Dear Caldwell,
This morning I am sitting at a table in a restaurant. My daughter Ellison and I are visiting a college out of town. I’ve just chatted briefly with the man at the table next to ours. He happens to be the Finance Department chair at the college we are touring and we talked briefly about his job of educating the next generation of business people. As with the past/current recession and so many other times, our nation has learned the hard way, again, about business ethics: How we ground business decision makers in what it means to make honest decisions, decisions that are fair and equitable ways to make fair and sustainable profit. We’re hearing a lot about that this week as the media and voters take a close look at Mitt Romney’s career in venture capital, where he made millions by investing in companies to help them grow. To be clear, Romney has not been accused of breaking any laws. Still, I am sure we have not heard the last about whether he made his money in a way that is as righteous as he seeks to be in his faith.
This Sunday, intern Lisa McLennan will lead us in taking a look at Amos 8:4-6, where the great prophet addresses what is fair and righteous in how we treat each other in all of life’s transactions. This gives us a chance to continue to look to the prophets, whose voices have guided so many generations past, including ours in our 100th-year discernment process.
Also Sunday, we will hold a Congregational Meeting, when representatives of the session will present the proposed 2012 church budget. This is a chance for the congregation to take a loot at the proposed budget before the session adopts it officially Monday night. I can tell you this much – that Caldwell continues to be blessed by financial stability and capability at a time when other churches are facing very difficult choices. That said, our budget is also a chance to think prayerfully about how we allocate our ministry resources.
Also on Sunday, breakfast with Caldwell House (prep at 7 a.m., meal at 8:30 – all welcome) and Sunday School at 9:45, to be led by our new intern, Liz Wagner.
We have a number of pastoral concerns to keep in prayer:
– The Nance family, as Nancy’s daughter, Michelle, recovers from unexpected complications from what was to be a routine surgery. Michelle is stable now and Nancy is in California to care for her.
– Nan Walker, who is traveling today to be with her 104-year old mother, who is declining.
– Alec McLeod and family: Alec’s aunt has died and leaves behind two young children.
– Rose Greenfield, who has bounced back after some heart troubles last week and is continuing to get stronger.
– Elizabeth Hyland and her mother, Peggy, as Peggy has just entered chemotherapy for a brain tumor.
– Very importantly, our own Rev. Veronica Rogers, who is havng eye surgery as I write to remove cataracts. And, Office Manager Leslie Gipple as she is trying to shake the crud that so many of you have had.
As active as you all are in service and mission, I know from experience that your prayers create powerful energy and can help mediate God’s mercy to where it is needed most.
See you Sunday.
In Christ,
John