Dear St. Lukers,
“3 years is a long time.” This is a response uttered by many upon hearing the details that accompany learning about Juneteenth for the first time. The Holiday commemorates the ending of chattel slavery in the United States 3 years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. On June 19, 1865, Union Soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas and spread the news that the Civil War was over and all enslaved persons were to be freed.
This year marks the 155th celebration of Juneteenth. And though this holiday was celebrated for years before things like the phonograph (1877), the microphone (1877), or even the lightbulb (patented in 1879), it has only recently gained wide-spread recognition. When awareness of different ways of life and culture come to our attention we are presented with an opportunity to learn. An opportunity to make the walls that separate us fewer and the bridges that connect us longer. The more we make room for understanding in our lives, the more of it we’ll find.
In the spirit of understand and community I invite you to Learning Together: Juneteenth. This will be a special video event where St. Lukers will learn and engage in conversation about Juneteenth and the ideal of freedom. This event will premiere on Facebook live this Saturday, June 19 at 7:00 p.m.
In the video Reggie Pryor – long time St. Luker and percussionist in the worship band – ponders...
