Dear Caldwell,
Faith and identity go together, closely intertwined by the hand of our Creator. As people of God, we are called to live out of a particular identity, bearing witness to those around us of who we are and what we believe. In the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew, Jesus refers to this as being “salt and light” in the world, two distinct elements that change what they touch.
As the PC(USA) General Assembly comes to a close, the identity of our denomination has changed in important, vital and hopeful ways. We are now a denomination that holds nothing back from our inclusive welcome and recognition of all of God’s children. (To read a powerful reflection on this week, visit the Presbytery blog here.)
On Sunday, we will gather in worship to think and talk more about that. I am delighted to have just learned this morning that one of the GA Commissioners from Charlotte Presbytery will come straight from Detroit to join us on Sunday morning. She has wanted to worship with us and we are blessed at the timing of this opportunity.
I will preach briefly, we will hear from her and, if time allows, from some of you also, as we reflect on our broadened identity as God’s people in the world and what it means in particular for us, the distinctive community and church family of Caldwell Church.
See you then.
In Christ,
John