By Greta Buck, Juneteenth Committee Chair and Board Member
Our community came together on Saturday, June 18 for our first annual Juneteenth BBQ and Celebration. Juneteenth is a federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. On June 19, 1865, Union Army general Gordon Granger announced General Order No. 3, proclaiming freedom for enslaved people in Texas.
In observation of the holiday, about 70 guests, volunteers, neighbors and friends gathered on the side lawn of the ministry.
- We ate delicious smoked brisket, pulled pork, hot dogs, cornbread, baked beans and red velvet cake.
- We heard written and personal stories related to Juneteenth.
- We did some fun crafts including celebration poppers, prayer people and awesome freedom flags.
- We played corn hole, listened to music and cooled off in water misters.
- We shared laughter and conversation.
- And we built ties across and through our community based on respect, friendship and joy.
We want to thank the committee, including Madeline Harraway, Lawrence Johnson, Larry Schacht, Jeremy Yu and Greta Buck, with staff support from Brenda Booth and Arthur Johnson. Special thanks to Book, Book, Go who brought their mobile book van to the party. Each child got to pick two books to keep! Thanks to Donna Cook and the Advocacy Team for registering people to vote, and Marshata Caradine for sharing her personal truth. And of course, thanks to our volunteers who helped that day. We couldn’t run the ministry without you!
We hope this is the first of an annual tradition.
