Dear Caldwell,
A Unique Moment: I hope each one of you has had – and taken – at least one chance to watch some of the coverage of this 50th anniversary of the March on Washington and reflect. It was an extraordinary and transformative moment unlike any other in our history.
While it was a moment of unique and specific importance for African-Americans, many of us feel as if we are living through times that echo that moment, in relation to the ongoing work of delivering equality for African-Americans but also for other segments of our population who have been pushed to the margins. As someone said at our Session meeting last night, many of us feel as if it is the midnight hour, when Jim Crowe is making rear-flank attack. But, then we have moments when we see light breaking through and are encouraged to keep going.
It should never be forgotten that the man our nation remembers most today was a man of God, a man who was living out his sense of call and the principles of the Gospel. In 1972, my father, a civil rights journalist at the time, wrote an essay about the South. He wrote that what made King most effective was “his capacity to combine passion for justice with a loving cunning.” We need more of that today – uncompromising focus on what is fair and right for all that is delivered in a way as loving as it is smart. Loving cunning. With that, perhaps King taught us precisely what we need to succeed in these days as we face significant challenges to progress but, as the body of Christ, continue to build the Kingdom of God and a nation that truly stands for “liberty and justice for all.”
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A “Tipping Point” Day: In last Sunday’s Pride parade, many of us sense that we experienced another moment in history, Charlotte history. Words like “tipping point” have been used to describe where we are in the effort to establish equality and full inclusion for the LGBT community. I am extraordinarily proud (yes, I know it’s a sin, but just this once ….) of the 65 or so Caldwell folk who came to march. The overhwhelming cheers and applause offered by thousands of observers along the route, gay and straight ally alike, was a wind at our back that many of us still feel. Thanks to all who came and all who organized and staffed our booth. Plans are already afoot for a Caldwell float next year, complete with the Gospel choir singing “On Time God.”
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A Gracious Lady: Finally, let us all celebrate one of the great champions and servants of God, Jackie Abernethy, on this, her 93rd birthday. Jackie was among the handful of Caldwell members who saw the church through its darkest days and, ever since, has modeled grace for the rest of us. As the number of those “senior saints” dwindles, we cherish every moment with this woman of God. She is feeling a bit under the weather today so we pray for her speedy recovery and look forward to the chance to celebrate soon.
In Christ,
John