
On June 19th, 1865, Union troops rolled into Galveston, TX. Even though General Lee and the Confederates had surrendered months before this, there were pockets of ongoing resistance, including in Texas. That day, General Order No. 3 was read to the people of Texas including the proclamation that, “all slaves are free”. Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation two and half years prior to this, but it wasn’t recognized or enforced everywhere immediately, and Texas was the last holdout. June 19th or “Juneteenth” was celebrated locally in Galveston by African Americans, and later around the nation, as the official end of slavery in the United States.
Growing up white in a nearly all-white community, I was never taught about Juneteenth. I am certain I wasn’t alone in that. More recently, Juneteenth has been recognized and celebrated anew, not only to remember and commemorate an important historic date, but to remind us that the work is still unfinished.
It is one thing to write something down or to make a proclamation. It is another thing to actually live out those ideals. We can aspire to be something, but until those aspirations become a lived experience for all people, then the work is not complete. This is true of so many realities in our life and faith. It is especially true when it comes to racial justice and equity in our country.
Some people argue that racism is largely a historic reality, not a current one. Juneteenth reminds us that racism can formally end in policy but not end in practice. Racism has a way of lingering, of finding new ways to exist. We can change laws and make declarations, but it takes a long time to change practices, behaviors, and consequences.
Today we remember and commemorate Juneteenth and continue the work that it calls us towards. You can learn more about the historical event here and if you are looking for ways to observe the holiday, you can find some suggestions here.
Dads - have a great Father’s Day. This weekend I am continuing my series REAL: The Power of Vulnerability. I hope to see you in church, in person, or online.
Peace,
Growing up white in a nearly all-white community, I was never taught about Juneteenth. I am certain I wasn’t alone in that. More recently, Juneteenth has been recognized and celebrated anew, not only to remember and commemorate an important historic date, but to remind us that the work is still unfinished.
It is one thing to write something down or to make a proclamation. It is another thing to actually live out those ideals. We can aspire to be something, but until those aspirations become a lived experience for all people, then the work is not complete. This is true of so many realities in our life and faith. It is especially true when it comes to racial justice and equity in our country.
Some people argue that racism is largely a historic reality, not a current one. Juneteenth reminds us that racism can formally end in policy but not end in practice. Racism has a way of lingering, of finding new ways to exist. We can change laws and make declarations, but it takes a long time to change practices, behaviors, and consequences.
Today we remember and commemorate Juneteenth and continue the work that it calls us towards. You can learn more about the historical event here and if you are looking for ways to observe the holiday, you can find some suggestions here.
Dads - have a great Father’s Day. This weekend I am continuing my series REAL: The Power of Vulnerability. I hope to see you in church, in person, or online.
Peace,

P.S. There is something else really important happening today. Pastor Adam Baker is back in his home conference in North Carolina to be fully ordained as an elder in the United Methodist Church. This is the result of a long and taxing process. Seminary, retreats, training, tests, interviews, and a lot of paperwork! It is a huge accomplishment and an acknowledgement by the church of the effectiveness of his call and work. We are blessed to have his leadership at The Gathering. I encourage you to take a moment and write him a word of congratulations here.
Recent
Archive
2022
January
February
March
M-Note 3.1.22Lenten Devotional // Day 1Lenten Devotional // Day 2Luke: The Gospel For Rebels Week 5Lenten Devotional // Day 3Lenten Devotional // Day 4Lenten Devotional // First SundayLenten Devotional // Day 5Lenten Devotional // Day 6Lenten Devotional // Day 7Lenten Devotional // Day 8Lenten Devotional // Day 9Following Jesus: Some Assembly Required – Week 1Lenten Devotional // Day 10Some Assembly RequiredLenten Devotional // Second SundayLenten Devotional // Day 11Lenten Devotional // Day 12Lenten Devotional // Day 13Lenten Devotional // Day 14Following Jesus: Some Assembly Required – Week 2Lenten Devotional // Day 15Lenten Devotional // Day 16M-Note 3.20.22Lenten Devotional // Third SundayLenten Devotional // Day 17Lenten Devotional // Day 185 Benefits to Embracing Your Uncertainty of GodLenten Devotional // Day 19Lenten Devotional // Day 20M-Note 3.24.2022Lenten Devotional // Day 21Following Jesus: Some Assembly Required – Week 3Lenten Devotional // Day 22Lenten Devotional // Fourth SundayLenten Devotional // Day 23Lenten Devotional // Day 24Lenten Devotional // Day 25Lenten Devotional // Day 26
April
Following Jesus: Some Assembly Required – Week 4M-Note 4.1.2022Lenten Devotional // Day 273 Implications of God's Humanity on YoursLenten Devotional // Day 28Lenten Devotional // Fifth SundayLenten Devotional // Day 29Lenten Devotional // Day 30Lenten Devotional // Day 31Lenten Devotional // Day 32Following Jesus: Some Assembly Required – Week 53 Misunderstandings of Easter that Impact YouLenten Devotional // Day 33Lenten Devotional // Day 34Lenten Devotional // Palm SundayLenten Devotional // Day 35Lenten Devotional // Day 36Lenten Devotional // Day 37M-Note 4.14.2022Lenten Devotional // Day 38 Maundy ThusdayLenten Devotional // Day 39 Good FridayLenten Devotional // Day 40 Holy SaturdayLenten Devotional // EasterMysterious You: How your union with God makes you divineM-Note 4.20.2022No Filter: See The Real You – Week 14 Ways Embracing Your Sin Serves the WorldM-Note 4.28.2022No Filter: See The Real You – Week 2
2021
January
Categories
Tags
Belden Lane
Celebrate
Change
Christ
Confidence
Divine Love
Doubt
Easter
Frederick Buechner
God
Identity
Jesus
Kids
Longing
Matthew
Nadia Bolz-Weber
No Filter
Parenting
Patience
Paula D'Arcy
Paula D\'Arcy
Paula D\\\'Arcy
Purpose
Righteousness
Sabra Engelbrecht
Second Chance
Struggle
Success
Uncertainty
Weird
acts
creation
faith
forgiveness
forgiving
kelley weber
meister eckhart
redemption
sin
thomas merton
No Comments