Dear Caldwell,
One of the interesting parts about being “church” in these days of such dramatic change in organized religion is how we think of Christian Formation. The old “Sunday School” model was one in which congregation members, young and old, came to church on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and divided up into many different Sunday school classes. Those classes often stayed together for decades, providing community for members throughout life. Here at Caldwell, our ACE Class formed not long after the church came back to life and has met faithfully ever since at 9:45 a.m. Sundays to study scripture and the life of faith.
But our lives follow many different patterns these days and Sunday morning at 9:45 a.m. may not be a good time for everyone. That is why we offer a range of Christian Formation options at different times and in different formats. Think of it as a Christian Formation Buffet with something for everyone. Our buffet at Caldwell is well stocked in these weeks of Lent in particular. I hope you can find a place in one of the several offerings currently underway or just getting started.
- Tonight (as with every 1st and third Tuesday), Pints and Paths gathers at Kickstand Restaurant on Central Ave. in Plaza Midwood at 7:00 p.m. This group explores the widest range of aspects of our faith and isn’t afraid to raise almost any question. You can grab dinner or something to sip (with 10% of the bill coming back to Caldwell). Tonight, the group will be discussing the article “The Rebel Virgins And Desert Mothers Who Have Been Written Out Of Christianity’s Early History” which you can read at this link if you haven’t already: http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-rebel-virgins-and-desert-mothers-who-have-been-written-out-of-christianitys-early-history
- Wednesday night at 6 p.m., Rev. Steve Shoemaker begins a special Lent study. Steve is a widely followed author, preacher and writer. He will lead us through 2 Corinthians and engage Steve’s book “Strength in Weakness,” which features the Apostle Paul’s relationship with an early congregation and how Paul found inspiration in the self-less model of Christ. Tomorrow night’s class will get started with 2 Corinthians 1:1-7 (read and print it out here), for those who want to read ahead. It meets in the Shelby Room.
- Also on Wednesdays, at 7 p.m. in the 24/7 Prayer Room, member Pat Adams leads a conversation about spirituality. This is an open exploration of spirituality and how it can bring us closer with our Creator and each other.
- Then, each Sunday at 9:45 a.m. in the Shelby Room, the ACE Class continues to meet. It has just begun a study of the Gospel of Mark.
Yes, today’s Adult Christian Formation ministries are different than what we may have known as children or watched our parents and grandparents take part in. We try for a balance of steady, reliable gatherings along with topics and offerings that are fluid and timely. We call it “Christian Formation” because the life of faith is about more than worship and service. It is about using our minds to explore God’s wonder, mystery and guidance for our every-day lives. We welcome your ideas about what you would like to see!
Meantime, I hope to run into you at one of our current four offerings. As an old friend used to say when we would go to an old-style fish camp, strap on your buffet shoes and jump right in.
(And don’t forget that our Elizabeth Communities of Faith Lenten Worship services continue tomorrow at noon at St. John’s Baptist Church. Our choir will sing!)
In Christ,
John