In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, stating that all enslaved people in Confederate states were to be freed as of January 1, 1863. However,  it wasn't until June 19,1865 that Union troops arrived at Galveston, Texas with news that the Civil War was over and the last remaining 250,000 slaves were free. The executive order stated, “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves.”

On Sunday June 23rd the Rev. Robin Lostetter leads our congregation’s celebration of this important date in the life of our nation. Our worship time will include a special “noisy” offering for a congregational donation to the Buffalo 10 Scholarship (you can read more about it here.) We will also have a special Juneteenth-themed coffee hour, with more information about the holiday in the Fellowship Hall.

Join us for worship at 10:30 AM in our beautiful sanctuary, or online through our website, upcendicott.org. Click on "Worship With Us!"  Worship is live-streamed; videos are available on the website or on Youtube following the service.