This year on June 19th, there has been an increase in the awareness of the celebration and commemoration as a part of the holiday called “Juneteenth”. While this may be a new experience for many, this commemoration dates back to June 19, 1865 when enslaved African Americans were notified of their freedom by Union troops in Galveston Bay, TX—two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. Known as Juneteenth this day is widely celebrated as the end of chattel slavery in the U.S.
As Moravians, and as Christians we are reminded of our call to preach the salvation of Christ, and are humbled by the other names also associated with this commemoration: Freedom Day, Liberation Day, and Jubilee Day.
Attached below is a statement written by the PEC of the British Province of the Moravian Church, and co-signed by many folks and representatives from throughout the Moravian Unity.
We share this recent statement today, as a chance to remember that even as we celebrate past achievements in the work for equality and value of all people, we still have work to do.
The Purpose of the BWM is to “Build relationships through Mission Outreach and Mission Engagement to be faithful to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.” Relationships are built through trust and partnership, and our prayer today is that we can join our voice with our global partners and all in our communities as one example of how we hope to live Christ’s command to “Love your neighbor.”
