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. Another is the large Pin Oak that is directly in front of Belk Hall, shown above. That tree is fundamentally healthy but is in the last phase of its life chronologically. It is probably 80-90 years old, at least. This variety was a favorite in the neighborhood, being planted in the front yards of homes when they were built, in part to provide shade in summers before air conditioning. This old granddad was originally planted in front of the home that once stood where Belk Hall now stands.
Tree-trimming is an important part of keeping trees healthy and lengthening their life. Older trees especially need dead wood trimmed out and other limbs removed to lighten the weight of the tree’s canopy on the trunk. When the old, dead wood is cleared out, more light comes through and the tree is allowed to breathe and stretch in new ways.
- If you look a little more closely, you’ll see a brave tree trimmer out on a limb up high. In tree-trimming and in our faith walk together, sometimes we have to go out on a limb to let more light in.
All of those things could be said about faith and life at Caldwell church. We are given the chance on a regular basis to clear out the kind of “dead wood” that stifles our growth in faith and spirituality. With some of that “dead wood” cleared away, we are more likely to hold up during storms that might bring other trees down. The Gospel of Jesus Christ, God’s promise of grace and new beginnings, allows us to lighten our load and ease our burden. But sometimes, in tree-trimming and in our faith walk, we have to go out on a limb to let new light in and to ease a burden.
These are welcomed promises to us in these days in particular as we “live with truth,” the truth that our church’s past is tied to America’s “original sin” of slavery. In a way, we are going out on a limb with such a public discussion of this part of our church’s name and history. This truth stirs a range of emotions and pain involved. With God’s help, though, it may give us new life. We found comfort Sunday in Jesus’ words that “the truth will set you free,” but we also promised ourselves to take time, to “live with” this particular truth in relationship with each other, that we all might grow in understanding.
Tonight at 6:30 in the Fellowship Hall, all are invited to attend a rather informal discussion of these revelations. It’s a pot luck/bring your own dinner format. We will share feelings and ponder what all this means to our identity as Christians invested in justice and peace.
On your way in – or next time you are on campus – don’t forget to look up at the giant Pin Oak in front of Belk Hall. Hopefully you will see a bit more light shining through – but remember that sometimes we have to go out on a limb to make that happen.
Bulletin Board and Prayer Requests:
Congratulations to former intern Will Davis, who was ordained and installed as the pastor of Burgaw Presbyterian Church in Burgaw, NC Sunday. You can drop him a card at Burgaw Presbyterian Church, 200 East Fremont Street, Burgaw, NC.
Please keep in your prayers: Michael Wingate, as he faces a second cancer-related surgery in December; John Crowell, as his body adjusts to his brain surgery; Kitty and Tom Bohr and their daughter, Stephanie, as Stephanie deals with health issues and Tom and Kitty travel to see her in Chicago; Ryan Kingston; the Marcotte Family; Caroline Lublinkhof’s friend, Kelly, whose father suffered a stroke today; and, Rev. Evie, who is in Geneva at a World Council of Churches meeting, returning Friday.
In Christ,
John