05/20/2026
Make your calendar!
Join the Circles of Color for a special program, liturgy, and lunch as we celebrate freedom, history, and the gifts of our Black community!
The Black/African American Circle in the Episcopal Church of Western WA invites you to the 2026 Juneteenth celebration. Please note this year's location is St. Margaret's in Bellevue. These events are open to all!
"I Know Why I Sing… Do You Know Why You Sing?" Inspired by "Sympathy" by Paul Laurence Dunbar and "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou
9:30 AM – Morning Program
We begin with an educational presentation by Hedreich Nichols on the importance of preserving Black history. Ms. Nichols is a music educator, author (Why Black Lives Matter, and more), speaker, educational consultant, and Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter-arranger who has taught and performed in the USA and Switzerland. She hosts the podcast SmallBites and is currently a Senior Communications Specialist with the Center for Outcomes-Based Contracting.
Light refreshments will follow.
12:00 PM – Juneteenth Liturgy
The worship service will feature a new original poem by Sha-Chondria "ICON" Sibley — a reflection on the two poems that inspire our theme — as well as music by our community choir and drumming and dancing by VCBynum Arts. Multicultural Ministries & Community Transformation. Canon Carla Robinson will preside, candidate for the diaconate, Tamara Lamb will be deacon, and Bishop Phil LaBelle will preach. Rev. Beverly Moore-Tasy has been our liturgist the last five years and this will be her last Juneteenth with us before retiring in July! Livestream info coming soon.
A special offering will be taken up in support of the Richard Younge Curates of Color Fund.
1:30 PM - BBQ Lunch
After the service, all are welcome to enjoy refreshments. BBQ lunch (vegan options included) will be provided; all are invited to bring drinks and desserts.
Beyond good food and conversation, there will be opportunities to learn more about Circles of Color, the PNW Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians, and more.
Join us in celebrating freedom and the gifts of our Black/African American community!
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Join the Circles of Color for a special program, liturgy, and lunch as we celebrate freedom, history, and the gifts of our Black community!
The Black/African American Circle in the Episcopal Church of Western WA invites you to the 2026 Juneteenth celebration. Please note this year's location is St. Margaret's in Bellevue. These events are open to all!
"I Know Why I Sing… Do You Know Why You Sing?" Inspired by "Sympathy" by Paul Laurence Dunbar and "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou
9:30 AM – Morning Program
We begin with an educational presentation by Hedreich Nichols on the importance of preserving Black history. Ms. Nichols is a music educator, author (Why Black Lives Matter, and more), speaker, educational consultant, and Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter-arranger who has taught and performed in the USA and Switzerland. She hosts the podcast SmallBites and is currently a Senior Communications Specialist with the Center for Outcomes-Based Contracting. Light refreshments will follow.
12:00 PM – Juneteenth Liturgy
The worship service will feature a new original poem by Sha-Chondria "ICON" Sibley — a reflection on the two poems that inspire our theme — as well as music by our community choir and drumming and dancing by VCBynum Arts. Multicultural Ministries & Community Transformation Canon Carla Robinson will preside, candidate for the diaconate Tamara Lamb will be deacon, and Bishop Phil LaBelle will preach. Rev. Beverly Moore-Tasy has been our liturgist the last five years and this will be her last Juneteenth with us before retiring in July! Livestream info coming soon.
A special offering will be taken up in support of the Richard Younge Curates of Color Fund.
1:30 PM - BBQ Lunch
After the service, all are welcome to enjoy refreshments. BBQ lunch (vegan options included) will be provided; all are invited to bring drinks and desserts.
Beyond good food and conversation, there will be opportunities to learn more about Circles of Color, the PNW Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians, and more.
Join us in celebrating freedom and the gifts of our Black/African American community!
---If you would like to help, see The Diocese of Olympia website, here: https://ecww.org/juneteenth-2026-liturgy-and-celebration/
