Good Evening, Church!

Writing to you today from my baby’s nursery while the toddlers watch Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and I wanted to share with you something I learned from Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil- who I listen to often. She is an author, speaker, professor, and reconciliation leader who has taught me much about Jesus, reconciliation, justice, and scripture. Today she shared something on her social media that says,

“I am sharing an excerpt from an article written by my dear pastor friend, David Swanson, in honor of Juneteenth.

Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated annually on June 19th to commemorate the end of slavery and the moment when enslaved people received the news of their freedom. It was officially recognized as a federal holiday in 2021 when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independance Day Act into law.

Juneteenth reminds me of the collective resilience of Black people, who found the ability to have peace in the midst of turbulent times. This year, I’ve been reflecting on a song and the power of faith in the Black church in the context of this holiday. The lyrics say, ‘This peace that I have, the world didn’t give it to me, and if the world didn’t give it to me, then the world can’t take it away’. I’m holding onto the truth that my peace comes from God, an that today, no one can take that away from me.

I encourage you to engage in celebration and education today.”

Thanks for learning with me,

Chelsea Maitland

Worship Leader

See you Sunday morning at 10:30 in-person or online!