You are invited to Juneteenth with our Community!
Join the festival throughout the June 20-22 weekend. Specifically, we hope to see you Saturday afternoon!
If you don't normally celebrate Juneteenth, we'd love to encourage you to try it this year. (Register here so we can connect with you!)
Why?
There are lots of good historical and social reasons, along with clear and compelling gospel parallels, but our main motivation is that we were invited by the local community to join in a huge celebration.
Here at IAC, we talk a lot about participating in our community, even loving our city, but often we do so on our own terms with the events that we have organized. This time we've been personally invited by the Men of Influence (MOI) to join the city for a cultural celebration and we think that's a pretty good reason. We want to join our neighbors in their space, their expression, their celebration, in response to their invitation.
Plus, did we already say it's going to be a big party?
Here are the details and answers to some of the questions you are probably wondering about:
Where and when?
The festival will take place at the Citadel Mall parking lot from June 20 to 22, but we are planning to attend during lunch and the afternoon festivities on Saturday, June 21. This celebration is FREE to the public and is meant to bring together the greater community of Colorado Springs.
What's happening?
There will be many activities including performances from renowned national artists, a local step show, a car show, a fashion show, culinary delights and fun for all ages.
Who is invited?
You are! And bring your family, your life group, and invite someone to join you that might appreciate going with a group instead of going alone.
Who are the MOI?
The Men of Influence serve youth and adults by helping to prevent criminal offenses and re-offenses through community outreach, mentorship, performing arts, and entertainment.
More info is available at themenofinfluence.com/about-us
Are we supporting a specific cause or political expression?
If you mean the cause of bringing together the greater community of Colorado Springs, then yes! By joining in the Juneteenth celebration we are joining our larger Colorado Springs community as neighbors and friends.
Beyond that, we are not aware of or endorsing specific agendas or political expression as a church--remember we didn't organize this. Together we are receiving and releasing the gospel that heals and being part of our larger community, even different aspects and expressions, is vital for our healing and the healing of the world.