Juneteenth: Liberty and Justice For All

Juneteenth: Liberty and Justice For All

“Juneteenth: Liberty and Justice For All” and resuming gathered activities are featured topics for the June 19 Friday COVID-19 Information Zoom Webinar at 11:00 AM EDT.  Please attend the Zoom Webinar on a computer or phone.  To attend at no cost, please RSVP: https://scbo.org/event/covid-19-information-exchange-webinar through this link.

President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation January 1, 1863.  Upon reaching Galveston, Texas after the end of the Civil War, Union Major General Gordon Granger read from General Orders Number 3 “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free” on June 19, 1865.

Former Texan slaves began celebrating “Liberty Day,” “Freedom Day,” “Emancipation Day,” or “Jubilation Day” annually on June 19 as they “scattered” across Texas and to other states in the reunited Union.  Eventually “Juneteenth” became the name for this day of jubilant celebration of freedom and liberty.  Ohio declared “Juneteenth” a recognized state day in 2006.

The June 19 Zoom Webinar is exploring the history of Juneteenth and the progress of liberty and justice for all.  Liberty and justice for all are hallmarks of the intended American identity.  Yet, the reality is unquestionably uneven.  Listening and learning from one another can lead to the discovery of proactive solutions.  The panelists will address Christian responsibilities and opportunities to be “salt and light” in advancing liberty and justice for all.  Panelists for the June 19 Webinar include the following:

Fred Luter, Jr.: Pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, LA, and former President of the Southern Baptist Convention

Willie Peterson: Pastor of NewBirth Church in Youngstown, OH and President/CEO at the Center for Community Empowerment

Stephen Owens: Pastor of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Bedford, OH

Please join us at 11:00 A.M. EDT this Friday June 19, 2020 for “Juneteenth: Liberty and Justice For All” and updates on resuming gathered activities.  Every Zoom Webinar has a “Q & A” feature to capture questions and comments of attendees.  We want to hear from you.  All of us can learn from each other.

One of the desired results of this Webinar is to encourage an ongoing dialogue that affords an opportunity to form genuine relationships through a convening of pastors (and church leaders) in cross-cultural networks to support each other in obeying the Great Commission and the Great Commandments.  Please attend the Webinar to receive additional information.

Racism and injustice inhabit unsavory and dark places.  Jesus declared His followers to be “salt and light” in an unsavory and dark world.  We need a movement of God that would generously dispense and distribute Godly “Salt” and “Light” in unsavory and dark places.  Let’s press toward that Mark.