Dear Caldwell,
Today, as our country assessed the power of our pluralism, I want to recognize three women, all members of the Caldwell family, who have contributed to the progress of our city.
On this National Philanthropy Day, our own Jill Flynn received the Outstanding Champion of Diversity Award from the Association of Fund Raising Professionals. For virtually her entire adult life, she has led the cause toward making Charlotte a more inclusive city.
“When I grew up here, Charlotte was a sleepy, southern, segregated city,” she told hundreds at the awards luncheon. “This city has been transformed and is now the envy of the nation …. Let us never forget that we are all connected and interdependent.”
Two other Caldwell family members ran for elected office and made this a better community in doing so. Member Tracy Hewitt ran for a judges seat and Jennifer Roberts, a frequent Caldwell worshiper, took on a job no one else wanted, running against an independently wealthy man in a Congressional district tilted heavily in his political direction. Both women demonstrated the courage to stand for their convictions and ran exemplary and honorable races. We are grateful to them. I doubt we have seen the last of either.
I imagine that, as with me, you have been taking in the media coverage of the election and what it means. Regardless of the outcome of any individual race, the work of building this nation goes on. More important, our call to build the kingdom of God goes on as well. That kingdom, as the President said last night (as if he was reading our mission statement) is made up of rich and poor, old and young, gay and straight, black and white and many other ethnic heritages. I will have more to say about all of that this Sunday. For now, let us give thanks for the privilege of our freedom to elect our leaders and pray for those leaders we have elected.
See you soon.
In Christ,
John