Dear Caldwell,
I can’t recall exactly when or where I first heard the term “Godkiss,” but it stuck with me. When I get one, I know it. Recently, all of us at Caldwell got a big Godkiss in the form of a letter from someone who found us online just before Easter and for whom Caldwell has become a source of light and life.
“Although I am several hundred miles from your church, the sincerity, caring, hope and love of you and the folks who are there make me feel as though I were right there at Caldwell,” Bill wrote from his home in Pennsylvania. “As I watch Caldwell services I have the overwhelming feeling that this church ‘surrounds hate, forces it to its knees and replaces it with love.’ I haven’t felt that way about church services for quite a long time.”
“Thank you for being there and for the meaningful and uplifting services each Sunday,” he continued, enclosing a contribution for our ministries. “I hope your online services can continue after you are back together in the physical church.”
As we look ahead to try to think about what “hybrid” church will look like, isn’t that a mighty wind in our sails? Churches, pastors and congregations everywhere are wondering what post-pandemic church life will be like: Who will come back and who won’t? How can we “reassemble our bones” and sustain our outreach to members like the letter-writer who live far away? Will we have all the volunteers, technical help and resources to be in-person and online in a way that continues to share God’s promises with all, wherever they may be?
Those are big questions – but ones I feel good about, given your track record of energy and commitment to what God is doing here. As we anticipate our in-person return to worship on June 27, we ask for your prayers, ideas and help so that we can remain “in Christ” with our new comers near and far.
Keeping An Eye On Justice
As always, part of our walk with each other is to bear witness to God’s call to justice for all. Today at 5 pm, people of faith will gather across the state to call for trust, transparency and accountability in the police shooting of Andrew Brown of Elizabeth City. In our never-ending news cycle, it is so easy for unresolved issues to be pushed to the background. Today’s rallies, organized in part by the Poor People’s Campaign, will remind us that we cannot lose sight of the pandemic of police shootings and the need for major reform in police policies. If you would like to come, where I will offer brief remarks, among many, today’s rally in Charlotte is at the Government Center downtown. Please mask up.
Farewell to Lovely Friends and A Wow For Our Youth
Please join me in giving thanks for the presence, witness, open hearts and gracious friendship of two of our members, who are moving to Sante Fe. Sisters Neal Bloomfield and Leslie Evans came to Caldwell in 2019 after arriving in Charlotte. Now their family is moving to new adventures out west. They send all their love, gratitude and hope to you, their forever Caldwell family, for how you received them and walked with them in love and kindness. Godspeed, ladies, and send postcards!
Thanks to Our Amazing Youth!
Did you see the parade of talents, perspectives, faith and commitment on display in the worship service our youth led last Sunday? If not, you can check it out on on Youtube here. From aerial dancing, reminding us of our liberation in Christ, to beautiful music to meaningful sermonettes, the service will lift your spirits and fuel your hope. Thanks be to each of them and to Justin and Gail, who helped create and capture it all for us to see.
Watch for more details in Caldwell This Week and, in the meantime, may the Lord bless and keep you.
In Christ,
John