Dear Caldwell,
Do you remember your experience as a youth in church? I remember mine. It was typical, I bet, of a lot of us. I was eager to hang out with friends, get out of the house on Sunday night, eat Pizza, goof off and avoid my homework. But, along the way, some dedicated adult leaders shaped me into a believer. Before I knew it I was offering a message in worship and then, much to my surprise, serving as an elder as a high school senior.
Caldwell members come from such a diversity of religious backgrounds that our experiences and memories of Youth Ministry probably vary widely. But one thing is almost certain – our experience in a youth program, if we had one, is one of the biggest reasons we are all active in a church today. With the rise of the “Nones” and other changing patterns in how younger generations relate to organized religion, youth ministry is one of the church’s most important callings. It matters for the future of our young people and it matters for the future of the church.
This Sunday is Youth Sunday at Caldwell. I hope you will make it a point to be here to support our middle-and high-school young people, under the guidance of our devoted adult youth leaders, as they draw from their abundance of gifts to lead worship. Themes in focus will be God’s unfailing love in darkest times, love, patience, God’s presence and reassurance not to fear, grace and blessings. Sounds like our youth know a lot about living and faith already. There is more than enough there to fill a rich hour of worship.
On a related note, Session is very close to launching a search for a part-time youth ministry coordinator to join our staff. This position has been on the books for over a year, but the search was delayed. We owe a debt of gratitude especially to Elder Jamie Hofmeister-Cline, who has followed the dedicated work of Caroline Cheek/Lublinkhof in building and sustaining an active youth ministry here. Now it’s time to bring in some staff support. Stay tuned for more on that – and be thinking about anyone you think has the skills and calling to take on this 10-15/hour a week role.
Three Days of Coffee, Community and a Fair Wage
In my sermon Sunday, I noted that we all know how God works in sets of three. The first three days of The Third Place have gone well. Steady customers, lots of community building – and three days of fair wages (through contributions) for the young adults from Enderly Park in west Charlotte who staff the coffee house. We’ve gotten good reviews. Please continue to tell your friends to give it a try.
For Your Prayers
We offer prayers of thanks that Fred “Scotty” Powers came through surgery well yesterday and is home recuperating. Please lift up Elaine Hultman’s daughter, Tracy, who has surgery Friday morning. Watch for Caldwell This Week with more news about our life together.
Finally, the session will meet after worship this Sunday to receive new members. If you’ve been walking with us and would like to become a member of the church, just let me know at 704-957-4511 or just come to the meeting after worship.
In Christ,
John