Invitation to this year’s online Sam Sharpe Lecture
The Baptist Union of Great Britain and the Jamaica Baptist Union are committed to walking the ways of God’s justice. One demonstration of this joint commitment is The Sam Sharpe Project. We want you and your church to be aware of the project and join us. Sam Sharpe was hanged in Montego Bay on 23 May, 1832 after initiating and leading a revolt for justice. Just before his execution he said: ‘I would rather die upon yonder gallows, than live in slavery.’ The revolt and Sharpe’s actions played a huge role in British parliamentary deliberations, and ultimately the Slavery Abolition Act in 1833. It is this legacy the Sam Sharpe Project seeks to build upon by promoting his story and exploring his relevance in today’s context. The Sam Sharpe annual lectures, an idea conceived by Rosemarie Davidson-Gotobed, a Partner of the Sam Sharpe Project, remains its key educational resource.
The lectures have become an important fixture in the calendar of community events marking Black History Month. The best of them have sought to create a community event where scholars, social activists and religious leaders share their vision for a just society.
Lecture 2020 – Monday 12 October
‘Man against the System’
This year’s Sam Sharpe lecture will be delivered by Bishop Wilton Powell, OBE – Former National Presiding Bishop of the Church of God of Prophecy.
He will grapple with one of black history’s perennial questions; how did Sam Sharpe upset the status quo and usher in a semblance of hope for the global black family?
The Moderator will be Dr Dulcie McKenzie with other contributions from Sam Sharpe partners Rosemarie Davidson-Gotobed and the Revd Karl Johnson (Jamaica Baptist Union).
It will be delivered as a webinar starting at 19:00.
Click here for more information and to join the webinar
The lecture is free to attend and there is no requirement to book in advance.
We hope you will be able to join us on 12 October and will encourage your church family to attend as well. The lecture will also be recorded so that it can also be accessed from the Baptist Union website afterwards.
Every blessing,
Wale Hudson-Roberts – Justice Enabler, Baptists Together
Rosemarie Davidson-Gotobed – Sam Sharpe Lecture Founder
Karl Johnson – General Secretary, Jamaica Baptist Union
Kan-San Tan – BMS World Mission
