Weirton churches come together to observe Juneteenth
RECOGNIZING JUNETEENTH — Officials with the City of Weirton joined representatives of six local churches, Saturday, to present a mayoral proclamation recognizing Juneteenth in the city. The presentation was part of a joint ecumenical worship service in honor of the end of slavery in the United States. -- Craig Howell
RAISING VOICES – Members of the Weirton Ecumenical Council Juneteenth Combined Choir sign a selection during Saturday’s service at Morning Star Baptist Church. -- Craig Howell
HISTORY LESSON – Jonathan Curenton explains some of the history of Juneteenth, which recognizes the day of June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to ensure all enslaved people were freed. -- Craig Howell
RECOGNIZING JUNETEENTH — Officials with the City of Weirton joined representatives of six local churches, Saturday, to present a mayoral proclamation recognizing Juneteenth in the city. The presentation was part of a joint ecumenical worship service in honor of the end of slavery in the United States. -- Craig Howell
RAISING VOICES – Members of the Weirton Ecumenical Council Juneteenth Combined Choir sign a selection during Saturday’s service at Morning Star Baptist Church. -- Craig Howell
HISTORY LESSON – Jonathan Curenton explains some of the history of Juneteenth, which recognizes the day of June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to ensure all enslaved people were freed. -- Craig Howell
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WEIRTON -- In what organizers referred to as "a historical moment," members and clergy from six Weirton churches came together Saturday afternoon for a worship service to commemorate Juneteenth.
"Part of the celebration of Juneteenth is that we are family," noted the Rev. Dr. Samuel Ware, of St. Peter's AME Church, who served as the worship leader. "We are all part of God's family."
Attendees in the service, organized through the efforts of the Weirton Ecumenical Council which was founded in May, represented Morning Star Baptist Church, where Saturday's service was held, Shiloh Apostolic Faith Assembly, Mt. Olive Baptist Church, St. Peter's AME Church, and Christ the King Family Worship Center, as well as All Saints Greek Orthodox Church.
Juneteenth marks the day of June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, ensuring all enslaved people in the state were freed. It was more than two years following the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln.
According to Jonathan Curenton, who previously organized two public celebrations of the holiday in Weirton, Juneteenth was first observed in Texas, spreading across the country primarily as private celebrations. With continued segregation and the rise of Jim Crow laws, as well as the Great Depression, those celebrations would begin to disappear, he said, until being revived by the Civil Rights Movement.
In 1980, Texas became the first state to declare Juneteenth a state holiday. It became a federal holiday in 2021.
Despite the recognition, Curenton noted there continue to be issues of inequality for African Americans, including in areas of education, crime, and poverty. Change is still needed, he said, encouraging all people to become more engaged in their communities, read and listen more, and show empathy for others.
"None of us are free until all of us are free," Curenton said.
Calling it an incredible day in Weirton and West Virginia, Helen Jackson-Gillison, encouraged everyone to remember the sacrifices made by African Americans throughout the nation's history, as well as the challenges overcome and the legacy created.
A plaque commemorating the celebration will go on display in the Weirton Municipal Building in late July, Jackson-Gillison said.
Speakers Saturday included Rebecca Turner, appearing on behalf of Bishop Dr. Darrell W. Cummings of Shiloh Apostolic Faith Assembly, the Rev. Matthew Moore of All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, the Rev. Dr. Samuel Williams of Christ the King Family Worship Center, and the Rev. James E. Brown of Morning Star Baptist Church.
The all offered encouragement to find ways to remember, but rise above the past, show others they care and work against sin, live by the word and example of God, and, quoting from Mark 12:31, to "Love they neighbor as thyself."
As part of Saturday's services, Mayor Harold Miller, City Manager Mike Adams and other city officials were on hand, presenting a mayoral proclamation recognizing Juneteenth in the city.