Something happened to me on the morning of November 9th of last year. I felt so sad not just as a private citizen but as a faith leader. I felt so sad for what our newly elected administration would mean for the rights of people of color, immigrants, women or any minority groups for that matter. …
Tales From the Pastoral Life
Posts that I wrote during my tenure of Pastor of Washington Plaza Baptist Church, Reston, VA.
The Worst Mistake I Made on World Communion Sunday
Anyone who knows me well knows that I like trying new things especially in church life. Honestly, standard worship templates bore me. (And I think if I’m uninspired then I think others must be too!) So, I love thinking of creative ways to organize a worship service. I love making special Sundays of the liturgical …
Some Not So Great Excuses
These are busy days around our household for as many of you know in addition to having a new baby around the house and putting the final touches on launching my book, Birthed, I’ve been serving a short-term pastorate at North Chevy Chase Christian Church in Chevy Chase, MD. I began there in July and …
9 Years as Rev. Elizabeth
On November 4, 2006, I accepted my ordination vows. Nine years ago today I became Rev. Elizabeth. In front of friends, family and the church gathered at Calvary Baptist Church in Washington, DC I was asked these questions and responded with these words: Elizabeth, do you truly believe that you are called to be an …
Pictures on the Plaza
For those of you who are newer readers to the blog you may not know where the name “Preacher on the Plaza” came from. All of this blogging started in 2009 when I became the pastor of Washington Plaza Baptist Church— a lovely little congregation that sat in the middle of Lake Anne Plaza in …
Breathless with Gratitude
A friend recently asked me how I felt about leaving Oklahoma soon. This is what I said: “I am breathless with gratitude.” I think it surprised her that I didn’t give a simple: “I’m happy” or “I’m sad” about it answer. I think she even would have been satisfied with a “Change is hard” statement from …
We are Caretakers
Here in Oklahoma City/ Weatherford, OK we’re dealing with the effects of freezing rain and snow. What a winter we’ve had! Tonight The Federated Church leadership and I decided that it was best to keep everyone safe and warm tomorrow by not having services in our building. But this doesn’t mean that there might not …
I Need the Church and the Church Needs Me
“Instructions for living a life. Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.” -Mary Oliver After I left my position as pastor in December of 2012 to follow Kevin to Oklahoma and his work with Feed the Children, I thought I might never hold an official position at a church again. Much like I’d given up …
Why I Wore a Hoodie on Sunday
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” On Monday, these words appeared in the feeds of so many of my friends all across social media. We tweet …
The Very Best Baptism
I’ve been a part of all kinds of baptismal services in my life—my own when I was baptized as a child in my father’s church in Tennessee at age 7 . . . The ones where babies have been brought forth to be claimed in the waters by their parents . . . And, the …
Saint Stories: Joe Smith
Today is All Saint’s Day and in worship this morning at The Federated Church, we remembered the saints. Not just those persons who had died in the last year, but any person in our life that helped us grow in faith. At the conclusion of the sermon, each congregation member wrote the name of a …
Preaching on a New Plaza
I wasn’t sure I’d ever do it again. I wasn’t sure if it was ever possible in Oklahoma. I wasn’t sure how all the duel state life would come together. Too many people laughed at me when I asked them if they would hire me. Too much crazy travel has become the norm in our …
