Juneteenth Celebrations and Resources

posted on June 14

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865: the day that Union Army Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas, and told slaves of their emancipation. That day came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. Last year, Juneteenth became a federal holiday.

Many of our churches have planned a number of events and celebrations to honor this historic event, including:

• June 16 – Juneteenth Keynote Lecture and Gospel Music Performance: Honoring Rev. Dr. John N. Doggett, Jr.
• June 16-19 – 22nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration in Fayette, MO
• June 18 – Breaking Barriers: Juneteenth and Jackie Robinson Block Party
• June 19 – Juneteenth Worship Featuring Rev. David W. Brown
• June 19 – Juneteenth Worship with Grace and New Horizons UMCs

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.