Throughout my time at Central, I've had the privilege of occupying various seats within the sanctuary, but I can honestly say that I don't think that I've experienced the front row. Currently, my church family and I find ourselves nestled midway through the left section, right by the "welcome home" sign. I've had the opportunity to serve communion when needed, affording me a unique perspective as ...  Read More

In every encounter, sermon, meeting, really in all things at Central there is a synergy. Somehow the activity/issue/sermon for the week comes together as inspiration and motivation. Everything good seems possible and I feel at my creative best in this community. So, this new sermon series that is underway, how can we “practice hope” together, is like fuel to my fire.The beach, the natural beauty, ...  Read More

If you don’t already know, soon, Central will begin the work of sheltering people! I can hardly believe my good fortune to be a part of this loving community and to be a part of this new housing venture. The critical work of offering showers and laundry and health care is life sustaining, yet this is just the beginning. We know and love the people that live unprotected and vulnerable in our city, ...  Read More

Last Tuesday, one of our community members introduced me to a new father, Jason, who was searching for a car seat. Jason and his significant other, Lucy, were the proud new parents of a baby that had arrived a little earlier than expected. While they were grateful that their little one was healthy and ready to go home, their discharge from the hospital was looking impossible. They did not have an ...  Read More

Yesterday, as I was riding my bike on the Seawall sidewalk, a Central member flagged me down to help with an unsheltered man who was clearly in need of help. Keeping in mind that I am not a medical professional, nor do I have any inside information on Galveston EMS protocols, I thought maybe the guidelines I have for myself in such a situation might be helpful. So, for what it’s worth:If it’s a me...  Read More

Note: occasionally, Front Row Central will feature stories from unsheltered persons in Galveston. I have made no attempt to fact-check these stories, and I have changed any details that might identify the storyteller. The details of the story therefore may be accurate, or not, but either way I hope they help us to understand a little of how homelessness looks from the viewpoint of a person experie...  Read More

As in most beach towns dependent on tourism, Galveston police have a “live and let live” reputation when dealing with disturbances of public order. Strict enforcement of the laws against public intoxication and disorderly conduct at Mardi Gras or the Lone Star Rally would be a disaster - jail space would run out in the first couple of hours and next year’s events would be held in some other city. ...  Read More

In the sermon this Sunday, Pastor Julia preached about the never-ending opportunity and call from God to reconcile. Always, the door is open to return to the loving embrace of a welcoming parent. Having just returned from three days at the New York Catholic Worker house, a place where saints are made, and radical hospitality to the most vulnerable on the streets of New York City is practiced, this...  Read More

This week at Central was Pride Sunday, a formal day to celebrate and honor all the beauty and bravery of our Queer community. But really, every day is Pride Sunday at Central--the reason I first fell in love with this church.Many people grew up in a religion that was shaming and cruel to anyone outside “expected” gender roles, and this was true for my family. So, when my niece, Reagan, came out as...  Read More

This past Thursday at Central was busy! Grace Clinic was full, and, with much of the church still out of commission due to the renovations, everywhere downstairs, including the sanctuary, was crowded. I met new people, visited with friends, and did a slightly better job this time of keeping the shower list moving. Overall, I hope I made myself more of a help than not! There were many connections t...  Read More

On Sunday, we had three junior highers come upstairs for service with me, the Youth Director, while the main service took place. As they sat around on couches in the youth room, I held a pair of frames that used to be glasses and said, "these are special glasses. When you put these on, you'll see the world as it should be. Who wants to try them on first and tell us what you see?" Immediately one s...  Read More

It has been a little over a year since I was carjacked in my driveway. There were two masked men, one grabbed me from the rear, the other pointed a gun at my head. I managed to get away without major injuries. They got the car and my purse.Over the next few days, I retreated into a shell, like a turtle. Afraid to go outside alone and afraid of the dark, even though the carjacking happened in broad...  Read More