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Black History Month at Yorkminster Park

February is Black History Month in Canada and Yorkminster Park is pleased to be marking and celebrating the important contributions of people of African descent to both the life of our country and to the Kingdom of God. It is our prayer that we will grow in our appreciation of the rich breadth of our history and culture owing to the participation of the African-Canadian community.

May our celebrations in February strengthen us in the unity we share as a people who come from north, south, east and west to honour and serve the same Lord Jesus Christ.

SERVICE AND EVENTS:

Worship Service | Sunday, February 7, 11:00am
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Window on the World and Scripture Reading
The Honourable Dr. Jean Augustine - Bio
P.C., C.M., O.Ont, C.B.E. 

Guest Preacher 
The Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III - Bio
Trinity United Church of Christ Chicago, IL

Musical Offering
The Doxa Band

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Lecture | Wednesday, February 10, 7:00pm
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We've Come this Far by Faith

Presented by:
Dr. Bryan E. Walls C.M. O. Ont. DDS - Bio
Founder of the John Freeman Walls Historic Site and Underground Railroad Museum

Dr. Walls will share how his ancestors and other freedom seekers took courage and exercised faith and hope in God. In the early eighteen hundreds they ran through the woods by night and hid by day, knelt down at times and drank rainwater from the hoof prints of cattle, and followed the light of the north star until they reached freedom in Canada. They then helped to build the "First Baptist Church Puce Ontario" and settled on land which is now "The John Freeman Walls Historic Site and Underground Railroad Museum!"

Presentation followed by Q&A and a conversation with Peter Holmes.

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Worship Service | Sunday, February 14, 10:45am
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Musical Guest (Preludes) 
Hudson Taylor 
Pianist

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Panel Discussion | Friday, February 19, 7:00pm
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Paving the Way for Change: Anti-Black Systemic Racism and the Church

Anti-Black systemic racism is defined as the policies and practices rooted in Canadian institutions including education, health care, and justice that mirror and reinforce beliefs, attitudes, prejudice, stereotyping and/or discrimination towards people of Black-African descent. The term ‘Anti-Black Racism' was first introduced by Dr. Akua Benjamin, a Ryerson Social Work Professor as part of her PhD thesis. This moderated panel discussion will focus on illuminating the ongoing reality and impact of anti-Black systemic racism on Black/African/Caribbean Canadians with focus on understanding the intersectionality of the church and faith. The discussion will be candid and aspires to not only inform but also to serve as a catalyst for further dialogue and action to dismantle all forms of anti-Black systemic racism. 

Panelists:

The Rev. Michael Blair - Bio
General Secretary of the United Church of Canada

The Rev. Denise Gillard - Bio
CBOQ Pastor, Founder, Executive Artistic Director of TC3 and The HopeWorks Connection 

The Rev. Cid Latty - Bio
Congregational Development Associate, Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec. 

Ms. Dionne Peart - Bio
Barrister, Legal Aid Lawyer

Moderator:

Dr. Claudette Knight - Bio
Vice President, CIBC Talent Development

In partnership with YP Speakers Series 

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Worship Service | Sunday, February 21, 11:00am

Musical Guest 
Michael Curtis Hanna - Bio

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Worship Service | Sunday, February 28, 11:00am
Coming Soon>

Window on the World and Musical Offering
Measha Brueggergosman - Bio
International award-winning Canadian soprano

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