05
Mar 2021
Life is difficult and full of storms. To be human is to experience the existential reality of this statement. On Sunday, I said that over the past year, we have been living in a perfect storm with multiple waves. The first wave was the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the lives it has claimed, the fear it has brought, and the drastic way it has altered our routines. Second, we experienced the wave of heightened racial tension following the unnecessary death of George Floyd which led to protests, riots, anger, and significant......
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26
Feb 2021
During Lent, we are journeying through the Gospel of Mark in a sermon series called “The Life of Jesus.” Mark is the oldest gospel, written by John Mark around 65-70 CE. Scholars believe that Matthew and Luke receive much of their material from Mark. Mark is basing his gospel account on the teachings and perspective of the Apostle Peter. Since Peter was always with Jesus, many think this gospel is the closest thing we have to an eyewitness account of the life and ministry of Jesus. Mark has a strong emphasis on......
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17
Feb 2021
Rev. Michael Curry serves as the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church and recently published a timely book called “Love Is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times.” We are certainly living in troubled times. Curry rose to fame in 2018 when he was asked to preside over the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in London at Westminster Abbey. Billions watched from around the world. On that day, Curry discovered that his core message resonated across the globe, in every nation, with all people. Curry says, “Beyond......
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09
Feb 2021
This Sunday is Valentine’s Day and we will hold both worship services in the new chapel – 9:15 & 10:30. Building this beautiful space has certainly been an act of love and sacrifice on the part of many. We will continue our safety protocols and spread the chairs out in pairs as much as possible. We plan to have both services in the chapel for the remaining Sundays in February (14th, 21st, 28th). We then plan to have a chapel service and a sanctuary service. Clearly, this is a soft opening for......
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03
Feb 2021
On August 18th of 2019, many of us stood outside on a blazing hot summer day to break ground on our new chapel and children’s area. Woodmont had just celebrated its 76th birthday a month before. Although construction took longer than we originally anticipated, I am now happy to report that our new addition is complete and looks phenomenal! This grand addition to our church is the result of many years of visioning, planning, and growth. We have countless people, both lay and staff, who have worked tirelessly to see this project......
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21
Jan 2021
This Sunday, January 24, our two in-person sanctuary services (9:15 and 10:30) will return with our safety protocols in place (masks, temperature checks, social distancing). We will also continue our online service and live stream the 9:15. Dr. Rubel Shelly and I are currently leading a Wednesday night class at 6:30 on “Christianity in a Post-Corona World.” We invite you to join us. 2020 was an incredibly challenging year for all, but especially for churches, priests, and ministers. Leading a faith community is difficult and taxing during normal times, much less during......
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12
Jan 2021
I teach a class at Vanderbilt on faith, politics, and rapid polarization in American culture and how the digital age has now ushered in unprecedented anger, incivility, and a crisis of truth. The research in this field is grounded in moral psychology and the basic foundations of liberal, conservative, and moderate ideologies. NYU professor Jonathan Haidt is a prominent figure whose work is highly respected. In his book The Happiness Hypothesis he says: “My research confirms the common perception that liberals are experts in thinking about issues of victimization, equality, autonomy, and......
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05
Jan 2021
Happy New Year! As we enter 2021, Tennessee remains in a very difficult place related to surging cases of Covid-19. In conversation with our Board and out of respect for the wishes of our Mayor and Governor, we have decided to remain virtual for the next two Sundays (Jan 10th & 17th) for worship. We plan to return to the sanctuary on January 24th with our safety protocols in place. We will also continue to offer our online and live-streamed services. Our leadership continues to monitor the Covid situation. We pray for......
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27
Dec 2020
Somebody once said, “What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.” But this year, we have lost many lives. Over 330,000 people in our country started 2020 with absolutely no idea that a novel RNA virus would bring their life to an abrupt end. Whether they died “from” Covid-19 or “with” Covid-19 really doesn’t matter. They are no longer here. Their families are left grieving. If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that life is fragile, unpredictable, and should not be taken for granted. Christmas is now over and we only have......
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17
Dec 2020
Christmas is only eight days away but will certainly be different this year. The pandemic is altering the way we usually experience the holidays with our friends and families. In a normal year at this time, churches would be full, parties would be rocking, families and friends would be together. This year, many will not see their loved ones except from a distance or on a digital screen. Yes, this is sad, disappointing, and hard for many of us to accept because Christmas is a time to be together and not apart.......
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