Dear Caldwell,
You never know when the past will show back up.
Only a few days into Hearth construction this week, crews unexpectedly unearthed a home heating oil storage tank we didn’t know was there. Our best guess is that it dates to when there was a house where Belk Hall was, before Belk Hall was there. It was the old manse where the minister had lived. Thanks be to God for Rick Rogers, who worked with our builders to get it checked out. We’ll have it out of the ground and move on shortly.
Our past is always with us. That’s certainly a central truth for us as we continue our 21-Day Challenge to learn more about the roots of racism in America and its bitter present. If you have not had a chance to drop in on any of the informal discussion groups about that journey, there is one today at 5:30 p.m. It’s important we do all of this in relationship, so I encourage you to attend at least one of these gatherings. Click here to attend today’s huddle.
In worship Sunday, Gail and I will exchange our reflections on our 21 days (so far) in a shared sermon time. As important, we will use Zoom break-out rooms to allow for you all to reflect together. So, if you want to be in one of those break-outs, be sure to use the Zoom links noted in the email about this blog and in Caldwell This Week. Also, for Sunday, please give some thought on whom you may want to nominate for the Elder Nominating Committee that will seek to discern those God is calling to serve as Elders for 3 years beginning in January 2021.
If you’re looking for resources to help keep your 21 days going, Gail was part of a panel on race Tuesday night that you can watch by clicking here. Also, Youtube burped on us last Sunday as John was beginning his sermon that touched on the subject of reparations. If you got bumped off, you can read that sermon here and watch it here. I welcome your thoughts and feedback.
Don’t forget Vespers tonight with Anne Hunter Eidson.
When we gather tonight at 8 pm for Vespers, we will continue our series on practicing spiritual disciplines. We will practice lectio divina (holy listening), where we listen to scripture in a meditative way. A beautiful musical setting of Psalm 130 will be our focus. This psalm expresses despair honestly and ends in hope. We could use a dose of that hope these days.
Psalm 130
Out of the deep have I called unto thee, O Lord: Lord, hear my voice.
O let thine ears consider well the voice of my complaint.
If thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss: O Lord, who may abide it? For there is mercy with thee; therefore shalt thou be feared.
I look for the Lord; my soul doth wait for him: in his word is my trust.
My soul fleeth unto the Lord; before the morning watch, I say, before the morning watch. O Israel, trust in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy: and with him is plenteous redemption. And he shall redeem Israel: from all his sins.
Bring a candle, pen and paper, and an honest spirit. If even that is too much, just bring yourself.
And … I cannot close without joining my voice with so many in outrage over the lack of justice in the charges of those who killed Breonna Taylor. Let us make our ongoing prayers (and actions) that bring about a world that proves in its living that Black Lives Matter!
Yours in Christ,
John