Dear Caldwell,
We’ve been talking plenty about 2012 as our centennial year and this weekend is highlight in our year-long celebration. Sunday will be a very full day for out little church (starting with turning our clocks forward an hour):
* The session and some highly talented members have been working on a new graphic expression for the church that captures its evolved identity. On Sunday, we will unveil that new look in multiple forms. I’m very excited about this and hope you are, too.
* One of the ways it will be unveiled is on a brand new website that tells the full story of Caldwell as it is today. This, too, is the result of hours and hours of donated volunteer time and talent from members. The site is fantastic!
* Sunday at 7 p.m., you’re invited to join 50-plus returning Caldwell “alumni” who grew up here in the 1950s and 60s. Those were the halcyon days for Caldwell and we’ve asked them to come share stories with us. Some are coming from out of town, as far as Baltimore. Coffee and dessert will follow at 8. We’re grateful to Elaine Hultman for a lot of hard work on this and the Centennial Committee for making the extensive arrangements.
* The most important part of the day, of course, is worship and Intern Lisa McLennan, whose time with us is coming to a close this month, will preach. Everyone loved her first sermon, a down-to-earth message that resonated across the congregation. She will preach on “Wild Grapes” (kinda sounds like Caldwell) from Isaiah 5:1-7.
* It wouldn’t be Sunday without breakfast with Caldwell House at 8:30 a.m. (prep begins at 7) and Sunday school at 9:45. All are invited to both.
* Finally about Sunday, a new edition of the Caldwell Good News newsletter will be out (with more coverage of our new look), and we will bring our 10-cents-a-meal offerings.
We’re keeping in prayer several members who’ve been touched by death and illness in their families. Beth Van Gorp lost an aunt; we give thanks for her life and wrap our arms around Beth. Susan Gover is in Florida with her father, who is recovering from a stroke. New member Francis Smith asks for prayers for her great niece, who is in the hospital after a diabetes-related event.
I am so grateful to this congregation that you not only give me the latitude to speak up on issues of justice and fairness but you encourage me to do so. I’ve done so this week in relation to our church neighborhood’s consideration of a McCreesh Place-type of alternative housing facility next to our property. More is at stake than one project and one neighborhood. Our city must find good examples of how housing providers and neighborhoods can collaborate to help solve homelessness.
Linked below are two pieces. The first is an opinion piece that ran in the Observer today. The second is a sermon on this as an example of what it means to be a Covenant Community. I hope these offerings can generate some discussion in the church and in the neighborhood that leads to our shared understanding of what it means to “exhibit the kingdom of God.”
www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/03/09/3081472/dont-let-fear-win-this-time.html
http://www.caldwellpresby.org/docs/030712_The_Essence_of_the_Covenant.pdf
I wish for each of you some rest this weekend, some good college basketball and the joy of your presence with us Sunday morning and night.
In Christ,
John