Religious Leader Emphasizes Historical Significance and Community Unity

COPIAGUE, NY – Bishop Andy C. Lewter will serve as the keynote speaker for the Annual Juneteenth celebration on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at Tanner Park in Copiague. The event, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States, will bring together community members to reflect on freedom, progress, and the ongoing journey toward equality.

“I am deeply honored and humbled to have been asked to address our community during this most significant observance,” said Bishop Lewter, who serves as pastor of Hollywood Baptist Church in Amityville and carries on a family legacy of religious leadership dating back generations. “Juneteenth represents not just a historical milestone, but a living reminder of our collective responsibility to preserve and pass on the stories that shape our identity as a people.”

The celebration at Tanner Park will feature music, food, educational exhibits, and community activities designed to engage residents of all ages in understanding the historical significance of June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce that the Civil War had ended and enslaved people were free—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

A Bridge Between Past and Present

Bishop Lewter emphasized the critical importance of maintaining Juneteenth as a cornerstone community value, particularly in today’s rapidly changing social landscape.

“Juneteenth serves as an essential bridge connecting us to our history while guiding our steps toward the future,” Bishop Lewter explained. “In a time when there are efforts to diminish or erase parts of African American history from public discourse, celebrations like this become even more vital. They ensure that our children understand not just where we’ve been, but how far we’ve come and how much work remains to be done.”

Drawing from his family’s own remarkable history—including his grandfather, Bishop William Edward Fuller Sr., who founded the Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas and built educational institutions in the post-Reconstruction South—Bishop Lewter understands firsthand how historical knowledge empowers communities.

“My grandfather was born just ten years after emancipation, and he witnessed both the promise and the betrayal of Reconstruction,” Bishop Lewter reflected. “His story, like the story of Juneteenth itself, reminds us that freedom is not a moment but a movement. It requires constant vigilance, continuous education, and unwavering commitment to justice.”

Community Values and Collective Memory

The bishop stressed that Juneteenth celebrations serve multiple functions beyond historical commemoration. They strengthen community bonds, provide educational opportunities for young people, and create space for intergenerational dialogue about progress and challenges.

“When we gather at Tanner Park on June 19th, we’re not just remembering the past—we’re actively participating in the preservation of our collective memory,” Bishop Lewter said. “This is how communities maintain their values and pass them on to the next generation. This is how we ensure that the sacrifices of those who came before us continue to bear fruit in our time.”

Bishop Lewter also highlighted the celebration’s role in fostering unity across racial and ethnic lines within the Copiague community. “Juneteenth is African American history, but it’s also American history. When our neighbors of all backgrounds join us in this celebration, they’re acknowledging that our freedom is interconnected. They’re recognizing that the struggle for justice and equality strengthens the entire community.”

Educational Mission

As an educator and religious leader, Bishop Lewter plans to use his keynote address to emphasize the educational dimensions of Juneteenth observance. He noted that many young people today have limited knowledge of this crucial period in American history.

“We have a responsibility to ensure that young people understand not just the facts of emancipation, but the courage, resilience, and determination of the people who fought for freedom,” he said. “These stories provide both inspiration and instruction for addressing contemporary challenges.”

The bishop also emphasized the importance of connecting historical struggles to current social justice efforts. “The same spirit that sustained our ancestors through slavery and Jim Crow is the spirit we need today as we work toward full equality and justice. Juneteenth reminds us that progress is possible, but it requires commitment from each generation.”

A Family Legacy of Service

Bishop Lewter’s selection as keynote speaker reflects his deep roots in both religious leadership and social justice advocacy. His family’s history includes participation in pivotal moments of the Civil Rights Movement, including his father Dr. Andy C. Lewter Sr.’s participation in the march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge and his role in organizing religious leaders for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s funeral.

“I carry forward a legacy of faith-based leadership that understands the connection between spiritual renewal and social progress,” Bishop Lewter noted. “This is exactly the kind of perspective that Juneteenth celebrations should embody—honoring our past while working toward our future.”

Community Invitation

The Copiague Juneteenth celebration at Tanner Park begins at 11:00 AM on Thursday, June 19, 2025, with Bishop Lewter’s keynote address scheduled for 1:00 PM. The event is free and open to the public, with activities planned throughout the day.

“I encourage everyone in our community to join us for this important celebration,” Bishop Lewter said. “Whether you’re learning about Juneteenth for the first time or you’ve been observing it for years, there’s something meaningful for everyone. This is our opportunity to come together as a community, to learn from our history, and to commit ourselves to the ongoing work of justice and equality.”

Event organizers expect several hundred attendees and have planned activities including historical displays, musical performances, food vendors, and children’s educational programs. Local organizations and community groups will also have information tables highlighting ongoing social justice and community development efforts.

For more information about the Copiague Annual Juneteenth celebration, contact the event organizers through the Town of Babylon’s community events office.

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Bishop Andy C. Lewter serves as pastor of Hollywood Baptist Church in Amityville and is co-author of “Bishop: The Story of William E. Fuller, Sr.,” documenting his grandfather’s role in African American religious history.Retry