As promised, I have posted the majority of my program from the Community Lecture Series on the Historic Churches of Fredericksburg and their experiences during the Civil War. Since giving this talk to 80+ people at Spotsylvania Presbyterian Church last Thursday, I have received great feedback and encouragement on the program. It also appears to have initiated a buzz in the area for my upcoming book on the subject titled "Houses of the Holy." A walking tour is now in development and this project seems to be taking on a life of its own. Although I am far from an expert in this subject, I am certainly working towards it. I really made a concerted effort to incorporate the African-American perspective, as well as speak to the sin of slavery and its affect on the congregations. This is one talk that I'm particularly proud of. Enjoy.

Here's a few email quotes: Thank you Michael! You did an outstanding job. It was a wonderful evening. In an age when much historical revisioning seeks to deny the role faith has played in our country, you may very well be called by God to lift up the role of the household of faith in the era of the Civil War. I learned a GREAT deal about F-Burg (and I have lived here for 32 years) and of course, the information about the churches was new to me.  Can't wait for the book. Your presentation was outstanding! I know well the frustration of keeping under a time limit and you could have easily gone longer with plenty of excellent material to keep folks like me who could listen to historical facts and insights from the Civil War all night. May God bless you as he uses the gifts he’s given you for his glory.