Church Seasons and Special Sundays

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on March 21. On that day in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid “pass laws.” Proclaiming the day in 1966, the United Nations General Assembly called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination (resolution 2142 (XXI)).

Below are worship resources to help you mark this day, or the Sunday closest to it.

• A Worship Service for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination [PDF: 4 pp/28 KB]: compiled from United Church resources
• Engaging the Realities of Racism [PDF: 3 pp/109 KB] by Anthony Bailey from Mandate, May 2008
• General Council Chapel Worship Service for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination [PDF: 4 pp/30 KB]
• It's Not Easy: A Prayer [RTF: 1 p/53 KB]
• Litany for Racial Justice [RTF: 1 p/55 KB]
• Sermon Ideas for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination [PDF: 3 pp/33 KB]: contributed by Katalina Tahaafe-Williams, Communitas, Sydney, Australia
• Worship and Liturgical Resources from Behold! One Another: An Intercultural Conference
• Worship Resources from River Running: An Intercultural Conference

Useful Websites

• World Council of Churches
• Canada Race Relations
• Australian Catholic Social Justice Council
• Asian Centre for the Progress of People

Please visit the Racial Justice section for background and study resources.