2025
Guildford celebrates black history
October marks the start of Black History Month in the UK, a time to celebrate and recognise the invaluable contributions and rich history of black communities of African and Caribbean decent. It’s also an opportunity to advocate for racial equality and social justice.
This October, the Diocese of Guildford marks Black History Month with Here I Am — an inspiring exhibition celebrating the voices of clergy and lay leaders from UK Minority Ethnic and Global Majority Heritage (UKME/GMH) backgrounds across our diocese.
Through a series personal reflections, the exhibition highlights stories of faith, vocation, and perseverance, and the vital contributions these individuals make to the life of the Church today.
The title Here I Am takes its cue from Isaiah 6:8 — “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send?’ And I said, ‘Here I am. Send me.’”
Each story testifies to that faithful response: ordinary people, called by God, serving with courage and joy in communities across Surrey and northeast Hampshire.
The exhibition launches at Holy Trinity Church, Guildford, before travelling to other venues across the diocese through the autumn and winter:
- Sunday 12 October - Sunday 19 October | Holy Trinity and St Mary’s, Guildford
- Monday 20 October - Sunday 26 October | St Martin’s, Epsom
- Monday 27 October - Sunday 2 November | St Andrew's, Cobham
- Monday 3 November- Sunday 9 November | St Paul's Addlestone
- Monday 10 November- Sunday 16 November | St John's Stoke
- Sunday 23 November - Sunday 30 November | St Saviour's, Guildford
Alongside the portraits, short video interviews allow visitors to hear participants share their stories in their own words - their journeys of faith, their experiences in ministry, and their hopes for the future of a truly inclusive Church.
This exhibition is part of the Diocese’s ongoing commitment to racial justice, inclusion, and representation within our worshipping communities and leadership.
For more information, or to enquire about hosting the exhibition in your church, school, or community space, please contact Umair Asif, Racial Diversity Enabler.
BHM Prayers and Resources
- A prayer for Black History Month: A special prayer for use in your services throughout October.
- Liturgical Resources for Black History Month: A range of resources to help churches to mark the month, including services of the Word, a Eucharistic service, prayers of lament and commission, and additional resources for Bible studies, youth work, Messy Church, and music.
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Visitor and Chocolate Digestive are short film monologues by Testament, a West Yorkshire performer, poet, and rapper, exploring racism within the Church. These works, based on interviews about systemic and personal racism, were commissioned by the Leeds Church Institute and Bishop Smitha Prasadam.
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After the Flood highlights the overlooked history of African chattel slavery in British Christian history and explores biblical principles for racial reconciliation in today's churches. Archbishop Stephen Cottrell recommended it for Bible study and small groups to reflect on being one in Christ.
More resources can be found on the Church of England website.
You can also view our Black History Month videos from 2024
BHM 2025 resources are also available from Churches Together in Britain and Ireland.
A Collect for Black History Month
Compassionate God,
who sent Jesus Christ
to deliver us from all manner of injustices and inequalities,
create in us new hearts and enlarged visions,
to see the image of God in every person
irrespective of background, race and ethnicity.
May we be generous in our love of others
as we work towards ending misunderstanding, racism and injustice; creating communities of human flourishing,
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Standing Firm in Power and Pride
The national theme for Black History Month UK 2025 is ‘Standing Firm in Power and Pride’ a powerful tribute to the resilience, strength, and unwavering commitment to progress that defines the Black community across the globe. This year, the theme highlights the profound contributions made by black people be they leaders, activists, or pioneers who have shaped history, while also looking towards a future of continued empowerment, unity, and growth. The theme focuses on two core values: power and pride. Read more about this here.