The News and the Good News

A guest's belongings in the Shelter at Caldwell

Dear Caldwell,

I trust you’re headed into a weekend where you will find some rest and recuperation. Here are a few items of interest:

As you may have read  in the paper or in my blog, the latest round of funding for the shelter at Caldwell runs out May 31. I’m pleased to report that we are very encouraged by the response to the Salvation Army’s appeal for help. More details to come on that later.

This Sunday, we have a guest preacher who is familiar to some of you, Rev. Darryl Jefferson, chaplain at Presbyterian Hospital. Darryl has preached as part of the Elizabeth Community of Faith’s lenten series and has been well received. He’s got a wonderfully personable preaching style and has chosen a timless psalm, the 23rd. 

Also Sunday, the Adult study group will continue its look at the Belhar Confession and what goes in to the denomination’s decision about whether we adopt it. The confession came out of a racial reconcilliation task force of Presbyterians that was charged to consider reparations. We will take a look at that, talk about how the voting process works and take a look at how the voting is going. The Charlotte Presbytery votes on the matter next Tuesday, along with changes concerning ordination standards.  In case you didn’t see the helpful Observer column on that subject by Sam Roberson, our top Presbyterian official for this region, here it is.http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/05/12/2290128/presbyterian-church-usa-adapts.html#storylink=misearch

Dave Bradley has been working hard on a new issue of our newsletter, due out Sunday. This month’s has some great reflections by the Vision Team that just returned from Guatemala as well as several other great features.

In other news:

– Richard Campbell and Jimmy Todd are resting at home after recent hospitalizations. We continue to pray for their full recovery. 

– Our Godly Play team meets Saturday 1-3 p.m. as it prepares for the next round of lessons. What a blessing their commitment is to our kids.

– Be sure you’ve marked your calendars for the church picnic, Saturday, May 21, 3:30 through dinner and games. Veteran’s Park, 2136 Central Avenue.

See you Sunday.

In Christ,

John