Dear Caldwell,
It’s a week when we turn to “first words” and when we say thank you and goodbye.
As for the first words, this Sunday we begin a new church year. That’s right. We pledge allegiance to a liturgical calendar (rather than a secular one) as a way of putting God first. So, Sunday is “New Year’s Day” for the church in our lives and in the life of our city. What a year it will be.
The year begins with Advent, our season of anticipating Christ’s birth. Our “first words” this Sunday are from the prophet Isaiah and the Gospel of Luke. They bring news of unlikely events about to break into our broken and distracted world – news of God’s redeeming work.
I know that in the meantime we all will give thanks. We take a few days, each in our own way, to reflect on the blessings in our lives, even if they seem few. Gratitude is a spiritual discipline and science has proven that practicing gratitude does indeed lead to healthier and longer lives. So, Happy Thanksgiving.
Speaking of gratitude, it is time to say “thank you” and goodbye to the Japanese Maple tree that has stood watch over Caldwell for decades. An arborist told us a few years ago it was one of the oldest of its kind in the county. As you may have noticed, it began to die last summer. The session has explored many options for preserving part of it but it is too far gone, we now know.
So after church on Sunday, we will gather around it to offer a prayer to its Creator and ours. It will be cut down Dec. 6 and we will save as much of its wood as is viable for future use, to be determined.
Another old friend of Caldwell, our dear Jackie Abernethy, 98, also seems to be in her last days. As one of the senior saints who refused to let Caldwell go without it receiving new life, she opened wide its doors for the rest of us, who now cherish this place and its role in our lives. Please pray for Jackie’s comfort and peace and that of her family.
A couple of final notes.
Channel 36 in Charlotte ran a piece last night about what churches, including ours, are doing to address the city’s affordable housing crisis. Watch it here.
The congregation elected 5 new elders to begin serving in January. You can read their bios below.
We are still short of where we need to be with financial commitments for 2020. Please click here to make a pledge. Every pledge counts.
If you are traveling, please be safe.
See you Sunday.
In Christ,
John
| Judith Ard
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 Nancy Pugh
Nancy Pugh was born and raised here in Charlotte and has worked as an English teacher, at Habitat for Humanity, and now in human resources at a financial services company. She joined Caldwell in 2010, thanks to encouragement from Habitat co-workers and friendships made in the Caldwell Book Club. Since then, Nancy has enjoyed serving the church as an usher and participating in joy-filled worship that doesn’t have to be “perfect.” She and her husband Kurt like to go camping with their dog, Rory. She will serve a 2-year unexpired term. (All others are 3 years.) |
 Leroy Stinson
Leroy was one of the first wave of new members to join Caldwell amid its ‘resurrection’ in 2006. He was a prior member of Seigle Avenue Presbyterian, having joined there in 1968. At Caldwell, Leroy has been an usher and all-around help. He traveled with Caldwell on mission trips to Guatemala and, most recently, to Jubilee Partners in Georgia. He was a member of the now-inactive Men’s Group and participated in several of its retreats. For many years, he helped organize the Piedmont Courts reunion. He retired recently and he lives with family in Plaza Midwood. |
 Wayne Russell
Wayne has attended Caldwell since 2012 and became a member in 2013. During his time at Caldwell, he has served on the Finance Committee, the Worship Committee, helped organize special services and sung with the choir. Prior to coming to Caldwell, Wayne was a member of Seigle Avenue Presbyterian Church, and Morningstar Presbyterian Church, serving on the Finance Committee, and teaching Sunday School. Wayne also served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher when he was a member of Metropolitan Community Church of Charlotte. Involved in church work all his life, Wayne grew up as a “preacher’s kid”. His father and mother were co-pastors of the church he grew up in. He served in various roles over the years where needed within the church. Currently, Wayne lives in Matthews and is the proud Dad to 3 young adults; Nora, Gabe, & Jett. He has worked at BB&T for 18 years, currently as a supervisor in the Fraud Management division. |
 Scott Walls
Scott is a sixty-year old professional plumber with two adult sons. He has been a member at Caldwell for more than five years with his wife, Robbi. He currently serves as Co-Head Usher along with Jim Schick, is a member of the Home Committee and has helped with the Buildings and Grounds Committee as well. |