May 31, 2007

Welcome to the Neighborhood

Do you remember a time when neighbors spoke to each other over the backyard fence?  Or families shared information about a memorable day trip?  Or moms gave tips about the best pre-school program and how early to line up to register? Or gardeners gave advice on where to buy compost? Or a teen recommended a gym or a playing field?  A subgroup of Church of the Beloved’s Marketing Team has been working on a website project to be launched at the beginning of the next school year that will share information to help with one’s assimilation to Charlotte’s South Perimeter. 

At Church of the Beloved we remember that Jesus, when incarnated, “took on flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood” (John 1:14a The Message) and we want to do the same thing.  We want to offer a welcome to those people who call Charlotte’s South Perimeter home and share information that will make living here an easier task.  Perhaps you moved here and wanted to know “where can I get alterations done in a 24-hour turn-around”? Or “where does the local Rotary Club meet”? Or “which restaurant offers free meals to children or a discount beer night”?  We would like to share those tips that you would have loved to have been told without having to discover them for yourself.

In the next few issues of Beloved eNews, this team of Beloved members will ask a question to solicit your input.  You can shoot off a reply email or fill out a form available before and after Sunday morning worship.  If you would like to do more than offer your opinion, please consider helping this team gather information to post on this portion of Beloved’s website.  All the work of this team is done via email and not during meetings so if you would like to help, click here and someone will immediately get in touch with you.

As a welcoming gift from Church of the Beloved, there will be an opportunity on the opening page to request a house blessing.  There will be a current calendar of community events with links to the organization’s website.  Hopefully, there will be such good information and great tips that one will continually check the website to learn what’s happening in our area.  It is this team’s desire that when you take brownies over to your new neighbor at the start of the school year that you will share this website address with them.  That by reaching out to our neighbors, they will know that they are loved by God and that we value their participation in our community.  

This week’s question: based on the above description, what website address would catch your attention?  Of course, the shorter, the better.  What words would you “Google” to be directed to this site?  What name would your neighbor remember?  To respond, click here. 

Clifford King Harbin, pastor

Eastertide Images

As dusk falls on Holy Saturday, the baptismal candidates watch as Deacon Deb lights the Paschal Candle from the New Fire.

Maddie and Timmy receive the Body of Christ for the first time following their Easter Vigil baptisms.

"Now sanctify this water we pray you" the bishop prays as he plunges his shepherd's staff in the baptismal waters of the font.

Ben is baptized by effusion, the pouring of water over his head three times.

Children grasp the sides of the font as Lakwan's former life drowns in the waters of Baptism and he emerges as a new creation in Christ.

Maddie and her godmother look on as Timmy is immersed in the waters of Baptism.

Bishop Curry preaches on faith in an energetic Ascension Day sermon.

After being immersed in the baptismal waters three times, Owen emerges from the waters of the font with swimming goggles on his eyes and a radiant smile on his face.

The Beloved Community extends their hands as a prayer is offered for our newest brothers in Christ.

Lakwan receives the Blood of Christ for the first time following his Pentecost baptism.