Dear Caldwell,
Hospitality played a vital role in the stories of the Bible – how people received guests and how guests accepted hospitality served as a sign of the covenant of faith.
Tomorrow (Wednesday, 10-19) night, we have the blessing of receiving the hospitality of our sister congregation, St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church. They have invited us for dinner at their “house” at 1600 Norris Ave., Charlotte, NC 28206 at 6 p.m. This builds on their visit here a few weeks ago and the relationships we established then. Let’s all be there tomorrow night to demonstrate our end of the blessing of hospitality. No need to bring anything – just the love of Christ.
Amid these busy times, there has been so much to write about and communicate that this is the first time I have had the chance to put in writing the good news that we have brought on board Henry and Kelly Trexler to serve as Interim Youth Coordinators. We’ve worked hard to build a youth program that forms our young people as disciples and servants of Christ and we didn’t want to lose momentum as the school year got busy. So, while our search for a permanent coordinator continues, Henry and Kelly will bring their combined skills and experiences to walk with our youth and the adult youth volunteers.
Many know Henry from his time last year as an intern before receiving a Master in Divinity from Union Presbyterian Seminary. Kelly is a recently retired professor at UNC Charlotte. They are delighted to be on board – just as we are that they are here, especially Jamie and Sarah Hofmeister-Cline as they catch their breath and tend to their own busy lives. Watch for a number of upcoming activities for our youth, including some you can support.
Speaking of helping, Sunday was a glorious day as dozens of members pledged their selves and their resources to the work of the Lord here at Caldwell and in our community. Surely God is smiling as so many practice a “Faith of Leap,” extending themselves to serve a hurting and anxious world in 2017. Thanks to all who have pledged.
Was yours one of the hands being raised, as represented in our Campaign logo? Every one is needed in the work of the kingdom! You can pledge easily online here. Stay tuned for an update on more specifics of how our collective “Discovery and Engagement” is shaping up.”
You may remember that we have the chance to canvass neighborhoods to ensure full voter participation in the upcoming election. This is a critical means of our discipleship in justice, especially in these days when we are taking a hard look at the inequalities of our city, state and nation. Member Caitlin Culp invites all interested to join her in this work. As a first step, go here online to register (this will ask you to use Google drive).
Finally, I had the great pleasure yesterday of meeting with one of our nation’s leading thinkers – and doers – when it comes to racial reconciliation and justice in cities that are struggling with race-related issues, Dr. John Powell of the University of California at Berkeley. Cities across the U.S. have engaged him to work on opening up “opportunity structures” and addressing entrenched “institutional exclusion.” One of his lessons was that communities can go one of two ways when they encounter division. They can write a story of “bridging or breaking.” I pray with gratitude for the opportunity we have to try to write “a story of bridging” through your collective commitments to Christ in word and in deed.
My Sunday sermon is online here for those who asked for copies.
Hope to see you tomorrow night at St. Luke, as we continue the call of bridge building.
In Christ,
John