Welcome

Loving God, Loving

Others and Serving the World

Our History

Creating Healing Experiences

In late 2017, a group in the Anglican Diocese of Toronto organized a solidarity service to aid the Caribbean after hurricanes. The successful event, held on December 2, 2017, raised funds for Caribbean relief in collaboration with the Primate World Relief and Development Fund. Post-service, discussions led to contracting Noelle Richardson Consulting in May 2018 to assess Black inclusion in the Diocese. Thirty-two participants endorsed forming an organization, resulting in the establishment of Black Anglicans of Canada in July 2018. The group’s vision is to enhance Black participation and representation in the Anglican Church on a national scale.

Our Mission

Our mission is to increase the participation, representation, empowerment and belongingness of Black People in lay and ordained leadership roles in the full life of the Anglican Church of Canada, and to develop partnerships with Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) and other oppressed peoples.

Our Vision

We envision the Anglican Church of Canada as a faith community that values and respects the rich diversity of Black People who are empowered to enjoy equitable participation, representation and a sense of belongingness (inclusion) in the mission of Jesus Christ and in the full life of the Anglican Church.

Reverend’s Words

the church

The Reverend Wilson Akinwale is the newly elected National President/Board Chair of Black Anglicans of Canada. He was also recently appointed by the Primate as the Anglican Representative on the board of Task Force on Anti-Racism with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC). He is an ordained Anglican priest in the Diocese of Rupert . He is the Rector/Priest-Incumbent at both St Bartholomew and St George’s Anglican Church Winnipeg, Manitoba. He serves as the Chair of Black Anglicans Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Committee in the Diocese of Rupert.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from a Nigerian University and he is also a graduate of Wycliffe College, University of Toronto where he obtained a master’s degree in divinity. He is a very compassionate community leader with extensive experience in community service spanning over 23 years. He advocates and represents black voice and racialized communities among many other roles at the grassroots level in North America.

His goals with the new leadership team of Black Anglicans is to strategically reposition the structure of the organization’s governance and build an enduring legacy that can help provide history for the new and upcoming generation of Black Anglicans. He envisions black voices from various backgrounds; experiences, interests and skills in shaping Black Anglicans core values: “representation, participation, empowerment and belongingness.” He is very passionate about racial advocacy with matters that promote racial justice, equity and equality by leading in peaceful and constructive conversations to heal and live by Godly example. His personal watchword has always been traced to Micah 6:8 – “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

blackanglicans@gmail.com

Janelle Lightbourne

Secretary

My hope is that BLAC will grow as a space of connection, empowerment and belonging for people of African descent in all of our rich diversity.

Jacqueline Daley

Vice Chair

My vision is expressed in our declaration: We as people of African Descent are commissioned and called to be ambassadors of reconciliation. We are called to create opportunities and space for courage building, healing, fellowship and empowerment. This special calling is both a reminder and a challenge to ourselves and to the whole church that we are no longer destined to just obey, suffer and witness; but to disrupt, heal and lead.

Carey DePass

Director, Governance, Policies and Procedures

An organization where Candian people of African descent can get to know each other in the Anglican Church, while contributing our gifts and culture to the Anglican Church.

Jean Fils Chéry

Communication Director

Having been a media director and sensitive to New Communication and Information Technologies, I join BLAC to be a bridge that extends to others.

Dr. Ebele Felix

Director, Membership Engagement

Advocating for justice, equality and promoting love, respect, reconciliation and solidarity with Jesus Christ as our foundation -Galatians 3:28; Acts 10:34-35 ; 1John 2:3-6

Donald Butler

Reverend

Rev. Donald was ordained as a priest in 1985 and has worked in the Diocese of Toronto since 1989. He has served in several parishes in the diocese and under

his leadership The Church of the Nativity Malvern was built. Throughout his ministry, Canon Donald has focused on community development, collaborating with stakeholders to create youth programs and unite the community around important causes. Canon Donald

people in the service

We are a church that believes in Jesus & loves God and people

Join Us in Making a Difference to the World

We are a church that believes in Jesus, church that loves God and people. Overwhelmed by the gift of salvation we have found in Jesus, we have a heart for authentic worship, are passionate about the local church, and are on mission to see God’s.

The Miracle of Salvation

“ Overwhelmed by the gift of salvation we have found in Jesus, we have a heart for authentic worship, are passionate about the local church, and are on mission to see God’s kingdom established across the earth. We are a church that believes in Jesus.”

Our community is a very friendly, welcoming and easy-going group of people of all ages and backgrounds. In both worship and service we seek to make manifest the unconditional love of God in good words, generous actions, clear minds and open hearts. Join us now!

What kind of place is Holy Church? Simply put, it helps people meet Jesus and use the Bible’s wisdom. I have seen how new life started for people who thought they’d never find a church that connects. They came desperate and became peaceful and focused on who they are.