Juneteenth and Pride Month Resources for Congregations
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth (June 19th) is the oldest known celebration of the end of slavery in America. After the Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863, owners in many isolated areas kept word from the people they had enslaved so they would not flee. On June 19, 1865, some of the last enslaved people in America were freed when the news, at last, reached Confederate Galveston, Texas. Since that day, Juneteenth has been celebrated to honor the African Americans who built this nation. (Source)
What is PRIDE?
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month (LGBT Pride Month) is celebrated annually in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots, and works to achieve equal justice and equal opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning/queer (LGBTQ) people. In June of 1969, an uprising of supporters took place at the Stonewall Inn in New York City seeking to end harassment and persecution to which LGBT Americans were commonly subjected. Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia and concerts, and LGBT Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world. Memorials are held during this month for those members of the community who have been lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that LGBTQ individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally. (Source)
Why do Lutherans celebrate and acknowledge these two events?
The month of June holds space for communities across the country who have been historically marginalized to celebrate stories of liberation and freedom. These celebrations echo the stories from our faith about the Lord who liberated those in bondage to slavery, who leads people out of exile, and who frees those bound to sin and death through Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Acknowledging these celebrations and including them in our worship and fellowship does not resolve the historical hurts and suffering inflicted upon historically marginalized people by the church as an institution and the people within. What acknowledgment and celebration of these events does do is open our minds to a deeper, more authentic inclusion of all people.
We desire as a synod to create hospitality and warmth that is authentic and safe - welcoming all people into the rich theological traditions we hold - a theology and grace that sets us free to love, serve, and heal. We repent of our part in past sufferings of all marginalized people, but especially BIPOC and LGBTQ+ peoples. May Christ continue to heal us and make us whole - and we are more whole - when the whole body of Christ is loved, supported, and celebrated.
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In this article, Celebrate Together, Build Community, from Faith Lead, The Rev. Carla Christopher Wilson reflects:
“One of the most effective—and joyful—ways I have found to create an environment of safety, trust, cultural relevance, and shared power is the incorporation of specific celebrations into congregational life. The sense of safety, affirmation, and community that comes from shared celebration is a powerful antidote to the trauma of continued violence against traditionally marginalized people that makes even a late-night social media scroll potentially challenging to our mental health. How beautiful (and trust inspiring) when that care and support can be found in our church community.”
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Faithful Voices for Racial Justice Offers a listing of resources and events including different liturgical offerings and prayers. For those just beginning celebrations, this is a good place for general learning about Juneteenth.
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A list of children’s books and other resources for teaching children about Juneteenth can be found here.
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The ELCA has provided worship resources for Juneteenth that may be used as a stand alone service or may be adapted for use in service of the Word or Holy Communion Liturgies.
For those with access to This Far By Faith, a hymnal listed under the resource library at www.sundaysandseasons.com, Liturgy of Joy contained in setting 2 of Holy Communion is also a good resource with many liturgies, hymns, and prayers.
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Is your congregation celebrating PRIDE in your community for the first time? Here are some practical tips and considerations from Reconciling Works.
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Reconciling works provides access to making a gift, worship resources, calls to action, PRIDE and Justice shirts, PRIDE prayers, downloadable displays and more to get your celebrations up and running. to get your celebrations up and running.
