by Pastor Christopher Hamlin My mother, Doris Vivian Cornelius Hamlin, suffered a lot. She had a stroke on the day her second son, Ricardo, got married. The Lord blessed her. She recovered with no residual evidence of the stroke. Later she became ill and her gall bladder had to be removed. She was diagnosed with breast cancer and she championed and soldiered through the disease. My mother, like many women, knew the effects of sickness and disease. She was diagnosed with a p

On Tuesday, September 22, 2026, we entered the season of autumnal equinox. This season is characterized by the slower growth of plants, cooler temperatures, and changes in the rhythms of human life. Most things slow down! I will admit that this is my favorite time of the year. Slowing down offers the opportunity to be more observant of our surroundings, especially nature. The leaves fall. Grass becomes dormant. To prepare for the colder months of winter, squirrels and other a

“Singleness is a journey of self-discovery, unbound by others' expectations.” Anonymous It is easy for those in relationships to tell singles to enjoy their season of singleness. Yet those of us who are married may forget what it was like to be single—or sometimes even fantasize about being single again. Regardless of our relationship status, Christians are called to live according to biblical principles. Last week, we focused on marriage and the relationship between Adam

“Worship is essential; Sunday School is optional!” “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” Jesus, John 4.24 (KJV) “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Paul, 2 Timothy 2.15 (KJV) There may be a move afoot to better understand choices Christians are making—especiallyas it relates to our commitment to Sunday School and worship. Older members must

“Jesus was a Jew!” Dr. Howard Thurman, 1899-1981 Jesus and the Disinherited, 1949 The current federal administration, led by the President of the United States of America, is fighting a culture war. The recent target is the network of Smithsonian Museums. The President signed an executive order requiring warning signs to be posted at all federal museums, alleging the historical information displayed there may be inaccurate. One characteristic of a political culture war is an

“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” Genesis 8.22 To this date, God’s promise to Noah has been maintained. After being on the ark for forty years, when the earth dried and Noah’s family could leave from the ark, Genesis 8.22 shares the covenant God made with Noah. There was a caveat to God’s covenant, “As long as the earth endures, … day and might will never cease.” The covenant made by God rem

After the required nine states officially ratified the U.S. Constitution on March 4, 1789, only white men who owned land could vote. If you were anything else, especially non-white, you were not valued or seen as human. During the 1787 Constitution Convention, it was determined that enslaved Africans were three-fifths of a person. The 14th Amendment in 1868 voided that distinction. It took an amendment to graft us into the constitution. The great debate today focuses on immig

This year was filled with harsh realities. The November election reaffirmed that America has not adequately confronted its racist and misogyny (sexist) tendencies. Birmingham saw over 138 homicides because of gun violence, including the murder of Eric Savoy Brown, who was gunned down on the front lawn of our church property. In Smithfield, we saw many houses, and the Brunetta Hill Elementary School, destroyed by fire. The fires were probably at the hand of an arsonist. Two of

“For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son … (John 3.16).” Love is more than words. Love must be shown, must be proven in consistent ways. Beginning with Adam and Eve, God showed God’s love for humanity. God never gave up on us. Whenever we messed up, God continually made efforts to redeem and reclaim us. That is a sign of love. Paul said, “Love never fails (1 Corinthians 13.8).” The Christmas story is a prime example of God’s love. God showed us love by giving

November 1 is “All Saints’ Day,” a time to reflect on those who are no longer physically with us and enjoy eternal rest. I also believe it is a time to acknowledge, in gratitude, appreciation for the elders living among us. In 1864, William How (1823-1897), an English Anglican Bishop, wrote a beloved hymn, “For All the Saints.” Of the six stanzas, the third stanza is a favorite of mine.O blest communion, fellowship divine!We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;yet all are on