Central Christian Church

Sunday, September 7, 2025, will be a day of excitement and celebration as we welcome our new Senior Minister, Rev. Tom Edmondson. Tom is coming to us from First Christian Church of Atlanta in Tucker, Georgia, where he has been the senior minister for ten years. Tom earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Atlanta Christian College, a Master of Theological Studies (MTS) from Candler School of Theology, and a MA in Jewish Studies from Emory University. He is the author of “Faith Greater Than Our Challenges”, and a Diplomate in LogoPhilosophy. (The study of helping individuals find meaning in their life), as explained in his website www.meaningministry.com.

As an ordained minister, Tom lives and teaches the Gospel. Using his other studies combined with the teachings of the Bible, he guides individuals through their faith journey by helping them navigate challenges to make choices aligned with their values to find hope and purpose in their lives. Tom is also a strong believer that the church and community are one. He has always been active in community affairs and even started a much needed and successful civic organization in Tucker to help those in need. This love of community and giving back quality is great for CCC, since we have always been strong in giving to our community.

Tom met his wife Ann in seminary. She is also an ordained minister and is working on her doctorate in music ministry. They are both looking forward to their new adventures as they experience the culture and way of life in San Antonio.

Ann immigrated to the U.S. with her family from South Korea when she was a teenager and brings a fresh perspective with all of her activities. Among her many current activities, she organized and successfully led the Tucker Community Chorus which performed at the church and many other venues. She is also very involved in giving back to the community.

Tom and Ann have two grown sons, a daughter-in-law and two beautiful granddaughters. We hope to meet them soon.

We are all excited to have Tom and Ann become a part of our lives at CCC. Please come to worship on September 7th and stay for the reception in the Fellowship Hall after the service to meet and welcome both of them.

An accomplished Disciples of Christ minister, author, and Diplomate in Logo-Philosophy Rev. Edmondson brings a wealth of experience and a strong passion for community service. Join us for worship on Sunday, September 7th at 10:50 AM and stay for a meet and greet with lunch. We encourage you to experience the positive impact he is sure to have on our church and in your life! All are welcome. 

Read Press Release here. 

Help extend a warm Central Christian Church welcome to Elisabeth Wang, who joins us as our new Organist and Carillonneur! Elisabeth brings a wealth of talent and experience to our church family. A San Antonio native, she graduated from Cornell University in 2024 with honors in both music and physics – an impressive feat! 🎓 While at Cornell, she honed her skills on the organ and played the chimes in the university's bell tower, serving as the Head Chimesmaster in her senior year.

Interestingly, Elisabeth's journey with the carillon began in 2022 right here with our very own George Gregory, Central Christian Church's previous organist and carillonneur! She furthered her studies in 2024-2025 at the prestigious Royal Carillon School "Jef Denyn" in Mechelen, Belgium, thanks to a grant from the Belgian American Educational Foundation. Her exceptional talent has led her to perform in international carillon concerts in Belgium and the Netherlands. 🌍

We are so incredibly happy that Elisabeth has chosen to share her gifts with us. Please join us in giving her a heartfelt welcome to Central Christian Church! Here her beautiful music fill our sanctuary and ring from our carillon. 

Dear Lord, Spirit of Life everlasting:

Please embrace with comfort and consolation the families, relatives, and friends who have lost precious children in the flooding waters of Central Texas. The sadness and sorrow which fills so many of our hearts leaves us in despair and grief too dark to manage without your loving arms to hold us close. 

We pray that soon, Light, Love, Mercy, and Faith will give us expressions of care that may yield some form of Your peace to those in sorrow. 

Dr. Michael Passmore, Senior Minister
Central Christian Church

HUGE CONGRATULATIONS are in order! Central Christian Church is recognizing two fantastic graduates, and we'd love for you to help us celebrate them!

Luke Dow, a graduate of Great Hearts Monte Vista, is off to UTSA - The University of Texas at San Antonio to study civil engineering and join the Air Force ROTC program! 🚀 

Miranda Martinez has graduated from her homeschool high school program. We're thrilled to see her plans to volunteer at Christian Assistance Ministry and our church's Benevolent Sewing Group while she discerns her next path. 🙏 

Join us in extending a warm congratulations to Miranda and Luke as they begin their exciting new chapters! ✨

Watch our Sunday service live on YouTube at 10:50 AM! Connect, worship, and share the link with friends and family.

