Dear Caldwell,
I wanted to give you an update on two aspects of life in our congregation.
First, Caldwell House: After prayer, careful consideration and discernment, a change is being made this week at Caldwell House, one we hope is temporary. This week the number of beds is being reduced from 50 to 25 in cooperation with City of Charlotte and Charlotte Fire Department officials. Our intent is to research expenses related to making some updates to the building that will both enhance the safety of our neighbors and improve the viability of Caldwell House for the foreseeable future.
To be clear up front, we have never had a fire there and there have been no “events” related to the safety of the women. To the contrary, the Salvation Army does an excellent job of running Caldwell House in all respects. However, we have been in dialogue with the fire department for several months about steps we can take to ensure that our neighbors are as safe as they can be. For now, one answer is to reduce the population. Those leaving Caldwell House will return to the Center of Hope, Salvation Army’s main shelter for women and children. While the Center of Hope is terribly crowded, I’ve been assured that noone will be put on the street by this change.
While we work with City and Fire Department officials to determine whether sprinklers can be added to the building, our ministries to Caldwell House continue. Just this week, we began a second cycle of the “Back on Track” job skills classes. Wellness classes and support continue on Thursday nights. Our new computer lab remains open to help our neighbors seek employment and build job skills, and our Sunday Sabbath offerings continue as well.
Since the very first days of discussion that led to what we now call Caldwell House, God has always gone ahead and made a way for this ministry. Even through this change, which we trust is temporary, we all go forward putting our faith in our Lord that we will know the best way we can help the women who have come to be a part of the life of this congregation. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call me.
A second item – Music Director Search: We have planned two dates for the congregation to provide some initial input and guidance as we move forward in our search for a Music Director. Town Hall conversations have been scheduled for:
* Next Tuesday, June 19 at 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall and,
* Sunday, June 24, immediately after worship. A light lunch will be provided.
These meetings are to explore three essential questions:
1. What do we most cherish about music at Caldwell, those aspects of music that we want to ensure are part of anything we do in the future?
2. What new areas of music are we interested in exploring as our congregation grows and explores new aspects of worship and ministry to the community?
3. What personal and professional qualities and characteristics do we most want to see in the person who will lead music at Caldwell?
These town halls will be the second step in our process. The session is meeting with the choir first to look at these same questions. Following the congregational town halls, a search committee will be formed to do further research and get started. We’re not putting this search on any kind of timeline, other than God’s, but the consensus by Smitty, the Worship Committee and others is that it’s time to move ahead. Again, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me or Worship Committee Chair Richard Campbell.
Please keep the Polk family in your prayers following the death of Chris’ grandmother and the hospitalization of Jessica’s brother.
May God bless you and all that we seek to do in response to our Lord’s love, grace and call.
Yours in Christ,
John