Greetings, friends. Gail here. These days and weeks of separation are a challenge for all of us, aren’t they? It is easy to feel isolated and lonely with all of this physical distancing. We know that online activities and gatherings aren’t the same as being together in person, but still we want you to know that there are many ways for us to stay connected this week.
This evening at 7 pm, we will have our weekly Preacher’s Porch gathering. I will be preaching this coming Sunday from Luke 24:13-36. I hope you will read this intriguing story of a post-Resurrection encounter with Jesus and plan to be on Zoom this evening to talk about it.
In his sermon on Sunday, John spoke about the disproportionate way in which people of color are being affected by Covid-19. The truth is that what we are seeing with coronavirus is simply a glaring example of what has been the hard truth of healthcare disparities in our nation for a very long time. Tonight, April 21st at 6 pm, the Harvey Gantt Center is hosting a panel discussion called, “Healthcare in the Black Community Beyond the Virus.” Here is a link if you want to listen in on that important conversation.
Tomorrow evening, Wednesday, April 22nd, there will be an opportunity for you all to check in with one another on what we are affectionately calling, “Caldwell Live” between 5:30 and 7:00 pm. This will not be a meeting or a panel discussion or a workshop. This is simply going to be an open Zoom channel where you all can gather to catch up and talk. This is your time and your space. Grab a snack and something to sip, invite other Caldwell folks, and plan to catch up tomorrow evening during Caldwell Live.
On Thursday at 8 pm, we will gather for our weekly Vespers. This week, we will ponder Psalm 116:1-9. Bring a candle. Bring your questions. Bring your silence. Bring your open heart.
And on Sunday, April 26th, at 6:30 pm, you are invited to a conversation with a local therapist who can help us learn new and better ways to get through these difficult days of physical and social distancing. Mary Gail Frawley O’Dea, ED, PhD, who is the executive director of Presbyterian Psychological Services here in Charlotte, has agreed to join with us via Zoom. Look for more details later this week. Please email any questions you have for Mary Gail to John, and he will pass them along to her. That way she can have an idea of our specific thoughts and concerns at this time of coping with coronavirus. Here is a video that will introduce you to Mary Gail.
Friends, there are many ways to stay in contact with one another, many ways to stay connected. There are many ways to stay connected to God as well – through taking walks in nature, through prayer, through Bible reading, through journaling your thoughts and prayers, and through our contact and connection with one another. Please make time, please take time to stay connected.
Grace and peace be with you all – Gail
PS. The Zoom links for the events mentioned in this blog are in the email that you clicked through to get to this blog. If you need to have links provided to you, please reach out to John Cleghorn (jcleghorn@caldwellpresby.org) or Justin Martin (jmartin@caldwellpresby.org) and ask for the links you need.