A book of sermons by the Rev. J. Harold McKeithen Jr. won first place in the spiritual/religious category of the 2024 Great Southeastern Book Festival Awards.
McKeithen was covenant pastor for congregational care at Williamsburg Presbyterian Church from 2003 until his death in 2019.
The Southeastern Book Festival Awards this year encompassed books published from 2020 through December 2023 due to problems associated with COVID-19.
McKeithen’s book, “I Love to Tell the Story,” previously had placed second in the spiritual/religious category in the 2021 New York Book Festival and in the 2022 New England Book Festival.
The book is a collection of 36 sermons that McKeithen preached during his nearly 60-year ministry. It was compiled and edited by Wilford Kale and published by Botetourt Press. Kale is a correspondent for The Virginia Gazette.
“‘I Love to Tell the Story’ is a charming collection (of sermons) that will make you think, laugh and ask some important questions,” said Bruce Haring, managing director of the Southeastern Book Festival.
After the book’s New York award, the Rev. John E. Morgan, Williamsburg Presbyterian senior pastor and a colleague of McKeithen said: “Harold McKeithen’s sermons were always engaging and challenging. His insightful handling of scripture, theology and current events not only left you with something to think about, but also a call to action. What made Harold’s sermons most powerful was that they came from the heart of a faithful, humble man of integrity.”
In addition to serving in Williamsburg, McKeithen was senior pastor at Hidenwood Presbyterian Church in Newport News from 1981-2003. Earlier, he was pastor at Albemarle Presbyterian Church (1971-1981) in Albemarle, North Carolina.
Wilford Kale, kalehouse@aol.com
