Watch Night

We are still waiting word from New Springfield Church about whether they will be doing their usual New Year's Eve watchnight service this year. If they are, we want to encourage you to attend. But even if they choose not to, it is worth knowing a little bit of history.

Churches often celebrate Watch Night Services on New Year's Eve. The tradition supposedly goes back to the time of Charles Wesley. But in the black church, it has a different significance. On January 1, 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect eliminating slavery in our country. But on the night before - December 31,1862 - slaves gathered in their churches to wait and see. Freedom had been promised; would it actually happen? To commemorate that night, historically black churches today still gather to celebrate that historic event.

And if New Springfield Church decides to celebrate it this year, we want to celebrate with them!  (We'll keep you posted!)