Dear Caldwell,
The church bells have just chimed another hour’s arrival – 3 a.m. Since I arrived a little after midnight, there have been no fewer than 6 disciples here, each praying, meditating, reading, being present with one another, even in silence. As our 24-hour prayer vigil continues, all are practicing “vigilance,” which one dictionary defines as “the condition of being watchful and alert, especially to danger.”
So, in this way, Caldwell has ushered in its second century. Yesterday (Wednesday) marked the founding of the church, the first meeting of its elders. We ended one century in prayer and welcomed the next in the same way. May God continually guide us and all who ever claim this church as home through the next 100 years.
I commend to you the Vigil Prayer Booklet that Centennial Chair Beth Van Gorp compiled. It is full of wisdom and insight, vulnerability and confession, inspiration and hope from many different members. Each essay is a gift, as are the children’s drawings and reflections.
Thanks be to Beth, Rev. Dr. Diane Mowery, Maggie Devries, Rev. Veronica Rogers and all the others who prepared this event so thoughtfully.
I will write again later today and hope to see you at the Maundy Thursday service tonight at 7:30. For now, I want to return to the others in the sanctuary and try to do my part to practice vigilance.
In Christ,
John