First Presbyterian Church News (Clarksville, TN)

  Why We Celebrate Juneteenth  Each year on June 19, people across the United States observe Juneteenth, a day that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and celebrates freedom, resilience, and hope.  Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that enslaved African Americans were free—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued. This historic moment became a symbol of liberation and a reminder that freedom and justice are gifts that should be extended to all people.  As Christians, we recognize that every person is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Throughout Scripture, God calls His people to pursue justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him (Micah 6:8). The story of Juneteenth reminds us of God's concern for the oppressed and His desire for freedom, dignity, and reconciliation among all people.  Juneteenth is both a celebration and an opportunity for re...

I’ve always been a journalist and a doodler, even as a child, but after my daughter Heidi died, I found my regular journaling just didn’t do anything for me. I needed something more. I attended my first writers conference as an avid reader and learned so much about authors, their writing techniques and how they tell their stories. The second time I attended, I went to a workshop on poetry given by Shana Thornton. I loved it. I also had recently attended a poetry reading by Joey Grisham. When I heard her read her poems aloud, I was so moved by the depth of passion that could be expressed with so few words in a poem or prose. These two events really jumpstarted my journey into poetry. I feel like I have finally learned to walk side-by-side and hand-in-hand with my grief. It will never be easy, okay or better, but poetry has been a wonderful outlet. I’m deeply grateful to these ladies, Joey Grisham, Shana Thornton, and also Laurina Lyle and Ellen Kanervo with the Clarksville Writers Confe...

Summertime Sermon Series: 1-2 Corinthians June 2026 We are a couple of weeks into our summer journey through 1 and 2 Corinthians, and already Paul is pressing hard on the question that will shape the entire series: what does wisdom actually look like? The Corinthians thought they knew. They lived in a culture that prized eloquent speakers, impressive credentials, and clever arguments.  Successful people in Corinth had a particular look (very Roman toga-ish, very Greek cosmopolitan).  They were (very!) well-dressed, well-spoken, and well-connected.  Many Corinthian Christians were quietly trying to import that same look into the church.  They sorted themselves into cliques and factions and styled themselves on their favorite influencer-teachers. They boasted about which baptisms counted, which pastors were the most articulate, which spiritual gifts were the most spectacular. But Paul says the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us wh...