Dear Caldwell,
Gail Henderson-Belsito here at the keyboard this week. And what a week it has been.
We were all set to worship in the sanctuary last Sunday. Thanks to the fantastic work by the team at Clancy and Theys, the sanctuary is repaired and painted. The stained glass windows are clean and protected. There is a stronger ramp providing access to the sanctuary. The carpets and seat cushions are clean. The pews have been sanded so that our skin and our clothing will remain whole upon exiting the pews. (Ouch!)
Thanks to the fabulous team of volunteers, session members, and staff who came to the church last Saturday, the sanctuary pews were filled with envelopes, prayer cards, the Lift Every Voice songbooks, and so much love. The chairs and pulpit were returned to the chancel.
We were ready to go.
Then life happened again. A missed permit. A last minute change of venue – we had to worship over in Belk Hall one more time.
Once again, you stepped up, family and friends. One brave and hard-working soul came and set up the chairs in Belk again. Hymnbooks and attendance pads were distributed again. The sound folks did their thing again.
Once again, you showed up in Belk Hall last Sunday, Caldwell, with smiles on your faces, with music in your hearts, and with ears wide open for a word from the Lord. Choir members and instrumentalists made a joyful noise unto the Lord – who is worthy to be praised. You heard a strong sermon from Rob Hammock about community, about the desert places of life, and about welcoming others to “our inhabited city.” You came to the communion table to taste and see the goodness of the Lord, and then you stuck around after worship was over, talking to one another, and being family for one another.
Thank you for being you. For being flexible.
For being part of the moveable feast that is our life as a community of faith.
This Sunday, we will be back in the sanctuary for worship at 11 am.
Reverend Justin Martin will preach.
This Sunday, we will be back in the sanctuary, hosting the city-wide Pride Service at 4 pm.
This Sunday, we will bask in the joy of God’s love and the love that we have for one another.
This Sunday, we will show one another and our community who we are and whose we are.
At this moment in time, in a nation where hate, fear, and violence seem to be on the rise, this coming Sunday – and every day – we will have another chance to show that, even though it doesn’t make the news, we are generous partakers of and joyful conduits for the grace, mercy, hope, and love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are children of the God who IS Love. We are filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live as children of the light.
Thanks be to God for that.