Season of Freedom
The story of freedom in the United States has never been simple or complete. The promises of liberty and equality have always existed alongside exclusion, enslavement, displacement, and disenfranchisement.
The Season of Freedom invites us to gather across difference; to remember the long movements for liberation that brought us here; to grieve honestly what has been lost and harmed; and to imagine, together, what a more just and beautiful future could still be.
Through art, prayer, prophecy, music, public witness, storytelling, and community gathering, we hope to create space for both truth and possibility — for lament and for joy, for resistance and for renewal.
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Prayer
A Prayer for Juneteenth
O Loving, Gracious, and Merciful God, we come before you with grateful hearts, giving thanks for those who, upon receiving their freedom, lifted their voices in praise to you. Through the liberation of our ancestors, we commemorate this sacred day—a day when their God-given humanity was more fully recognized and affirmed. On this day, the promises of our baptismal covenant and the principles of our Constitution met in a profound witness to dignity, justice, and freedom.We honor those who endured suffering, sacrifice, and struggle so that future generations might live more fully into both their humanity and their divine calling. May their courage continue to inspire us to seek justice, cherish freedom, and uphold the dignity of every person.All this we pray in the name of the One who came that we might have life, and have it abundantly, Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.Written by:
The Rev. Trevor R. Babb (retired)
Member of the Reparations Commission
Episcopal Diocese of New York -
Action
Delaney Hall Immigration Family Support Fund
We’re inviting the entire diocese to join those inside the Delaney Hall ICE detention facility in a solidarity fast, by contributing what you would spend on food in one day back to the families of those who are detained.
Donations will go to family members whose lives have been devastated by having a loved one (sometimes a breadwinner) detained. The families have asked for support for groceries, rent, and other basic needs.
New York Votes on June 23
We ask New Yorkers to go out and vote and encourage those in your circle to do the same. Voters can call or text Common Cause NY’s Election Protection Hotlines if they need assistance at their polling place. Numbers are below:
• 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) – English language hotline• 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682) – Spanish language hotline• 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683)– Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Bangla, Hindi, Urdu and Tagalog hotline• 844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287)– Arabic language hotline• 301-818-VOTE (301-818-8683)-American Sign Language video call number
Join the Episcopal Diocese of New York at Pride! ????️????We are excited to march together in this year’s Pride March on June 28th! As people of faith, we celebrate the beautiful diversity of God’s creation and proclaim that all people are loved, valued, and welcomed.
Pride March: Sunday, June 28, 2026
Step-Off Time: 2:45 PM
Marcher Formation Entrance: W26th between 6th Ave and 5th Ave
Marcher Section Number: M7
Confirmed Group Size: 100We have space for the first 100 marchers who sign up, so be sure to register early! Once all spots are filled, additional registrants will be placed on a waiting list and contacted if spaces become available.
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Statements
An Op-Ed by The Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas, The Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers, and the Very Rev. Winnie Varghese
“Here is what we know: Freedom is not an achievement to be declared and celebrated once and for all. The work of freedom is perpetually unfinished because the forces that threaten it continually take new forms, as we see today in restrictions on voting rights, challenges to citizenship and the denial of due process to immigrants.”
Click to read the op-ed published in the Religious News Service.
Reparations and The Moses Commission Report
The Moses Commission has released their report on findings for reparations in the Diocese of New York. Click here to watch Moses Commission chair The Rev. Marisa Sifontes explain what the Moses Report is. Future videos in this series will take us through each part of the report. Stay tuned!