By Aaron Weaver and Lauren Lamb
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Cooperative Baptists gathering in Greensboro, N.C., for the 2024 General Assembly celebrated Juneteenth with a kick-off party Wednesday at the Koury Convention Center featuring food, arts, entertainment, quilters, educational resources, entertainment and fellowship.
This modern-day celebration of heritage commemorates the end of slavery in the United States, marking June 19, 1865, when news of freedom reached the last enslaved people in Galveston, Texas.
Cooperative Baptists also participated in the third-annual Late Night Worship service hosted by CBF’s Pan African Koinonia (PAK) with proclaimer Rev. Dr. Zina Jacque of the historic Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Va.
Late Night services stem from the first Watch Night service held December 31, 1862, as enslaved people gathered in worship late in the evening watching and waiting for the news of freedom to come through President Lincoln’s signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
“It was in the midnight hour while the oppressors were asleep, the oppressed were wide awake seeking wisdom from the Divine,” shared Rev. Devontae Powell, PAK steering committee member and pastor in Flint, Michigan. “The Almighty God who is mindful of the oppressed would draw nigh to their wounded spirits in the stillness of the night. A true African Tribal ethnic and cultural worship experience in white space was normally followed by beatings and lynchings. So it is in the stillness of the night that my ancestors would take the risk to go and cry out unto God in safety and secrecy.”
Preaching from Exodus 14:10-22, the iconic story of the crossing of the Red Sea, Rev. Jacque reflected on the origins of Juneteenth.
“As we stand here on the fourth federal anniversary of Juneteenth, the men and women who were the original audience for the proclamation brought to Galveston, Texas, by General Robert Granger also felt trapped with nowhere to go,” she said. “Though the proclamation delivered to the enslaved men and women, boys and girls in Galveston on June 19th, 1865, declared they were free, they realized a proclamation could not and did not bring about the immediate liberation of enslaved people. It did not stop….Like the Hebrews before them, the men and women of Galveston who observed the first Juneteenth felt trapped with nowhere to go.”
“Like the Hebrews and the original audience gathered in Galveston, we sometimes feel trapped by the circumstances of our context, with nowhere to go,” she continued. “What do we do when we are trapped and sense deep in our spirit there is nowhere to go? What do we do when there is an army behind us and a sea before us, chattel slavery behind us and Jim Crow ahead of us?”
Jacque said she is “so glad God showed up in the text of Exodus.” “I am so glad we have a word from the Lord because sometimes when you feel trapped…the only option is no way out but through.”
“CBF, we are a through people,” Jacque emphasized. “God has made us a through people. Your current situation is not our forever context….We are a through people, so when we are faced with a situation that looks like no way out, we simply see it as a setback that really is a set up for God to show up and show out as God shows us how to go through.”
People’s Meal and Narratives of America Project
More than 150 Cooperative Baptists gathering earlier in the day on Juneteenth participated in a People’s Meal (also called the “People’s Supper”) and the Narratives of America Project designed to break down barriers and facilitate dialogue that help us understand one another across different lines of race and identity.
This time of sharing a meal and breakout discussions was inspired by the Baha’i community’s Narratives of America project and its perspective on the role of faith communities in society.
“Because religion has historically shown an unrivaled capacity both to united disparate peoples in a shared sense of identity and purpose but also to divide them against one another with disastrous consequences, the role of faith communities in society is critical,” according to Rev. Kasey Jones, who serves as CBF’s Coordinator of Outreach and Growth and leads CBF’s McCall Racial Justice & Leadership Initiative.
“Engaging diverse participants in conversations about co-creating the narratives of America is encouraging and inspiring,” she said. “It emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and collaboration in shaping a narrative that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people.”
Jones opened the People’s Meal with reflections on Juneteenth, sharing scripture with participants.
“This is what I want to share with you. As we think about today, our Freedom Day that is specific to America, I want to add some scripture. I had to re:imagine the passage of Jeremiah 29,” she said, referencing the theme for the General Assembly.
Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29: 7 & 11
“The prophet conveys a message of hope and resilience to the exiled people of God,” Jones explained. “Despite the adversity and uncertainty they face, they are encouraged to continue living their lives—building homes, planting gardens and fostering love within their community. This biblical text suggests that even during adversity and uncertainty life goes on and there remains opportunities for growth, prosperity and transformation.”
During the second half of the experience, Cooperative Baptists participated in facilitated table discussions to answer questions such as: Is there a narrative of America that is truthful, inclusive, empowering and forward-looking? What narratives would allow us to overcome polarization and build justice and shared prosperity?
Participants were invited to discuss a narrative about their family, community or country that has inspired them to move forward or grow. They explored what it means to thrive not only as an individual, but a family, community and society. What would their lives look like in an America the envision? How would they describe the foundational values of our country, and what would they add from a Christian perspective to help everyone thrive?
Jones said that CBF’s McCall Racial Justice and Leadership Initiative through the Narratives of America Project is asking those committed to racial justice to “build your hope muscles.”
“Know that you have a foundation in your faith to do this, because we serve a God of hope,” she said. “On this day, we’re letting you know that this is an intentionally-designed program this morning and this afternoon to encourage you all to have conversations of hope.”
Co-sponsors of the meal and experience included Baptist Women in Ministry, BJC, Fellowship Southwest, CBF Global and the CBF Foundation.
Quilting Ministry in Practice on Juneteenth
General Assembly participants had the opportunity Wednesday to witness African-American artisans create sacred quilts for the CBF community on Juneteenth. Quilting dates back to the Civil War era when enslaved women created quilts to supplement their meager bedding. This also gave enslaved women a way to use their creativity when they were not allowed to read or write.
Quilting also has long-term significance as enslaved women created quilts to guide others to safety via the Underground Railroad, the artisans said. These quilts would serve as maps and signs for safe places to rest during their journeys to freedom. “This is what we do,” the artisans said. “We are honored to do this here, all day long.”
From slavery to emancipation to the present day, the activities and work of quilters have embodied strength, bound the community, and provided beauty and warmth, echoing the spirit of Juneteenth.
The 2024 CBF General Assembly continues Thursday and Friday in Greensboro, N.C. Learn more at http://www.cbf.net/assembly and watch the livestream of plenary, business and worship sessions at http://www.cbf.net/livestream.
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CBF is a Christian network that helps people put their faith to practice through ministry efforts, global missions and a broad community of support. The Fellowship’s mission is to serve Christians and churches as they discover and fulfill their God-given mission.