Juneteenth

On June 19th, 1865, the Union commander of the Department of Texas arrived in Galveston, Texas and went to a prominent home at the center of the city. The Emancipation Proclamation had been issued more than two years earlier, but slaveholders in Texas had kept the news from the women, men, and children they enslaved. From the balcony the commander read out General Orders Number Three.

The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, "all slaves are tree." This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor.

Having been declared legally free years earlier, Texas' African Americans now learned of their freedom. June 19th immediately became a day to commemorate freedom, and in the ensuing years Juneteenth became an essential holiday for a people whose freedom within a racist nation could never be taken for granted.

In 1905 African Americans in Richmond celebrated the fortieth anniversary of the end of slavery.

In a chapter about Juneteenth, historian Elizabeth Hayes Turner writes about the importance of Juneteenth to formerly enslaved people's memory.

The powerfully subversive collective memory that former slaves and their descendants preserved found its way into public space almost every year, a reminder to the nation that African Americans, while sharing a common history with white southerners, did not bow to the icons of Confederate bellicosity or deny that freedom was immensely preferable to bondage.

The free women and men who left behind enslavers and captivity made their way in a nation that rarely recognized their freedom. They were met instead with a narrative that sanitized those who had kidnapped, exploited, and tortured them. They were told that their lives were better during slavery. They walked beneath hastily erected monuments to heroes of the Confederacy.

Within this white supremacist culture, Black people's decision to publicly commemorate Juneteenth with parades, speeches, and special church services was a conscious act of resistance, a choice to develop a "powerfully subversive collective memory." This memory would cut through racist retellings of history. It would tell the truth about African American dignity and freedom. It would put the dominant culture of white supremacy on notice- though it had grown powerful through theft and exploitation, it's deceptive rationale had been exposed.

Celebrating Juneteenth was not only a bold declaration of freedom for the captives, its existence was a word of righteous judgment against white supremacy and all those who buttressed it's malicious narrative and benefited from its deadly plunder.

On Sunday we'll commemorate this important day in a few different ways, including by remembering God's abhorrence of slavery and character of freedom. I hope you'll invite a friend and join us for this special day of worship.

- Pastor David

Community Prayer Requests

1) Jackie Robinson Elementary School: Gretta Ellis is the new principal at Robinson! Pray for a smooth transition for her and that we can have great communication about the back-to-school fair.

2) Church Retreat: Our annual retreat is a time of rest and reflection. We also have the chance to discern together how God is leading us into the coming moths. Pray that we'll listen well.

3) Young Life: It's camp season for our friends at Young Life South Side. Pray that they will have all the funds they need to bring every kid to camp who wants to go, and that the gospel will be presented there beautifully to receptive hearts.

Your generosity helps our ministry flourish. Please see this fact sheet to learn more about how to give or visit our website to give online. Thank you!

Thanks to everyone who supported the Strides for Peace Race to benefit New Community Outreach. It was a beautiful evening for peacemakers from around Chicago. There's still time to help us reach our goal!

Calendar & Opportunities

All Church Retreat | Friday-Sunday, June 21-23
There will be no Sunday service on June 3 since we'll be on our annual retreat. If you're not attending the retreat this year we encourage you to worship with our friends at Glorious Light (9:30AM; 4351 S Drexel Blvd), Bright Star (10:00AM; 5015 S. Blackstone), or West Point Baptist (10:00AM; 3566 S Cottage Grove).

Fifth Sunday Serve and Cookout | June 30
On months with five Sundays we use the fifth Sunday to serve our neighbors. Plan to meet at Jackie Robinson Elementary School (4225 S Lake Park Ave). Please stay for a cookout immediately following! Bring a side or dessert to share. (Note: keep in mind we will not have use of a refrigerator).

Jackie Robinson Garden Volunteers Needed
We need help making sure the Jackie Robinson Garden continues to thrive! If you are in occasionally watering and weeding, please email Cathy Nieng (cathy.nieng@gmail.com).

I Am Women’s Conference | July 18-21
Every three years our denomination hosts a global conference for women. The conference is in Minneapolis, MN. Email Jennifer Dorrough for info & scholarships.

Community Bible Study | July 24 (Evening)
Save the date for a joint bible study with Bright Star Church, West Point Baptist and Glorious Light Church at King High School’s outdoor auditorium.

August Community Meals | Weekends in August
It’s time for August Community Meals again! If you are interested in hosting a group of 4-8 people in your home for a meal, please email Krystle (admin@newcommunitycovenant.com).

NCO Fun Fair | August 24
Save the date for the annual NCO Fun Fair that will be held at Jackie Robinson Elementary School. Be on the lookout for an announcement and information about how to volunteer!

Open AA Meeting | Thursdays 7:00-8:00 PM
Sponsored by The Chicago Area Service Office of Alcoholics Anonymous, the meeting is open to all who desire to stop drinking and is held in Room 425 of Mercy Hospital (2525 South Michigan Avenue; 312-567-2000).

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