Pastor Harrison-Jones along with Witherspoon Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis were elated to be featured in this article about celebrating Juneteenth — which for us is not a holiday but a lifetime! Thank you Chloe G. McGowan and Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper for always remembering our work and empowering the community!

Here is the full reflection I submitted:

"For me, Juneteenth is more than a day on the calendar—it is a way of life. Much like Lent, Epiphany, Advent, and Easter itself, Juneteenth is an annual invitation to pause, reflect, and allow its deepest truths to shape how we live the other 364 days of the year. These sacred and civic commemorations are not ends in themselves; they are invitations to transformation.

Juneteenth calls us each year to think more deeply, dream more boldly, and act more courageously in the ongoing work of freedom, justice, and human dignity. The true measure of our celebration is not found in festivals or speeches, but in whether we embody the principles Juneteenth represents throughout the year. Freedom is not merely an event to commemorate; it is a responsibility to cultivate. Justice is not a destination we visit once a year; it is a practice we commit ourselves to every day.

Personally, I enjoy gathering with family and friends, supporting Black-owned businesses, participating in community celebrations, and reflecting on the resilience, faith, and determination of those who came before us. Each Juneteenth reminds me that remembrance without action is incomplete.

Here at Witherspoon Presbyterian Church, we are excited to continue that spirit of remembrance and action through the launch of a new initiative called Around the Table. This year-long series is an extension of our commitment to courageous conversation, intentional community-building, cultural understanding, and faithful engagement across lines of difference. Throughout the year, we will gather around tables—not simply to share meals, but to share stories, perspectives, history, hope, and humanity. We believe that some of our most meaningful transformation happens not from a podium, but around a table where every voice has value and every person belongs. We warmly invite the entire community to join us as we continue this journey together.

My hope is that Juneteenth continues to inspire us not only to remember where we've been, but to recommit ourselves to building the more just, equitable, and beloved community that our ancestors imagined, prayed for, and sacrificed to make possible. When we live its values throughout the year, Juneteenth becomes more than a holiday—it becomes a way of life."

m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10167825234747627&id=533502626Very nice to have some hometown love from the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Thanks to Chloe McGowan and Noral Parham for including me in the Juneteenth roundup story along with Witherspoon Presbyterian Church of IndianapolisPastor Winterbourne LaPucelle Harrison-Jones

Here's the excerpt: "For some prominent figures, the holiday marks a tradition of traveling to tell historical stories and preserve culture. Acclaimed author A’Lelia Bundles utilizes her personal schedule to educate audiences nationwide regarding African American history."

“I don’t have a set Juneteenth celebration, in part because I’ve been fortunate to have been invited to speak about Madam Walker and Black history at Juneteenth celebrations in different cities each year,” Bundles said."

"Bundles, Walker’s great-granddaughter, regularly travels to different cities as a keynote speaker during the holiday week."

"Her recent travels included presentations at the Southampton African American Museum and the historic Villa Lewaro estate. In 2025, Bundles returned to Indianapolis to participate in the dedication of the Indiana Avenue Cultural Trail at the Madam Walker Legacy Center."

"Now, she brings her historical expertise to the International African American Museum in Charleston, South Carolina."
Here's the link indianapolisrecorder.com/juneteenth-traditions/ ... See MoreSee Less

Join us tomorrow at Witherspoon Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis as we gather in worship to celebrate the fathers, grandfathers, mentors, and father figures whose love, sacrifice, and faith continue to shape generations.

We are especially honored to welcome the Rev. Willeek Blanchard, a beloved son of Witherspoon, as he returns home to proclaim God’s Word.

There is something sacred about celebrating the gifts God has nurtured within our own church family, and we look forward to hearing what God has placed on his heart. Come expecting inspiring worship, powerful music, and a message that will encourage every generation.

Bring your father. Bring your family. Bring a friend. There is a place for you here—because at Witherspoon, All Are Welcome.

#WitherspoonPresbyterian #FathersDay2026 #ThePowerOfAFathersLove #WelcomeHome #SonOfWitherspoon #IndianapolisChurch #AllAreWelcome #Pentecost365 ... See MoreSee Less