Celebrating Juneteenth: A Service of Reflection and Hope

SOCIAL JUSTICE & OUTREACH

On Sunday, June 21, we joined communities across the nation in celebrating Juneteenth, the oldest nationally recognized commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States.

Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the end of the Civil War and the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the Confederate South. This historic news reached Galveston more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. The abolition of slavery would later be formally enshrined in law with the ratification of the 13th Amendment in December 1865.

In 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday, recognizing its significance in the ongoing journey toward freedom, justice, and equality.

During worship, we reflected on the meaning of Juneteenth and honored the resilience, contributions, and enduring legacy of Black Americans. We invite you to view the special Juneteenth worship service here.