Dear Caldwell,
Well, the cyclone known as the DNC has been building to a climax. As with many of you, I’d bet, I’ve enjoyed watching the show. But I wanted to share a few updates of life beyond the DNC:
* Felicia Pine has become a familiar face to many of us, a voice of wisdom in Sunday school classes and an intentional student of what it means to be a disciple. The session gladly welcomed Felicia formally into out membership on Sunday. Please (officially) welcome her next time you see her.
* A Christian professional woman who is connected to the Caldwell family is looking for a room to rent. Please contact me if you know of anything.
* Yesterday I was invited by our friends at Covenant Presbyterian to sit in on a conversation with Tony Campolo, a nationally known pastor, sociologist, author, speaker and a major proponent for progressive thought and reform in the evangelical community. I share one good tidbit. “The mainstream church has adopted a religion that is like decafinated coffee,” he said. “It tastes good going down but doesn’t keep people up at night. The Gospel ought to keep us up at night.”
* On that point, I also want to share a great Leonard Pitts column from last weekend’s Observer coverage of the DNC focused on the plight of the poor, who, as Pitts notes, are largely being left out of both political conventions. http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/09/02/3496773/the-story-you-wont-hear-this-week.html#storylink=misearch I hope you’ll read it in advance of a two-week sermon series I will start this Sunday on our identities as Christians and our responsibilities for the poor.
I’ll be back in touch soon.
In Christ,
John