Dear Caldwell Family:
It’s been said that God’s church lives out of both memory and vision. This week I had the privilege of speaking with Caldwell’s oldest member, Elise Hood, who is 100 years old. She had been in the hospital but is better and has returned to a center where her needs are cared for.
Elise and her husband joined Caldwell in 1945 in its heyday. She taught Sunday school and her husband served on the session. Her daughter, Janice Johnson, fondly recalls her formative years in the “Junior” and “Senior” departments of Caldwell’s youth program. Janice was married here and can close her eyes and remember every inch of the halls and classrooms (which I assured her had not changed much).
Mrs. Hood speaks little now. However, when I told Mrs. Hood all the ways that Caldwell was thriving again, her eyes sparkled and she smiled beautifully. We should never forget all the Elise Hoods that built this place for us – and who pass on their memories for us to carry forward. (For more Caldwell memories, don’t miss the interview with Jackie Abernathy in our May newsletter posted here on the church website http://www.caldwellpresby.org/docs/May2010NL.pdf .)
The church is also built out of vision – and that vision must be fresh and alive. In worship Sunday, we will consider the instruction of the risen Christ for the disiples to drop their nets on a different side of their boat (John 21:1-14), an instruction that might just bear new meaning for God’s people today.
Many other good things are happening. Here are just a few:
1. A Caldwell team will help build a Habitat home tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 511 West Todd Lane. Our team could use a few more members. If you are able, just go to that address.
2. Caldwell is forming a new young adult group (20s and 30s in body or spirit). Those interested will gather for lunch after worship on Sunday, May 23 to help shape the group’s initial direction and activities. If interested, please let Bo Jordan know at bo@bojordan.com or 980-875-8023.
3. Also on Sunday, May 23, please mark your calendar for a special gospel music concert at 4 at Caldwell. This event is a benefit for the Charlotte Chapter of the National Mulitple Sclerosis Society. Our church family is touched by this disease and this is a chance, along with our prayers, to help move all affected by it one step closer to a cure.
See you Sunday.
In Christ,
John