True Independence

The Rev. Dr. Terrill Murff

July 4th is celebrated as Independence Day for “all Americans” regardless of ethnic origins. On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence, announcing the colonies' separation from Great Britain. However, many African Americans experience difficulty with celebrating this type of Independence, because slavery had continued. While Independence from Great Britain was being celebrated, chattel slavery was still being enforced.

Juneteenth commemorates our nation’s true independence. On June 19, 1865, members of the newly reunited nation were finally declared free after the American Civil War. The Emancipation Proclamation issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, had established that all enslaved people in Confederate States in rebellion against the Union “shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.” The Emancipation Proclamation was the necessary legislation that gave slaves the opportunity to free life in the United States.

The Emancipation Proclamation did not instantly free any enslaved people, however. The Proclamation only applied to places under Confederate control and not to slave-holding border states or rebel areas already under Union control. Pro-slavery Texans did not agree with — or feel inclined to enforce — antislavery laws. So, they simply ignored the end of slavery until the end of the Civil War. An order from a Union General made it clear that President Lincoln’s two-year-old Emancipation Proclamation would be upheld. But even that didn't make some Texans follow the law. However, as Northern troops advanced into the Confederate South, many enslaved people fled behind Union lines. Making that order a reality depended on military victories by the U.S. Army and an ongoing presence to enforce them. Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. Let’s all celebrate this nation’s “True Independence!”

Looking for somewhere to join in the celebration?

Come to A Just Harvest in Chicago for their Juneteenth Celebration this Saturday, June 18th, from 2:00 - 5:00 PM at 7649 N Paulina. There will be a live band, open mic, cupcakes, snow cones, popcorn and more! Click here to view the flyer.

PLEASE NOTE: The Conference Office will be closed

Monday, June 20th in observance of Juneteenth.

Pastoral Letter and Toolkit from UCC Urging Church to Speak Out for Trans & Non-Binary People

The letter calls on the UCC’s “congregations and ministry settings” to respond in word and deed. “We ask you to surround persons of transgender or nonbinary experience and their families and loved ones with compassion and care,” the letter said.

NACRJ Conference, Chicago

The annual conference for NACRJ (National Association of Community & Restorative Justice) will take place in Chicago from July 7-9 (with pre-events on July 6). The theme is: "The Gathering: Real Transformation. The Time is NOW. How do we get there TOGETHER?" For more information about the event, and to sign up to participate, click here. 

World Refugee Day

June 20 is World Refugee Day. The UCC Global H.O.P.E. Refugee and Migration Ministries compiled a list of resources that can be used in your observance and all year long:

• WRD Ecumenical Worship Service, recorded June 1st
• WRD 2022 Faith Toolkit
• Holy Voices WRD webinar, recorded June 13th

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FAITHFUL FRIDAYS is published by the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ, 1840 Westchester Blvd, Suite 200, Westchester, IL 60154. The Rev. Molly Carlson, Conference Minister; Sarah Lohrbach, Editor. Copy may be sent to: SarahLohrbach@ilucc.org.