Central Baptist Church Blog

Baptist Women in Ministry Month

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 16:06:00 +0000

March 1st begins Women’s History Month and the Baptist Women in Ministry’s Month of Advocacy. This is a month to celebrate the accomplishments of women and uplift our voices.

One way we will be celebrating at Central is listening to the voices of women in the pulpit. This month, Carrol Wilson will be back preaching as well as Hannah James, Kara Kilipatrick, and Laura Levens. Join us in receiving their message and remembering that women belong everywhere, especially the pulpit.

Our Divine Mother Bear

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 01:37:00 +0000

Today Juliette and I made our way to Frankfort for a rally at the capitol to support trans rights. While we weren't large in numbers, there was a beautiful sense of community. Several folks shared their hopes and fears and told their stories. As we introduced ourselves to our fellow protesters, we were often met with kind incredulity when we mentioned we were from a Baptist church, but we were accepted and greeted with smiles, handshakes, and warm hugs.

Advent Missions Opportunities

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 15:48:00 +0000

We have several opportunities to help folks in our community and region this Christmas season. From winter wear to Christmas gifts, there is plenty of need all around. We're grateful for the chance to support the good work of schools and ministries in our area.

2024 Advent Events

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 17:01:00 +0000

We look forward to celebrating our familiar Advent worship and fellowship traditions this year. We hope you'll join us as we celebrate the light living among us this Advent.

One More Stitch: A Poem By Kurt Snyder

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 20:22:00 +0000

Kurt Snyder read this original poem during our All Saints Service.

“Just one more stitch” I heard her say,
“Supper’s on, I’m on my way.
This quilt ain’t done and it needs to be,
For winter’s comin’, soon you’ll see.”

A Prayer for Election Day

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 17:15:00 +0000

There's a sign in Richmond that I've been driving past since I was in high school. It's a small sign that someone placed by their mailbox that reads “the wages of sin is death.” Growing up in a religious household, I knew the scripture well, but it always felt a little heavy-handed. It was many years before I realized that the other side of the sign actually had the rest of the verse, “the free gift of God is eternal life.” Unfortunately, the more hopeful message is only visible across a couple of lanes of traffic. There's little chance that folks are going to get the other side of the story.

Intentional Interim Update

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 18:36:00 +0000

The Transition Development Committee has been working for several months to find a candidate for our Part Time Intentional Interim position. While this part time position will involve preaching up to two times a month, the primary responsibility of the Intentional Interim Minister will be to guide us through the process of understanding our congregational identity and discerning our vision for the future. This is an important part of helping us determine who will be the best fit for our next minister. After much work, we are pleased to present Carrol Wilson as the candidate for our Part Time Intentional Interim Minister position.

Information from the Transition Development Report

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 14:53:00 +0000

Thanks to everyone who attended the update from the Transitional Development Committee last Sunday. We had a wonderful group of folks and some great discussions. Here is a brief summary of some key takeaways:

Transition Development Committee Update

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 19:46:00 +0000

We have focused our attentions in the past few months on celebrating Mark Johnson. We are blessed that we were led and loved by him for 19 years. Now comes the work. Our committee has been working to prepare us for this time using resources from the Center for Congregational Health. This is an organization that specializes in this transitional process and has been recommended by several in our church with experience in these transitions.
Who is on the Transitional Development Committee?

Upcoming Worship Services

Tue, 27 Aug 2024 16:08:00 +0000

We're excited to welcome several guest preachers this fall. From familiar voices to leadership from our denominational partners, we welcome these friends in the faith. Times of transition can sometimes open our hearts and minds to the presence of God moving in us, among us, and beyond us in fresh ways. As we continue in the traditions of our worship together, perhaps we'll have the opportunity to see the guidance of God in our past, present, and future from this unique vista.

Worship Committee Reflections Highlights

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 01:45:00 +0000

The Worship Committee is grateful for the participation in this writing process and the responses are helpful in planning future worship experiences.

Update From the Transition Development Committee

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 20:58:00 +0000

We have been working with the Center for Congregational Health to secure an Interim Minister during our transitional time. This organization is a great resource for us as they provide possible candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and tons of ministerial experience, including the transitional process.

Thank You, Dear Church Family

Sun, 07 Jul 2024 03:19:00 +0000

I do not have adequate words to express my gratitude for the grace you showed me on Sunday. I am truly humbled at your words of affirmation, your hugs, your smiles, and the deep acceptance that I felt. You have shown me the love of Christ for more than a decade now, and I felt the richness and depth of that love on Sunday. I will cherish this day in my heart, dear family of faith. It's my prayer that this same rich and mysterious love will surprise you as you realize anew that you are loved, cherished, and accepted in the heart of God and in this family of faith as well.

