From St. Paul’s Sacred Ground in Action (SGIA) Ministry
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, is “the oldest internationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.” www.juneteenth.com
As people of faith we are called to remember June 19 as a day not only to celebrate the victory that arose from struggle, sacrifice, and death but one in which we recognize more that hard work is yet to come. Especially as allies of our sisters and brothers of color, let’s make a commitment to stand alongside those who challenge the status quo in areas of housing, health care, environmental pollution, the justice system, and other essential areas of life in which inequity continues to prevail.
For events throughout The Episcopal Church (TEC) (Click Here). Next year: the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego?
Borrowing from the Diocese of Olympia, click here for a few other important Juneteenth resources.
Prayer
Almighty God, Source of all that is, Giver of every good gift:
You create all people in your image and call us to love one another as you love us.
We confess that we have failed to honor you in the great diversity of the human family.
We have desired to live in freedom while building walls between ourselves and others.
We have longed to be known and accepted for who we are, while making judgements of others based on the color of skin,
or shape of features, or the varieties of human experience.
We have tried to love our neighbors individually while benefitting from systems that hold those same neighbors in oppression.
Forgive us, Holy God.
Give us eyes to see you as you are revealed in all people.
Strengthen us for the work of reconciliation rooted in love.
Restore us in your image, to be beloved community, united in our diversity, even as you are one with Christ and the Spirit,
Holy and undivided Trinity, now and forever.
Amen.
From the liturgy compiled by the Vivian Taylor Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians
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