Dear Caldwell.
First, I’d like to remind everyone that Caldwell leads worship today as the Elizabeth Communities of Faith Lenten series continues at St. Martin’s Episcopal on 7th Street. I’m grateful for Smitty, Manley and the choir for taking time out of their day to lend their gifts to this service along with Veronica and Liz. The series is focusing on justice. Today, I’ll preach about the “essence of the covenant” as found in Deuteronomy 10.
This is also a big week for our ongoing Centennial Celebration. If you haven’t already, please make plans to join in Sunday at 7 p.m. as returning Caldwell “alumni,” led by Elaine Hultman, gather to share Tales From Caldwell’s Past.
I also want to give you a heads up that there are other exciting developments to be unveiled on Sunday. Caldwell has needed a new website for a long time. Thanks be to God for Greg Shell, Peg Robarchek and Elder Maggie Jordan who, working hand in hand with out multi-talented Office Manager Leslie Gipple, have designed a wonderful new website that tells the story of this unique place. We will get our first look at it on Sunday. Also, guided by the session, Greg, Peg, Leslie and others have been working on some new ways to express Caldwell’s identity as a resurrected, dynamic, diverse, missional and growing congregation. Stay tuned for that, as well.
Speaking of Caldwell’s past, we should never forget our connections to sons and daughters of this church who have made a real difference. Yesterday, I attended the memorial service for James William “Slug” Claiborne. Slug and his brother, Jack, grew up in this church and went on to be significant leaders in Charlotte. Slug became the city’s premier restaurant owner and operator. But at age 31, he faced an important choice: How to use his voice as an agent for racial integration.
He attended a meeting of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, where the city’s titans discussed how to lead Charlotte toward a peaceful integration at a time when other cities were blowing up with hate. With his emerging reputation and his first restaurant on the line, he made a proposal: Every Chamber director would invite an African-American leader to lunch on the same day, each choosing one of the city’s best-known restaurants for this step to open all restaurants in Charlotte to all African-Americans. The city’s titans adopted Slug’s plan and Charlotte received national recognition for its progressive and proactive approach.
Slug’s story is a reminder that each of us has a voice and plays a role in exhibiting the kingdom of God on earth. We give thanks for his life and legacy and we pray that God’s comfort may surround his brother, Caldwell friend Jack Claiborne, his gracious wife, Anne Marie and their entire family.
I’ll be back in touch, soon. Hope to see you at noon at St. Martin’s.
In Christ,
John