Author Archives: Brant Copeland

About Brant Copeland

I was born in Brownsville, Texas, grew up in San Antonio and in Lake Charles, Louisiana. I'm the pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Tallahassee, Florida.

Out of the mouths of babes

Posted on February 21, 2018

Today I stood on the steps of Florida’s Old State Capitol with fellow clergy and watched thousands — most of them young — restore my faith in democracy.  It’s hard to express how moving it was to see such determined, … Continue reading →

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No Place to Call Home

Posted on December 21, 2017

National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day takes place on December 22, the longest night of the year. Tonight some 200 communities will gather to read the names of their neighbors — neighbors who have experienced homelessness and who have died in … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Gone but not Forgotten

Posted on December 11, 2017

In one of his sermons the great preacher Fred Craddock talked about going to a funeral for a word that had died.  I don’t remember the word in question, but just now I’m mourning the death of the wonderful old … Continue reading →

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Vigil in Tallahassee

Posted on August 19, 2017

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 →

Posted in Church, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Trinity and Iftar

Posted on June 17, 2017

  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

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

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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