Black History Month – From Commemoration to Commitment

By Leo Nupolu Johnson

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Beyond Commemoration

Black History Month is often marked by reflection, education, and recognition of Black excellence. However, true commitment requires more than passive acknowledgment; it demands active engagement, healing, responsibility, and accountability. Drawing from Ubuntu, Sankofa, and Kukatonon, we must recognize that history is not just something to look back on—it is something we must learn from and use to shape the present and future.

Honouring Black history means owning our collective responsibility for justice and truth. This responsibility extends beyond personal guilt; it calls us to take ownership of the full reality of Black history because it belongs to all of us. Black History Month must transcend celebration and recognition, evolving into a powerful call to rebuild, restore, and reconcile—especially in examining the role of the colonial church versus the Black Church in shaping Black experiences.

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Ubuntu: Healing Through Collective Responsibility

Ubuntu, meaning “I am because we are,” teaches that our humanity is interconnected. Black history is not just the history of Black people—it is the history of humanity. The wounds of slavery, colonialism, and systemic racism affect us all, and healing requires a commitment to justice, equity, and restoration.

The colonial church played a direct role in justifying oppression, using Christianity to erase African knowledge systems and reinforce racial inferiority. In contrast, God used the Black Church to emerge as a force of resistance, renewal, and liberation, embodying Ubuntu through communal healing. Today, faith institutions must move beyond regret and actively work to dismantle inequalities they once helped to create.

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Sankofa: Learning from the Past to Shape the Future

Sankofa, an Akan principle meaning “Go back and fetch it,” teaches that we must reclaim our history to guide our future. Western education has long sanitized Black history, reducing it to slavery and the civil rights movement while erasing Africa’s rich civilizations, innovations, and contributions to humanity.

Similarly, the colonial church erased African spiritual traditions, replacing them with European doctrines that reinforced inferiority. However, the Black Church preserved African identity, fusing spirituality with resistance. The call of Sankofa demands that religious institutions reckon with their past, acknowledge their complicity, and actively restore erased histories and traditions.

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Kukatonon: Radical Inclusion and Holistic Accountability

Kukatonon, a Liberian concept, teaches that no one is truly free unless all are included in progress and healing. Black History Month must move beyond the question of who is guilty to who is responsible for ensuring historical injustices do not continue.

Governments, corporations, and institutions must go beyond performative activism and commit to systemic change. True inclusion means economic, social, and political empowerment, not just representation in textbooks or media. Faith-based institutions must expand their role in social justice, moving from passive acknowledgment to active advocacy.

Conclusion: Transforming Black History Month into an Active Movement

Ubuntu reminds us that we are all responsible for justice and healing. Sankofa calls us to engage our past truthfully, and Kukatonon demands that accountability be holistic, not selective. Black History Month must shift from passive reflection to active engagement, ensuring that systems are held accountable and that Black communities receive tangible support in their restoration journey.

1. Move from acknowledgment to action—challenge systems that perpetuate inequality.

2. Educate beyond trauma—highlight Black excellence beyond oppression.

3. Support faith institutions in justice work—honor African spiritual traditions as sources of resilience within the current configuration of the church.

4. Emphasize total inclusion—no one is free until all are empowered.

Black History Month is not about revisiting pain for nostalgia’s sake, it is a call to action to heal, build, and shape a future radically different from the past because we do not just inherit history, we use them to shape the future.

May this Black History Month illuminate our shared humanity, our collective responsibility, and our duty to act.

Key Questions for Reflection

1. How can Black History Month become a tool for collective accountability rather than just acknowledgment?

2. How can Black History Month encourage truth-telling and historical restoration?

3. How can we ensure Black History Month fosters radical inclusion and real accountability?

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Annual Meeting March 2, 2025 11:30ish am

Be sure to join us directly after the service for this year’s Annual Meeting. You will be asked to vote on the following motion, which was outlined at a congregational meeting on December 8.

The motion represents modifications to our Strategic Directions, which were adopted by the Congregation on Oct 24.