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/@CentralChristianChurchSA/streams

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Calling all Central Christian Church members!
We're looking for photos of YOU to share the joy and community spirit of our church. Did you capture a heartwarming moment with fellow church members at a recent event, maybe over coffee and cookies at fellowship? Celebrate a special birthday or another milestone at home? Or maybe you have some adorable pics of your child at the Childcare Center? We want to see them all! From volunteer moments to selfies with your favorite church buddies or staff, share the photos that showcase the heart of Central Christian Church.

Here's how to submit: 

• Message your photos directly to us on Facebook, including the names of the people in the photo and a brief description of what’s happening.

• Send them via email to secretary@cccsa.org, with the names and description included.

Let's celebrate the incredible people who make Central Christian Church so special!
 

Did you know? Central Christian Church's carillon, crafted in 1953 by Petit & Fritsen, is the only belled 🔔 carillon in San Antonio! Hear its majestic chimes and connect with history. A carillon is a musical instrument made up of at least 23 bells that are tuned to play a Western scale and are played using a keyboard. 

• The original carillon of 47 bells was a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Lester A. Nordan and family. It has a four-octave range and sounds in D, one whole step higher than concert pitch. 
   
• The bells vary in weight from 3,850 pounds to 19 pounds, totaling nearly ten tons. In memory of her husband, who died in 1969 at the age of 73, Mrs. Nordan added a 48th bell (low E flat) to the carillon. In 1983, Richard Strauss designed and built for Central Christian Church new playing and practice keyboards, which have become the North American standard. 
   
• During the 100th anniversary of the founding of Central Christian Church, the keyboards were used at the Annual Congress of The Guild of Carillonneurs of North America meeting in San Antonio. As a result of Mrs. Nordan’s continuing interest, the San Antonio Carillon Book of Christmas Music from Central Christian Church was published and distributed to Guild Members who attended the Congress. The book, compiled and edited by Ronald Barnes, was dedicated to Mrs. Nordan. In the introduction of the book, Barnes explains, “Since the carillon at Central Christian Church was first heard on Christmas Eve, and since bells and Christmas are as inseparable here as elsewhere around the world, the idea for this Christmas Carillon Book came naturally.” The music is now available from American Carillon Music Editions. Mrs. Nordan died in 1994 at age 98.
   
• During the 50th anniversary celebration of the installation of the Nordan Memorial Carillon in 2003, a carillon recital series began on November 23. George R. Gregory, Central Christian Church carillonneur, played Alborada by Ronald Barnes. This composition, completed in 1987, the year following the installation of the new 48th bell, was written in honor of, and dedicated to Mrs. Lester Nordan. The new bell was used many times in the composition. Five carillonneurs from throughout the United States came to San Antonio to play each Sunday during Advent and on Christmas Eve. New carillon compositions by Alice Gomez and John Courter were commissioned for the concerts. The concerts and commissioned music were made possible by the support of Anita Nordan Lindsay, daughter of the carillon donors, Mr. and Mrs. Lester Nordan. Unfortunately Mrs. Lindsay died November 11, 2003, at age 82, just 12 days before the start of the recital series.
   
• The carillon is located in the tower of the church. The bells do not move, but are struck by clappers connected by cables to a keyboard located just below the belfry. The keyboard is struck with half closed, gloved hands. 
   
• In addition to the keys for the hands there are also foot pedals. 
   

To see the carillon in person join us at one of our carillon services or call the church office at (210) 227 5273 to visit.

For over a century, the Benevolent Sewing Group of Central Christian Church has utilized their needle and thread skills to create stunning handmade items such as baby quilts, bibs, and kids' clothing. These heartfelt creations are then distributed to the children at Inman Christian Center, our childcare center, and our Church Community. By keeping the #Ministry vibrant and alive through their #SewingForGood efforts, the Benevolent Sewing Group has been an integral part of Central Christian Church for 104 years. How cool is that?

 

 

 

 

 

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Make sure we have your most up-to-date contact info by calling (210) 227-5273 or emailing secretary@cccsa.org.