What Happened to Your Sign?

What Happened to the Sardis Entrance Sign?

In late January, a motorist collided with the Sardis entrance sign. Thankfully, nobody was seriously injured in the accident, but our brick sign was reduced to rubble. The destruction of our sign coincided with our congregation beginning a visioning process.

Yes, we will eventually replace our sign, and there’s already a team stewarding that work.  In the interim, we created a banner featuring a blue Band-Aid. We think it’s a fun and clever way to tell the community we are on the mend. But in many ways, it’s also a metaphor for healing in a post-pandemic world.

The last 36 months have changed every facet of life, especially the lives of congregations. Programming, traditions, and rituals that once seemed so vital to our needs and reflective of our values, are no longer as vital and reflective. We anticipate the “new” Church, but we also grieve the loss of comfort and familiarity. Perhaps it’s an adolescence.

We’re seeking to discern what Church is going to be in 2023 and beyond. How will we be an extension of God’s love in the Charlotte community and beyond? And though it may be a tedious process, we also believe that part of our discernment is giving intentional thought to the language represented on our new sign. Who are we? What are the needs of the community around us? What resources can we share and receive to meet the needs of our community?

To that end, you may have to wait a little while longer to see a permanent sign at 5811 Sardis Road.  And don’t be surprised to see a banner or two that seek your input. Just know that we’re striving to build a better, more relevant, more loving community of faith. And when do finally “rip off the Band-Aid,” we hope our sign will reflect our deepest desire to offer radical and consistent hospitality to our neighbors near and far.