Dear Caldwell,
Saturday night, a group of us had the chance to accept recognition of your constant striving to demonstrate the Lord’s hospitality and inclusion. Charlotte Black Gay Pride recognized this congregation with one of its Vision Awards. It was real vision for a handful of leaders who foresaw the need for an organization such as Charlotte Black Gay Pride a decade ago. Saturday night was their celebration, made sweeter by the progress our city and our nation are making toward full equality and inclusion for our LGBT sisters and brothers. Lisa Raymaker, chair of the Mission and Justice Committee, and Quan Rutledge, among others, are leading our effort to continue to advance justice in this area of ministry. Please contact them if you want to be a part of this work.
As we listened to the remarks Saturday night, I kept thinking of the word “endurance” and reflecting on its role in the Christian life. Certainly, those in the African-American LGBT community have had to demonstrate a particular kind of endurance, often in the face of bald-faced hate and bigotry. Other struggles are ongoing, requiring endurance on the part of those who bear them. America’s conversation about race is one that requires our
endurance and our hope, even when it is difficult. Those of us who have been attending the weekly Monday night MeckMin dialogues on race have been blessed by the frank recognition of the work we still have to do in America on the topic of race – as well as the commitment by those who are willing to do the work.
Endurance conveys that the task at hand will take time. Endurance is required when the journey is sometimes two steps forward and one step back, or, worse, one step forward and two steps back. Endurance equips us to “keep the faith.” Endurance – and its associated qualities of patience, perseverance, steadfastness – are gifts of the Spirit that echo through the New Testament epistles. These are not the kinds of quick-fix, simple, shallow, sexy qualities that our culture craves. They are, however, the marks of those who associate with Christ.
Whatever you may be enduring in your life, seek the company of Christ, who has endured all for us.
One more request: Several folks were kind enough to sign up to participate in our new practice of “collaborative preaching,” in which members study and help unpack a scripture passage to inform one of John’s upcoming sermons. The group for the sermon on Aug. 2 is forming now and
we need at least three more takers. If interested, let me know at pastor@caldwellpresby.org.
We are thankful that Fred “Scotty Powers came through surgery today easily.
Finally, a note from Marilyn Marks about Book Club:
“According to my calendar, our next Caldwell Women’s Book Club is Monday, July 20, 6PM at my house. My address is 601 Briarpatch Lane, Charlotte 28211.
Coming out on Independence Blvd, turn right on Sharon Amity. Cross Monroe Road. Cross railroad tracks. Turn left on Littleton. First left on Charmapeg. First left on Briarpatch. Our house is the one story brick on the left, corner of Briarpatch and Lady Fern. Our book is Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver. As always, having read the book is not a requirement to attend book club!”
Look for Caldwell This Week on Friday.
In Christ,
John