Dear Caldwell,
Greetings in Christ’s resurrection grace and peace. With a heavy heart, I must report to you that Clay Owen, 69, husband to member Tracy Hewett, died suddenly last night from a heart attack. Plans are pending. Please lift up Tracy, her family and Clay’s two adult children in prayers for God’s comfort and assurance.
In other news, please see the important letter from Hope Committee Chair Lisa Raymaker below. And don’t forget the debut of Caldwell Live social hour later today on Zoom at 5:30. See email you received yesterday for the Zoom link.
FROM THE HOPE COMMITTEE
Dear Caldwell family,
I pray that you are well.
After much prayer and consideration, the Hope Committee has decided that we cannot safely and effectively have the Gambrell social justice internship program this summer. We all love this program and we collectively share in this disappointment. We needed to make this decision sooner rather than later so the students can make other plans.
Applicants for this year’s program will be given “priority status” during next year’s application process. We plan to work with the same non-profit organizations that we had already selected for this year. Listed below is some information on those organizations, along with ways to learn about them and even engage with their services, if you are interested. The Missions and Justice Committee will also be exploring how we might partner with these organizations.
Some good news is that this extends our funding for this program by an additional year, so we will have summer interns with us until at least 2023!
If you would like to be part of this program for next year and/or if you have any questions, please contact me at lnr114@gmail.com.
Thank you all for your continued love for these students and support of this program.
In Christ’s all-encompassing love no matter the circumstances,
Lisa Raymaker
Hope Committee Chairperson
Habitat for Humanity:
*They are re-opening their online book sales and will need a fresh supply of donated books. They are looking for Habitat supporters to host book drives in their neighborhoods. Their usual process does not require much contact. The host usually gets permission for Habitat to be in the neighborhood and provides their house as the meeting spot (which can be outside). If you are interested, please contact Margaret Upchurch at mupchurch@juliascafe.org.
*They also hope to reopen their ReStores soon. They are looking for crafty folks to make cloth face masks for their staff and volunteers to wear and then wash.
*Watch for ways to help on Habitat build sites through Caldwell later this year.
Crisis Assistance Ministry:
*Financial gifts are the best way to support them during this time as they are still working remotely to prevent families from being evicted from hotels. They would also like assistance with educating the community on how they are meeting basic needs during COVID-19. They have created an FAQ on their website at https://www.crisisassistance.org/programs/meeting-basic-needs-during-covid-19-restrictions/, and they are encouraging folks to follow them on social media.
*They are closed for the time being and there are not any volunteering opportunities right now, but check their web site at www.crisisassistance.org when they are open again as there will be more people than ever that will need their assistance.
OurBridge for Kids:
Learn about this organization and ways to help at www.joinourbridge.org.
Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation:
*If you are looking for some EDUCATION:
• Read Silent Spring by Rachel Carson or The Riverkeepers by John Cronin and Robert Kennedy Jr. to learn more about the beginnings of the environmental movement and the origin of Riverkeeper organizations.
• Take a virtual water watcher class.
• Read about the awesome history of Landsford Canal State Park and plan a day trip there this summer.
*If you want to ENGAGE with the Catawba River:
• Pick up trash along a greenway, lake, creek, or river – take a pic and tag them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram with #IAmARiverkeeper – they will select one lucky winner for a Riverkeeper Gear Prize Pack!
• Go for a walk along any number of trails near the Catawba on the Carolina Thread Trail.
• Sign up for the Catawba Riversweep in October.
• Take some beautiful pics of the Catawba River and tag them on Instagram with #catawbariver – best photo will receive a Riverkeeper hat and sweatshirt!
*If you want to help PROTECT the Catawba River:
• Write your state legislature about repealing SB 469 – find a sample letter at https://www.catawbariverkeeper.org/sb469letter/.
• Become a member of the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation (https://catawbariverkeeper.networkforgood.com/projects/85549-membership) or Young Allies of the River (https://www.catawbariverkeeper.org/yar/). Over 1/3 of their support comes from members!!
• Pick up after your pet (and others if you’re really ambitious!).
• Clean out and mark a storm drain near you (https://charlottenc.gov/StormWater/Volunteer/Pages/StormDrainMarking.aspx) or get your friends and neighbors together to Adopt A Stream (https://charlottenc.gov/StormWater/Volunteer/Pages/AdoptAStream.aspx).
*You can also sign up for their newsletter at https://www.catawbariverkeeper.org/subscribe/ for more information and ways to help.
Presbytery of Charlotte:
Learn about this organization and ways to engage at www.presbyofcharlotte.org.