First Congregational Church of Riverside

Today we celebrate Juneteenth, the day when news of freedom finally reached enslaved people in Texas more than two years after emancipation had been declared.

Juneteenth reminds us that freedom delayed is freedom denied, and that the work of justice is not finished simply because laws are changed. As people of faith, we are called to continue building a world where every person is treated with dignity, equity, and love.

We give thanks for the resilience, faith, and contributions of Black Americans throughout our nation's history. We also commit ourselves to the ongoing work of confronting racism, telling the truth about our past, and creating a more just future for all.

May we be people who not only celebrate freedom, but help bring it closer for our neighbors every day.

"Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." - Amos 5:24

Happy Juneteenth.