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 Matthew Rowell: So many of you have said you have been deeply touched by the tragedy to took the lives of Silje Grayston, wife of Justin, and 3-year old Isaac, Silje’s and Justin’s son. Several of you kept Isaac or 18-month old Matthew, his brother, in our nursery. Others of you had come to know Justin as he listened for how to start an intentional Christian community. Part of being in relationship with anyone is wanting to help them in their hour of need. We now have additional ways to do that. Friends have set up a website, http://helpingjustin.blogspot.com/, that offers two ways to help. There you can learn about how you can make a financial contribution directly online or through the mail. There you will also find a “Take Them a Meal” link, where you can sign up to take Justin and 18-month old Matthew dinner. That direct “meal” link is here, as well. We may also organize a quiet candle-light vigil to show our support for the family. Stay tuned for that. And we can pray, as always, for their peace and comfort.
Ryan Kingston: Many know Ryan from his championship for equality for the LGBTQ community, his strength of character and the sincerity of his faith walk. Ryan’s mother, whom Ryan has cared for over the last several years, is at Novant Hospital-Matthews, where Hospice had been called in to care for her. If you would like to visit Ryan and his mom in the hospital, please call or text Ryan first – 704-995-0736. The church family will remain close to him and we will keep you updated.
Gina Shell and her father: Gina’s father remains at Carolinas Medical-Main in the ICU, with several complications. Please pray for the entire family.
Michael Wingate: Michael is seeing a range of doctors today in regard to a mass in his mid-section. Please pray for his peace and comfort and the skill of his physicians.
John Crowell: John leaves Tuesday to travel to the National Institutes of Health for ground-breaking brain surgery to address an ‘essential tremor.” John is excited about life “anew” without a condition that has affected him for almost his entire life. All interested are invited to join us as we gather in the sanctuary at 6:30 p.m. Monday to pray and lay hands on John before he departs for the surgery, which is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 26.
Brooks Johnston: Let us keep Brooks in mind as he experiences healing as well.
Not a week – or sometimes a day – passes without a church family member encountering a potentially life-changing health- or grief-related experience. Several scientific studies have shown that prayer, faith and a relationship with a family of faith make a difference. In addition, the Caldwell family is extraordinary (my personal opinion) in caring for our sisters and brothers in Christ.
Come Sunday, appropriately enough, Rev. Evie will preach a sermon titled “Hold On To Life,” a wonderful opportunity to remember and respond to God’s gift of life and what a precious gift it is.
In Christ,
John