This week’s blog post was written by Anne Hunter Eidson, our minister of music.
Thank you, Anne, for sharing this reflection with the Caldwell community.
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“How’s the weather in your soul these days?” This is a question I sometimes ask folks I know well who are going through some things after we have greeted one another and talked a little. It can be an intimate question that isn’t for everyone, but for those who are nourished by “soul” talk, rich, interesting reflections are usually right around the corner.
In all honesty, the weather in my soul was a little dry and dusty at times last week. The rise of Covid cases in our city, our Caldwell community, and even my family (everyone is ok) has required us to pivot, pivot, and pivot again. It’s such a joy to be in a church and on a staff that isn’t thrown off by necessary last-minute changes in worship and our communal life! And yet, these changes, combined with sorrow from unending gun violence that is ripping the souls of so many, and other instances of pain, global and local, can wear us down at times, can’t they? Is this true in your own life?
This is where the gift of the Christian Year provided life for me, and I hope for you, on Sunday as Pentecost rolled around. We observe and celebrate the life of Christ through the Christian year over and over again each year. It has a great rhythm and sense of movement with both predictability and new experiences. We begin with Advent, preparing for Jesus’ birth and keep going through his death, resurrection, ascension and then comes Pentecost, the birthday of the church.
Diane Mowrey reminded us to look for Spirit moments – on Sunday and in the coming days. They are all around us, aren’t they?
Hearing many of you sing the final verse of Amazing Grace in one of five Indigenous tribal languages included in our hymnal was powerful.
Talking with multiple people after worship who are experiencing healing through worship and this community of faith is humbling and hopeful.
The birth of Emersyn Grace Edwards, little sister of Nolan and daughter of Kate and Meredith, last Sunday is cause for rejoicing.
And the addition of our newest member, Riley Kilpatrick, is exciting!
What a difference a worship service can make.
The weather in my soul now feels like the dusty landscape has been bathed in a cool, quenching rain. I hope your soul is refreshed as well. If not, try tuning your heart and opening your eyes to glimpse Spirit moments. It doesn’t remove the grief and challenges but infuses them with reminders that God, referred to in the old, old spiritual as “a balm in Gilead” who “revives my soul again,” is actively working in this world. What a relief.
Abong Fankam will preach this coming Sunday, which is Trinity Sunday. Who knows where the Spirit will lead us all as we worship and reflect together?
Please keep Pastor Gail in prayer and she leads youth at Montreat Conference Center as the Presenter each morning. We trust and pray Pastor John is transitioning into Sabbath Time well.
Be sure to welcome and introduce yourself multiple times to our newest member, Riley Kilpatrick. He teaches at Charlotte Bilingual Preschool and is pictured below.
And be on the lookout for a segment on Channel 9 featuring Eddy Capote discussing Easter’s Home beginning tomorrow morning at 5:00 am.
May many Spirit-filled moments be revealed in your lives this week, Caldwell!
With anticipation,
Anne