Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Mary made her way to the tomb. She went alongside other women, carrying spices they had prepared to anoint the body of Jesus. They were ready to faithfully honor Him in death through the sacred burial customs of their people, and wondered among themselves who would roll the stone away. Mary, in particular, carried a deep grief and the weight of a world that seemed to have crushed her spirit. Upon finding an empty tomb, she wept a

Rev. Lachelle Marie Dixon-Harris is a proclaimer of the Gospel, Christian educator, coach, and servant leader with more than 30 years of experience in ministry, instructional leadership, and organizational development. She accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior at the age of four...

Rev. Dr. Lisa Maxine Goods is a pastor, preacher, teacher, professor, chaplain, womanist, and justice-seeker. She is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and a 20-year resident of Chicago, Illinois. A sought-after preacher, teacher, and revivalist, Dr. Goods is currently the Senior Pastor of The Shiloh Baptist Church of Cleveland, Ohio - the first female pastor in the church’s 176-year history.

Before answering the call to ministry, Rev. Federico enjoyed a long career in Special Education. She worked for the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities as a classroom teacher, as well as a Behavior Specialist...

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ this week, we remember that the greatest gifts in this season are not the ones we can buy or wrap. They are the gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love that flow from the living presence of God with us. In these holy days, we recenter Christ in Christmas, remembering Jesus is our source, our anchor, and our reason to rejoice.

As we continue through this Advent season, let us remain grateful for God’s grace and power that have sustained us, especially in the moments when life feels heavy, overwhelming, and uncertain. 

This is a reminder of the power we have as a body of believers to stand together, even as things seem to be falling apart.