Juneteenth: Resources and Events for Celebration
Juneteenth (June 19) marks the day in 1865 when U.S. federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take control of the state and ensure all African Americans were freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed. The date is now a federal holiday. Both Discipleship Ministries and the General Commission on Race and Religion have resources to help incorporate Juneteenth into worship.
Be sure to check out these Juneteenth events happening around the Conference:
- June 16-19 - 22nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration in Fayette, MO
- 5:30 p.m. on June 16 - Juneteenth Keynote Lecture and Gospel Music Performance: Honoring Reverend Dr. John N. Doggett Jr.
- 2-5 p.m. on June 18 - Breaking Barriers: Juneteenth and Jackie Robinson Block Party
- 9:30 a.m. on June 19 – Juneteenth Worship Featuring Rev. David W. Brown
- 10:30 a.m. on June 19 – Juneteenth Worship with Grace and New Horizons UMCs
- Beloved Community United Methodist Church luncheon with the Rock Chapel AME Church
- Juneteenth Weekend Celebrations in St. Louis
Several of our United Methodist General Agencies have prepared resources for honoring Juneteenth in corporate and personal worship:
- Juneteenth Worship Resources from Discipleship Ministries
- Ways to Observe Juneteenth from the General Commission on Race and Religion
- Great Thanksgiving – Communion Liturgy Celebrating Cultural Diversity
- Racial Justice Prayer and Action Challenge from GCORR, beginning on Juneteenth and ending July 30.
Additionally, Missouri Conference leaders collaborated to create a Juneteenth-inspired playlist to accompany your celebrations and designed Juneteenth art that is available for you to use in your local church. Bishop Farr recorded a short video for local churches to use in worship and events. You can download the video for your purposes.
