The Rev. Dr. Valda Jean Combs is an advocate for life. Her activism comes in response to the deaths of African-Americans at the hands of police; on behalf of reproductive justice for women and responsible sex education, and as an ally for LGBTQ people. Her life is proof of a wide-ranging appreciation for the dignity of every member of the beloved community. Combs attended the University of Houston as a National Achievement Scholar, graduating with a B.A. in psychology. She earned the Doctor of Jurisprudence from South Texas College of Law in Houston, where she was a national moot court champion, columnist for the school newspaper, and a founder of the South Texas College of Law chapter of National Black Law Student Association (NBLSA). During her law school years, Combs lost many friends to AIDS, and grief gave birth to activism. Combs founded and administers Full Proof HIV/AIDS Ministry, personally educating over 10,000 people in faith institutions about the disease.
Today we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy in song, story and sermon. Rev. Dr. Combs says: This time of year our faith tradition calls us to be still and listen; to open wide our hearts and our minds to all the possibilities the universe can present. We are called to focus … Continue reading Are You Ready?
In light of Charlottesville, perhaps it is time to go back and reframe the question from, “Do Black Lives Matter?” to “Do White Lives Matter More?” This sermon provides an historical, cultural, and spiritual context for the widening divide between people of color and the minority. Perhaps we can begin, right here in Georgetown, Texas, … Continue reading What Time Is It?
