Pastor’s Blog | June 22, 2026
The latest research says the five components of brain health are good sleep, exercise, blood sugar control, social connection and stress regulation. Amazing that the people who compiled our Bible seemed to intuit that long before the advent of the scientific method. They developed rituals and practices for health and wholeness two millennia before they […]
Pastor’s Blog | June 15, 2026
Beloved First Baptist, I have been reading Learning to Pray: A Guide for Everyone by James Martin, which is wonderful! The book begins with a simple question: If most of us desire a close relationship with God, and if prayer is one of the primary ways we connect with God, why do so many of […]
Pastor’s Blog | June 8, 2026
For five days in May, I had the privilege of sinking into silence. As part of my sabbatical, I attended a silent retreat at Mepkin Abbey, a Cistercian monastery near Charleston, SC. As a “busy brain” person, external processor, music lover, and mom to a preschooler, my normal world is filled with speech and sound. […]
Pastor’s Blog | June 1, 2026
Dear Beloved First Baptist, Summer is upon us, and I know many of you will be headed out of town on vacation. I hope your time away will be restful and joyful. May it also give you space away from work or the busy routine of life to nurture your relationship with God. As you […]
Pastor’s Blog | May 26, 2026
Not an object or a thing. But like another family member, our family farm in Tennessee has played a huge role in my life. It’s the place I feel most at home, where I feel closest to my parents and grandparents, and where my longing for them is heaviest. A couple of weeks ago, I […]
Pastor’s Blog | May 18, 2026
We have a good problem at First Baptist. So much is happening in the life of our church that it can be challenging to share about it all! As church staff, we continually discuss how to improve our communication so you can stay informed and connected. Over the past year, we have taken several meaningful […]
March 30, 2026
Holy Week, the most sacred week of the Christian year, has begun. From Palm Sunday through Easter, we journey with Jesus through the final, powerful days of his earthly life: his arrival in Jerusalem, the Last Supper, his arrest, and ultimately the cross and resurrection. For nearly two thousand years, the Church has set aside […]
March 16, 2026
First Baptist, I want to celebrate some wonderful news: we ended 2025 with a revenue surplus of $245,837 over expenses! Our congregation’s giving was very strong, and we met our contribution goal. This speaks to the deep level of commitment we have to our shared life at First Baptist. Included in the above amount is […]
March 9, 2026
Like many of you, I have followed the disturbing reports surrounding the Epstein case. Behind each headline are women who were exploited and abused. Many have shown extraordinary courage in coming forward and seeking justice. Because powerful people across the political spectrum are named, full accountability may never come. As I have reflected on these […]
February 17, 2026
Lent is a special 40-day season in the Christian calendar that helps prepare our hearts for Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter. The 40 days (not counting Sundays) recall the 40 days Jesus spent fasting and praying in the wilderness before beginning his public ministry. By […]