Dear Caldwell, Today is a big day here on the church campus. For years we have been saving funds to bring in a tree-trimming crew to help three older trees. One is the old Red Maple on the front lawn, said to be one of the oldest and largest of its kind in Mecklenburg County. …
“In a time of universal deceit – telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” George Orwell Dear Caldwell, This morning’s dreary weather only seemed to lengthen what already seems like a long week. Perhaps it was our added time and energy digesting Tuesday’s election results or just a kind of hangover from the months and …
Dear Caldwell, As we move from Sunday to Sunday this week, we dangle on the edge of what one member called a “cliffhanger” of a sermon and service last Sunday. We took time to think and pray about how God is always moving us from “Memory to Hope.” That is the arc of God’s story …
Dear Caldwell, Today’s news includes word that Jeffrey Fowle, an American arrested in North Korea in May for leaving a bible at a club for foreign sailors, has been released and is on his way home. Perhaps you’ve been following the case of Mr. Fowle and others whom the North Koreans have detained. It is, in …
Dear Caldwell, We live in a time of “nones” and SBNRs and how the church relates to them will have a lot to do with what the church looks like for us, our children and our children’s children. “Nones” are those who indicate “none” when asked to identify their faith tradition. SBNR is short for …
Dear Caldwell, Thanks to all who brought their pledges of time, talent and treasure on Sunday as promises to God for 2015. It was a spirited celebration of our calling to “Move Out” into the world in God’s name. Your pledges will advance the kingdom of God in real and meaningful ways. If you were …
Dear Caldwell, When I was in high school, singer Billy Joel’s hit album “The Stranger” hung at the top of the charts and in the 8-track player under the dash of my 1973 Chevy Malibu. His song “Movin’ Out” was a critique of materialism. It portrayed a grocery story clerk and a cop-bartender, both working …
Dear Caldwell, On Sunday, we paused to think about all the ways God works with God’s people when they are “on the move.” Sometimes with comfort, sometimes discomfort. Sometimes with clarity, other times asking the people to rely on their faith. Sometimes through great leaders like Moses, sometimes through reluctant prophets. But always, always God …
Dear Caldwell, As I have said and written before, churches and congregations go through different seasons in their life together. In these days, we are called to care for each other. Here are a few updates regarding how we can extend the love of God in Christ to those in our church family. Justin and …
Being a Family of Faith – In Life, Death and In-Between Read More »
Dear Caldwell, About a year ago, a young family walked into the life of our church. Justin Rowell, his wife Silje and their two young sons had friends here. Justin happened to go on our annual trip last fall to Blue Branch Presbyterian Church, founded by slaves, in South Carolina. On the car ride down …
