Betty's Blog



	The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Georgia

Betty Brewer-Calvert
Regional Director of Women's Ministries
Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Georgia

Betty's Bio

Contact me: 478-743-8649 or 800-755-0485 E-mail: betty@gadisciples.org

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Moments of Grace

I am thankful today for all the moments of grace in my life which give hope and joy and meaning. Some points of grace are just little things; others are enormous. Here’s a taste of them:

• I just got an email from my brother-in-law (personally written, in his own words with his own delightful personality) and I laughed ‘til I cried at a point of wit and humor.

• I was blessed by the life of a tiny little hamster named Georgia who just passed away on Sunday and who would look up at me, the “mama” of all the creatures in our house, as if to say “Oh, there you are, you benevolent giant. I love these carrots!”

• After a wonderful opportunity to visit churches around the region several Sundays in a row, I was back for Palm Sunday in my home congregation. So many people said, “We’ve missed you. Welcome home.” I am grateful for their support as I travel!

• I am moved by a story in the local paper of Chinese immigrants who captured a fugitive and are splitting the reward between an elderly friend and the orphaned child of the fugitive, keeping none for themselves.

• I got the chance this week to sing “Here Comes Peter Cottontail,” an Easter favorite, on the phone to my aunt who has Alzheimer’s. It made me smile to remember her beautiful singing voice and the love with which she taught her kindergartners in years gone by.

• The spring has sprung and I’m reconnecting with neighbors who’ve been “hibernating.” The change of seasons is a treat.

• A special young friend invited us to visit her school for arts night, at which she is performing. She had a limited number of invitations, but she invited us. That’s a grace note!

• I celebrate the journey to the cross and all the opportunities to travel with Jesus this week. I am reminded that God has extended an extreme, radical, grace which we are called to extend to others in word and deed. May it be so.

Blessings for your Holy Week. May you have many moments of grace.

Betty C. Brewer-Calvert

Posted by Betty Brewer-Calvert on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 10:36

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Reporting from the Blitz Build

[I wrote these reflections about the women’s blitz build on Wednesday, January 23; but I’m just posting them a couple of days later. I’m at my annual Church Women’s Staff Fellowship meeting (in Houston this year) and will write again soon.]

I’m sitting in the fellowship hall/sanctuary of Northwood Christian Church in Beaumont, Texas. It’s the third day of our Disciples Women Habitat Blitz Build, and it’s raining. We’re hoping the front will move on out and that the site will dry up enough to allow us back out for the afternoon. Women have scattered out – some to the mall, some to the hotel where a portion of the group is staying, some upstairs to the youth lounge where the other half of us are camping (including me), some around a table playing a lively card game, some reading books, some talking quietly in groups, and some on their computers. We’ve pared down the layers we donned this morning as we hoped to go out and work. We were ready – despite the rain; but decision-makers said “Not yet. We must be safe.” It makes sense, but it’s disappointing nonetheless.

There are nearly 50 women here – representing 18 of the 33 regions in the US and Canada – pretty awesome for this first-time event. Some are calling for an annual event. Many of us are on our first mission trip, and I can testify that it is an empowering and yet humbling experience. To look at that concrete slab on Monday morning and to meet the woman and her two young daughters who will be the owners of the house, I felt an awesome responsibility to do my absolute best. I knew nothing about building houses and was – and am – truly humbled by the opportunity. I am in awe that someone would trust me to build her house, that our team leaders would give their time and energy to teach me, that Disciples churches in Beaumont, Port Arthur, and Nacogdoches would generously transport, feed and house me, and that the other women on the build would count on ME to help frame, lift and attach walls, climb a ladder and nail in the headers, and shoot a nail gun to attach sheeting to very narrow studs. I told someone yesterday, “I don’t know if I’m building my muscles or destroying them.” Undoubtedly, I’m discovering muscles I didn’t know I had! I’m also discovering a whole new vocabulary, as you can tell.

We will not finish this house this week, but there are more women’s groups lined up to continue the work we have begun. A local newspaper article and television news footage earlier in the week have brought phone calls to the local Habitat affiliate from women in this area saying “I saw the report on the women build. Can I get involved?” It does not matter that we will not get to finish the house ourselves. Seeds are being planted – seeds of encouragement, seeds of hope, and seeds of joy. Thank you for your monetary support, for your well wishes, and your many prayers. You’ve been with me on this journey!

Posted by Betty Brewer-Calvert on Friday, January 25, 2008 at 22:30

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Lord, Have Mercy

It is hard to fathom the kind of violence we see in our world. I am saddened (and sickened) by the brutal murder of Meredith Emerson here in Georgia. The pictures in the paper and on the internet show a lovely young woman, healthy and full of potential. Why should celebrating the new year by taking a hike with her dog be life-risking? I don’t really have an answer. If you could see me, you’d know I am just shaking my head, saying “Lord, have mercy.” Sometimes, there are few words and even less understanding and all we can do is to pray. We pray for her family and friends, we pray for the sick person who perpetrated this heinous crime, and we pray for a world where people are safe to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation without fear. Kyrie eleison. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Posted by Betty Brewer-Calvert on Wednesday, January 09, 2008 at 21:39

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Are you ready?

The other day, someone asked me if I was “ready” for Christmas. My first instinct was to say “no.” I need to finish shopping, do some housecleaning, decorate a bit, wrap some presents, address holiday cards, and all the other wonderful items we place on our lists. I paused before I answered, “Well, yes and no.” In truth, there may never come a year when I do ALL the things I’d like to do before December 25 rolls around. Life is full, and there are things on the list that just don’t get done. So, if the questioner meant “Have I finished everything on the list?” the answer is unequivocally “no.” But, if she meant, “Is your heart ready for Christ to be born?” I say “YES.” I am ready to experience the awe of the shepherds, to behold the Child with hope and excitement, to feel God’s presence intimately, and to know the peace which God desires for the world. I have a feeling John the Baptist wasn’t talking about holiday cards when he cried out, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight.” Are we ready to receive him? Are we ready for Christmas?

May God’s light and love be yours at Christmas and throughout the year!

Posted by Betty Brewer-Calvert on Friday, December 21, 2007 at 20:09

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