Juneteenth

St. Paul’s has had many firsts during its history and this month there will be another. In keeping with our commitment to begin to address racial reconciliation and healing within our community this year, St. Paul’s will celebrate Juneteenth- the day in 1865 in Galveston, Texas when a Union general rode in to inform the city that all enslaved people were from that moment, free. President Lincoln had in fact already issued a  proclamation two years earlier liberating all slaves living in Confederate states. But the order carried little weight in Texas, where there were few Union soldiers to enforce it. African Americans have celebrated the day since 1865 and in 2021 Juneteenth was made a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans.

Today Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement and celebrates African-American culture. It is a day, a week, and in some areas a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics, and family gatherings. On June 19th , the 9 and 11 services will reflect on the significance of the day and celebrate what freedom looks like for each of us. There are lots of places to volunteer either during the service, which will feature a guest preacher, or after each service at a special coffee hour. Bob Giolitto and Gail Bindley-Taylor are spearheading these efforts please feel free to be in touch with either of them to volunteer or for more information.