Nantucket church calls off July 4th reading to reflect on its ‘whiteness’

Nantucket Church Cancels Annual Fourth of July Document Reading

A pastor from Nantucket is standing by his church’s choice to cancel its long-standing Fourth of July reading of pivotal American documents. He addressed the decision in a sermon, noting that this tradition, once supported by former President Joe Biden, has been scrapped.

Rev. Erin Splain of the Second Congregational Meetinghouse Association questioned why, after more than 250 years, America’s foundational texts are still primarily seen as hopeful aspirations. In his sermon, he expressed concern that celebrating these documents implies our nation has not yet realized their promises.

For 25 years, the Nantucket Unitarian Meeting House had organized a public reading of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights every Fourth of July. This year, however, the church decided to cancel the event as part of ongoing discussions about its own “whiteness.”

During the sermon, Splain said, “What should unite us all is not just to promote aspiration or linger in the shadows but to actively seek change; to be brave without discomfort and to reject incomplete narratives.”

The cancellation generated significant backlash on social media, with critics suggesting it reflects a growing unease among some groups about traditional celebrations of America’s founding.

A letter detailing the cancellation, published by the Nantucket Current, indicated that discussions around race and privilege influenced the decision. Splain, in her letter, clarified that she wasn’t looking to engage on social media about the issue, suggesting that those who want to discuss it can set up a meeting instead. As she put it, “Social media isn’t the place for meaningful conversation.”

In follow-up comments, Splain noted that a few individuals reached out to connect, but most didn’t. “It’s unfortunate, really, because there’s so much to discuss. Yelling at each other feels pointless,” she said.

Even amid the controversy, another local church, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, has announced it will continue the tradition by reading the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights this year.

For many, the cancellation stirs up feelings about who gets included in these narratives. In his sermon, Splain posed important questions: “Who is present? Who is absent? What stories do we celebrate, and whose experiences are recognized or overlooked?”

Nantucket Island, known for its wealthy vacation spots, attracts many, including celebrities and political figures like the Biden family, who visit annually for Thanksgiving. Some locals argue the church’s decision is emblematic of broader discomfort around national celebrations as the country approaches its 250th anniversary.

Critics have voiced concerns, particularly about the church acting as a platform for political messages instead of focusing on its spiritual mission. Some have even claimed that the leadership harbors hidden agendas, suggesting a majority of members might disagree with the cancellation.

Rev. Max Wolff from St. Paul’s Church expressed a different view, saying it’s crucial to come together, noting that while the nation may not yet fully uphold the ideals in those documents, striving toward them is a collective responsibility.