Art Class - A Poem By Kurt Snyder

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 02:22:00 +0000

Central member Kurt Snyder read his poem "Art Class" in our worship service on June 30, 2024 for our Pride Sunday service.

Tiny fingers, stained a rainbow of hues, gripping waxy crayons like colorful scepters. Tongues peek out in total concentration as fledgling imaginations spill out onto paper. Goldenrod becomes a lion’s mane, hot magenta a prancing dragon’s scales. Every new color pulled from the box is a vibrant discovery, a new facet of their world laid bare. The sky isn’t just blue, it shimmers with streaks of cerulean and cornflower. Trees aren’t merely green, they boast electric lime leaves with hints of olive and tropical rain forest.

Midwives of a Movement

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 14:38:00 +0000

Last Tuesday we held a screening of the new Baptist Women in Ministry's documentary, Midwives of a Movement. This thought-provoking movie led to a meaningful conversation after. You can watch the documentary online.

Welcoming Juliette Wallace to CBC Staff

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 01:56:00 +0000

We are excited to welcome Juliette Wallace as Assistant to the Ministerial Staff at CBC! Juliette is an alumni from Hanover College. She got her degree in Theological Studies and Art and Design. She starts Seminary at the Baptist Seminary of Kentucky in the fall, working on a Masters in Divinity. Juliette has been helping at the church since her senior year of high school and is very excited to be officially working here.

Pastoral Transition Planning Update

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 20:21:00 +0000

After learning of Mark’s retirement, the Deacons and other church leaders have been in prayer and conversations about next steps in preparing for this transition. These groups are actively putting together plans for what is ahead. We encourage your prayers as we walk together into these important days in the life of our church.

A Prayer for Healing, Restorative Grace

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 20:13:00 +0000

I am convinced that an invitation to God’s loving embrace and beloved community is first an invitation to love yourself just as you are, imperfections and all. In that sense, the prayer below can be read as a genuine plea on my own behalf for a peace that I am still searching and longing for. It would be much simpler if it were a one-time fix that never changed, but it seems, in my experience at least, to be more of an ebb and flow. There are seasons of deep love, joy, laughter, and comfort riddled with times of deep sorrow, dejection, hopelessness and depression. For that reason, I decided to start the prayer with thankfulness for the beautiful gift of community.

Happy Women’s History Month!

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 20:40:00 +0000

Welcome to Women’s History Month. The month of March is meant to celebrate the successes and struggles of women, (not to be the only time we do so). We’re given this month to dedicate time to highlight the plight of women for gaining our rights, political representation, education, voting, church life, and science. In summation: everywhere.

Christmas Boxes Update

Sun, 26 Nov 2023 20:58:00 +0000

The Women on Mission and Central Baptist recently delivered 125 boxes to the Appalachian Christmas Boxes distribution headquarters at at First Baptist Church in Corbin.

From the CBC Archives – Happy 70th Anniversary, CBC!

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 21:49:00 +0000

Central Baptist Church was organized in November 1953. Plans for starting a mission originated in 1951 when Central Baptist Hospital was being constructed on South Limestone. Interest flagged then was renewed and on Sunday, November 8, 1953 at 3:00 PM at Trinity Methodist Church on South Limestone, 33 people representing five churches met to make plans for organizing a Baptist Church.

Food Insecurity and How We Can Help

Tue, 03 Oct 2023 14:19:00 +0000

By addressing the root causes of hunger, we will make greater strides to not only nourishing bodies, but also nourishing souls and restoring dignity. No matter your capability or where you find the most joy, there is always a way to help.

Helen Barrett Montgomery: Baptist Leader, Activist, and Academic

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 20:57:00 +0000

Helen Barrett Montgomery (1861–1934) was the first woman to translate the New Testament from Greek into English and have it professionally published as The New Testament in Modern English by the American Baptist Publication Society. In 1899 she was the first woman elected to the Rochester (NY) School Board, twenty years before women secured the right to vote. In 1921 she was elected the first female president of the Northern Baptist Convention (today American Baptist Churches, USA), which also made her the first woman president of any American religious denomination.

Dear Kentucky, Love Our Trans Kids

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 19:01:00 +0000

Last week I found myself in the parking garage of our state capitol waiting on an elevator. I was carrying a sign I made earlier that morning with a fading kingsize sharpie and pastel crayons. It read "Love our trans kids," and had a heart with stripes of blue and pink to represent the trans flag. It had taken a long time to come up with a few simple words. All the words that initially came to mind weren't appropriate for political discourse.

Seeking Clarity on Amendment 2

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 17:56:00 +0000

The following statement concerning Amendment 2 was written by the ministerial staff of Central Baptist Church and has been endorsed by our deacon body. We honor our Baptist commitment to the separation of church and state and respect each person's right to vote their conscience. This statement seeks to clarify the intention and implications of this amendment.