe vera Omega 3 fatty These help to boost immunity by increasing the activity of Seeds, in particular linseeds (flax) acids phagocytes, the white blood cells that eat up bacteria.