Reconciliation Ministry


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News and Updates

Reconciliation Ministry Encourages Congregations To View Film; Support Offering

August 31, 2007 - Disciples News Service

Reconciliation Ministry is following the maiden voyage of the Freedom Schooner Amistad, a near exact replica of a 19th century slave ship. The replica of the historic ship docked in Liverpool, England, last week just in time to help commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the British Parliament vote to ban slave shipments from Africa.

The Amistad, which sailed from New Haven, Conn. on June 21, is on a 14,000-mile journey to celebrate the bicentennial of the abolition of the slave trade. In 1839, the Amistad was en route to Cuba when 53 captives mutinied, landed in New York harbor, were jailed in New Haven and eventually freed by court rulings. Reconciliation Ministry, the special ministry of the Church that works to eliminate primary causes of racism in North America, is one of the sponsors of the Amistad voyage.

Among the resources for the observance of this year’s Reconciliation Offering is the “Winds of Change” discussion guide of the film Amistad, a 1997 movie about the ship. Disciples are encouraged to use this resource for a special meeting of a Sunday school class, or a youth or adult fellowship group. The offering will be received on Sept. 30 and Oct. 7. The Amistad film is available at most video stores or can be ordered from amazon.com. The curriculum can be downloaded at www.reconciliationmission.org