Hello Church,

In our worship services we have been working our way through the book of Philemon. Philemon is not a long book, but Paul has a bold call for Philemon and God’s Church in the few words he writes.

Paul’s exhortation for equality and unity amongst people made in the image of God seem to be very relevant as we remember the end of slavery in the United States. The 19th of June, Juneteenth, is a holiday set aside to remember the date when slavery was effectively ended in the United States. The Emancipation Proclamation was in place for over two years before the freedom that it afforded slaves was felt by all who were in bondage.  

While ending slavery was good and should be joyfully acknowledged, we would be naive to think that freedom automatically meant equality for all people.  

My prayer for myself is that as I work to follow Jesus, I would be more aware of where I don’t see equality around me and use my voice to call attention to it. This is also my prayer for our church. The Gospel levels the ground at the cross, God’s grace is extended to everyone. May we be people who seek to have the Gospel permeate all corners of our community.

Graig Austin, on Behalf of the Elder and Minister Team

P.S. If you’d like to read The Emancipation Proclamation you can do so at this link to The National Archives