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When the disciples first became followers of Jesus they didn’t even know each other, and in fact in some cases actually were repulsed by some who had been invited into the group. Matthew for one was not someone who the others could have felt any affection for, after all he was the tax collector. But Jesus called them and said; “Come follow me.” You see it was not their fondness for each other that created such a group of effective followers, it was the mission they shared, it was their belief in their leader and the work to which they were called. We too as modern day disciples are called as a group with diversity. We too as modern day disciples have a mission to which we are called; we too share a belief in our Lord.
When the composition of the disciples was gathered, among them they shared a bevy of gifts and talents; none of which qualified them to what they would be called to do by Jesus. You see, he simply called them to follow him; it was in the following that they were equipped for their ministry.
In Christ Church we are blessed with a multitude of gifts and talents. We have a wonderful variety of talents and when put together the possibilities become endless. We have much wisdom among us through the experiences of our elders. We have those who have experience in the business world, those who have spent many years in the education system, those who are librarians, those who are bookkeepers, those who are store owners, those who are gifted and loyal employees, we have carpenters, plumbers, union workers; we have those who have gifts of healing, gifts of exhortation, gifts of compassion, gifts of mercy; we have those who have first hand knowledge in what it feels like to be oppressed and despised by society; we have those who always see the cup half full and those who struggle to see the cup half empty. We have children, we have the working and the retired, we have the unemployed and the underemployed. We have many who can sing or play a musical instrument; we have artists and free thinkers.
The ministry possibilities that come from our list of members could be a sight to behold. Some of the ministries that have come from the parishes that compose Christ Church are the study program that began at the former St. John’s, the food pantry at the former Grace Church. These are just two of the ministries that have been successful and the possibilities.
When I think of the possibilities of service to our community and to the greater world utilizing the talents with which we have been blessed they are numerous:
Ministry to the homebound and lonely; Youth after school program, daily, with computers and tutoring; place for youth to gather and enjoy spending time with each other and a positive role model; regular workshops that teach life skills; twelve step group meetings; continued health workshops; senior issues workshops; a library equipped with space to study and plenty of books; groups for those struggling with daily life issues, health issues, addiction, grief. Varieties of Christian Ed programs, Bible studies; a coffee house that invites conversation and companionship among the faithful; a safe place to share our talents and to discover new ones.
I have listed but a few and I know you talented people have even greater thoughts and knowledge. Let’s put together this team of disciples and creatively serve God together. The disciples proved we do not need to share but one thing, our love for Jesus.
In Christ,, Reverend Sue Eades
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