DioCal’s Juneteenth Feast Day Celebration

Jun 18, 2024 | #Stories

Article by Canon for Communications Stephanie Martin Taylor
Photos by the Rev. Debbie Low-Skinner and Canon Stephanie Martin Taylor

Thank you to all who participated in the third annual Diocesan Juneteenth Feast Day Celebration at St. Paul’s, Oakland. This joyous and meaningful service was organized by the Northern California/Vivian Traylor chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) and the Diocesan Afro Anglican Commission. The St. Paul’s congregation, under the direction of its rector, the Rev. Dr. Mauricio Wilson, were gracious hosts, and we are grateful for their efforts in hosting the large numbers who gathered to worship and celebrate.

In his sermon, Bishop Austin paid homage to those who suffered under the dehumanizing tyranny of slavery, lamented the continued discrimination and dehumanization their ancestors suffered following emancipation, and acknowledged how, in these polarizing times, “it feels like our common humanity is still up for debate.”

Bishop Austin said that, though the news is disheartening and our world can feel increasingly isolated, we can be part of the movement to repair the breach. He encouraged those listening to “begin with yourself and begin with community” by “being open to God and deepening your discipleship with Jesus.”

Through our church communities, he added, we can create centers of community gathering and transformation. “We can share communion together, we can march together, we can serve our neighborhoods together, we can partner with other churches and other organizations to improve life in our part of the Bay and beyond,” he said.

*Note: We apologize to those who tried to join the service via the DioCal YouTube livestream. Our multicam streaming system unexpectedly shut down when we started the live broadcast on YouTube. We will share the transcription of the iPhone recording of Bishop Austin’s sermon once it’s completed. Thank you!

The altar at St. Paul's, Oakland was draped with Kente cloth, a type of textile originating from Ghana in the 12th century. Read more about the symbolism of the Kente cloth colors in this article by Jeanette Dinwiddie-Moore.
The Rev. Dr. Mauricio Wilson thanks Vicki Larson for creating beautiful new graphic design materials to promote this year’s Juneteenth service.
Reception attendees were treated to live steel drum music.
The Juneteenth Feast Day Celebration continued after the service with a buffet lunch in the St. Paul's parish hall.