To imagine that this is not an issue of Milk and Honey but a small card which opens from bottom to top, not from side to side. On the front of the card is a picture of a child in pajamas, kneeling beside a bed, hands together under the chin, eyes closed. Underneath the picture are the words, “Thank you, God . . .” You open the card as though lifting a curtain and inside it says,

“I thank my God for all your remembrance of me.”
Fred Craddock

I don’t want to be guilty of plagiarism, so I should put beneath these words: The Apostle Paul to the church at Philippi in Macedonia. But at this moment I feel these words are mine. Paul never said to the Philippians, “Thank you” but rather “I thank God for you.”

I understand what he means, and I also mean it. But I also want to say “Thank you.” For my eightieth birthday. I received a huge card bearing over 300 names. I also received a big box of notes and letters from you. I have not sat down to read them all at once. Somehow that would seem disrespectful. Rather, I read three or four a day, and I take time to remember you. In addition, the children received from you on my birthday over $61,000.00. No, this is not a misprint: over $61,000.00. Every one of these children say, “Thank you.”

And, of course, Paul was right. “I thank my God for all your remembrance of me.” Which, by the way, can also be translated, “I thank my God for all my remembrance of you.” — FBC
 

CELEBRATING THE “BIRTHDAY BOY”

On the evening of May 20th before the Board of Directors conducted their business a group of children from the Children’s Enrichment Program surprised Dr. Craddock with a short program of music in celebration of his birthday. As they were gathering, one little fellow came up to me and asked, “Which one is the ‘birthday boy’?” Now at that moment I realized that to a four year old age is irrelevant—you are either old or young. Since the “birthday boy” had declined a party hat it was not easy to determine which one he was. As soon as I pointed out the “birthday boy” the little boy went running over to Dr. Craddock to ask if he might take one of his birthday balloons home. Needless to say, every child went home with a balloon, a new book and remnants of birthday cake on their shirts.

A big thank you to all of you who helped honor the founder of The Craddock Center this spring. — TLS
 

WELCOME JAMES McCORMICK to the BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jim McCormick is the Pastor of Big Canoe Chapel, where he has served for five years. Dr. McCormick , a Methodist minister, has been preaching and teaching for over 50 years and has announced his intentions to retire this year. He received a B.A. from Millsaps College, an M.Div. from Candler School of Theology, Emory University and Rel.D. from the School of Theology at Claremont. He is the author of four books: “Welcome Home”, “Tell It Like It Can Be”, “Marriage Is For Adults”, and “Does It Look and Sound Like Jesus?’.

Dr. McCormick is married to Patricia Chunn McCormick. They have a son and daughter. — TLS


WE’RE ALMOST FULL

For the Preaching Workshop October 6, 2008. After Dr. Craddock announced the topic — “13 Ways to End a Sermon” all the seats were spoken for almost immediately by the listeners to sermons. In order to accommodate all the preachers and laity, we are looking into adding a tent in the church yard! The Preaching Workshop begins at 9:00 a.m. with a continental breakfast and ends with a lunch around noon. Because of the generosity of the Cousins Foundation there is no charge. — TLS


THERE IS A TIME

In the evening, between daylight and dark, when the creature population seems to double. The creatures of the day can be seen retreating to their familiar tree or bush or burrow while the creatures of the night cautiously appear from their familiar tree or bush or burrow. For that brief time a field or wood, apparently lacking in creatures, suddenly has more than enough. It is a good time to be alive and awake. Some of my eccentric friends tell me there is a similar drama which unfolds in the morning, early, between night and day. I humor them with a smile, as though I believed it, but they are, as I say, eccentric.

I sat one evening on my front steps, watching the magic of this brief time, when I observed the strangest thing. Down the road (I live on a gravel road, not a street) came walking a nine pound sparrow. Shocked by the sight of so large a sparrow, I blurted out, “Aren’t you a little heavy for a sparrow?” “Why do you think I’m out walking?” he almost yelled. “Why don’t you fly?” “Fly? Do you think I’m crazy? I have never flown before!” He walked on, and then it was dark. —FBC

YOU NEED TO KNOW

What I heard on the Story Express as two little boys were picking out books a couple of weeks ago. They had looked at many books before finally making a choice. Then one little fella said to his friend, “Look how shiny my book is.” And then as he opened the book and its spine cracked, he said, “Did you hear that pop?! I don’t think this book has ever been opened!” Then to his friend he said, “Open yours and see if it pops! I think my book is new, is yours?!” Then he turned to me and asked, “Do I get to keep this book or do I need to return it when school starts again?” I said, “This book is yours to keep and read and read and read!” — TLS

THE CHILDREN’S ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

Gets high marks again as the end of year evaluations came in. It is clear that the Art Specialists who bring stories, creative movement and songs to the Head Start/Pre-K children are making a difference in the lives of these children. We heard from every Director and teacher how effective the Enrichment Program has been this year. One teacher gave me this message: “In the beginning of this school year a couple of my students had a really hard time getting adjusted to going to music. They also had a tough time sitting and listening. They would either be throwing tantrums or be totally withdrawn. As the year progressed, Ms. Amanda continuously tried to involve them by asking them to take part in all the many activities. They eventually became comfortable with the environment. They are now participating and enjoying music with Ms. Amanda in the classroom. She has helped them learn to appreciate music. They can now sit, clap, dance, and joyously participate in songs.”

On the last day of school I observed these two children sing into the microphone proudly as they sang for their parents and grandparents who were smiling as they took pictures.

Thank you, Pam, Betsy, Amanda, Kim, Connie and Tracy for sharing your gifts with these children and making the world a better place.

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go and do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Howard Thurman — TLS
 

WELCOME KATHERINE SUIT

We are so fortunate to have Katherine Suit join our Board. She has worked with Fannin County Head Start since 1965 and just retired in 2007 after serving 20 years as Director. With her knowledge of how the Children’s Enrichment Program benefits the classroom, she will be a great help.

Katherine and her husband Buddy live in McCaysville, GA. — TLS