Dear Caldwell,
With the approach of our unique national holiday, set aside all those years ago for giving thanks, I am thankful for grace, which in recent days has taken these forms:
* The grace shown to us by our Lord in and through Christ Jesus, in whom God promises to never abandon us and to see us through whatever we are facing.
* The grace and love shown by so many members of the Caldwell family on Sunday, in worship and in our conversation afterward. Many are still digesting the news that the session has made the difficult decision to end our contract relationship with Dr. Thomas Moore as our choir director. Yet, as someone said on Sunday, the Caldwell family handled this news as a family should – gathering to talk openly about what led to the decision, how we feel about it and, when the talking was done, walking out together as a family focused on the health of the body of Christ. I feel so deeply blessed to be a part of a community that demonstrates such compassion, truth and mutual forbearance. Surely this is the provision of God’s grace.
* I am grateful for those who extended grace through some quick thinking about how to feed our Caldwell House guests lunch on Sunday while the rest of us were in a meeting. Upon learning that the scheduled lunch provider did not show, Leslie Gipple, Lisa McLennan, Don Cowan and Jean Prewitt jumped into action to fill the unexpected gap. Nothing But Noodles responded to their request for lunch for 25 people on the spot – and would not accept payment afterward. I hope you will thank those Caldwell disciples for their fast action while the rest of us were talking. I also hope you will thank Nothing But Noodles for their ongoing, pivotal partnership (perhaps by visiting them for lunch after worship this Sunday).
Let me remind you of three important events in the coming days:
1. Mecklenburg Ministries will host its 36th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service tonight at Temple Beth El on Providence Road at 7 p.m.
2. The Elizabeth Communities of Faith will gather for Thanksgiving worship Wednesday at 7 pm at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church.
3. On Thursday, the Caldwell family will host the guests of Caldwell House and others at the 2nd Annual Thanksgiving Meal and Celebration. Preparations beging at 2 p.m. and the meal begins at 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Come one and all.
We rejoice that Jimmy Todd has returned home from the hospital. We hold Dan Cadle and his family in prayer as they gather to celebrate the life of Dan’s grandmother, who passed away Saturday, and we hold the Douglas family in prayer as they begin the true grieving of the loss of their beloved Zondra, a friend to many at Caldwell.
May God continue to grace you and yours this Thanksgiving. I will be back in touch about this coming Sunday, the first Sunday of Advent.
In Christ,
John