Juneteenth

 The Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln and became official on January 1, 1863, declaring the more than three million enslaved people of Confederate states free. Yet it would take two and a half years for the order to reach Texas, where the announcement was read by Union soldiers led by Major General Gordon Granger in Galveston on June 19, 1865.

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"The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired laborer."

It’s said that the newly freed peoples “immediately began to celebrate with prayer, feasting, song, and dance.”

Why the two-year delay between when Lincoln issued the order and the news reaching Texas? There are a number of ideas: One says that a messenger was killed on his way to deliver the news; another says that the news was withheld to maintain the enslaved labor force that Texas plantations were reliant upon; and another idea surmises that the news was delayed purposely, to allow a final harvest to take place. But no matter the reason, slavery remained in Texas until the day now recognized and celebrated as Juneteenth.

Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images

TULSA, OK - JUNE 19: A family poses for a picture during the Juneteenth Festival on June 19, 2021 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Juneteenth celebrations, now recognized as a federal holiday, are taking place around the country in recognition of the emancipation of enslaved African-American people.

Juneteenth festivities followed each year and were special gatherings, where Black communities shared meals together, donned new clothing (representing new freedoms), and sang and prayed. For years, these celebrations were highly attended, until economic factors, cultural reasons, and racism reduced education about and knowledge of the holiday. The holiday would begin to see a resurgence with the civil rights movement of the sixties, when student demonstrators wore Juneteenth buttons.

The Path to National Recognition of Juneteenth

Black Texas legislator Al Edwards’s efforts prevailed in 1980, and Juneteenth was declared a state holiday, the first official state recognition of the day. Almost every state in the union officially recognized the holiday by 2021. Hawaii passed legislation recognizing the date in 2021, leaving South Dakota as the only state in the Union that did not declared Juneteenth a holiday before a Congressional bill was signed by President Joe Biden on June 17, 2021. The executive action made Juneteenth an annual federal holiday on June 19.

Emanuel AME Church

 Ten years ago, June 17, 2015 black saints gathered for prayer and study at Mother Emanuel AME Church.

They welcomed a stranger.

They opened the Word.

They were murdered in cold blood.

We remember their names:We grieve their loss.

We commit to justice

Rev. Clementa C. Pinckney – senior pastor of Emanuel AME Church and South Carolina state senator

Rev. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton – pastor, speech therapist, and high school track coach

Rev. Daniel L. Simmons Sr. – retired pastor and longtime member of Emanuel AME

Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor – minister and admissions coordinator at Southern Wesleyan University

Rev. Myra Thompson – member of the church’s leadership and Bible study teacher that evening

Mrs. Ethel Lance – church sexton, known for her warmth and deep faith

Mrs. Susie Jackson – longtime church member, choir singer, and cousin of Ethel Lance

Mr. Tywanza Sanders – recent college graduate, aspiring entrepreneur, and Susie Jackson’s grandnephew

Mrs. Cynthia Hurd – librarian and public servant with the Charleston County Public Library for over 30 years

We grieve their loss.

We commit to justice.

Father's Day

My Daddy died 75 years ago when I was still a child. I miss taking walks with my father. I don't know what we would have talked about should we have taken long walks at dawn. We live at different times in different worlds having different conversations. I don't so much miss him, as miss never having had him to talk together on early morning walks at dawn. Would we know each other now? Would we walk together? I have no idea. Yes, yes, I think so. I think we would have walked, perhaps silently together some early days at dawn. 

Protest

 Hundreds of people--too many to count--gathered in Central Park in Mason City, Iowa, for "No Kings" Day. After listening to speeches protesting Trump's authoritarian rule, the group marched to the highway so that people could see and hear them. Passing cars honked in approval.  Today there were more than 30 "No Kings" protests in towns and cities across Iowa. 

No Kings Day June 13

 

USAID

 Many troublesome things are going on. However, in the midst of these issues we also must not forget the cuts to USAID. People around the world are dying and will die because of these cuts! Continue to contact the Congress to work to restore this vital work. Call 202-224-3121 and ask to speak to any U.S. Representative or Senator.  Help save lives

Military troops

 This is what it's like to have U.S. military troops aimed at you! This was Burton's experience in 1967 in Detroit.  However, then there were no deportations, no ICE raids.  Today we live in a very dangerous time.

East Park roses

 It's June. Roses in East Park. Nice.

No Kings Day i Saturday, June 14

 

No Kings Day is Saturday, June 14. over 1800 rallies are planned across the country. The parade will take place as National Guard units have been sent to crack down on protesters in Los Angeles County, where thousands are rallying to protect families and neighbors from abduction by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Mobilizing the National Guard — while preparing to deploy U.S. Marines without justification or a request from California’s governor — is a clear sign that the Trump administration seeks to incite and provoke escalation to further justify the use of military force and authoritarian abuses of power against American citizens. June 14 is also flag day. The U.S. flag is for everyone. 

