Coming Together in Hope

A special ‘Coming Together in Hope’ service will take place in Winson Green on the evening of Thursday 23 March, the 2023 National Day of Reflection. The National Day of Reflection is a day to support the millions who were bereaved during the Covid-19 pandemic and to reflect on the lives of the people who died as a result of it.

‘Coming Together in Hope’ supports and uplifts Black communities (especially the African and Caribbean diaspora in the UK) that were disproportionately affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. For many, the deep trauma of losing loved ones during the pandemic is still very real. Coming Together in Hope acknowledges the lasting pain and creates a legacy of compassion. People from every ethnic background are welcome to attend the service, because the impact of Covid on Black communities affected the nation as a whole.

‘Coming Together in Hope’ will run from 7:00pm to 9:00pm on Thursday 23 March at the Aberdeen Street Church of God of Prophecy, Winson Green, Birmingham B18 7DL. The service will be hosted by Bishop Paul McCalla. It will feature saxophonist Samantha-Jayne; dance by Francesca McDowall and Claudeth Bennett with Released to Worship; Carol Brown and Judith Ingram-Brown with Worship Warriors; soloist Sandra Godley, poetry by Tamoy Cameron; prayers led by Tolu Olajide and Shermara Fletcher, readings by Zarah and Victoria Henry, and a homily by Rev. Leone Martin. This is an intergenerational event and there is an emphasis on the inclusion of children and young people in recognition that they are also still grieving many losses. The evening will feature activities to enable people to reflect, including a roll call of the names of those who died during the pandemic, led by Rev. David Whyte.

Alongside the Wesleyan Holiness Church, the Coming Together in Hope service is supported by Aberdeen Street Church of God of Prophecy, the Majonzi Fund, the Ubele Initiative, the Evangelical Alliance One People Commission, AtaLoss and the Marie Curie National Day of Reflection team.

Register to attend the Coming Together in Hope service via THIS LINK. Those unable to attend in person the service will be able to watch the live-stream at Wesleyan Church YouTube channel HERE.