Dear Caldwell,
Whew. It’s been two weeks since I last posted. A blur of a fortnight, but God has given us all plenty of good things with which to be busy here. Let me catch you up on a few:
A terrific group of folks became members of the congregation last week. That’s them in the photo. We will have the chance to formally welcome them into the church this Sunday but many of you have probably gotten to know them already. They come from all walks of life and each brings particular gifts to this part of the body of Christ.
Please be aware that Jimmy “Gino” Harris lost his mother, Janie Young, yesterday. We mourn with Gino and the family and, at the same time, take comfort in the resurrection through our Lord. A service will be tomorrow at 1 with a family reception before hand. All the details are in the obituary linked here. http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/charlotte/obituary.aspx?n=janie-young&pid=150088814
Elsewhere in the news, in case you didn’t see it, our very own Linda Matney was featured in last Saturday’s Observer. She edited a book on visions of heaven, a wonderful thought- and imagination-provoking resource. Linda is a relatively new member and we rejoice in her gift to us all in this book. Maybe there is an opportunity for study or spiritual development in this? Read more about it here http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/04/01/2190049/heaven-just-imagine.html
We rejoice also in the continuing recovery of Johnny Johnson and successful knee surgery this week for Linda Horton. I’m sure she doesn’t really mean it when she refers to physical therapy as the torture chamber …. Hang in there, Linda.
This Sunday we will welcome back all the women who went on retreat last weekend. By all accounts, it was a revelatory experience. As we continue our sermon series on the ways of Christ, the subject this Sunday is one that touches close to the heart of this congregation. We will consider the social justice tradition within the Christian life. Scripture is Deuteronomy 15:10-11 and Matthew 25:31-46, in which Christ, on the way to the cross, gives us an unmistakable standard of the just life.
Finally, please take a look at your calendar for Saturday, April 16. From 8:30-12, we need volunteers to work alongside our Latino families from the bilingual preschool as we spruce up the kids’ playground.
See you Sunday,
In Christ,
John