D-Day

 D-Day 2025, commemorating the 81st anniversary of the Normandy Landings, will be observed on June 6th, 2025. This date marks the start of the Allied invasion of France on June 6, 1944, a pivotal moment in World War II. 

65th anniversary

 June 5th is the 65th anniversary of my consecration as a Lutheran deaconess. I am thankful for all of the people among whom I've been privileged to minister. I thank God for you! These pictures are from the time of my consecration until now. And one is of me two years ago with the statue of "Phoebe" which has stood outside Deaconess Hall and now the Lutheran Diaconal Center all these years. 

Ascension Day

 Ascension Day, Thursday, May 29. The first congregation I served was Ascension in St. Louis. There was a sign over the exit door that we saw each time we went out into the world: "Why do you stand looking up toward heaven?" (Acts 1:ll) Jesus had ascended; then the disciples, including women, gathered together and prayed. Here is my poinsettia from Christmas, the celebration of Jesus' birth, what we are still enjoying on Ascension day.

King Charles speaks in Canada

 King Charles does not ordinarily speak at the opening of the Canadian Parliament. However, King Charles III did make a historic exception and delivered the Speech from the Throne himself this year. This was the first time a monarch had done so since Queen Elizabeth II in 1977. The King's decision to personally deliver the speech was widely viewed as a symbolic show of support for Canada, particularly amidst rising tensions with the United States. King Charles' delivery of the Speech from the Throne in 2025 was a significant event, highlighting Canada's sovereignty and its distinct identity. 

Concord Cemetery

 On this Memorial Day we spent time walking around Concord Cemetery in Garner Iowa where nine members of my Kloock family are buried, including my mother and father, A.E. Cook. Garner is a lovely little town of 3000 about 1/2 hour from Mason City. The people there held a memorial service in the park. I give thanks for my father's service in World War 1.

Memorial Day

 Memorial Day: A day to remember and to give thanks for those who have fought and died for our country. This is the 250th anniversary of the Army, the Marines and the Navy.  This year is the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two.  It has been 75 years since the beginning of the Korean War. We remember the courage of those who have served and who serve today, and for their families.

Band Festival

 The North Iowa Band Festival is underway! This has been a tradition in Mason City for over about 85 years, stopping only for World War 11 in 1943, 44, and 45. My sister and I watched it when we were in high school. Once 100 bands.  Seventy-Six Trombones and Meredith Willson. Here at Prairie Place we are in the middle of things with floats lining up all around us. The parade goes down State Street. It begins with the Mason City High School band.

Storms

 Storms, so many storms.  A tornado ripped through St. Louis. They, like so many places need help from FEMA. We lived in St. Louis. The apartment where we lived before we both graduated from Concordia Seminary, was right in the tornado's path. That's the apartment were ll-month-old Mark came to be part of our family. Is the building still there? The Seminary survived. Please call the Congressional switchboard, 202-224-3121 and you will be put through right away to any senator or representative. Leave a message to fully fund the National Weather Service and to NOT cut FEMA.

Sewing

 Speaking of skills. A skill I haven't used in a while is sewing. (Never crocheting or knitting) I have sewed all my life.  I have used my mother's sewing basket which is by now 100 years old. I still have a packet of needles from 1957, made in Japan after the U.S. resumed trade with Japan in 1954 in an effort to help rebuilt Japan after WW 11. My mother gave me her Singer sewing machine for a wedding present.  I used to sew all my clothes. I sewed clothes for three little boys. I sewed drapes for a parsonage. Even a whole couch! Bolsters, bedspreads. Hems to shorten. Pants to mend. Yesterday I mended some slacks. My fingers can remember old skills. And now in the closet are. . . 

Things I have not learned

 Skills I have not learned and don't plan to learn:  1. How to make a habit of lying. 2. How to get others to do things and then take credit for it. 3. Overcount--by a lot--people attending an event and then do what I want and claim "everyone wanted us to do that."  4. How to blame others for everything. What skills do you plan not to learn? I invite you to put your responses in the comments.

South Africa

A group of South Africans, all white, as arrived in the U.S. There is no basis for calling them refugees.  White South African church leaders speak up against Trump's statements about whites. “We make this statement as white South Africans because these claims are being made about us and our experience in this place.  The narrative presented by the US government is founded on fabrications, distortions, and outright lies. It does not reflect the reality of our country and, if anything, serves to heighten existing tensions in South Africa,” it said.

“It also detracts from the important work of building safer, healthier communities and addressing the complex history of land dispossession by white Europeans from the Black African majority.”“As followers of the God of life, and of Jesus Christ whose ministry of healing has guided the work of the Church over centuries, we must protest in the strongest possible terms where we see racial politics being weaponized in ways that will contribute to the early death for the poor and vulnerable, while serving the political agendas of the powerful,” it continued.

