Going “Glocal”

Dear Caldwell,

Somewhere in the last several weeks, Rev. Evie Landrau and I were in a meeting where we heard someone use the term “glocal.” It conveys how everything is connected – from global to local (get it, “glocal”?). Just five minutes of CNN reminds us that our lives are inevitably intertwined with our brothers’ and sisters’ around the world. We might think our world is limited to our neighborhood, community or city, but we would be fooling ourselves.

The same goes for our lives as people of faith. Through the church, we Presbyterians partner with other Christians worldwide through the World Council of Churches (WCC). Our very own Evie is one of two representatives of our denomination, the PC(USA), to the WCC. She serves on the WCC’s Central Committee and has just returned from its meeting in Geneva, Switzerland.

This coming Sunday, she will share her reflections on the meeting’s theme of “pilgrimage of justice and peace.” Justice and peace, of course, are close to our hearts here at Caldwell. While we work hard toward those ends locally, those goals demand our focus in other countries, just as urgently. So, come Sunday, we can think “glocally” about how our ministries here connect with those of believers around the world, through the reach of God’s Holy Spirit.

A few quick reminders:

– If you would like to think and pray more about our effort to deepen our ministries to those who are grieving, the Prayer Room opens this afternoon, as on each Wednesday, at 4. At 6, in the same place, you’re invited to take part in a “Living the Sermon” discussion about that topic as well. (Watch for news of opportunities to get involved in the expanded grief ministry.)
– Friday at 9:30 a.m. in Belk Hall, you’re invited to gather with our sisters from Casita de Amor for Bible study and Zumba.

Look for Caldwell This Week on Friday.

See you soon.

In Christ,
John