Dear Caldwell,
The title to today’s blog comes from the Sunday school resource we are using in our study of the Belhar Confession and its relevance to our lives. But Sunday school won’t be the only realm where we as Christians will be asked to consider how we represent hope in our highly fractured world.
The Belhar Confession came out of the legalalized disunity of South African apartheid, the forced separation of black and white. In Sunday school, we will take a look at how its authors framed the Belhar Confession with a focus on the doctrine of the Trinity. It’s a powerful lesson in how we can draw on our understanding of God in the Trinity, as three persons in one. In the Trinity as God’s self revelation (God as Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer or Faither/Son/Holy Spirit) , we see that God desires unity and declares that “all human ways of living, feeling and acting in separation to be ignorant and estranged from the very divine nature itself.” (from our Sunday School resource).
This theme of God’s desire for unity will carry over to worship, where a passage from Ephesians will call us to consider our unity in Christ. This comes at an especially important time for us Presbyterians, who have just approved new ordination standards that have been as divisive for some as they have been welcomed by others. So it’s a good time to remind ourselves that, in Christ, God calls us to rise above our differences and walk together in truth and love.
Even before all of that, we will gather as one people at our annual church picnic. We will start at 3:30 at Veteran’s Park and the fun will last unto the early evening. Bring a side dish of you’re coming. This is always a great time to meet new friends and see old ones.
Then, at 4 on Sunday afternoon, it’s a gospel music lovers dream. Multiple gospel choirs will sing at Caldwell in an event to build awareness and support for those affected by Multiple Sclerosis. This ailment affects several of our members, each of whom lives with its complications with such dignity and grace. Come and learn more.
Please keep Ann Dorsett in prayer as her mother continues a recovery in the hospital. Jimmy Todd and Richard Campbell continue their respective recoveries as well.
See you soon,
John