What is Juneteenth?

Galatians 3:28 (CEB) There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither slave nor free; nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

What is Juneteenth?

Summary: Juneteenth is the federal holiday celebrating the end of slavery in the United States.

June 19, 1865, Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas and broadcasted the news that the Civil War was over. The Union army had won, and the enslaved people were set free. It was two and a half years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. However, because of the lack of the Union army’s presence in Texas the order had not been enforced. Now that General Lee has surrendered, the Union army moved into Texas. Texas was the last of the States to enforce the Freedom

for All Executive Order. The celebration of June 19th as Freedom Day was coined “Juneteenth.” It became tradition that many former slaves made a pilgrimage to Galveston to celebrate emancipation. The popularity of Juneteenth has ebbed and flowed since 1865 across the nation. In Texas, it continued to be celebrated and a park in Houston called “Emancipation Park.” is dedicated to its celebration. In January 1980, Juneteenth became an official state holiday in Texas. Texas State Legislator Al Edwards worked hard to spread the observance of it across America. On June 17th2021, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act and made Juneteenth a federal holiday. Today, Juneteenth celebrates African American freedom and achievements. (https://www.juneteenth.com/history/)

Although, we have many cultures at St. Augustine it is important to celebrate the emancipation of our African American brothers and sisters. No human being should be enslaved. It can also remind us to help people who are enslaved today. We can all pray this prayer together in the spirit of Juneteenth.

O Lord God of hosts, who with a mighty arm delivered Israel from bondage in Egypt: Let not our hearts be hardened like Pharaoh’s, but incline our hearts to mercy; that we might fight against slavery of body and mind, and oppression of the soul. Help us to welcome the liberated into the fullness of the family of Christ, that their children and our children may share the bread of brotherhood, and that hand in hand they may enter into thine eternal Kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (http://www.ststeve.com/2020/06/19/juneteenth-4/)

May all be free,

Pastor Anny+