Enlarge The Revs. Nancy Kraft and Cassandra Jones. Photo: Lee Howard

Posted: March 29th, 2012 Lee Howard

The Rev. Cassandra Jones stood in the pulpit at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, a guest pastor with a message of grace and salvation through humility.

Jones, an African-American who on most Sundays may be found serving as associate pastor at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, spoke to the largely white audience at The Plaza’s Holy Trinity on Sunday, March 25.

Her theme focused on a difficult passage from John 12: 20-23, in which Jesus humbles himself by riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. He at once is ridiculed.

Yet Jesus’ reputation had already intrigued a pilgrimage of Greeks, who wished to meet him in person. “They didn’t just want a third-party message,” she said.

Jones explained that Greeks were an uncommon race in Jerusalem and yet they had journeyed there to join his flock.

Jones was participating in a series of ongoing Xchange Sermons being sponsored by Mecklenburg Ministries and Crossroads Charlotte.

In addition to her work at Friendship Missionary Baptist, Jones serves as an adjunct faculty member at Shaw Divinity School and recently joined the faculty at New Life Theological Seminary as a professor of Christian education.

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Posted: March 27th, 2012 Ken Garfield

A different sort of collaboration is broadening Xchange Sermons.

More than 60 pastors, imams and rabbis last year and dozens more this year have swapped pulpits – affirming by their words and presence the importance of reconciliation. Now, the Rev. Nancy Ellett Allison and Rabbi Jonathan Freirich hope that two upcoming gatherings foster even more understanding in this often divided world.

Allison, spiritual leader of Holy Covenant United Church of Christ in the University City area, will speak at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 2, at Temple Beth El in Shalom Park in south Charlotte. The gathering will mark the first anniversary of the marriage of same-sex couples in Washington, D.C., a ceremony officiated by Allison, Rabbi Judy Schindler of Temple Beth El and Rev. Robin Tanner of Piedmont Unitarian Universalist Church.

Besides lifting up marriage equality, Allison hopes the gathering lifts up another principle: That this is a pluralistic nation whose diversity should stir connections, not anxiety.

Freirich, associate rabbi at Temple Beth El, will lead a Model Seder dinner at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 5, at Holy Covenant. That’s the night before Passover begins, marking the Jewish people’s exodus from slavery in Egypt. Describing the dinner as “Seder 101,” Freirich says he’ll share the customs and essence of Passover. This being a celebration of freedom, people of all faiths will join voices to sing “Let My People Go.”

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Posted: March 26th, 2012 Lee Howard

Chris Johnson says he’s never found himself at a place where he necessarily wanted for anything. But the 19-year-old journalism student said he got a recent education in just how fortunate he’s been in life.

A film presented by Crossroads Charlotte, Temple Beth-El and Mecklenburg Ministries called “Souls of Our Neighbors” attempted to dispel certain myths about homelessness to a roomful of about 50 gathered Saturday, March 24, at UNC Charlotte’s new Uptown Campus. Most of those attending were from area high schools. Though a contingent of about a half dozen kids from the University of South Carolina Upstate, including Johnson, also attended.

The film depicts the real-life experiences of six Charlotte families who faced and overcame homelessness in what, by many measures, is regarded as one of the most prosperous cities in the country.

Johnson, a sophomore from Hampton, S.C., said he found the story of the Masters family particularly compelling.

Richard and Stacey Masters found themselves having to live in a tent in the woods for five months, even though Stacey had a full-time job. Their two daughters had to do their homework by candlelight.

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Posted: March 22nd, 2012 Lakamar Austin

Neighbors, business owners and community leaders gathered Sunday, March 18, at Providence United Methodist Church to continue recent conversations surrounding affordable housing in Charlotte, and to discuss partnerships and projects available to curb housing solutions for the Charlotte's homeless population.

Nearly 30 attendees joined in roundtable discussions to share personal experiences and views.

Seated to my left was Ruth Montfort, a senior citizen from Charlotte. “I’ve been concerned about homelessness and the fact that people really can’t have a life if they don’t have a home, in particularly children. I cannot imagine not having a place to hang my toothbrush,” said Montfort.

To my right, Kay Read talked about walking to school as a child in Tennessee and feeling very safe growing up in her neighborhood. Across from me was Ron Miller, he was raised on a farm in rural Kentucky and attended a grade school with only 80 students.

To the right of Ron sat Stephanie Hand, associate pastor for Providence UMC and a Morehead City native, she remembers that within her neighborhood “there was a sense of community to help me and my generation grow up.”

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