Dearly Beloved,
I missed you so this last Sunday! I'm sorry I wasn't able to join you as we looked ahead towards Juneteenth (today!) and as we celebrated fathers and father figures among us. Thank you to Rev. Elizabeth Endicott who was willing and able to take the service at the 11th hour when I came down with COVID. It turns out, rest was what I needed, and in fact all I was able to do, on Sunday. I've been gradually feeling better with each passing day, and I'm so grateful for your texts, calls, meals and assistance over the last few days. Thank you! I plan to be in worship on Sunday and will be masked for the duration.
Today is indeed Juneteenth. Although the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect on January 1, 1863, it could not be implemented in places still under Confederate control. It was not until June 19, 1865 (two and a half years later!) when Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas that some 250,000 enslaved black people in the state of Texas were finally freed by executive decree.
The website for the National Museum of African American History and Culture offers the following: "Juneteenth marks our country’s second independence day. Although it has long been celebrated in the African American community, this monumental event remains largely unknown to most Americans. The historical legacy of Juneteenth shows the value of never giving up hope in uncertain times."
I, myself, knew nothing of Juneteenth until just the last few years (it was made a federal holiday in 2021). And I just learned that Loveland was the first community in northern Colorado to include a Juneteenth proclamation as part of our civic life together (I had the privilege of representing our congregation at the City Council meeting last week when this year's Juneteenth proclamation was read). Loveland's Heart and Sol is hosting a Juneteenth celebration this Saturday (June 22) from noon to 4:00 pm at Backyard Tap (323 N Railroad Ave). It is free to the public!
In our coming week's celebration of Pride month, we will honor our LGBTQIA+ siblings, so wear your rainbows! Given the church's (broadly speaking) role in the ongoing persecution, condemnation and derision of LGBTQIA+ people, it is essential for us to be vocal and explicit in our inclusion, welcome and celebration of LGBTQIA+ individuals and community. As some of us know from experience, this is nothing short of life and death for many in the LGBTQIA+ community. Just as Jesus' love for people was particular and specific, our love for others needs to be particular and specific. Come and celebrate our congregation's particular and specific welcome of our LGBTQIA+ siblings this Sunday in worship!
Additionally, we will be blessing our campers and mission trippers and bidding farewell to our former moderator Paul Heintzleman.
Holding you all in love and peace,
Thandiwe
