Who among us has not longed for the opportunity to honor someone who has given his life to serving others? The person of whom I am thinking is so humble he would not want me to mention his name. So I won’t. But I must share some very important information I just recently learned. (Remember, I’ve only been here for about 80 days.)

But the one I am speaking of honoring will soon have been walking gently and faithfully on this good earth for 80 years.

He has served as pastor, has inspired thousands with his preaching and the books he has written, has served as Professor of Homiletics, is recognized as one of the most outstanding preachers in this country and is a blessing to all who know him.

This beloved one, whose name I won’t mention would not want birthday gifts for himself, but will be overjoyed with donations to The Craddock Center in honor of his birthday. To that end the Board of Directors and I are organizing a campaign to honor him at the end of April by raising $1,000 for each year of his life. I imagine that many of you will want to help with this birthday gift. From now until April 30, gifts of any amount will be welcomed and your name will be added to the birthday card. Just mark your check for “The Birthday Gift.”

Let’s take this opportunity to celebrate this special birthday by helping his vision for The Craddock Center grow.–TLS
 

I AM ASKING FOR HELP

From all the preachers attending the Spring Preaching Workshop on Monday, March 3. As you know, Palm/Passion Sunday and Easter Sunday come early this year: March 16 and 23. March 3 is a little late to begin work on sermons those two Sundays. As you also know, the Scripture readings for those services are many and lengthy. And as you also know, if March 16 is observed as Palm Sunday, the service can be much like Easter. If March 16 is observed as Passion Sunday, the service can be much like Good Friday. Decisions must be made.

Therefore, I think we can best use our time together by pondering one Palm Sunday text, one Passion Sunday text, and one Easter text. I am asking you to come prepared to focus on and to reflect on Matt.: 21:1-11 (Palm), Isa. 50:4-9 (Passion), and Matt. 28:1-10 (Easter). As we have time we can consider alternative texts. O.K.? Good.

Date: March 3, 2008
Place: Cherry Log Christian Church Fellowship Hall
Schedule for the day: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. (includes breakfast and lunch)

The day is free for all who come, but please make a reservation. Thanks.
I look forward to seeing you. – FBC

 

WHAT’S GOING ON THE NIGHT OF JAN. 26?

I’ll tell you what is going on. Dr. Steve Darsey, musician, choir master, specialist in southern folk music, and director of Meridian Herald, will join me on stage at the Performing Arts Center in Blue Ridge (on the campus of Fannin County High School) for an evening of Songs and Stories. What time does it start: 7:30 p.m. What does it cost? Nothing, but an offering is taken to cover expenses. Do I have to make a reservation? No, not any more. I heard you had to make a reservation. No; reservations were necessary when we were at Brasstown because that room held only 400. This is a much larger room. Do you guarantee that I will have a good time? If you don’t then God didn’t make little green apples, and it don’t rain in Indianapolis, in the summertime. – FBC


IS FRED EVER IN THE OFFICE?

Well, yes. Why do you ask? I’ve called twice and he was not there. When did you call? Once I called about 10:00 p.m.; and again early in the morning. How early? I don’t know; I jog at 6:00 a.m. and it was before that.

I can’t seem to catch the guy; doesn’t he ever work?

I appreciate your frustration. You are one of many victims of his altered schedule. He is now in his office Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 9:00 till noon. But we can’t assure you he is awake. Let the phone ring at least four


O.K., SO WE DIDN’T KEEP CAREFUL RECORDS

In order to follow up with those who made three year pledges on our Scholarship Program. A scholarship for a child to be in our Children’s Enrichment Program is $140.00 for a year. Many of you made pledges of 1 year, some 2 years, and some 3 years. Some sent gifts for the program but made no pledge. Some pledged and have paid in full (This is the third year); some pledged and have paid in part; some pledged but have not yet paid anything.

Have you identified yourself in this confusion? We hate to send a dun, you have been so generous and encouraging to us. So I have worked out a little formula to clear up every pledge. One, if you are in doubt as to whether you paid your pledge, why worry and fret and toss and turn? Send us your payment and get a good night’s sleep. Two, if you are absolutely, 100% certain you have paid your pledge and have a receipt to prove it, then I regret to inform you that you are flat out mistaken. We can clear this up once and for all: send us the money again. You will be happy about your generosity and we will be doubly happy about your double generosity. And you can’t even imagine how happy the children will be. It’s a win, win, win situation.

In the meantime, we owe a pledge of gratitude to you which we can never fully pay. Thank you. - FBC

 

FROM POLAR EXPRESS TO THE STORY EXPRESS

There was much joy expressed in the schools served by the Children’s Enrichment Program during December. With the guidance of Kim, Amanda, and Connie the Head Start/Pre-K classes were singing and moving to the beat of the music as about 550 family members enjoyed seeing what their children experience throughout the school year. Thanks to the handiwork of the folks at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas, we were able to give the children wooden toys as well as books from The Story Express. Please know that your gifts of handmade toys and books brought joy to each of these children. They join me in thanking each of you who help enrich their lives through our Children’s Enrichment Program.—TLS

 

CHILDREN’S ENRICHMENT EXPERIENCES GROWTH

As Betsy Doty and Tracy Walker return to Dawson and Lumpkin County Head Start and Pre/K classes this week. We are happy that the children in these two schools will be blessed by the presence and stories of these two well-known storytellers. Betsy Doty gave life to the storytelling program for The Craddock Center five years ago and continues to mentor and train our Art Specialists. Tracy has been invited as a Regional Teller at the St. Louis Storytelling Festival in May. Congratulations, Tracy!

We are also going to add three Pre-K classes in two additional schools in North Carolina: Ranger and Hiawassee Dam Elementary. The teachers in these schools saw the positive impact of the Children’s Enrichment Program when they taught at Murphy Elementary Pre-K and asked that Connie Chancey come to their current classes. The emphasis in music this semester will be to teach American children’s folk songs along with games and dances, formerly known as “Play Parties” in our Appalachian heritage. If you have forgotten the words to “Shortnin’ Bread” or “Turkey in the Straw” and want a refresher, you are invited to visit any of our classes in January and join in on the fun. Just let me know which day you want to come and I’ll accompany you to one of the classes. You will experience Appalachian heritage at its best!–TLS
 


FOURTH ANNUAL HELEN LEWIS LECTURE

We are in for a real treat both musically and intellectually on the evening of March 7 at the Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association in the old Fannin County Courthouse in Blue Ridge. Sonny Houston and The Blue Velvet Band will start the evening off with their delightful music at 7 PM. Then at 7:30 PM we will be enlightened by Dr. Barbara Ellen Smith, as she lectures on the new Appalachians and the impact of Latino immigration on this region. Dr. Smith is a nationally recognized writer, professor and speaker on Appalachian culture, who currently serves on the faculty of Virginia Tech, where she is the Director of Women’s Studies.

Dr. Smith recently directed a community-based research and education project on Latino immigration to the U.S. South. You won’t want to miss this wonderful offering which is free and the parking is easy.–TLS




Mark Your Calendar

March 3, 2008– Spring Preaching Workshop, Cherry Log Christian Church 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Dr. Fred Craddock.

March 7, 2008—Helen Lewis Lecture 7:00 pm at Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association (Old Fannin County Courthouse, downtown Blue Ridge).