We kick off our participation in the Racial Justice and Action Challenge coinciding with Juneteenth. June 19th, 1865 is when Freedom finally when 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas. The army announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state, were free by executive decree. This day came to be known as "Juneteenth," by the newly freed people in Texas. Locally there are community celebrations culminating on Saturday June 18th, at 1345 52nd Street, beginning at 11 AM.
Our prayer challenge begins on Juneteenth with a week of prayers under the title of Lamentations. Many have already participated in recording of prayers and you can find them posted on the First United Methodist Church Facebook page.
Associated with Lamentations week is Psalm 13, which includes the words. “Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death, and my enemy will say, “I have prevailed”; my foes will rejoice because I am shaken. But I trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.”
To follow along with Lamentations week, and the entire series, use this link, Schedule/prayer topics and liturgy.
Our action for the week, is to “talk to your children about race.” Attached you will find resources that will aid discussions with children, young adults and adults. A select group of titles including a children’s book “A Good Kind of Trouble” and “Just Mercy” (adapted for young adults) plus others will be available for checkout at the Welcome Desk next week to aid you in your action challenge. Please endeavor to use your home as a place to meet this week’s action challenge.
by Dennis West
Here is a link with a list of children's books to help talk about Racism and Discrimination
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