Two thousand people filled St Paul's Bloor Street in Toronto for the fifth annual service to celebrate the diocese's black heritage. The Revd Cecil Fletcher, who is minister of Grant African Methodist Episcopal Church in Toronto, preached at the service - the first non-Anglican to do so - and Bishop Michael Bedford-Jones was the chief celebrant.
The two and a half hour service, held during Black History Month, was a celebration of words, dance and music. The Diocesan Dancers in colourful costumes twirled along the aisle, and the Barbados Overseas Community Drummers enlivened the music. The Grant African Methodist Episcopal Church choir, joined by singers from the Diocese of Toronto, performed many songs.
The annual service was organised by the Black Anglicans Co-ordinating Committee, which had decided to focus on the need to repair divisions within the Anglican Church. The theme of the service was "Restoration, Affirmation and Hope". Mr Fletcher reminded the congregation of the experiences of many black people when they were enslaved and exiled in foreign lands, but his message was not one of despair, but of hope.
"We know that if we don't grab onto the faith of patience and endurance, we shall perish under the weight of despair," he said, recalling the traditions of strong faith in God and the transformative power of music that had sustained black people throughout their long history. He spoke about how music permeated the lives of the African people, noting that almost any occasion was seen as an opportunity to make music.
Mr Fletcher said that during slavery black people had lost their joy in making music, but by reclaiming this, along with a deep faith in God, it was possible for them to overcome adversity - a message that was as relevant today as ever.
"No matter how difficult the circumstances no matter how vicious the enemy don't let go of your hope," declared Mt Fletcher in a rousing finale to his address. "Start singing a new song in a foreign land."
Article from: The Anglican