HAPPY THANKSGIVING 


Thanksgiving and African American History Thanksgiving, 1777, and African American history briefly addressed on this date. That year, the turning point of America’s Revolutionary War occurred with victory over the British at Saratoga. In response, the Continental Congress then delivered a decree for the 13 colonies to give thanks. Black slaves also took part in the celebration throughout the region, the tradition continued as a custom of rejoicing for the rain to break droughts for a plentiful harvest. Thanksgiving expression for the American Black community began as a church-based celebration. Black pastors often gave sermons that could be heard loud and clear through the many small Black churches. The sermons would be about struggles, hopes, fears, and triumphs. The sermons usually grieved the institution of slavery; the suffering of the Black people; and often pleaded for that an awakening of a slave-free America would someday come soon. In October 1863, months after signing the Emancipation Proclamation earlier in the year; President Abraham Lincoln signed a proclamation to officially celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. Before the proclamation, Thanksgiving was also a period where slaves would often try to escape due to the ending of crop season; but with the new law, it morphed into a time where newly freed Blacks could come together. Also after deliverance from American slavery on November 30, 1876, (Thanksgiving) African Methodist Episcopalian cleric, Reverend Benjamin Arnett preached to a predominantly black congregation with the following Bible inspired words:…we call on all American citizens to love their country, and look not on the sins of the past, but arming ourselves for the conflict of the future, girding ourselves in the habiliments of Righteousness, march forth with the courage of a Numidian lion and with the confidence of a Roman Gladiator, and meet the demands of the age, and satisfy the duties of the hour…” (Saturday Evening Post) Thanksgiving Cover, 1936 

Thanksgiving Blessings!

FDCDC will collaborate with Peoples Church and The Clothes Closet again this year to sponsor Thanksgiving baskets for the community of Jacksonville. The goal is to sponsor 75 baskets at a cost of $40 per basket. All recipients are selected based on criteria. If you or you know someone who is interested in being considered for a basket, contact Mickey Gear at the Clothes Closet. If you would like to donate funds, you can either make checks payable to Peoples Church and put “Thanksgiving Baskets” in the memo OR you can give online at www.peopleschurchtx.org/give and choose the “Community” Fund from the drop down menu. Then put “Thanksgiving Baskets” in the notes section. If interested in assisting with packing and/or distributing baskets, contact Tracey Wallace at [email protected]

Shared by Tracey Wallace