Whites only 2 percent of murder victims

The Christian leaders noted that South Africa has endured immense violence over generations, continuing even today. However, they said, Trump’s narrative of “disproportionate violence” against white South Africans is in contrast the reality that Black South Africans still face the worst of violence and oppression. 

They acknowledged that South Africa “has failed to effectively address the racial injustices of apartheid and colonialism,” but noted that one factor in this “is the sustained resistance by many white South Africans to initiatives that seek to meaningfully address the economic and land ownership consequences of these systems of racial oppression”.

2nd American Pope

 Just to be clear, Pope Leo XIV is the second American Pope. Pope Francis was born in. Argentina, South America. We should not equate the United States with America.  Pope Leo is the first pope born in the United States.  He served in Peru and has dual citizenship with Peru and the United States. Blessings on Pope Leo XIV as he leads the Roman Catholic Church.

Please show us the resistence

 Are your news sources showing you pictures of the over 1400 pro-democracy rallies that have taken place in all 50 states over the past few weeks? There have been 3-5 million participants.  This has been non-violent resistance to Trump's policies.  Many media outlets show only one here or there where there has been a scuffle.  As with the Civil Rights movement, the public needs to see the marchers so that they knew they have a voice and that it is working.

VE Day 80th anniversary.

 What is VE Day 80th AnniversaryE Day commemoration without any of the royals who stood on the balcony that day, 80 years ago. VE Day was declared on 8 May 1945, after Britain and its allies formally accepted Nazi Germany's surrender after almost six years of war. Four days of celebrations, which have been organized by the government, began on Monday 5 May and will run until Thursday 8 May. I remember VE day. I was 6 1/2 years old on May 6th that year. Even at the young age, we understood what war meant. 

Jackson earns AA degree

North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC), Mason City, is a fine school of about 2500 students today. I, a graduate in 1958, was proud to attend the 2025, graduation of my grandson, Jackson Everist. An excellent place for both of us to begin our higher education. Jackson received his AA degree in humanities in one year with honors (4.0 GPA and Phi Theta Kappa) Jackson's parents, Joel and Rachel, teach at NIACC.

PBS and NPR

 Donald Trump has signed an executive order to end federal funding of PBS and NPR.  He has no authority to so do.  Congress does. We need to contact our Congressional delegations to stop Trump. Small towns and cities and metropolitan areas need PBS and NPR for balanced truthful coverage of the news. They also give us local weather forecasts. Some people listen to NPR all day.  I trust PBS and watch it every day. We must act.

Whooping Cough

Before there were vaccines, I had whooping cough as a very young child. My sister, my mother, and I were quarantined at home for 10 weeks. (Our dad had to stay at his sister's house). I still have memories of sleeping in my crib with a cover over it and steam.  I almost died. We worried my mother would.  To this day, I cough often for no reason, except for remaining damage from that disease.  So far this year, there have been 8,064 reported cases of whooping cough in the U.S., compared with 3,835 for the same time in 2024, Please, vaccinate children! 

Yale Alumni

 

On Monday afternoon, 0ver 6000 Yale University alumni (including myself) signed and delivered letters to Yale leadership. To the best of our knowledge this alumni response is unprecedented--and in one week. 

We were very pleased to see that yesterday morning, Yale President Maurie McInnis, joined 171 other university presidents to issue a joint statement “speak[ing] with one voice against the unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education.”  

 

Musk

 Tesla sales are way down! People are protesting Elan Musk doing so much damage (on behalf of Trump). So, Musk may be out of our lives soon, but the damage he has done remains.  We need to keep protesting and calling our legislators.  There are so many issues. How about USAID and Head Start? I'm going to speak about these cuts today. What about you?

Pope's death

 Billions across the globe mourn the death of Pope Francis. He cared for the marginalized. He washed tired feet. He was a servant leader. He lived a simply life. We give thanks for him. From him we have all learned so much. 

Easter Eve

 "We had hoped." Such sad words on the walk to Emmaus at the eve of that first Easter Day. Jesus appeared and walked with the two, telling them the whole story. And then, they invited this stranger to stay with them because it was almost evening. And Jesus, at table with them, revealed himself in the breaking of bread. So it is this Day of Resurrection for us. 

Easter Morning

At early dawn "they" came to the tomb. Who are "they"? We will find out. The stone was rolled away. The women were perplexed, then terrified. They bowed down and were told, "Why do. you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen." The "women" turned from the tomb and told the apostles and all the rest. Once they have witnessed, they are named: Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James and the other women who were with them. The men thought it an idle tale. The women were not believed. 

April 19th through the years.

April 19th! On this day in 1775--250 years ago--with the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the American Revolution began.

On April 19, 1861, the first blood of the American Civil War was shed when a secessionist mob in Baltimore attacked Massachusetts . 

