Greetings, Caldwell. Gail here at the keyboard this week. I hope and pray that this email finds you well, basking in God’s peace, surrounded by Christ’s love, and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
We are fast approaching the final days of our second summer with the Hope Gambrell Interns. It seems like only yesterday that Cam, Elea, Steff, Bailey, and Nate arrived and were commissioned to go to their various placements to learn, serve, and grow in their understanding of faith and social justice. But here we are, at the end of our time with this delightful cohort of college students.
Their energy, passion, thoughtfulness, and inquisitiveness have been contagious here among the staff. When Diane, John (before he went on sabbatical), and I spend time with them on Thursday mornings, they challenge us and themselves to think more deeply about issues of faith and justice, compassion and community. They don’t let us or themselves minimize what is wrong in our world and in our city, nor do they accept superficial answers and simplistic solutions to what ails us.
They have written poetry, laughed, poked fun at each other and us, told stories of meaningful encounters at their placements, debated God’s sovereignty versus free will, and also spent time floating in nearby swimming pools on hot summer evenings. They have sung in the choir, attended the ACE Sunday morning class, helped set up for SNAC, participated in worship, and served as leaders in various settings and situations. They will be missed.
Will you please join me in praying for them in the coming days as they prepare to begin another school year? They don’t have too much time before the bell rings and the fall semester is underway. Being the highly motivated and hard-working students that they are, they return to campus with athletic commitments, RA duties, leadership roles to fill, all while also recovering from the demands of the work they have done this summer. One of the interns has to be back on campus less than a week after leaving Caldwell on Sunday. There can be no denying that they need our prayers.
This Thursday, July 25th, they will have the opportunity to meet Sarah Belk Gambrell, the matriarch of the family that has graciously and lovingly provided the funding for this internship program. It will be joyful for the interns to be in her presence, to thank her for her generosity in person, and to share with her some of the wonderful experiences that she has made possible.
This brave, creative, and engaging group will lead us in worship this coming Sunday, July 28th, their final Sunday with us. Please plan to come hear them tell stories of what they have seen, felt, and learned. Come hear them sing and pray. Come wish them Godspeed, give them a word of encouragement, and celebrate the joy of having had them in our midst for these two months. At the end of the service, the entire congregation will participate in a liturgy and prayer of sending them forth.
We hope to see you here on Sunday at 11 am in Belk Hall.