Celebrating a unified community First Methodist Mansfield and Bethlehem Baptist Church will partner for a special weekend on June 17-19 — the Unified Celebration Weekend. Several events are planned over these three days to commemorate Mansfield's historic journey from segregation to integration.

The documentary Uncommon Vision about John Howard Griffin, author of Black Like Me, will be shown in our Chapel at 6:30 p.m. The film will be followed by a panel discussion featuring leaders in the Mansfield community, including Pastor Mike Ramsdell.  All are welcome to attend.

Other events this weekend include:

• Saturday, June 18 — Journey to Unity Exhibit opens (through June 30) at the Mansfield Public Library.  This exhibit illuminates Mansfield’s transition through the years that led from racial segregation to integration. Many current residents are not aware of this aspect of our history, while many long-time residents lived through this time and have a valuable story to share.
• Saturday, June 18 — Community-wide Barbecue at McClendon Park on West Broad Street from 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. (come and go).  Meat, drinks, and condiments provided. Please bring a covered dish and/or a dessert to share. Serving times are 1:00-3:00 p.m. and 5:00-6:00 p.m. Food, games, prizes and fun for everyone!
• Sunday, June 19 — Community-wide Worship Service at 11:00 a.m. at Bethlehem Baptist Church, 1188 West Broad Street.
• Sunday, June 19 — Mansfield Community Cemetery Dedication at 2:00 p.m. on Kimball Street (Formerly the “Old Colored Cemetery”).  It is our prayer that this will be a time to illuminate our past, facilitate a greater understanding of our present, and help guide us to a more just and unified future.