On April 19, 1995, 30 years ago today, 168 died in the Oklahoma City Federal building bombing, the largest domestic violence terrorist act in the United States.

On April 19, 2025, tens of thousands will rally across the U.S. for "No Kings Day" to object to the actions of President Donald Trump.

Holy Saturday

 The women at the cross had watched from a distance. They knew Jesus had been unjustly put to death. Once Jesus' body was taken down, and laid in a rock-hewn tomb, the women, who had come with Jesus from Galilee looked at the tomb and how Jesus' body was laid. What do you feel when someone you were close to is gone?  The women returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

Good Friday

 Pilate and Herod said Jesus had done nothing to deserve death, but the crowd kept shouting, "Crucify, crucify him. They kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that Jesus should be crucified; and their voices prevailed.  Remember what the crowds were shouting a few days before? Where are you in this crowd?  Jesus was handed over and the people watched as he was mocked and hung on the cross. Darkness at noon. Jesus breathed his last. And the women stood at a distance and witnessed these things.

Maundy Thursday

 On Maundy Thursday Christians commemorate the Last Supper.  What names do you use? The Eucharist? Mass? Holy Communion? Some churches include Foot Washing in the service. This calls us to service. We are called to wash each other's feet, to care for one another. Recall some times and places when you received the sacrament and washed one another's feet that were particularly meaningful to you. How will you wash another's feet today, either literally or figuratively?

Wednesday of Holy Week

 Betrayal and Denial

Peter was following at a distance. He and others sat down in the courtyard. A servant girl said, "This man was with him"--Jesus who had been arrested.  But Peter denied it. Someone else, on seeing Peter said, "You also are one of them." Peter said, "I am not." A little later someone else said, "You also are one of them." About an hour later still another kept insisting, "Surely this man was with him." Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about." And the cock crowed. How many ways do we deny the truth about Holy Week?

Tuesday of Holy Week

 Betrayal and Denial

While they were at the table, Jesus said, "But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table." Then the apostles began to ask each other which one of them it could be who would do this. What do you think of when you hear the word "betray"? Think about the many ways we betray each other and therefore betray Jesus.

Monday of Holy Week

 After Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, every day he was teaching in the temple, and at night he would go out and spend the night on the Mount of Olives. And all the people would get up early in the morning to listen to him in the temple. "Day and Night." How do you hear this brief text? What does it mean for your life?"

Palm Sunday

Jesus sent two disciples ahead to bring a colt to him. "The Lord needs it." As Jesus rode on it into Jerusalem, the people began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice shouting "Glory to God in the highest."  Where are you in the crowd?  What are you seeing? What are you doing? Are you shouting?

Contact CapitalSwitchboard

 It's not too late. Contact a U.S. Senator or Representative at the Capital Switchboard 202-224-3121. They will put you through to ANY senator or representative. If no one answers, leave a message. Make it short and to the point. What issue is important to you?  I am making one call every day. Our voices need to be heard! Call now before it IS too late.

Tariffs and Wall Street

 Pause!  Will tariffs go away?  Will Wall Street rebound? Will the world trust us again? We are watching because this affects all of us in the U.S. and around the world.  Meanwhile, don't forget all the rest: USAID, World Health Organizations, climate crisis, Gulf of Mexico, take over of Panama Canal, Greenland, Canada, vaccines, research on diseases, social security, veterans. deportations, and, and, and.   

Hands Off

 Hands off Mason City. People gathered in Central Park and then walked with their signs through downtown.  Over 200.  We were part of the millions who marched in thousands of cities and towns throughout all 50 states.

Tariffs

 Tariffs are causing trouble. Yes, everything from coffee beans to washing machines will cost more. Beyond that, the stock markets are down meaning people are losing their savings in their 401K accounts. Globalization will continue, but the U.S. is isolating itself. Foolish decisions--there are only penguins on Heard Island and McDonals Islands, (Does the president even know world geography?) Perhaps worst of all, some of the poorest nations are being hit the hardest: Thailand, recently hit with a 7.7 hurricane, 36% Madagascar 47%. People will suffer. Who will care?

Booker

 Senator Cory Booker just finished his 25 hour speech, standing the entire time. He is courageous and wise. And he listens. What a speaker, what a leader!

ME and Long COVID

 The Office of Long COVID Research and Practice at the Department of Health and Human Services is closing this week. This office included research on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, the chronic illness with which I have lived for many decades. , “Long COVID and ME impacts every facet of somebody’s life — their ability to go to school, their ability to take care of their children, their ability to go to work and get health care…So it’s not just clinical trials that need to happen. How does somebody who can no longer take care of themselves, and there’s no medical solution yet, how do they live a life?”

The decisions being made by the Department of Health and Human Services (RFK Jr) are affecting so many of us. Funding for research on many diseases is being halted. Sad, very sad.