Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9
Dear Caldwell,
Tomorrow will be the seventh anniversary of my mother’s death.
She passed peacefully at home as my sister and I held her hands at her bedside. Afterward, I found the verse above highlighted in her well-worn Bible in such a way that it left no doubt that I should read it at her memorial service. She was a devoted Christian and mother, no more perfect or imperfect than anyone else. She knew, though, that these words from Philippians are the words our heavenly parent speaks to us, just as we can speak them to our own children, guardrails for life.
The most common pastoral event Gail and I deal with at Caldwell is the passing of a member’s parent, and we are amidst a particularly difficult season of that life event. This morning, I got word from Greg Shell that his mother had died. Elli Dai will bury her father this week. The mother of newcomer Scott Banks (spouse Missy) and grandmother to their daughter, Meredith, died last Saturday. Jean Musa’s mom died on the 25th and the father of Kurt Stobenhofer (Nancy Pugh’s husband) died on the 27th. Eloise Hicks’ mom died at age 100 on Jan. 22. Helen Hull’s father is in hospice care. Ginger Dickerson’s dad is strugging with a variety of health issues as well and Kim Bohannon’s mom has important surgery upcoming.
On Sundays, when we lift up our prayers, I look out and see so many, knowing you are still grieving the loss of a parent. There is a particular poignancy of that moment in our life when we must say goodbye, whether our parental relationship was positive, not so positive or in-between. It feels as if we become the parent … and, in so many ways, we do. The grief lingers and we often yearn to see a parent just one more time.
As a community of faith, let us keep these siblings – and others I haven’t named – in prayer and in mind.
Black History, Anti-Racism and A Difficult Day One
Many have been in planning and hopeful expectation of the arrival of Black History Month, which begins today. It is a season for centering those stories and voices long shouted down or buried in U.S. history. We will mark Black History month in worship and in other ways, celebrating heroes and noting progress gained and lacking.
In particular, I hope you saw the robust set of offerings that our Anti-Racism Council at Caldwell (ARCC) has assembled and made possible. Click here to review and find your way into one of these gatherings and “classrooms.” These offerings provide an array of ways to enter or advance in the conversation of about deconstructing what’s been called “America’s original sin,” white supremacy. Another opportunity is next month’s White Supremacy Conference, coming to Charlotte. If you want to hear from the director of the conference, click hear next Monday, Feb. 7, at noon for an overview.
Tragically, Day One in Charlotte for Black History Month happens to bring today’s release of another video of a police shooting of a black man in Charlotte last year. It’s very hard to watch so be aware if the news happens to be on and it may be too much. Mayor Lyles called me today to give me a heads up and ask for prayer for our city. Once again, the video raises so many complex questions about police tactics and methods of de-escalation, particularly when there are signs of mental health stuggles. We cry again with the psalmist, “How long, O Lord,” and we pray tonight for the victim, his family, the officer, the system and, most of all, for the Lord’s justice to reign down.
Oops
I made a mistake in Caldwell This Week last Friday in noting the date of a Facebook live event that may be of interest. My friend Lee Hinson-Hasty, with the Theological Educatin Fund, and I will chat TOMORROW at 1 pm for a half-hour about some of the ideas raised in the research from my book.
I will try to not embarass you, even though I apparently don’t know my own schedule very well. Tune in here at 1 to watch via Youtube (no Facebook account needed) if you are interested. If you attend, I hope you’ll give me some feedback.
Energy, Imagination, Intelligence and Love
The words above are part of the ordination and installation vows Presbyterian elders make. Amongst Presbyterian geeks, they are a kind of coda for the calling, qualities that all elders are to demonstrate in their duties. This Sunday, we will ordain Dawson Hancock and Riley Murray and install them as new elders alongside Lisa Thompson and Bob Atkinson, who were previously ordained at other churches. These four have been hard at work preparing, studying and learning. They will make wonderful elders at Caldwell.
Also nominated was Ruby Jones. Ruby has expanded family resonsibilities and so she has chosen not to be installed this year. So let us pray for her and Geno as they keep a house-full of grandchildren every day.
In other church “business,” you can watch last Sunday’s Annual Business Meeting here if you were not able to attend in person or online. It provides a brief recap of some of the major developments of the church, the 2022 budget and a vote on compensation for Gail and me, as we Presbyteraians do. Less than a half-hour in length. There is some church lingo and polity pecularity in there, so please don’t hesitate to call me or Gail or any elder with questions.
In closing, we hold Richard Campbell in prayer as he continues in rehab and we lift up our joy that Lori Thomas came through surgery Monday and is recovering.
In Christ,
John