Leeds church leaders support Black Lives Matter letter after George Floyd killing


Dozens of church leaders have written open letter including Bishop Tony Parry, Canon Sam Corley and Minister Graham Brownlee.
They wrote in the letter: "As Christian leaders in Leeds we know that silence is no longer an option: Black Lives Matter.
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Hide Ad"Following the recent murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis we make it clear that we are appalled by the violence committed against a human being created in the image of God.
"We are shocked too by the incendiary language, poor judgement and violence against peaceful protest that has followed in the wake of George’s death.
"The Christian scriptures contain a vision of the justice that Christ established through his life, death and resurrection: He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.
"In contrast to this, we recognise that racism is embedded in many institutions and cultures – including our own. For too long we have enjoyed the comforts of being among the powerful and rich, complicit in injustice and in perpetuating prejudice and racism.
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Hide Ad"We recognise that we have allowed ourselves to become estranged from God’s heart and from the people he loves – including black people in our
own churches and communities.
"We recognise we need to listen to and learn from our black sisters and brothers. We need to reflect, repent and act differently across our city to forge together a better future where all have a voice, are able to contribute and live free from fear and oppression.
"We wish to build relationships in our city so we are not just helping people different from us address problems, but finding common cause with partners and friends to forge a better future together.
"We hope that through our listening we can shape the policies, practices and priorities of the institutions, churches, business and services of our city.
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Hide Ad"May the Spirit of Christ, poured out on the nations of the world at Pentecost, transform our hearts, renew our minds and lead us forwards in humility and love."
The letter is supported by:
Bishop Tony Parry, Senior Pastor and District Bishop, New Testament Church of God
The Right Reverend Paul Slater, Anglican Area Bishop for the City of Leeds
The Reverend Graham Brownlee, co-Minister Moortown Baptist Church
The Reverend Canon Sam Corley, Rector of Leeds
The Reverend Lizzy Woolf, Rector St George’s Leeds
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Hide AdThe Reverend Shona Shaw, co-Minister Moortown Baptist Church,
The Reverend Mark Harwood, Minister Rosco Methodist Church
The Reverend Joanna Seabourne, Area Dean Headingley
The Reverend Dr Peter Morden, Senior Pastor, Cornerstone Baptist Church
Steve Reilly, Senior Pastor Bridge Community Church
Chris & Gosia Denham, Lead Pastors, Hope City Church
David and Alison Flowers, Senior Pastors, Leeds Vineyard
Matt Hatch, Senior Pastor. Mosaic Church
The Reverend James Barnett, Vicar, St Matts, Leeds
Chris Frost, Lead Elder, Gateway Church
Mark Kelly, Senior Leader, Freedom Church
Dave and Abs Niblock, Pastors, Life Church, Leeds
Dr Helen Reid, Director of Leeds Church Institute
The Reverend Angela Hughes, Minister, Stainbeck United Reformed Church
John Battle, Chair of Diocese of Leeds (Roman Catholic), Justice and Peace Commission
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Hide AdTrish Sandbach, Vice-Chair, Diocese of Leeds (Roman Catholic), Justice and Peace Commission
The Reverend Dr Peter Morden, Cornerstone Baptist Church, Headingley
Joe Burns, Treasurer, Diocese of Leeds (Roman Catholic), Justice and Peace Commission
The Reverends Simon and Gladys Mudada, House of Prayer Leeds, Chapeltown
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Hide AdToyosi Ilori, Senior Pastor, Ministry / Church, Amazing Life Church
Pastor Ebenezer Aryee, Good Shepherd Church
Apostle and Pastor Antony and Faith Tembo, Hospital Chaplain and Gateway Church
Denver Thompson, Pastor, New Life Church, Yeadon
Hilary Willmer, Chair of Leeds Christian Community Trust
Paul Lancaster, New Life Church, Otley and Hope for the Nations
The Reverend Dave Young, Vicar, St Barnabas' Alwoodley & St Paul's Shadwell
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Hide AdThe Reverend Dr George Bailey, Oakwood Church and Gipton Methodist Church
The Reverend Rach Ward, Methodist Minister, Leeds South & West Circuit
The Reverend Godfrey Nicholson, Methodist Minister, Leeds South & West Circuit,
The Reverend Tanya Short, Methodist Minister, Leeds North & East
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Hide AdThe Reverend Jude Smith, Team Rector, Moor-Allerton and Shadwell
The Reverend Lindsay Pearson, Vicar, St. Mary’s Beeston
The Reverend Andrew Pearson, Venerable Bede, Wyther
The Reverend Jon Swales, Lighthouse Church, Leeds
The Reverend Dr Joseph D Cortis Coordinator for Caritas Leeds
The Reverends Olusola and Eunice Ransome-Kuti, The Amazing Grace Christian Centre
Seyi and Ranti Dasaolu, Pastors, In His Presence Four Square Church
The Reverend Clare Davison, Headingley URC
The Reverend Prof Jane de Gay, St Martin’s, Potternewton
The Reverend Geoff Ellis, West Park URC
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Hide AdThe Reverend Canon Kathryn Fitzsimons, Church of the Epiphany, Gipton and Oakwood Church
The Reverend Heston Groenewald, All Hallows, Hyde Park
The Reverend Simon Hall, Chapel Allerton Baptist Church and Revive Leeds
The Reverend Angela Hughes, Stainbeck URC
The Reverend Tony Lee, Cottingley URC
The Reverend Hannah Lievesley, St Chad’s, Far Headingley
The Reverend John Rogers, Holy Trinity Meanwood
The Reverend Sue Rusholme, St Matthew’s, Chapel Allerton.
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