Author Archives: Brant Copeland

About Brant Copeland

I was born in Brownsville, Texas, grew up in San Antonio and in Lake Charles, Louisiana. I am a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Vigil in Tallahassee

Posted on August 19, 2017 by Brant Copeland

Last Thursday, August 17, a vigil was held at Tallahassee’s Lake Ella to remember the victims of violence in Charlottesville and to stand for peace, justice, and inclusion.  I was honored to be asked to speak.  Here are my remarks: … Continue reading →

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Trinity and Iftar

Posted on June 17, 2017 by Brant Copeland

  This week our congregation hosted an event for Christians, Muslims, and Jews.  Sponsored by the Atlantic Institute, this was an occasion for people of the Abrahamic faiths to learn about each other’s faith traditions and share the Iftar meal.  … Continue reading →

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Top Dog

Posted on June 3, 2017 by Brant Copeland

As I write, I am sitting in a sunny room in my mother-in-law’s home in Edinburgh, Scotland.  (Yes, it’s not often one can put “sunny” and “Scotland” in the same sentence.)  I confess to some reluctance to leaving the house … Continue reading →

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Free to Differ

Posted on May 9, 2017 by Brant Copeland

President Trump has promised to “destroy” the so-called Johnson Amendment, which has become shorthand for a provision in the tax code that applies to all 501(c)(3) organizations. Groups that enjoy that most-favored tax status must refrain from endorsing, opposing or … Continue reading →

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Calling for Blood

Posted on April 24, 2017 by Brant Copeland

In this season of Eastertide, the newspaper headlines cause me to remember that my Lord and Savior, the risen Christ, was the victim of capital punishment.  Jesus’ death came at the hands of the State and with the apparent approval … Continue reading →

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Not in My Neighborhood?

Posted on February 27, 2017 by Brant Copeland

The best way to ease our conscience regarding deportations of immigrants is for us tell ourselves that the government is targeting “criminal aliens.” No one will lose sleep if “bad hombres” are the only people being spirited away by ICE … Continue reading →

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What he said . .

Posted on February 23, 2017 by Brant Copeland

My Daddy used to say that if you can resist the urge to make a speech at a presbytery meeting, the odds are, somebody else will make it for you. My colleague Brett Younger, pastor of Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, N.Y., … Continue reading →

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Christmas Eve Sermon

Posted on December 24, 2016 by Brant Copeland

Not Afraid A few weeks ago, I was accosted (in a nice Christian way, of course) by two young women in our high school youth group. They had heard that some idiot (that would be me) was planning to tinker … Continue reading →

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The Hopes and Fears of the Next Four Years

Posted on December 19, 2016 by Brant Copeland

The date of Easter moves around according to the lunar calendar. Christmas, on the other hand, is not a “moveable feast.” It is rooted in the solar calendar, and is always observed on December 25th. However, December 25th falls on … Continue reading →

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Boys on the Bus

Posted on October 11, 2016 by Brant Copeland

Plenty of writers more widely read that I have commented on the Donald Trump “bus video.”  If you decide not to read this blog, I don’t blame you. On the tape Mr. Trump can be heard boasting about groping women … Continue reading →

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