Buried in the church columbarium
February 17, 2021
By confessing the story of a racist gift, a Cincinnati congregation takes the first step in dismantling structural racism
by Paul Seebeck | Presbyterian News Service
CINCINNATI â The gift of $22,000, which after legal fees would be worth around $250,000 in todayâs dollars, was given to Knox Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati exactly 100 years ago to aid the congregation in constructing a new church. But according to Knoxâs pastor, the Rev. Adam Fronczek, there was âsome loreâ in the congregation about the gift, which came from a woman who wanted to be buried inside the walls of the church.
Posted on Sunday, January 3, 2021 at 8:39 am
A screenshot from Rev. Rick Watsonâs Dec. 20 sermon on Facebook Live.
By Barry Dalton
bdalton@vandalialeader.com
Standing behind the lectern, Rev. Rick Watson glides his fingers over a braille keyboard like a virtuoso pianist playing an uplifting hymn. As he delivers his sermon, his comforting baritone speaking voice sounds like someone you might hear on Sunday radio.
Originally from Pennsylvania, Watson has only been in town since late November, but heâs already been embraced by his new church family at the First Presbyterian Church of Vandalia.
âThe first Sunday he preached,â says long-time church volunteer Ann Carter, âI was sitting off to the side where I could see. So I could see his hands moving, and I was fascinated.âÂ
Stories of the Season Told Through Music
For many of us, Christmas is about family and traditions. For others it s a stressful or even a sad time. No matter how good or bad your holiday is, it’s quite likely to include music. This year, Tinsel Tales includes stories of the season told through music with interviews from the NPR Archives. Kenny Rogers, Katie Melua, Sting, Amy Grant and Jon Batiste talk about the power of music at Christmas. Hosted by Lynn Neary
10 - 11am: St. Olaf Christmas Festival 2020
A service in song and word, the Festival includes hymns, carols, choral works, as well as orchestral selections celebrating the Nativity and featuring more than 500 student musicians in five choirs and the St. Olaf Orchestra
by Paul Seebeck | Presbyterian News Service
This fall, 20 cohorts were offered by the Christian Formation Partner Association Collective.
LOUISVILLE â Gina Yeager-Buckley came away from her experience coaching the Presbyterian Youth Workers Association (PYWA) cohort for the Office of Christian Formation dramatically changed.
âIâm excited again, renewed,â she said. âIt took me back to my love and passion for youth ministry.â
Gina Yeager-Buckley
From the start, Yeager-Buckleyâs PYWA cohort â one of 20 cohorts offered this fall by members of the Christian Formation Partner Association Collective â clicked and became important to cohort members.
She said members in the cohort really talked and listened to each other, using one of the principles of holy listening: no interruption. It worked so well that the cohort is planning on getting together for an informal gathering in 2021.
Feven and Helena Yohannes founded their Black-owned beauty business, 421 Cosmetics, with their own money and what it s like being a part of Oprah s Favorite Things this holiday season.