Motion

That the following changes be made to Mount Zion’s Strategic Directions

In the area of Leadership and Administration:

• the addition of Support the involvement of youth, young adults, and young families 

In the area of Programs Supporting Social Determinants of Health:

The addition of

• That Parish Nurse be replaced with Resources will be considered to continue important visitation and support of our members,

• the addition of Explore involvement of Youth, Young Adult and Young Family activities, replace Inclusiveness with Reconciliation Work 

In the area of Worship and Music​

•  the addition of Reconciliation and the addition of Exploration of new worship experiences, additional youth/young family ministries 

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Black History Sunday, February 23, 11 am

February is Black History Month in Canada, and as unlikely as it seemed 10 years ago, Mount Zion is now home to one of the city's most vibrant celebrations of Black History. You are likely familiar with how this came to be: former members of the Maranatha Church began attending Mount Zion, bringing with them over 20 years of Black History celebrations, and we all became involved in making it happen. It has become one of our signature events of the year, requiring about 50 volunteers to pull off something very special.

If you are one of those who don’t attend, here are a few reasons you should mark it on your calendar this year.

Outstanding Worship

Dancing in the aisles is encouraged! Our worship service will be a little longer than usual, but it is planned to be under 90 minutes. But in those 90 minutes, you will hear from two newly elected bishops, Bishop Ali Tote, the Bishop of Saskatchewan (ELCIC), who will preach. Our new Bishop of the Eastern Synod, Carla Blakely, who will preside. It's all set to the rhythm of steel drums, along with offerings from the choir and soloists.

Delicious Caribbean Food

Moving upstairs, Mrs. Bell and her crew will prepare a feast of Caribbean delights, which will be served by some of our government representatives, local, regional, provincial and federal, along with the Bishops and Pastor. The menu is not confirmed but you can expect something different and delicious.

Meet some new People

Many members of the Caribbean community join us for the service and/or the celebration that follows. You will get the opportunity to meet our new Bishop, Bishop Ali Tote, visitors from the Caribbean community, city mayors and councillors, MPs, and MPPs as they serve your dinner from the Buffet. This is something that, apparently, they all look forward to.

Scholarship Recipients

Since its beginning, funds from this event have supported scholarships for students of Caribbean heritage who are planning to attend university or college through The Caribbean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region (CCAWR). We are excited to announce that they will introduce a scholarship in Mount Zion’s name this year.

Come celebrate, sing and dance in the aisles on February 23 at 11 am. Please join us for this very special day in the life of Mount Zion. Yes, that is 11 o'clock!  Karen Gastmeier

 

Bible Study to enrich your Lenten Journey

All who wish to enrich their journey through Lent are invited to join Pastor Claudine Carlson in a 6-week bible study.

Starting Monday, March 10th, all sessions are from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm in the church's upper level.

With the gospel accounts as source & inspiration, participants will take a deep dive into the passion narratives through study, questions, conversation, imagination and contemplation.

All participants will receive a study booklet that includes each week’s text, suggestions for reflection, and plenty of space to note questions and comments.

Registration is required no later than Thursday, March 6.

To register, please contact Pastor Claudine at 519-501-3759 or email her at: carlsonclaudine@gmail.com

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Food Card Ministry

​The Food Card Ministry continues to help about 45 families and 15 individuals with their groceries every two months.  We hope our members will continue to support the program at the current level — it seems unlikely that food insecurity will decrease in our Region in the very near future! Mary Thompson.

 

Martin Luther University College Events

Leadership Breakfast

On Thursday, February 13, Martin Luther University College will be holding a special Leadership Breakfast on the topic of Housing and Homelessness with our very special guest, Tony D’Amato Stortz.  Registration is free, but you must register

https://luthershop.ca/products/leadership-breakfast-on-housing-and-homelessness

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Special provincial election forum

On the same evening, Luther, we will also hold a special provincial election forum at Mount Zion Lutheran Church at 7 p.m. hosted by Craig Norris, host of CBC's Morning Edition, to discuss issues important to our area's faith communities, including housing and homelessness. 

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Year-End Financial Report The Good News is confirmed!

Richard reports that the results for the YEAR reflect a surplus of $2,510 in the Ministry & Mission account.  This is $67,018 better than our plan. Total receipts exceeded the plan by $28,280 (10%), and expenses were $38,738 (11%) lower.  This excellent result is $21,398 better than the prior year.  The last time we had a surplus was 2020. Thank you to all of you who made this possible. 

