Confront the legacy of American slavery this Lent

A new Lenten devotional addresses the history of racial injustice to empower readers for racial justice 

by Westminster John Knox Press | Special to Presbyterian News Service 

LOUISVILLE — For many in the United States, the summer of 2020 served as a moment of renewed attention to the disease of racial inequality and injustice in our country. But in order to look forward in our pursuit of antiracism, we must also look back and acknowledge our history. To help churches address the difficult work of examining the history of American slavery, Cheri L. Mills offers her new Lenten devotional, “Lent of Liberation: Confronting the Legacy of American Slavery.”

Her new 40-day devotional centers on Lenten themes — exodus, redemption, discipline, and repentance — to empower both Black and white readers for the work of addressing racial injustice. To confront our history, each day includes the testimony of a person who escaped slavery through the Underground Railroad, a Scripture passage, and a reflection connecting biblical and historical themes. “If you’ve ever wondered what you can do to become more antiracist, “Lent of Liberation” is a great place to start,” says Kerry Connelly, author of “Good White Racist? Confronting Your Role in Racial Injustice.”

As we continue to fight the coronavirus and adapt our worship practices and meetings to virtual settings, free digital resources designed to enhance your small-group study and ideas for a sermon series based on the book’s material have been made available at wjkbooks.com/LentofLiberation.

“Lent of Liberation” is now available from Westminster John Knox Press.

Cheri L. Mills has served in full-time ministry for 27 years at St. Stephen Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. She is also prayer director at Simmons College of Kentucky, the nation’s 107th HBCU, and the founder of 1 Voice Prayer Movement. She was awarded the Mary McLeod Bethune Achievement Award by the Louisville Section of the National Council of Negro Women for her contributions to the community, state, and beyond.