This Sunday is Juneteenth! The day in 1865 when US federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take control of the state and finally ensure that all African Americans were freed.
Even though this happened more than a 100 years ago, we know that folk still do not feel free in this country. In fact white supremacy and white nationalism is on a rise all around us. As people of faith may we renew our baptismal commitment to ‘resist evil, injustice and oppression in whatever forms’ we may find them. The General Commission on Religion and Race offers tools for the white allies to observe this day:
Respectfully attend or volunteer at events with no cultural appropriation,
Preach and teach about the current face of racism,
Support Black churches, charities, and businesses making intentional effort to support black-owned businesses and services,
Listen and read stories written by black persons,
Confront the history in your community, and
Church school and small groups can discuss the current state of African Americans in this country and implications of white supremacy and nationalism.
I invite you to check out more resources hereto see more ways to support and stand with our African American siblings.
As I had shared before, Juneteenth also marks the beginning of a 6 week “Racial Justice Prayer and Action Challenge.” We will be using these resources during worship also, but I invite you to also signup for this challenge by using this link.
And a few other reminders:
We are collecting school supplies which we will distribute to any and all desiring kids in September. Please bring your donations on Sundays or any day during the week when the office is open. You can always leave them at the parsonage door also.
In keeping with the quest for justice for all and accessibility of healthcare for all people- we scheduled a vaccination clinic at Broadway. We have one more clinic day on Sunday, June 19th, from 11am till 2pm. You can get any of the four vaccines (Vaccine 1 or 2, and Booster 1 or 2) on these days- so please sign up here for your spot.
We will have a PRIDE PARADE this year, and the Chicago Coalition of Welcoming Churches will be marching in it! The theme for 2022 is "Embracing all and loving boldly". If you will march with us, please register here. We want as many participants as possible to show the world that our church welcomes and celebrates all persons!
Beloveds, Jesus calls us to ‘seek justice, love kindness and walk humbly with our God’ always. May we continue to strive to do our best, be our best and do all we can to leave a livable world for the generations to come, and a safer place for our generations.
And remember God loves you and so do I, and I look forward to seeing you in worship.
