Slavery has been called “America’s original sin.” Its foundation not long after our country’s settlement, its maintenance for the next 250 hundred years and its echoes to this day mark our national identity. America walks with a limp that comes from the unfinished business of reconciliation between whites and African-Americans. We will take the next two Sundays to think about that, to examine ourselves and what our faith requires.
In worship this Sunday, we will look at the story (Genesis 32:7-13, 21-31) of Jacob’s preparation for reconciliation with his alienated brother, Esau. Jacob wrestled all night with a messenger from God, just as America still wrestles with the issue of race. Jacob’s story might tell us a lot about our nation’s own journey of reconciliation, with God and with each other. It will help us prepare “our hearts and minds” for the following Sunday, when De and Jimmie Lee Kirkpatrick will share their journey together, after discovering they and their families are related through slavery.
All of this relates to one of our “3D” initiatives, called Discipleship of Race and Class. Through this ongoing effort, we will all be invited to think deeply, pray fervently and talk openly about those things that can either divide us or unite us, with God’s help.
Also, Sunday, we will celebrate communion and hear a “minute for mission” about how we can help the families at Merry Oaks School. After worship, we are all invited to celebrate the lasting legacy of Leslie Gipple, who served our church so well before recently stepping down. A new edition of the Caldwell Good News will be fresh from the printer.
Frequently at Caldwell, for an Affirmation of Faith, we use a portion of the Confession of 1967. It reminds us that Jesus Christ is the One in whom we are all reconciled, the one “who became human and lived among us to fulfill the work of reconciliation” and who calls the church “to continue and complete his mission…. Therefore, the church calls all people to be reconciled to God and to one another.”
The next two Sundays in worship call us to be about that work and ministry.
Look for Caldwell This Week tomorrow, including prayer concerns and a host of important upcoming events you won’t want to miss.
In Christ,
John