Overall, an extremely positive result positions us well to start the new year.  Please see further details and commentary in the attached reports. Read More here

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Sponsored Refugee Update

An update on the two refugee families that Mount Zion is helping to sponsor:  The families are living in another country in Africa while they await the outcome of their application to come to Canada.   Jennifer Ardon of CLWR keeps us posted.  She told us in mid-2024 that a Canadian visa office will have to do the assessment and that because our visa offices are very busy and backlogged, this still could take many months.  The family heads and the children are attending school to try to prepare.  Representatives of the Eastern Synod churches (including ours)  that are part of the coalition are holding Zoom calls with family heads about once a month. On the most recent call, we were happy to meet three of the children.   Mary Thompson

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Annual Meeting March 2, 2025

Be sure to join us directly after the service for this year’s Annual Meeting. You will be asked to vote on the following motion, which was outlined at a congregational meeting on December 8.

The motion represents modifications to our Strategic Directions, which were adopted by the Congregation on Oct 24.

Motion

That the following changes are made to Mount Zion’s Strategic Directions

• the addition of Support "the involvement of youth, young adults, and young families" in the area of Leadership and Administration

• The addition of "That Parish Nurse be replaced with Resources will be considered to continue important visitation and support of our members, 

• the addition of Explore involvement of Youth, Young Adult and Young Family activities,

• replace Inclusiveness with Reconciliation Work in the area of Programs Supporting Social Determinants of Health

•  Reconciliation and the addition of Exploration of new worship experiences, additional youth/young family ministries to Worship and Music.

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Mount Zion Kitchen News

We welcomed back our 'Spinner' Hermine Nassau after having knee surgery.  Our volunteers have been busy every week preparing delicious meals with Mrs Bell. We celebrated our 'Dishwasher ' Patrick Seliske's birthday in January.  We will be having a meeting with Distro next week to discuss our partnership with them. Please order your meals by Tuesday  noon by calling the church office. Visit the website for our menu.

Jane Schlegel 

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Anna Kaljas: The Untold Story” 

On Sunday, March 23, at 11:45 am, filmmaker Dwight Storring will be showing his film “Anna Kaljas: The Untold Story” in the Sanctuary.  This event is arranged by the Health Council and the Justice through Service Committee. All are welcome.  Stay tuned for more details. 

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Summer Lutheran Youth Camp

Are you looking for an intentional Christian youth camp? Then consider joining us at SLYC (Summer Lutheran Youth Camp). We are a welcoming, affirming, relationship-building experience of camp that brings together youth from across southwestern Ontario. Established in 1966, we have a rich history of fellowship, worship, learning, and fun activities. We gather on the beautiful shores of Lake Huron at Camp Kintail on August 24-29, 2025. Although many still think of us as a confirmation camp we have moved into creating space for our youth to come together in an intentional Christian community, creating space for them to feel safe, to be who God created them to be, building their leadership skills, and nurturing their relationship with God. Cost for the week is $725 by April 27 ($750 after that) which covers accommodations, food, and activities. If you’d like more information about camp,  or to register to join us, please contact slycregistrar@gmail.com for more information.

 

A Thank you from the Canadian Council of Churches

Dear Mount Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church,

As we celebrate 80 years of faithful ministry through the Canadian Council of Churches, I am delighted to share the incredible news of the success of our 80th Anniversary Campaign, “Come Together.” Thanks to your generosity and faith, we not only met our $650,000 goal but exceeded it, raising an extraordinary $761,844 to further the work of Christ in the world!

A Testament to God’s Grace and Your Generosity

Your support of this campaign is a tangible expression of faith in action. Together, as the body of Christ, we have:

• Raised $761,844 to sustain CCC’s mission and ministry through 2026 and beyond.

• Built a legacy of hope and unity, deepening relationships within our community.

• Celebrated 80 years of faithful service, lifting Christ’s call for unity, faith, justice, peace, and reconciliation.

The success of “Come Together” is a reminder of how God works through us, transforming generosity into lasting impact. Your partnership strengthens the Council’s ability to foster unity among Christian communities and bring hope in a world that needs it.

Honouring the Past, Trusting God for the Future

As we reflect on the Council’s 80-year history, we thank the faithful witnesses who came before us. Through this campaign, you have ensured that their legacy endures and that the Council remains vital for ecumenical partnership and social justice. Together, we trust in God’s provision and look forward to proclaiming the good news of Christ’s love as we move into the future.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Your gifts, prayers, and support reflect God’s abundant grace and profoundly witness the unity of the Spirit at work in the world.

With deep gratitude,

Pastor Peter Noteboom, General Secretary

The Canadian Council of Churches

P.S. To see our online celebration of 80 years, see https://councilofchurches.ca/80years/​​​​​​​​​​