dr. melva costen

A joyous and musical celebration of life for a PC(USA) gem, Dr. Melva Wilson Costen

Over her long career in higher education and in hymnody, Dr. Melva Wilson Costen taught her students that music is a gift from God that can lift our spirits and serve as a refuge during difficult times. “It speaks,” said the Rev. Addie Peterson, eulogizing Costen at Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, “when we don’t know the words to say.”

A joyous and musical celebration of life for a PC(USA) gem, Dr. Melva Wilson Costen

Over her long career in higher education and in hymnody, Dr. Melva Wilson Costen taught her students that music is a gift from God that can lift our spirits and serve as a refuge during difficult times. “It speaks,” said the Rev. Addie Peterson, eulogizing Costen on Saturday at Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, “when we don’t know the words to say.”

‘We pray we won’t leave there like we came in’

The Preaching Lab, a five-part online workshop offered by New Hope Presbyterian Church in Anaheim, California, through a grant by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship in Grand Rapids, Michigan, opened Saturday by asking participants to define what preaching means to them. Their definitions included: