Steve Calloway's Letter of  Appreciation


Dear Celebration Sisters and Brothers,


Most of my home state is again baking in triple digit heat, but last week Susan and I were standing in the middle of a Redwood forest in Northern California with jackets on. We were awestruck by giant trees that reached up 400 feet into the sky. Even here in a “second growth forest” we walked among trees that were standing when Columbus arrived in the New World and Thomas Jefferson was signing the Declaration of Independence. We even learned that some of these “largest living plants on the planet”, had been standing here since our Savior, Jesus walked out of the Olive grove on his was to Golgotha.  Surely, I thought, trees that can both reach so high into the heavens, and so many centuries back into our history must have an astoundingly deep root system! In that I was wrong. Indeed the root system is extremely extensive but rather than reach down 500 feet into the soil and rock, it reaches out and intertwines its massive branching root system among the vast network of roots coming from the other trees of these magnificent forests. In so doing they create a web of unfailing support for each other ensuring stability for all through storms, fires, and earthquakes. This is an amazing example of Companions in their Journey through the centuries.


That picture, I believe, is a perfect description of the tremendous experience we shared this past July in Stillwater. We played, prayed, and lived within a community dedicated to each other's wellbeing. Young and old, we reached out in mutual support, service and worship of the Holy. Hundreds of times I witness fellow members go the extra mile(s) to help another, or serve the body in some way. Truly, our intertwined acts of selfless service created a grove in which we journeyed in the strength of our Lord. Our inter-woven lives dedicated each to the other produced a kind of Devine Harmony, in our community of sojourners. The result was, as many have said, one of the very best Celebrations ever! We extend a million thanks to each of you and especially to Jeff, Shara and their faithful following of the Spirit's lead. We thank also, their dedicated leadership team who were amazing companions and leaders in organizing and conducting this journey called Celebration 18!


Enclosed, please find a list of CCM brothers and sisters who attended Celebration with you last month. A million thanks to Sandie White, Bill Howard, and Linda Stephen for creating, editing all changes, and finalizing this directory of attendees for use by attendees so that we may be helped in staying in touch this year. We do not have permission to duplicate or share this list beyond our group in attendance. In the words of Shara, “We want you to listen to Holy Spirit lead you into your calling of where to serve in Celebration 19 and the coming months”, then give us a call.  


Again, Blessings to each of you,

And we hope to see you at Summit 18 in Stillwater,


Sincerely,

Steve Calloway