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Dear friends:
One of life's delicious treats is the time and space to enjoy poetry. Poetry can't be read in a hurry, caught on the fly, or skimmed like the morning news. It requires a settled mind, a sharpened focus.
One of my favorite poets, Christian Wiman, penned a memoir called "My Bright Abyss: Meditation of a Modern Believer," in which he wonders what assenting to his long latent faith might mean - especially after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer on his 39th birthday. He writes, "What I crave now is some speech that is true to the transcendent nature of grace yet equal to the hard reality in which daily faith operates." He seeks that elusive balance between "active devotion and honest modern consciousness."
Wiman puts to words what most of us feel. We long for a connection between the extravagant claims of faith and the harsh realities of daily life, a touch-point between what we try to believe and what we actually experience. Wiman expresses it well, saying he keeps working "to see the sanity and vitality of this strange, ancient thing" called Christian faith.
This weekend's scripture passage addresses the same question: What is the connection between temple practice and market economics, between religious ritual and social structures. It's a surprisingly relevant word for our city right now, and I encourage you to read it.
Also, please remember this Sunday we will have one combined worship service in the Sanctuary at 11 a.m. From there, we will go serve in various venues across the city for Covenant Impacts Charlotte. Come in your work clothes, bring a completed Time & Talents interest form, a pledge card, a willing spirit, and anything else you might offer on this important day. We need you and earnestly desire your full participation.
If you have not yet signed up (we have space for 700), click here to do so here by 3 p.m. today. There will also be a table outside worship on Sunday for same-day registration. If you saw the musicians smiling after rehearsal as I did, you would know we have a lot to look forward to!
See you on Sunday,
Bob Henderson, senior minister
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