So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God also did.

- Hebrews 4:9-10

Dear Caldwell Community Members,

Throughout scripture, the Bible reminds us of the Lord's commandment to rest as part of a God-centered life of work, service and worship. We do so as good stewards of our God-given abilities and as self-care in response to God's grace. Accordingly, you grant your called and installed pastors (Gail and me) a time of rest every seven years - and that time has come around for me

With deepest thanks and equal assurance in the able leadership of the church, I will take a sabbatical this summer, beginning on May 30 and returning at the end of August. This means I will step away entirey from the day-to-day work of the church, withdrawing for rest and to pursue some personnel and professional interests.

The great good news is that your session and staff have been planning for this time. I am excited about what these summer months will bring in the life of our beloved congregation and church.

While I am away, Rev. Gail Henderson-Belsito will serve as head of staff and moderator of the session, our elected board of officers and leaders. The other staff members will continue doing their remarkable work and ministry among us, and Rev. Dr. Diane Mowrey, who has served as a volunteer Parish Associate Minister for years, will join the staff in a part-time pastoral leadership role as well.

I know Gail and the staff welcome your prayers and full supoport. I know equally well that you will be in excellent hands. Not only will our varied regular ministries continue, but four Gambrell Hope Interns will come aboard this summer for work, study and service among you (and some fun!) and other major initiatives will continue through the dedicated work of so many members.

Gail is excited to lead and to preach. Through the work of the Anti-Racism Council at Caldwell (and Kim Bohannon's particular initiative), several guest preachers will join you on Sundays. Several are friends of Caldwell and others will bring new perspectives and ideas of their own.

The Hebrews passage reminds us that Christ stepped away for rest, reflection, prayer and renewal. I hope for all of that. I will spend part of my time traveling to visit 20+ examples of where faith communities have (or plan to) put affordable housing on their campuses.

This has become a deep interest of mine and I will be glad to bring back all that I learn as our Home dream advances. It's an important emerging trend. I hope to find a way to share the stories, examples and case studies I gather more broadly as more and more congregations consider the vision Caldwell so deeply embraced years ago. I was blessed to obtain a research grant from the Louisville Institute and will share some of that funding with the church to cover additional costs for supplemental staff and guest preachers. 

Caldwell is a place of remarkable vision, capacity, passion and energy. God has been so clearly in charge here and I know that continues. I will be in touch again in writing in late May wiht a few more specifics. Meantime, don't hesitate to contact me or any staff or sesson member with questions. Gratefully and as always, I am yours

In Christ,

John Cleghorn