Inscriptions of Hope

Dear Caldwell,

I don’t know about you but I am still holding onto several wisdom nuggets from Gail’s sermon and our service overall from Sunday, such as:

• Waiting is not passive (credit to member Judith Stephens for that one, in Gail’s sermon).

• God is a refuge in these (and all) times.

• Life with God is about our praise, facing the reality of our problems and the assurance of God’s promises.

That’s ALL good stuff. The lyrics/poem of the song we heard about the Holocaust is what resonates with me as I think about this moment in our life together. Speaking of hope, I hope you have taken time to review the materials prepared your Stewardship Committee and shared in several emails recently. Our campaign is primarily digital this year but contact me if you want a printed packet sent to you, including your pledge card. I’m at 704-957-4511.

As our theme announces, we are thinking and praying about what it means to be people who live hopefully and love generously. Tonight at 7 p.m., in lieu of the Preachers’ Porch, we have a gathering via Zoom to talk together about how and why we give to God through the church, including the Biblical roots of tithing, how your pledge is used and how your information is protected. When we held this session last year, several people said it was helpful and life giving. I hope you will join us, using the regular Preachers’ Porch link. I want to thank our Session and Staff for their 100% commitment to this year’s campaign.

We give in multiple ways, of course, and one of our emphases is on fighting hunger. You can still contribute to the CROP Walk, by clicking here. And … get ready for another can drive to help feed the hungry on Oct. 25. We are excited about how we will incorporate that into Stewardship Commitment Sunday in offering ways to drop off your canned goods and your pledge card in person and receive communion that afternoon, if you would like just to get out and, if nothing else, drive by the church.

This can drive is to support A Roof Above. Stay tuned for more details about our COVID-safe extended worship service that day. Meantime, here are more details about what is needed. Items needed: tuna in pouches, chips in snack size bags, individually wrapped crackers, disposable masks, nitrile gloves size large, lightweight backpacks, tarps (8×10), rain ponchos.  Please visit their Amazon Wish list at https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3TGAR7H8GVVFF?ref_=wl_share for more details.  Items can be ordered and shipped directly to 945 N College Street. Questions?  Contact Rachel Eldridge at racheldridge@hotmail.com or 704-258-6033. 

In all of these ways, and all the small ways you take care of each other and our neighbors, we are etching “inscriptions of hope” for others to see in what seem to many to be hope-starved days. It’s so easy and understandable to be disappointed in these hard and anxious days. I want you to know how often someone in the community tells me how Caldwell inspires them. As Gail’s reading Sunday from Romans 5:5 said, “hope does not disappoint.” What a needed word about God’s promises – and how we can respond now and into 2021 with our pledges.

Below is the full text of the lyrics of the hymn Anne chose for last Sunday. Hope to see you tonight.

In Christ,

John