Dear Caldwell, Holy Week is a time for both head and heart, deep reflection and deep feeling. Last Sunday, the ACE Sunday School class discussed what they thought Jesus might have been feeling as he rode into Jerusalem on the donkey. Answers included: Disappointment, anxiety, conviction, resolution, trepedation, inevitability, love. And what of us, I …
Dear Caldwell, As we travel from Sunday to Sunday this week, we are getting ever nearer to Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, where the world would at least try to do its worst to him. Today in our Elizabeth Communities of Faith service, the chaplaincy staff from Novant Presbyterian Hospital led meaningful worship, inspired primarily by …
Dear Caldwell, Caldwell folk filled a table at a breakfast this morning hosted by Mecklenburg Ministries, mercifully putting up with my feeble attempt at being a guest waiter. At the breakfast, Queens University President Pamela Davies was honored for her najor achievements for the university and for our community. In her remarks, she reflected briefly …
Dear Caldwell, As some of you know, journalism formed me in my youth and young adult years. I came to understand that good journalism was critical to successful democracy and to healthy, just community. Good journalism is about the pursuit of truth and, for each reporter, finding the voice to speak the truth. In my …
Dear Caldwell, Last night, as I watched portions of the marathon Charlotte City Council meeting concerning a proposed extension of the city’s non-discrimination policy to the LGBT community, the idea of “birth pains” came to mind. One day Jesus’ followers asked what signs would indicate Jesus’ final return and the beginning of the new …
Dear Caldwell, I wanted to update you on several things: 1. Richard Campbell’s procedure to reset his pacemaker/defibrillator went very well today and he is staying with friends for a day or two as he regains his strength. He is scheduled for the second portion of this process on Monday, when a new batter will …
Dear Caldwell, I admire today’s young people so much, in part because they seem so much more “grown up” than I recall being at their age. For instance, this week, once again, Caldwell is hosting a group of college students whose idea of “fun” on a winter break is to come to Charlotte, sleep …
Dear Caldwell, Tomorrow is an important day – and we are having company to make it even more special. Six years ago, it was Caldwell’s blessing to host the first Lenten Wednesday Worship Series, organized by the Elizabeth Communities of Faith. Now, the ECF and the neighborhood are coming back as we commemorate Ash Wednesday …
Dear Caldwell, Psalm 133:1-2 offer language that is among the most tactile in all of scripture: “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe.” That …
Dear Caldwell, I am a pastor because of my mother. There is a lot more to it. My sense of call, of course, traces ultimately to God. I am sure of that. But the initial nudge came from God’s agent, Gwen Cleghorn. I was in my late 20s, trying to decide what to do after …
